Paris’ 1st Arrondissement
Paris’s 1st arrondissement lies at the heart of the city. Dominated by the famous Louvre art museum, which runs for almost a kilometre east to west through the centre of the quarter, the first arrondissement is packed with shops, offices and government departments
The Louvre is undeniably the district’s main attraction for the casual visitor, and even for those less inclined to descend into it’s maze of galleries the museum’s riverside gardens, known as the Tuileries, offer a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of the district – not to mention spectacular views all the way over to the famous Arc De Triomphe.
The Louvre aside, passing time on the First’s loud and traffic filled streets can be an exhausting and unrewarding experience, useful only for the shopping opportunities it affords. The Eastern half of the district, covering the areas of Chatelet and Les Halle is the best bet for cheap general purpose shopping (in particular the dull, yet generally useful shopping centre at Les Halle) Move west and it’s a different game altogether – the exclusive Rue St Honore offers access to a maze of high-end boutiques which culminate in Place Vendome, one of Paris’grandest squares, whose tenants include Cartier, Gucci and the Ritz.
Paris’ 1st is not a particularly popular place to live – the wealth of offices, government departments and commercial property means there’s little room for residential apartments. While large, family living space is hard to come by (and expensive) it is possible to find small, surprisingly affordable attic rooms – but tenants might be better advised to look at neighbouring districts that offer lower rents, better bars and a much greater sense of community.
