Paris Map and Information

The Seine River is the beating heart of Paris. As you move closer to the river, you'll notice the neighborhoods become more upscale, chic, and touristy. Paris is divided into twenty administrative districts called"arrondissements”. Paris has one town hall (la Mairie de Paris) and one mayor (le Maire de Paris) for the entire city. However each district also has its own town hall and mayor.

 

On a map, the twenty districts of Paris coil outward clockwise from the central neighborhoods. When talking about Paris people often refer to the Left Bank and the Right Bank, north and south of the Seine, respectively. North, on the Right Bank, are the 1st, 2nd and 3rd districts ("arrondissements"); the 4th arrondissement covers the area just north of the river and Ile St Louis, an island on the Seine. South, on the Left bank, are the 5th, 6th, 7th arrondissements; the ‘snake’ coils north again, with the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th arrondissements, then winds south:  13th, 14th, 15th and ends up north: 16th, 17th 18th 19th and 20th.

 

There are countless sites and landmarks that belong to Paris. The Palais du Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries, Jardin du Palais Royal and Place Vendôme all grace the 1st. The 2nd arrondissement is home to the Opera Garnier, Paris Stock Exchange and ancient National Library.  The 3rd and 4th are Le Marais, home to many craftsmen’s shops and a large concentration of museums, from the Picasso Museum to Maison de Victor Hugo on beautiful Place des Vosges. Le Marais is also the home of Paris' historic Jewish neighborhood. Notre-Dame de Paris, la Sainte Chapelle and la Conciergerie are on the river island « Ile de la Cité » in the 4th.

 

The 5th Arrondissment, referred to as the Latin Quarter, contains La Sorbonne, Le Panthéon and Boulevard St. Michel near Notre Dame.  The Latin Quarter includes part of the 6th and is one of Pari's most vibrant neighborhoods with museums, superb gothic architecture, restaurants, cafés and stores.  The 6th includes Jardin du Luxembourg, St. Germain des Prés and other medieval churches, as well as the Bon Marche department store and Boulevard St. Germain in the 6th Arrondissment.  The Eiffel Tower is the crowning glory of the 7th along with Parc du Champ de Mars, Les Invalides where Napoleon I is buried, l’Assemblee Nationale and Musee d’Orsay. Across the Seine at Pont de l’Alma the 8th is waiting with the famous fashion houses of Avenue Montaigne, the Elysees Palace, where French Presidents live, Parc Monceau, Place de la Concorde and Champs-Elysees.  The 9th and 10th are 19th century Paris. The Rue des Martyrs area is reminiscent of a petit village. The 9th is trendy yet real. It does not cater to visitors as much other sections of Paris. It includes the Gustave Moreau museum and the Musée de la Vie Romantique. It was home to a number of writers and artists, Georges Sand, Chopin, Renoir among them. The 10th has two restored 19th century railway stations: Gare du Nord where Chunnel trains from London arrive and Gare de l’Est;  picturesque Canal St. Martin and historic Hopital St. Louis founded in 1607 by French King Henry IVth and named after his grandfather Louis IX who died of the plague. 

Watch the slide show of our favorite Paris photos. You're guaranteed to fall in love!