Want Hotel Accommodation In Paris France? Where to Stay in Paris - A Guide to The Second Arrondissement

The Second Arrondissement of Paris

You're nearly there - Paris, France's glistening capital city! You can hardly wait to get there. You've gotten your flights to Paris, France , now you are assessing some wonderful sounding specials on a number of Paris hotels . What neighborhood you are staying in is always an important consideration for accommodation in Paris, France even if you are looking at hotels in Paris city centre.  Here's a guide to Paris's 2nd arrondissement so you can learn more about whether this area of Paris is where you want to be!


It is unlikely that you will be spending alot of time in the Second arroondissement as a tourist, but if you choose accommodation in this here, you will be in the pulsing heart of Paris's financial and working center. Home to the Bourse (stock exchange) and the CAC 40 index of France's top listed companies , the 2nd arrondissement is also widely noted for its prospering  fashion and journalism industries, as well as its general atmosphere of business.


What To Know About The Second Arrondissement :

The Good :

You will hardly spot any tourists here, meaning that the people-watching will be strictly French : Parisian businessmen going to lunch, stressed traders dashing to work, journalists meeting sources over tea for the next big story . Travelers who stay here will also be close to the wonderful nineteenth century "galleries," a tradition when the Duke of Orleans decided to rent out his garden to shops in the late 18th . These "galleries," like early shopping malls, have glass windows and tiled floors, are still in operation now . Visit for a nostalgic and enchanting look at Paris's nineteenth-century past.

Here's The Cons:

This isn't an especially with-it part of Paris by any means, and while there are lots of places for lunch in the area , geared toward those with an expense account, nightlife doesn't exist . However, with the Marais in the fourth arrondissement only a few minutes away, there's not much to worry about. In addition, near the eastern end of the district, you may run into a few prostitutes looking to ply their trade, but don't worry - it's safe, if seedy, and nevertheless you're likely to encounter far fewer than in similar sections like Rue St. Denis or the Pigalle area.

What To Visit:

If you are interested in finances , visit the Bourse, or Stock Exchange, for a look at Paris's economic heart. Or check out the Galleries - the Gallerie Vivienne is regarded the best-preserved, with geniune and gorgeous nineteenth-century decor, a splendid mosaic floor, and elegantly upscale shops. In contrast, the Passage Choiseul is more "authentic," catering to business folks on their way to work, and selling newspapers and offering services like shoe-shining to frantically busy traders at the nearby Bourse.

Where To Go To Eat :

Cafe Etienne Marcel, on Rue Etienne Marcel, is a stylish Costes brothers joint - less costly than most of their others - with a menu to match. Or have a drink or two at Harry's New York Bar on Rue Danou, allegedly the birthplace of the Bloody Mary, and a hangout of Hemmingway. While Harry's isn't cheap by any means, it's nevertheless a wonderful hangout for those who want the elegance and decadence of Art Deco bohemian expatriate life. And, of course, a bloody Mary mixed to perfection.

Where To Shop :

Brentano's, on Avenue de L'Opera offers an excellent selection of English-language and art books. And, of course, the Galleries are filled with fascinating stores. Wander in and out of a few of the delightful galleries, looking at the many wonderful shops on offer, and take a look at buying boutique clothes, antiquarian books and far more at all of them.