As promised here is part two of our series on the arrondissements of Paris. I’ll give you a bit of information on arrondissements 5-8 in this post. If you missed the previous post you can find the info here
http://letsjetset.com/2011/09/27/arrondissements-of-paris

Map of Paris arrondissements

5th Arrondissement- Pantheon

The 5th arrondissement is the location of the Latin Quarter- a district dominated by jazz clubs, bookshops, universities and prestigious high schools giving this arrondissement a significant student presence. It is also one of the liveliest arrondissements in the city. The 5th arrondissement is also one of the oldest districts of the city, dating back to ancient times. Traces of the area’s past survive in such sites as the Arènes de Lutèce- a Roman amphitheatre, the Pantheon, and the Thermes de Cluny- an ancient Gallo-Roman ruin lying in the heart of the district, which is believed to have been constructed around the beginning of the 3rd century. It is the traditional center of what was called “bohemian Paris”. An interesting bit of information is that it formed the setting for Puccini’s opera, La Boheme.

Inside the Pantheon

6th Arrondissement– Luxembourg

This central arrondissement includes the historic districts of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Luxembourg. Luxembourg is home to the French Senate and Jardin du Luxembourg, which is the second largest public park in Paris. The 6th arrondissement along with the 7th, 8th, and 16th comprise “Paris Ouest” (West Paris). Paris Ouest is often used in reference to the wealthiest and most prestigious residential areas of France; however, the 6th arrondissement has a much more bohemian and intellectual reputation than the others. In this area you will find many great cafes, art galleries, and boutiques.

Jardin du luxembourg

7th Arrondissement– Palais-Bourbon

The 7th arrondissement is home to several of Paris’ major tourist attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower and the final resting place of Napoleon – L’Hôtel national des Invalides http://www.invalides.org/pages/anglais/visite_a.html”. There are also several world famous museums such as the Musée d’Orsay and Musée Rodin one of Paris’ most peaceful and romantic museums. The Musée Rodin is located in the 18th century mansion and private gardens where the artist August Rodin lived and worked. http://www.musee-rodin.fr

The 7th arrondissement is also part of “Paris Oest”. This arrondissement has been home to the French upper class since the 17th century, when it became the new residence of the French highest nobility. This arrondissement is also home to many foreign diplomatic embassies.

Quick Tip: You can rent an iPad at the Eiffel Tower for 7 Euro an hour, which is pre-loaded with a visitor’s guide, maps, photos, and behind-the-scenes historical information on how the structure was built. There is also a separate App, “La Tour Eiffel”, that can be downloaded onto your own iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad device via iTunes for free.

The Eiffel Tower

8th Arrondissement– Élysée

The 8th arrondissement is home to many Parisian monuments. Some of these include the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées – one of the most expensive strips of real estate in the world, and the Élysée Palace– home to the President of France. One site worth mentioning is the Luxor Obelisk a 75-foot high Egyptian obelisk standing at the center of the Place de la Concorde. This 3,300-year-old obelisk once marked the entrance to the Luxor Temple.

The 8th arrondissement is also known as a bustling center of commerce including famous fashion houses such as Valentino, Christian Dior & Chanel to name a few. You will also find elegant hotels and upscale restaurants. If you are looking for well-priced, authentic French cuisine steer clear of the restaurants on Champs- Élysée. These restaurants tend to target tourist and are usually more expensive than the places you will find on the winding side streets off of the Champs-Élysée.

Arc de triomphe

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