Districts in Paris: City map, hotels, attractions and restaurants in each district

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Map Paris Divided into twenty districts, called Arrondissements in French. The districts are arranged in the shape of a snail, with the first districts forming the inner part of the “snail” while the last districts are on the outer part.

In this article, you will learn about each of these neighborhoods and can easily find places to stay, attractions, and restaurants, which will make planning your trip especially easy.

The districts of Paris – how were they created?

As you can read in my series of articles dealing withHistory of ParisParis has existed in one form or another for over 2,000 years. The city grew from the Île de la Cité and spread out on both banks of the Seine. Thus, different neighborhoods began to slowly emerge, such as theLatin Quarter או The Mara, with each of them having its own special character.

The best value apartments in Paris (it's worth reserving before they're taken)

Near the Picasso Museum

Luxury and authenticity in a historic building. Quiet, elegant and within walking distance of the main attractions.

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The apartment in the north of the Marais

Maximum comfort for families (there is an elevator!). Just steps from the culinary "Red Children's Market".

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Apartment near the Arc de Triomphe

A sweet and decorated studio in a prestigious location, walking distance from the Champs Elysees.

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Want to see more options?

We have carefully filtered and selected dozens of additional recommended apartments in all the equal districts of Paris.

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Prefer the comfort of a hotel?

We have collected for you the most recommended hotels in Paris – from intimate boutiques to absolute luxury.

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In 1795, it was decided to divide Paris into 12 arrondissements, numbered from west to east, with arrondissements 1-9 on the right bank and arrondissements 10-12 on the left bank. Following the massive expansion of Paris during the reign of Napoleon III (1852-1870) and the annexation of quite a few villages such as Passy, ​​Belleville and Montmartre to Paris, it was decided to add 8 more arrondissements to Paris, and thus the map of the arrondissements of Paris that we know today was created.

Amusing anecdote

Few people know that when they decided to add the new districts, it was decided that the western district near the Bois de Boulogne (what is now the 16th arrondissement) would be called the 13th arrondissement. This created a huge scandal among the residents of that district, which led to a change in the numbering of the districts.

You're probably wondering why they were so bothered by being called the 13th district? Is it because this number is considered unlucky due to Friday the 13th? Absolutely not! The answer is much more interesting!

One of the most popular idioms at a time when Paris consisted of only 12 arrondissements was “to get married in the 13th arrondissement.” The meaning was to sleep with someone without marrying them, because the 13th arrondissement didn’t exist…

The residents of the western neighborhood of Paris were already wealthy and decent bourgeois, and they would not agree under any circumstances to their sons and daughters “marrying in the 13th arrondissement.” The Saint Marcel neighborhood, located in the south of Paris, was mainly inhabited by the destitute poor. Since they either didn’t care or no one really asked them, it was decided to change the numbering of the arrondissements of Paris so that their neighborhood would become the 13th arrondissement, while the bourgeois and wealthy neighborhoods would become the 16th arrondissement.

That's how we got the numbering of the neighborhoods that we have to this day.

Two important maps of Paris

In my opinion, the most important map of Paris is the public transportation map. Therefore, the first map I would recommend you familiarize yourself with is the city's metro line map. You are welcome to click on it to reach the RATP website, the Paris metro company.

If you are not interested in traveling underground, then this bus map can be of help to you. 

Attractions in every district of Paris

I assume you came to this article not only because you are looking for the map of Paris (if so, then Google Maps doing a great job), but because you are planning a trip to the City of Lights. That's why I decided to present you with the important attractions in each district, which you can find if you scroll down a little.

Recommended places to stay in each neighborhood

If you haven't yet chosen a hotel or vacation apartment in Paris, follow the links below to get recommendations for places to stay in each district. If you are unsure and don't know which district you should live in, I highly recommend that you read the article Where should you sleep in Paris?. 

Recommended hotels in each district

Recommended apartments in every district of Paris

Interactive map of Paris

If all this wasn't enough for you, you'll be happy to know that my dear friend Ze'ev Ben Nahum has created an interactive map of Paris where you can find almost anything possible. All the information is presented in a very friendly way and allows you to filter it according to the importance of the site or the days it is open. In short, this is the ultimate tool for traveling in Paris. You can reach it by clicking on This link.

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More articles to help you plan your trip to Paris

Itineraries in Paris

Shopping in Paris

Interesting facts about the districts of Paris

Here are some interesting trivia facts about the different districts in Paris:

1. Secret Village: In the 20th arrondissement, there is a hidden gem known as “La Campagne à Paris” (The Paris Countryside). It is a cluster of picturesque houses on cobblestone streets, offering the feeling of a quaint village within the bustling city. Originally developed as affordable housing for working-class Parisians, this area is now a sought-after area of ​​tranquility in the urban landscape.
2. Underground catacombs: The 14th arrondissement is home to the famous Paris Catacombs, an underground complex containing the remains of over six million people. Created in the late 18th century to address the city's overflowing cemeteries, these catacombs are a maze of tunnels and chambers filled with meticulously arranged bones, and have become a macabre tourist attraction.

3. The 11th arrondissement is the most densely populated of all the districts in Paris, although it is not the smallest in size.

4. The smallest and the largest: The second district is the smallest in terms of land area, while the 16th district is the largest.

5. Art center: The 18th arrondissement is home to Montmartre, which was a historical focus for many famous artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh and Renoir. The bohemian atmosphere still prevails in its narrow streets and cabarets.

6. The oldest tree: The Robinia bat-ha-shitta tree was planted in 1601 in the Place René Viviani, located in the 5th arrondissement, and is considered the oldest tree in Paris.

7. Eiffel Tower The iconic building, one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, is located in the 7th arrondissement.

8. Not just land: The 12th arrondissement is unique because it includes part of the Seine River. The Île de la Cité, which is one of the two remaining natural islands in the Seine within Paris, is divided between the XNUMXst and XNUMXth arrondissements.

9. Where's the money? The 8th arrondissement of Paris is considered the most prestigious and expensive district of the city. The XNUMXth arrondissement is located on the right bank of the Seine and is home to the Champs-Élysées and the affluent “Golden Triangle.” The district is known for its luxury boutiques, cultural landmarks such as the Grand Palais and the Elysée Palace, and contains some of the most expensive real estate in the city, and let’s not forget – luxury hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants.