Map of the Paris region Did you know? Paris is divided into 20 different neighborhoods called arrondissements. Arrondissements are named according to their number. For example, you might live in the 5th arrondissement, which would be written as 5ème in French. If you know the postal code of any address in Paris, you can easily identify which arrondissement it is located in because Parisian postal codes take the form of - 75XXX - with the last two digits being equal to the arrondissement (e.g. 75008 is the postal code for the 8th arrondissement). The suburbs are called the banlieue. They are generally more peaceful than the city, and those to the west of Paris (Neuilly, Boulogne, Saint Cloud, Levallois) are the most desirable. Each neighborhood in Paris has its own special character which we'll try to describe below. Which neighborhood is best for you? It's impossible to generalize each neighborhood, but the following should give you a broad idea of the differences between the Paris neighborhoods: 1ère This is the geographical center of Paris and a haven for tourists. The Louvre, Les Halles and the Palais Royal are all here. 2ème A primarily business district. The Paris Stock Market (the Bourse) and the Bibliothèque Nationale are here. 3ème Along with the 4ème arrondissement, this neighborhood makes up the Marais, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris. Many 17th century mansions that once housed the noblest families in Paris are still to be seen in this quiet and ungentrified neighborhood. 4ème The center of the Marais, this is a lively neighborhood with a strong alternative lifestyle scene as well as lots of trendy bars, shops, and restaurants. The rue des Rosiers is a centerpiece of Jewish lifestyle in Paris and the Ile St. Louis and the Ile de la Cité are the oldest parts of Paris. 5ème The fabled Latin Quarter. This neighborhood takes its name from the Sorbonne, where Latin was the common tongue for all students during the Middle Ages. The neighborhood has the feel of a small village and students mix freely with professionals in its winding streets. The rue Mouffetard is a primary artery where shops, international restaurants and student bars and cafés are found. 6ème St. Germain. Once the hangout for bohemians and intellectuals, this neighborhood has undergone gentrification and is now newly chic. Upscale boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants can be found throughout this district. 7ème The Eiffel Tower, the Musée d'Orsay and lots of international residents can be found in this very wealthy neighborhood. 8ème This upscale neighborhood is in fact quite diverse. The area around Champs Elysèe, has lots of shopping and lots of tourists, while in the area to the East, between the Champs Elysee and Place de la Madeleine you will find a mixture of 19th century buildings intermingled with businesses. This area is in someways similar to parts of the 16th, but is generally less pretentious. 9ème A diverse residential area popular among an artistic crowd. Ths Southern portion is similar to the 2nd arrondissement, with a mix of residential and business buildings. The Paris Opera is located here. Farther North is Pigalle, the fading Red Light district as well as the famous Moulin Rouge. 10ème The two great train stations in Paris are here, the Gare de l'Est and the Gare du Nord. This multi-cultural neighborhood also contains a bohemian element. 11ème Place de la Bastille and the New Opera are found here. This is a primarily residential district. 12ème Residential neighborhood bordered on the east by the Bois de Vincennes ( a nice park ). 13ème Residential neighborhood, as well as Paris' Chinatown. 14ème Montparnasse and the Cité Universitaire are found in this residential district traditionally known for its lively cafés and restaurants around the Blvd. Montparnasse. 15ème This large primarily residential neighborhood ranges from very upscale in the area bordering the 7th arrondissement and the Seine, to relatively safe and affordable in the more outlying areas. 16ème Bois de Boulogne, Trocadero. Although it is not as exclusive as the 7th arrondissement, the 16th is widely regarded as the neighborhood for the wealthy. 17ème This diverse district really contains more than one neighborhood, with the portion, in the west, near the Arc de Triomph and Parc Monceau, being very upscale. 18ème Montmartre. This artsy residential neighborhood has a small village feel and lots of tourists. 19ème The Parc des Buttes Chaumont. A residential neighborhood with many ethnic restaurants and shops. 20ème Belleville and the Père-Lachaise cemetery. An outlying residential area that is becoming yuppified. WEBMASTERS: This page is copyrighted. You may link to this page from your website. However, any duplication, all or in part, is prohibited. Violators will be prosecuted under the terms of the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act)