| First time to Paris? Well, just to tell you a bit | | | | you're also within walking distance of the Lourve. |
| about the city and its layout. The city is divided | | | | 7th Arrondissement - This 'elegant district' is |
| into 20 arrondissements (districts). They are | | | | home to one of the world's most famous |
| numbered 1 to 20 starting in the middle of the | | | | attractions The Eiffel Tower. Other sights to see |
| city and spiralling outwards in a clockwise direction. | | | | here include Hotel de Invalides, Musée d'Orsay |
| So if you want to be based in the heart of the | | | | and Musée Rodin. Le Bon Marché is also |
| city centre you choose the lower numbers with | | | | located here and is one of the most famous |
| the 1st arrondissement being the very core of | | | | department stores in Paris. |
| the city. | | | | 8th Arrondissement - This arrondissement is |
| 1st Arrondissement - This arrondissement is the | | | | where you can walk up the world renowned |
| very heart of cosmopolitan Paris, so if you want | | | | Champs-Elysées to the iconic Arc de Triomphe. |
| to be based centrally then this is the | | | | If you love your designer handbags and apparel |
| arrondissement for you. This is usually the best | | | | then you must browse the shops of Louis |
| starting point for your exploration of the city, as | | | | Vuitton, Chanel and Hermes, after all, this is the |
| it's home to top attractions like the Louvre, the | | | | home of these world famous designer brands! |
| Jardin des Tuileries, Place Vendome, Le Palais | | | | North city centre - 9th & 18th Arrondissements. |
| Royal, the churches of Saint Chapelle and Saint | | | | Main attractions here include Galeries Lafayette, |
| Eustache and the medieval fortress of La | | | | Opera Garnier, Basilica of the Sacred Heart and |
| Conciergerie. Les Halles is a superb commercial | | | | Montmartre. |
| shopping district with both open-air markets and | | | | East of city centre - 11th, 12th, 19th, 20th. Mainly |
| indoor markets. | | | | residential neighbourhoods dotted with attractions |
| 2nd Arrondissement - This is considered one of | | | | like the Bastille and Gare de Lyon. |
| the main financial hubs of Europe and is home to | | | | South of city centre - 13th & 14th |
| the Stock Exchange (the Bourse) and lots of | | | | Arrondissements. Again these are mainly |
| charming shopping malls called 'The Galleries'. It's | | | | residential and well connected with the city centre. |
| also the location of some theatres and operas, as | | | | Sights to see here include; Montparnasse where |
| well as some historic sights like the Place des | | | | you can explore the creepy Paris catacombs! The |
| Victories and Notre Dame des Victoires church. | | | | Bibliotheque Nationale de France is also located |
| 3rd Arrondissement - Here you'll find open air | | | | here. |
| markets, flea markets and lots of quaint food | | | | West of the city centre - 16th & 17th. The 16th |
| stores and cafes. It's also the location of | | | | lies close to the 7th Arrondissement and so it is |
| museums like the Musée Picasso and the | | | | only about a 20 minute walk or there abouts to |
| Musée National des Arts et Métiers, the | | | | the Eiffel Tower. If staying here, visit the Palais du |
| latter showcasing artifacts from the Statue of | | | | Trocadéro (great views of the Eiffel Tower). |
| Liberty. | | | | The 17th Arrondissement lies north of the 8th so |
| 4th Arrondissement - This could be called | | | | it's not far from the Champs-Elysées. |
| medieval Paris and its showpiece is the | | | | There are lots of Paris hotels located in each one |
| magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral. Other | | | | of the above arrondissements. Generally speaking, |
| landmarks include; Hôtel de Ville (Paris city hall), La | | | | the closer to the city centre you stay the more |
| Bastille (at the Bastille Metro Station), the | | | | expensive the hotel price you will pay. So if you're |
| Holocaust Memorial, the Pompidou Art Centre and | | | | on a budget choose to stay in the outer |
| Hotel de Sully - a historical residence in the Le | | | | arrondissements and use the convenient and |
| Marais area. | | | | efficient Parisian public transport system. |
| 5th Arrondissement - Also known as the 'Latin | | | | For example; the 1st Arrondissement boasts |
| Quarter' this arrondissement is distinguished by | | | | some of the most opulent hotels in the world and |
| the magnificent Panthéon, which can be found | | | | the restaurants are also very posh. If you're on a |
| perched on top of a hill in the centre of the | | | | budget then we suggest that you sleep and eat |
| arrondissement. It is also the location of many of | | | | outside of this arrondissement. However the 19th |
| the cities universities most notably Sorbonne. | | | | -20th arrondissements offer affordable |
| 6th Arrondissement - The oldest church in Paris is | | | | accommodation and are just about a half an hour |
| located here 'Eglise Saint Germain des Pres'. It | | | | metro ride from the city centre. |
| dates from 543 AD, but what you see today is | | | | If you are price conscious, then avoid busy times |
| mainly from the 11th century. This chic district is | | | | of the year like Paris Fashion Week (middle of |
| home to many writers, painters and artists. It | | | | January) from Easter - June, September, October |
| situated just south of the 1st Arrondissement so | | | | and Christmas. |