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1st Arrondissement Guide
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Streets
Rue de Rivoli
This lovely arcade was begun by Napoleon in 1811. Under its arches are two English language book stores; Angelina's, a tea salon famous for its thick hot chocolate; and the luxurious Hotel Meurice. Tolstoy at one time lived in one of the apartments above the Arcade.
Le Louvre des Antiquaires
250 antique shops gathered under an arcade, facing the Louvre. You can find anything from archeological objects to Art Deco, Near- and Middle-East antiquities, to Russian art, English-style furniture and objets d'art of different epochs from Renaissance through Napoleon. 2, Place du Palais-Royal, Metro: Palais Royal, Louvre, Open Tuesday to Sundays 11:00 to 19:00. Closed Mondays and Sundays in July and August.
Rue St-Honore
This Street has been a major thoroughfare since the 12th century and is now lined with luxurious shops and trendy boutiques. At #163 stood the old St-Honore Gate where Joan of Arc was wounded in the thigh by an English archer in 1429. Her statue is nearby on Rue de Rivoli to commemorate this event.
Place de Vendome
This classically elegant square built in 1685 has a 44 meter high column with a crowning sculpture of Napoleon as Caeser, although this has changed several times. It is home to the world's most opulent jewelers and the legendary Ritz Hotel, a favorite haunt of the famous, such as Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Cole Porter, Proust, and Chanel.
Gardens
Jardin de Tuilleries
The Tuileries Gardens were designed by Andre Le Notre in 1664 and is one of the largest parks in Paris. It is bordered by the Louvre, Rue de Rivoli and, at the western end, the Orangerie and the Jeu de Paume. The Orangerie houses Monet's magnificent 'Nympheas' series of paintings of water-lilies which were painted at Giverny and donated to the nation by the artist as a 'spiritual testimony'. It also houses other great Impressionist and 'Ecole de Paris' artists. It is undergoing a major re-haul at the moment. The Jeu de Paume holds special exhibitions.
Palais Royal & Gardens
The Palais Royal was constructed for Cardinal Richelieu in 1628. On the southwest corner is the Comedie Francaise and on the northwest corner is the 4-star 'Grand Vefour', an haute cuisine restaurant since the 1760s. The Palais Royal was home to Colette and Jean Cocteau.
Bridges
Pont des Arts
The first iron bridge in Paris. Built in 1803 for pedestrian use and
with benches along its length this bridge stretches from the Institut
de France to the Louvre and has one of the loveliest views in Paris.
Pont Neuf
Paris's most famous and beautiful bridge, was completed in 1607. A statue of Henri IV stands near its center. The Bridge joins the Right Bank of the Seine to Ile de la Cite and continues to the left bank. Along the Quays are the Bouquinistes selling antique books and prints.
Districts Map
Local Connection©
Let our bilingual Local Connection© will meet you in your hotel or apartment just after arrival to help you get acquainted and find out what only a local could tell you.
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Paris 1st Arrondissement - Louvre • Palais Royal • Concorde
The 1st arrondissement borders the bank of the Seine and stretches from the Place de la Concorde (technically in the 8th) to Chatelet and includes part of the Ile de la Cite.
Paris, Banks of the Seine
From the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower, from the Place de la Concorde to the Grand and Petit Palais, the evolution of Paris and its history can be seen from the River Seine. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame and the Sainte Chapelle are architectural masterpieces while Haussmann's wide squares and boulevards influenced late 19th- and 20th-century town planning the world over".
What to See
Sites, Churches, Museums and more
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Interesting Sites
Ile de la Cite & Ile St. Louis
The Ile de la Cite was the site of the original pre-Roman settlement.
The Conciergerie
The Conciergerie is the last remaining authentic part of a 14th-century royal complex. It was then turned into a prison. The Conciergerie held Marie Antoinette, Madame du Barry, Danton, Robespierre and other prisoners during the French Revolution from where they were taken to be guillotined.
Chatelet
It was outside 11 Rue de la Ferronnerie in 1610 that Henri IV was stabbed to death in his carriage. Les Halles underground pedestrian concourse lined with shops and an RER and Metro Hub. It is on the site of the old "Les Halles" Central Market.
Famous Churches
Eglise St.Germain l' Auxerrois
The present church is on the site of an 8th century sanctuary and combines five centuries of architectural design. In 1572 the bells rang out the start of the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre, when Protestant Huguenots were invited to celebrate the marriage of Henri de Navarre, later Henri IV, to his cousin, Marguerite de Valois. It was a trap laid by the Cardinal Duke de Guise and Catherine de Medici, thousands were slaughtered.
Eglise de St. Eustache
Begun in 1532 and completed in 1647 it is one of the largest, most
famous and beautiful churches in Paris. It has a particularly noteworthy
organ and was the setting for the first performances of works by Berlioz
and Liszt.
Museums
Louvre
Once a royal Renaissance palace, the Louvre Museum houses some of the world's most famous works of art, highlights of which are the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory, 360 degree visit . Closed on Tuesdays.
Museum of Decorative Arts
In the Louvre complex, the Musee des Arts Decoratifs presents an exceptional collection of Italian primitives, tapestries from the Middle Ages and eighteenth century (220,000 items, objects, drawings, furniture, plate, jewels, ceramics, glassware, upholstery, old and contemporary posters, toys...). Six chronological departments are organized into period rooms marking out the stages in everyday life from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century.
Museum of Publicity
Housed in the same building as the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, the Musee de la Publicite houses 80,000 old and contemporary posters. The history of the poster from the end of the eighteenth century to the present day.
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What to Do
City Tours, Cooking, Wine Promenades, Photo Adventures, Private Guides & More
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Scheduled City Tours
Half and full day city tours leave from rue Rivoli by luxury coach. Some tours include guides and some, audioguides. See the selection or email us for a private driver/guide.
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Hop on Hop Off Bus Stops
Palais Royal - Comédie Française
3 Jardins du Palais Royal
Musée du Louvre
Place du Carrousel (opposite Pyramide du Louvre), Jardin des Tuileries.
Pont-Neuf - Quai des Orfèvres
Opposite 68, quai des Orfèvres, Conciergerie, Square du Vert Galant
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Wine Promenade
Our wine bar promenade is designed to introduce you to the discovery of french wines right where the french themselves do it.
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Private Guided Tour of Erotic Art in the Louvre
Step back and revisit this bygone age at the Louvre with our expert guide and see some of the most erotic works of art ever created under whatever pretense was given but more often than not, just for the love of beauty.
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Da Vinci Code Tour
Crack the Code. Starts at the Louvre and can be done on foot or with a private car and driver/guide.
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