Paris is a major tourist center where travelers from all over the world flock. Our compatriots were no exception. When planning a trip to France, tourists sometimes do not know where they should stay. Paris, like many large cities, is divided into several large areas. Some of them are ideal for tourists, and some are filled with immigrants, and therefore may be unsafe. Which area to stay in Paris? Let's try to answer this question in our article.
Paris districts: history
Paris is a city with an ancient history, but until the XVIII century it was built up randomly, not following any plan. The first administrative division of the capital took place only after the revolution in 1795. Then the city was divided into 12 districts, which are commonly called districts in France. The first 9 districts were located on the right bank of the Seine River, and the remaining 3 on the left. Each district was also divided into four blocks. By order of Napoleon, the counties were directly subordinate to the French government. In the middle of the 19th century, on the orders of King Louis Philippe, the Thiers Wall was built to protect the city. Because of it, some communes, which were considered suburban, it was decided to join the capital. Because of this large association, it was necessary to review the entire administrative division. Now Paris was divided into 20 districts, the borders of which have survived to this day.
It is worth noting that the areas of Paris are very different in living standards. Not only the view from the window, but also the general impressions of the trip will depend on the choice of place of residence. In the capital of France, the crime rate is quite low, but it is not recommended to enter some areas even in the daytime.
First district
The official name of the First arrondissement is the Louvre, which it received due to the famous museum of the same name located here. This is one of the oldest areas of the city, the development of which began in the Middle Ages. This district is a tourist center, and many wealthy travelers prefer to stay here. Therefore, only expensive luxury hotels are located here. A budget traveler should choose a different area. In addition to McDonald's, there are no cheap restaurants and cafes. The Louvre is also considered one of the smallest areas of the city. It covers an area of 183 hectares, and its population is only 1% of the total number of residents of the capital.
This is the bohemian district of Paris, in which wealthy citizens, representatives of the local aristocracy and celebrities live. On its territory there are many iconic attractions. For example, the Louvre, Place Vendôme , Tuileries Garden and Amusement Park , Dauphin Square, Rivoli street . From here it is convenient to get to other historical areas, because they are all nearby from each other. The district is perfect for shopping. There are a large number of branded clothing and footwear stores , as well as a large shopping center Les Halles.
Second district
Parisians traditionally call the second district Burs after the stock exchange located here. It is located on the right bank of the Seine, however, it does not adjoin the river itself. In the south it borders with the 1st district, and in the north - with the dysfunctional 10th. These are the outskirts of the historical and tourist center of the city, so housing prices here are slightly lower, although they are still considered overpriced. The construction of this part of the city began in the XV-XVI centuries, so here you can find many historical city buildings. Burs is the smallest district of Paris. Its area is only 99 hectares. It also does not have a large population. In total, about 0.9% of the total number of citizens live here.
Like other historical districts of Paris, the 2nd arrondissement is considered an excellent residence for tourists, although they usually rarely settle here. Burs is a commercial center of the city, because there is a huge number of banks, including the oldest Paris Stock Exchange. Most of the population are bankers, brokers and their families. Tourists who settle here should definitely visit the surroundings of the Bolshoi Boulevards. Once they were an ancient medieval market and city center. Most of the buildings here date back to the beginning of the 20th century, but many unusual medieval buildings have survived. Travelers should pay attention to the Basilica of Notre Dame de Victoire, the Le Tour Jean-Sans-Peur tower, the Montogorey quarter . Summarizing, we can say that this is a fairly quiet and non-tourist area, characterized by moderate prices.
Fourth district
Another ideal place for tourists to stay is the 4th arrondissement of Paris. It is also located on the right bank of the Seine, but is located west of the 1st arrondissement. The area is considered the official center of the city, because the city hall is located here. It was built up in the XIII century, however, the surviving buildings date back only to the XVI century. The island of Cite , from which the development of Paris began, is also included in this district. Like the First District, it is considered one of the safest and most expensive places to stay. Only five-star hotels, the best restaurants and bars are located here.
If you decide to settle here, historical monuments will surround you everywhere. Here is one of the main attractions of the city - Notre Dame de Paris (Notre Dame de Paris). Here you should definitely visit the house-museum of the writer Victor Hugo, the national art center of Georges Pompidou , the Gothic tower of Saint-Jacques, Hotel de Ville. Here is a flower and bird markets. It’s worth allotting time for a walk through the ancient places of Paris: the Marais quarter, the Latin quarter (the Sorbonne University is located here ), as well as the streets of Rosier and Rivoli .
Seventh District
It is believed that the best areas of Paris for tourists are located on the right bank of the Seine. However, do not forget about the Seventh arrondissement, where the famous Eiffel Tower is located. Because of her, the area is always crowded with tourists. Its development began at the beginning of the XIX century, when the city began to be built up in a southerly direction. Now this district is considered the political center of France. Here are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and numerous embassies around the world. The seventh district is considered calm and safe, so it is perfect for tourists. However, it is worth noting that the hotels here offer rooms at inflated prices. But travelers get the exclusive right to admire the Eiffel Tower from the windows of their apartments.
Among the attractions in this area are the Orsay and Rodin Museum , the headquarters of the Prime Minister of France, the Field of Mars, the House of the Disabled, the Bourbon Palace (parliament is now meeting there), and UNESCO headquarters.
Eighth arrondissement
A good place to stay tourists will be the 8th arrondissement of Paris. This is one of the most beautiful areas of the city, which is adjacent to the historical center of the city. The famous Champs Elysees is located here, any tourist who comes to France wants to take a walk along. It is also a political center, because the residence of the president of the country and the Ministry of the Interior are located here. Accommodation in this area will cost a lot, but the prices for a night in a fashionable hotel are a bit cheaper than in the 1st and 7th districts. Tourists love the 8th district of Paris for a large number of inexpensive restaurants that serve amazing meat and seafood dishes, pastries and the best French wine.
Ninth District
The Ninth arrondissement is a sleeping area of Paris, in whose hotels tourist groups usually live. The proximity to the historical center and reasonable prices make it an ideal option for travelers who do not have extra money. A distinctive feature of the district is the presence of a huge number of shops, which makes it a great place for shopping. The famous Lafayette Gallery shopping center is located in this area . On its top floor is the famous cafe, which offers guests to try dishes from the buffet. Having settled here, do not miss the Opera Garnier and the Grevin Wax Museum . However, it is not recommended to choose hotels that are located on the border with the 18th arrondissement, because in the evenings loud music and noise from the streets can prevent you from falling asleep.
10th and 11th districts
But not all areas of Paris can be considered safe. The 10th and 11th arrondissements, in which at present the majority of migrants from the countries of the East currently live, are considered to be unfavorable for tourists. Because of them, the level of security is significantly reduced, so travelers are not recommended to stay in the hotels located here. In the Tenth district there are 2 large railway stations of the city - North and East. It is here that immigrants arrive. An increased crime rate, an unfavorable environment and loud noise are unlikely to appeal to cultural tourists. But you can rent a room here for little money. Getting to the center is also not difficult, because the 10th and 11th districts border the historical center. However, tourists are advised to avoid the metro station "Stalingrad", Chapelle, Gare du Nord, Gare de l Est. It is worth noting that the high-profile terrorist attacks of 2015, which claimed the lives of several hundred people, occurred just in these areas.
13th district of Paris
Another sleeping area of the city, which is suitable for budget accommodation of tourists. By tradition, it is considered Asian, because many immigrants from China, Japan, Vietnam and Korea live here. There are many inexpensive hotels and restaurants of oriental cuisine where you can quickly have a bite before a walk around the city. Most of the territory here is occupied by high-rise buildings, in which people from working families live. As a rule, this area is almost not visited by tourists, but it is considered calm and safe. The 13th district of Paris is not distinguished by a large number of attractions. By jumping here, you can take a look at the new building of the National Library, Paris Chinatown , Tapestry Factory. The only minus is the remoteness of the district from the historic city center. If you decide to stay in this district, then choose hotels located in its northern part, and not in the southern part.
20th district
As a rule, the most dangerous areas of Paris are located on the outskirts of the city. Such is the 20th district, which is located in the east of the capital. Historically, immigrants lived here. At first it was considered a Jewish district, but in recent years, people from Arab countries have most often lived here. Housing in the district is very cheap, but it is dangerous to stay here, and getting to the city center is long and costly. As in other disadvantaged areas, it is dirty and noisy, and the crime rate is going off scale. However, in recent years the situation has begun to improve, and the district itself has received developing status. If you still decide to stay in the local hotels, we strongly recommend that you return to your room before dark.
In which area of Paris is it better to stay?
Without a doubt, the best districts of the city are those located near the historical center. However, housing there is very expensive, and not everyone can afford a chic room in a luxury hotel. People looking for a budget place to stay choose sleeping areas, such as 9th or 13th. For some, saving is more than safety, so they choose disadvantaged districts, but the number of such tourists is very small. "What are the best areas for travelers in Paris?" - often this question is asked by people who are going on a trip to France. If you don’t have enough money to check into luxury hotels, then choose quiet and peaceful sleeping areas that border historic districts.