A local’s guide to every one of Paris’ 20 arrondissements. Covering famous sites like the Marais, Sacré-Coeur, the Café de Flore, the Latin Quarter — as well as hidden gems that we locals really like!
You’ll also find out which one’s my favorite neighborhood — in all its vibrant, messy, fun glory.
If you’ve ever asked “What is the best arrondissement in Paris?”, “What is each neighborhood like?” this video will give you the most comprehensive, the most up-to-date answers — with Parisian tips to make the most of your next visit.
00:00 – Intro
00:09 – 1st arrondissement
01:06 – 2nd arrondissement
02:08 – 3rd & 4th (The Marais)
03:28 – 5th arrondissement
04:37 – 6th arrondissement
05:41 – Pickpocket warning
06:04 – 7th arrondissement
06:59 – 8th arrondissement
07:50 – Perfume ad (kinda)
08:10 – 9th arrondissement
09:01 – 10th arrondissement
09:53 – What is your favorite arrondissement?
11:24 – 11th arrondissement
13:07 – 12th arrondissement
14:09 – 13th arrondissement
15:36 – 14th arrondissement
16:45 – 15th arrondissement
17:54 – 16th arrondissement
19:01 – 17th arrondissement
20:41 – Paris is compact
21:02 – 18th arrondissement
22:27 – 19th arrondissement
23:40 – 20th arrondissement
24:43 – Outro
***** Shot on an iPhone, edited on an iPad with LumaFusion
***** Music from Artlist
A little recap:
1st arrondissement: The tourist heart of Paris with the Louvre. Despite its recent makeover, it’s a bit trashy. Don’t miss the Palais Royal.
2nd arrondissement: Young and lively, especially around Rue Montorgueil. For a quieter experience, visit the elegant Galerie Vivienne.
3rd & 4th arrondissements (which make up the Marais): A busy mix of locals and tourists, with historic Jewish and gay communities. Skip Place des Vosges and explore the charming streets nearby.
5th arrondissement: The Latin Quarter, home to the Sorbonne and the Panthéon. Avoid the touristy west and head east to Place de la Contrescarpe, les Arènes de Lutèce and for tea at the Mosque.
6th arrondissement: Picture-perfect Paris with Jardin de Luxembourg and Café de Flore. Wander the quaint streets between Boulevard Saint-Germain and the river.
7th arrondissement: Known for the Eiffel Tower and Musée d’Orsay. Discover the quieter Musée Rodin and lively Rue Cler.
8th arrondissement: Touristy Champs-Elysées and Arc de Triomphe. Locals prefer the beautiful Petit Palais and Pont Alexandre III.
9th arrondissement: Famous for the Opéra and Galeries Lafayette. For a more local vibe, visit the northern Rue des Martyrs.
10th arrondissement: Known for Canal Saint-Martin. Avoid Gare du Nord but explore the vibrant Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis.
11th arrondissement: My favorite! Full of hipster gems and lively streets like Rue Oberkampf. Great for bars and bistros.
12th arrondissement: Often overlooked, but check out Marché d’Aligre and the Coulée verte bike path.
13th arrondissement: A mix of old and new, with Station F and the national library. Enjoy the péniche bars along the river.
14th arrondissement: Residential with local cafés and parks. Visit the Catacombes and the delightful southern parks.
15th arrondissement: Safe and low-key, with good accommodation options. Check out Le Café du Commerce and the bridge featured in Inception.
16th arrondissement: Known for Eiffel Tower views and Bois de Boulogne. Wealthy and residential with affordable back street cafés.
17th arrondissement: Divided between old-world wealth and lively Batignolles. Perfect for family brunches.
18th arrondissement: Home to Sacré-Coeur and Montmartre. Explore beyond the tourist traps to find local color.
19th arrondissement: Features the best park in Paris, Les Buttes-Chaumont, and a vibrant canal scene. Young and creative.
20th arrondissement: Famous for Père-Lachaise Cemetery. Discover the vibrant streets around Rue de Belleville.
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31 Comments
Best Paris video I've seen on here, such great quality
I'm a big fan of your videos despite they are generally skewed towards more youthful sensibilities and pursuits. Nonetheless, it was very informative and charming!
Great job, thank´s!
I think the lady is a tramp. Never got the low down on patisseries. Lovely atmosphere. Wow! That cycle path.
Where is the entrance to the underground mall? What is the name of this underground mall?
Great video, it sounds like you are French-American. I avoid Paris now as the noise pollution, mainly from motorbikes and scooters, is horrendous. I lived there as a student (in the then hip 11th of course ;)) but it was more live-able then
Loved this! Thank you.
Beautiful content! My only problem is that the scenes switch way too fast popping my eyes. I would like to spend more time to admire the scenery. Perhaps a longer episode or in several parts?
I know you said locals don't discuss money but can give an indication of the average price for coffees, pints, food and taxi fares in the areas populated by locals compared to the tourist spots? Can you recommend reasonably priced clothing stores situated away from the maddening, overcrowded, and overpriced tourist areas. Great videos.
How about personal tour of Paris I will be there this coming October
We live part-time in Besançon, but when I'm in Paris, I like to stay at Babel Belleville. It is perfectly located, straddling the north of the 11th, the 19th, and the 20th, plus the metro stop is right there to get wherever you want to go. If I have half a day to burn I'll go meander around Quai de Metz and across the canal, then back over at Quai de la Marne for the street art down alleys and side streets.
16th is the best
Great content! Thanks
You need to live the signs in the video of the streets longer. And best way to get to each district.
But how could you leave out the wonderful Goutte d'Or, the charm of la Rue Saint-Denis? | Seriously … this is possibly the best, most complete brief yet comprehensive overview of the city I've run across online —and presented by a charming, knowledgeable local who speaks excellent English. I can personally verify it all, and I've been fortunate enough to get to know the place hors saison [If there actually is such a thing in Paris!] when it's not crawling with visitors, by day, by night and on my own. She leaves out a few things —maybe quite a few— but how could you not? It's Paris, and they're there for you to discover. Bravo. C'était génial …
Moved here last year, I fell in love with Bagatelle thanks to your video. A lot of the areas you didn't spend much time on I actually love, especially the Epinettes section of the 17th. And the 11th is my least favorite district. Lots of bars… had enough of that in my 20s.
But the list is good if that's your interest. Im definitely a tea shop and bookstore girl.
I do agree so much, specially with 11th arrondissement, near oberkampf you have the fantastic "atelier des lumières", I let you discover… and after that, vin terrasse rue Oberkampf "pour finir pompette"
13th you have a place called "la butte aux cailles" with a little bar, very little called "merle moqueur" and good restaurant. I am a child of 13th ardt….
and just for you… fantastic french food restaurant near Place d'Italie called "Virgule" rue Veronese just push the door and enjoy … low price fror high taste.
Welcome to the tourists but don't talk so much about good place in Paris, we must protect the secret, it's why you'll gonna love these places.
Welcome and enjoy !
I was in Paris a few days ago for the Paralympic Closing Ceremony. My partner and I had a great time in the charming, vibrant Paris!. We stayed near Place d'Italie (13th arrondissement) and moved around the city on foot and by public transport. Paris was very organised, clean and safe! The journey to the Stade de France stadium was smooth and confortable by train. Paris hosted marevellously the Olympic and Paralympic Games! Missing Paris already!! Paris, Je t'aime🗼🗼🗼🗼🗼
I loved this,,,,can't wait to get back to Paris….thank you!!
Great reporting! Can you leave the street names on the screen a little longer though! 😉
Nice vid., esp. for where to avoid the messy trashy stuff.
I'm going to Paris this weekend!! I'm super excited! Mercí, I can hardly wait to get there!
Beautiful video, informative and really well presented! Merci!
You are so comfortable in the Parisian environment that it is fun to follow your lead. Perfect. Wonderfully done!
From Australia: THE best insight I have ever seen on Paris. I am lucky to have been to Paris more than 20 times (over many years), its my favourite city! Thank you for bringing memories of some places I have enjoyed and ideas for new parts I must go on my next trip in April 2025. All presented with in style and with a sense that you really do know, understand and love the city. Fabulous.
Unfortunately, the locations flashes are so quick, they are useless.
Such a good video. Thank you Aida!
Such a well made and detailed video ! Thank You. I have found a great accomodation in Buttes Aux Cailles and another one in Lamarck Caulaincourt in Montmarte, which one would you pick to stay for 4 to 5 days and why ?
The best video about Paris and its arrondissements! Artistically done 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Merci beaucoup
Enjoyed your video very much. I have been to Paris three times and I keep on going back. The only Teeny tiny complaint is showing old people as not being creative and fun. I’m 74, have a YouTube channel and am still young at heart. Paris is for everyone! Aloha from Hawai’i.
Every single American that I tell, of my overly romanticized dream of going to Paris, screams, ""DON'T GO "" Everyone tells me of the nightmares they suffered, while paying THOUSANDS of dollars to be there. It literally, is a soul crushing experience to hear their stories. 😢😢😢