Continuing my series, walking you around Paris, trying to give you some tips to use for your next trip here.
The second arrondissement of Paris is also the smallest, so no excuse for using the metro here. Everything can be done on foot, map or smartphone in hand, you can’t get lost, and hey, even you do that’s how the best discoveries are made.
This arrondissement includes the former Paris stock exchange, the wholesale textile quarter, known as the Sentier, but to my mind the best bits are to be found on rue Montorgeuil . This road feels like a permanent market street, with food shops and tempting little restaurants on all sides. If you are feeling very Parisian then go to L’Escargot otherwise enjoy a meal at the oh- so traditional Aux Tonneaux des Halles, at number 28. Or simply follow your nose and trust your instinct.
Along this road you’ll also find suppliers to restaurants with amazing stocks of culinary tools and wholesale goods. You could easily spend half a day here.
In fact you may even choose this Paris quarter to stay in. Either keep it authentic and check out the flats to rent on air bnb, and pretend you are a parisian for a few days.
If you prefer to be looked after in the comfort of a luxury hotel you could stick to the Rue de La Paix and stay in the Hyatt Park or the Hotel Westminster
Or you could take it up to a whole new level and stay in the divine Maison Favart. This 18th century building has been entirely renovated to create a delicious boutique hotel.
Other shopping delights in the second arrondissement are to be found in the covered galleries. These glass domed walkways were created in the nineteenth century. Places to shop and congregate, sheltered from the elements and the muddy streets of the city. Today there are several remaining in this part of Paris, but my favourite is the Galerie Vivienne
Finally, if after all this eating and shopping you feel the need for some culture, then check out the Bibliotheque Nationale who change their shows pretty regularly, or you may enjoy the Fragonard perfume museum at 39 boulevard des capucines .
Wanting some medieval history? then head to rue Etiene Marcel and visit the Saint Jean Tower and admire the sculpted stone ceiling
Next week we’re heading over to the third arrondissement. Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.
If you missed them, here are my step-by-steps around the other arrondissements so far:
1st arrondissement, 2nd arrondissement; 3rd arrondissement; 4th arrondissement; 5th arrondissement; 6th arrondissement; 7th arrondissement; 8th arrondissement; 9th arrondissement
19 comments
Merci, Sharon! More for us to explore & discover when we’re in Paris this month. I might just have to extend our visit (I wish!)
What wonderful places to visit Sharon. So many things to see, do & explore. Thank you for these references.
This is a beautiful site. Thanks Sharon for sharing. Will help us when we visit Paris from Australia
Merci Sharon, Merveilleux,
Denise
Hi Sharon,
wonderful insight into Paris………..we will be back there twice next year, one a 3 day stopover then will return 5wks. later for a week!! I am excited already, and this post will be sooo valuable…………air bnb is a great site.
thankyou………I’ll be watching………
cheers from Australia,
Susan
How I love these arrondissement tours! So cool and such good insights. Thanks, Sharon.
We love this area, i agree we walked everywhere, have friends from San Francisco who have apt on rue Tiquetonne, right around the corner, oh and the patisserie stohrer….this is a fun area we think..
Oooh…that is quite a lovely place to be!
Thank you for these posts. C’est fantastique et les photos sont très belles.
There is always somewhere new to explore in Paris. I’ve now added Galerie Vivienne to my list in the 2nd – thank you. Looking forward to seeing what I’ve missed in the 3rd. Warm regards.
Sharon, I love the second installment of travel through Paris. I will save all of these and use them as perfect references when we once again visit that beautiful city. I am already getting some good ideas of things I would like to see and do.
Thank you for your beautiful blog and the inspiration it brings to me.
Linda
loved this. where will I find the previous instalment(s), please?
Ξέρετε τι απολαμβάνω πάνω από όλα στο blog σας?
Ότι με ταξιδεύετε εκεί που δεν μου επιτρέπει , η πραγματικότητα ( η οικονομική κρίση ) να πάω..ευχαριστώ!
What a wonderful post. It brings back so many memories.
I’d love to have you link to “Oh, the PLACES I’ve been!”. The link goes up on Thursday evenings.
– Alma, The Tablescaper
What a wonderful and informative way to plan next trip to Paris. I really enjoy your blog.
This is too much of a tease…spring in Paris, there is NOTHING better. Has me daydreaming……
My husband and I rented an apartment just off of Rue Montorgeuil and it was marvelous. The location was perfect. We were in walking distance to SOmany things ( like the Louvre). In addition, the fruit merchants, cheese vendors, and other shops were right at our front door. I love the 2nd Arrondissement!
What beautiful places you visited there. The Church and some of those houses looks like doll’ houses, they are just gorgeous! Glad you had such a wonderful holiday, and have so many memories to treasure.
modern house design
Hi Sharon, I am enjoying your blog so much!! It takes me to places I dream of. My family history is up north in the Aliases- Lorraine area of France, as far as we know (or perhaps,Reims??)and I would love to visit all over that beautiful country some day.