Sitting right in the centre of Paris is the 1er arrondissement, boasting many of the city’s most prominent tourist hot-spots.  Soak up the arts in the giant Louvre Museum, home to the famous Mona Lisa, or relax in the beautiful Tuileries Gardens nearby. 
Tuileries gardens is 63 acres of pretty gardens with children playing at sailboats in its little pools.  It is surrounded by the Louvre, the river Seine and Place de la Concorde and is also home to the contemporary art gallery Jeu de Paume, in its North-West corner.

The very regal Place de la Concorde is known for its giant Ferris wheel and stunning fountains.
Although Palais Royal, at one time royal property for courtly entertainment, has remained a great spot for theatre, it's also used for more modern forms of recreation such as rollerskating.
Recently re-opened, L’Orangerie, a curved gallery, fits two of Monet’s Waterlilies paintings which were donated by the artist at the beginning of the last century.

Formerly an open market, the stunningly mirrored Forum des Halles shopping precinct has an array of shops in an ambient setting, with sculptures and fountains. Plaçe Vendôme nearby, however, has the ultimate in chic, designer stores. Unconventional shoppers delight in the stamp collectors market on Avenue de Marigny.

Notable bridges in this area are Pont Neuf, the oldest in Paris, and Pont des Arts near the Louvre.  The latter is popular with picnickers in the summer months who bring blankets, music and candles to enjoy a romantic evening, watching the boats glide under the bridge of the Seine.

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This area is named after its defining building La Bourse, the Parisian stock exchange site, with many bank headquarters set in its grand architecture.  Busy with business, this key financial district also has a good hand in the textile industry.

The National Library and the celebrated Place des Victoires can be found in this small arrondissement.

A main thoroughfare in Bourse, the Avenue de L’Opéra runs through it, ending at the Opéra Garnier, on its border.

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More recently known as Le Marais, along with the 4ème arrondissement, this area has opulent 17th century mansions which crown the district. Once noble residences, the buildings now host very hip inhabitants in this vibrant part of town.

A favourite with pleasure-seekers and sunbathers is the Place des Vosges.  With grassy green areas, trees and fountains, surrounded by 36 splendid Rennaissance mansions, this is the oldest square in Paris.  It has been home to writers such as Victor Hugo and Madame de Sevigné.

Museums nearby include the Carnavalet, which archives the history of Paris, along with the National Picasso Museum and an interesting locksmithing museum. 
To the North, the historical medieval buildings now make one of the most chic areas of Paris and also the city’s gay village; the 3ème is great for cafés and bars, as well as offbeat shopping, being the home to one of the city’s best flea markets at Passage du Grand Cerf.

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Known as Le Marais, as is the 3ème arrondissement, its proper title is named after its official monument, the City Hall or Hôtel-de-Ville, which sits on the right bank of the Seine, almost facing the wonderfully gargoyle-embellished Notre Dame Cathedral here.

Lively Parisian lifestyle is ongoing in street entertainment, bakeries, cafés and in more alternative boutiques and bars with a modern vibe.  The Jewish Rue des Rosiers, the Ile St. Louis and the Ile de la Cité are the oldest areas.

From Place du Vert Galant, catch some culture on one of the boat tours on the Vedettes du Pont Neuf, or be swept away by the beautiful flower market at Quai de la Corse.
The Centre Pompidou, with its famous inside-out architecture is also in this picturesque district and a walk along Boulevard Bourdon at night offers a breathtaking view of the boats on the river, leading to Place de la Bastille and the Colonne de Juilllet.

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Nicknamed the Quartier Latin after its originally Latin-speaking student population at the famous Sorbonne University buildings found here, this area has a small-town feel and a very Bohemian personality. 
Much like Le Marais and Montmartre, the Latin Quarter of Paris is known for its alternative lifestyles.

A vibrant mix of students, artists and young professionals dominate the district and the Boulevard Saint Germain, which leads the way in cuisine and Paris cafés.

Along the Quai de Montebello are collector’s stalls with old prints, engravings and knick-knacks.  Visit Rue Mouffetard for its spectacular art shops or take in some jazz at one of the very authentic hang-outs on Rue Galande.
The 5ème is named for its huge necropolis, Panthéon, the final resting place to age-old Paris celebrities such as Voltaire, Rousseau, Hugo and Zola.
Aside from the Panthéon, this district also has many visitors to its Natural History Museum.

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It is more recently known as Saint-Germain.  Very Boho, this area has an array of art galleries, clothing boutiques and contemporary cuisine in this very central district of Paris.
Plaçe Saint Sulpice follows up with a designer flea market.

The French Senate and the Luxembourg Gardens are also located in this district. Built for Marie de Medicis in the early 17th Century, the Luxembourg Palace and its gardens are a large and sprawling beauty.

Another must-see in this area are the many intellect’s cafés, which in the olden days hosted such artists and writers as Hemingway, Sartre and also Picasso; said to have created cubism here.

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An essential spot for tourists and Parisians alike, this district features Paris’ finest Eiffel Tower, which has not only the world famous Paris views from the top, but also at the Trocadero.  At this beautiful stretch of fountains with sloped grassy areas at each side, enjoy the picture-postcard view and maybe a spot of lunch.

Musée d'Orsay is located in the 7ème; once a train station, this huge gallery now houses one of the most astounding collections of impressionist art to be seen, with works by Degas, Lautrec, Van Gogh among many other favourites and more modern artists.
This very upmarket area is international, with embassies, the French National Assembly, and the Palais de Chaillot, found here.

L'Hotel des Invalides, built in 1671 to shelter 4000 ex-soldiers, but now a modern annex to 3 museums and Napoleon's burial site, is also situated in this area.

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Place de la Concorde, Place de la Madeleine, and the Presidential Élysée are all near to Les Champs-Elysées.

Les Champs-Elysées is possibly the prettiest avenue in the world; a broad and bustling tree-lined boulevard with a string of designer stores and restaurants.  Numerous shops and businesses converge in this important commercial area of Paris.  Leading up to the classic Arc de Triomphe, the breathtaking, sparkling scene here at night serves Paris’ reputation as the City of Light.

The area is rife with Bourgeoisie hang-outs like the bars and cafés, with Plaza Athénée a must for French wine lovers.  Nearby Parc de Monceau and several little palaces offer sublime spots for relaxation, with a famous flower market in Quartier Monceau.

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The 9ème district was once the “hub” of Paris society; while these days are gone, the elegant surroundings are still very evident.
Buildings such as L'Opéra de Paris and the Opéra-Comique are situated in this popular and artsy area.  A masterpiece of Beaux-Arts style, the lavish Opéra Garnier also boasts typical Parisian Grandeur and should not be overlooked. In true Phantom of the Opera style, it has a naturally occurring lake running beneath the cellars of the building!

Pigalle with the old Red Light district are also in this arrondissment. 
Commerce thrives in all 10 levels of shopping in the wonderfully Art Nouveau Galeries Lafayette and also Printemps, or you could enjoy the Saturday outdoor market on Boulevard de Clichy.

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Of the six major train stations in Paris, both Gare de l'Est and Gare du Nord, are conveniently located in this district.

Neoclassicism and industrial revolution structures meet in Gare du Nord, which has nine very interesting statues personifying the most important cities of France and Europe at that time.

The neighbourhood has a multi-cultural influence and great 19th century architecture. Enjoy a stroll along Canal Saint-Martin by the Seine to admire one of Paris’ many viewpoints.

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In Popincourt you can find Place de la Bastille, home to concerts and similar events and the new Bastille Opera, the second largest opera house in Paris.

This district, also casually known as Bastille, is busy at night with many good bar areas such as Oberkampf, which has an array of urban-chic wine bars and a slightly grungy feel.  Rue de Lappe, Rue du Faubourg St. Antoine are also notably lively, some with a very Latin American style.

Suiting its hip vibe, the 11ème also pays homage to the late Edith Piaf with an Edith Piaf Museum about the singer in the area.

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Reuilly has a local community and borders one of the most charming parks of Paris, the Bois de Vincennes.  The largest green area in Paris, it boasts a boating lake, gardens and delightful Renaissance structures.

Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, also located in this arrondissement, hosts many sporting events in basketball, boxing, gymnastics and track cycling.

Find here also the Gare du Lyon, beautifully constructed with forethought to the Universal Exhibition of 1900.

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Gobelins has lots of high-rise buildings and is Paris' main Chinatown, situated at the South-East of the district.  With over 150 Chinese restaurants, the neighbourhood spans Place d'Italie and its borders are Avenue d'Ivry, Avenue de Choisy and Boulevard Masséna.  On Mondays this part of Chinatown is quiet as most of it is closed.

It is the newest business centre of Paris Rive Gauche. 

Institutions such as the Bibliothèque François Mitterrand and the Joan of Arc statue are also tourist favourites in this arrondissement.

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Boulevard Montparnasse, the Montparnasse tower, Gare Montparnasse, pretty Parc Montsouris and Stade Charléty are all found in this tranquil 14ème district of Paris.

Place Denfert-Rochereau is a lively area, due to its huge film galleries and an array of established cafés and restaurants.

Take a stroll through the peaceful Cimetière du Montparnasse to visit the graves of Sartre or Beauvoir, or see the Paris Catacombs; final resting place of around six million skulls and bones in a series of underground tunnels.

This broad district has a wide range of residents, from very upper-class residences by the Seine's margins, to an area of young professionals and students by the Left Bank.

Experience the highest skyscraper in Paris, the Tour Montparnasse, at the border with the 14th district.

Porte de Versailles holds great art exhibits, and nearby Front de Seine, also called Beaugrenelle, approaches the Eiffel Tower.

Parc André Citroën in this district offers a hot air balloon ride, for a brilliant air-view of Paris.

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For sports fanatics, venues such as Parc des Princes (the stadium of Paris SG football club), Stade Jean-Bouin (home of Français Rugby Union) are great spots in the 16ème district of Paris.
Tennis fans love the Roland Garros Stadium, the site of the French open.  Aficionados get the chance to see the world’s top players practicing on the outer courts.

Bois de Boulogne, another of Paris’ fabulous parks, has a beautifully designed garden theatre hosting plays by Shakespeare outdoors during high season.

Avenue Foch, Auteuil and Passy, even though not so exclusive as the 7ème district, are the widest and wealthiest part of Paris.  International embassies are highly concentrated here as well. This district is quiet at night, thanks to its upper class reputation, which is really enjoyed by most.

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Variety is more than available in the Monceau district, where its neighbourhoods offer the popular Place de Clichy, Avenue des Ternes, Marché Poncelet, the Concorde Lafayette highrise, with the Palais des Congrès of Paris, one of the greatest exhibition centres.

Nearby on the West, the Arc de Triomphe and Parc Monceau are right by this classy district.

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This very Bohemian district has more of a village feel to it, probably due to its setting on the Paris Rive Droite, on its own hill.  Residents in this district are still predominantly successful artists; the 18ème is famous for its Place du Tertre which is always busy with its lesser-known painters.

It’s an area renowned for charming, narrow streets which, although steep, lead up to the glorious Sacré Coeur cathedral at its crest, with grassy parks overlooking Paris.

The market Marché Barbès is a unique offering here with its huge range of African produce.

Entertainments such as live jazz at the open flea market are an alternative if you aren’t interested in the Moulin Rouge, located in this district.  This famous cabaret took its name from one of the windmills of Montmartre from another era.

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Where Canal Saint-Denis and the Canal de l'Ourcq meet at Parc de la Villette, there is a wide variety of performances and shows; a main feature of this 19ème district.
The Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie is a delightful and intriguing place to visit.  Not only is it one of the world’s largest science museums but it has beautiful space-age architecture and layout.
Music Enthusiasts will be thrilled in this district by the Cité de la Musique and Le Conservatoire de Paris, which form one of the most renowned music centres in Europe.

Although the residential 19ème offers plenty of ethnic eateries and great shopping in a charming setting, its leisurely highlight has to be the Parc des Buttes Chaumont. Within this 60 acre park, you can peruse the lake, the suspension bridge and the pretty waterfall, or just relax on one of the many green areas, which are overlooked by its Neo-Classical temple in the background.

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As with many of Paris’ districts, the 20ème also has an alterior name; Belleville. 
With connotations of both grandeur and immigration from the last century and the birthplace of Edith Piaf as well as her resting place, this district has a lot to offer.

In the 1980’s, part of this arrondissement also became Paris’ second Chinatown, with some of the greatest Asian food in Paris on Rue de Belleville, with an Asian open air market on Rue Rebeval, more like Saigon than Paris at times!

Of course this particular arrondissement gets so much attention because of its most famous and frequented burial grounds at the Père-Lachaise Cemetery.  Being the tranquil resting place for many internationally acclaimed stars such as Chopin, Rossini, Piaf, Wilde, Proust, Pissarro, and Jim Morrison, makes it a site of pilgrimage for young and old alike.

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