A laid back, gentle lifestyle and a major metropolitan capital like Paris seem like polar opposites. But if (relative) peace and easy living are what you’re looking for in Paris, the 15th is a great place to start.
The 15th is a large, open arrondissement in the city’s south-west. You’re both free from the tourist crush, but close to the Seine and the Eiffel Tower. You have everything you need nearby, without feeling surrounded by millions of busy people. And certain areas have that almost unexplainable Parisian feeling so many move here for.
Naturally, there are a few minor downsides to living here—distance to everything else being the biggest. But residents generally love living in the 15th. This article explores why.
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About the 15th arrondissement
The 15th is the most populous arrondissement in Paris, and one of the largest by land area. In fact, it would be the largest, but for the huge (unpopulated) woods attached to each of the 12th and 16th arrondissements.
Despite being so large and populated, it’s known as a peaceful and quiet area. You don’t have the same sense of urgency and rush as in the central city, nor the wealth and intense social pressure of more elite neighborhoods.
It’s a relaxing, welcoming place to live, if perhaps a little sterile.
Where is the 15th arrondissement?
The borders of the 15th arrondissement are as follows:
- The Seine river to the west
- Avenue de Suffren and Boulevard du Montparnasse to the north
- Rue Vercingétorix to the east
- Boulevard Péripherique to the south
What are the main highlights of the 15th arrondissement?
The 15th includes a wide range of attractions and interesting sites, even if none are at the very top of most sightseers’ lists:
- Parc Georges-Brassens and Parc André-Citroën with the Ballon de Paris, visible from much of Paris.
- The Tour Montparnasse skyscraper, which dominates the left bank skyline.
- Gare Montparnasse train station (also partially in the 14th), which connects Paris with the west of France.
- Niche museums including Musée Pasteur (dedicated to the famous scientist), Musée du Service des Objets Trouvés (lost and found museum), Musée Bourdelle (former home of the sculptor), Musée de la Poste, and Musée Mendjisky (featuring “School of Paris” artists).
- Pont de Bir-Hakeim, which features prominently in the film “Inception.”
- A replica of the statue of Liberty on the Île aux Cygnes in the Seine river.
- The Paris Expo Porte de Versailles exhibition center and the Palais des Sports. Both were key venues during the 2024 Olympics, and the exhibition center is frequently used for culinary fairs and industry events.
- Houses of worship like the Saint-Christophe-de-Javel, Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette, and Synagogue of Chasseloup-Laubat, each with distinctive styles unlike other such sites in Paris.
- Aquaboulevard de Paris, a large water park and swimming pool complex.
Tour Montparnasse
The best reasons to live in the 15th arrondissement
Residents of the 15th tend to speak highly of their neighborhood, and with good reason. Here are a few of the key points they mention:
Authentic “Paris” feeling
The 15th is known for its traditional Parisian architecture and way of life, without being a tourist hub. It’s a predominantly French arrondissement, mostly made up of locals. And there’s noticeably less English spoken here than in much of the central city.
Rue du Commerce is a particular highlight. This one-way shopping street runs from Boulevard de Grenelle to the St Jean Baptiste de Grenelle church. It’s a great place to really live the quintessential Paris life, with traditional bakeries, bustling markets, and classic cafés lining its streets.
Calm, quiet, and safe
The 15th is perhaps most thought of as a quiet, tranquil neighborhood. Parisians—particularly those with families—move here to get away from the constant noise and activity of the central city.
The streets themselves are mostly peaceful, traffic is less congested, and you don’t have that constant stress and pressure that follows you in the heart of the city.
Left bank chic on a budget
The 15th is certainly not as exclusive or elegant as the 6th, 7th, or 16th, but it’s right next door. It has many of the same wide roads and beautiful buildings, and also has direct access to a large stretch of the Seine.
But compared with those elite Paris neighborhoods, the 15th offers larger apartments for better prices. You’re more likely to find a spacious, modern apartment here.
Proximity to the Eiffel Tower
There’s really no more quintessential Paris site than the Eiffel Tower. The sheer joy of seeing this iconic attraction whenever you like is a huge draw for many people—a “pinch yourself” reminder of your new life in Paris.
The Tower and Champ de Mars are in the 7th, but very near the border with the 15th. Which means you can easily visit whenever you like, and your regular commute may take you right past this glorious monument.
Excellent outdoor spaces
Along with its neighbor the 14th, the 15th arrondissement is lucky to have a handful of excellent parks and outdoor spaces. The best known are Parc Georges-Brassens and Parc André-Citroën, both opened in the 1980s although stylistically quite different. The former centers around a large pond, with a rose garden, medicinal plants garden, trees, and plenty of grass to relax on. The latter has a much more modern style, built on the site of the former Citroën automobile factory. It’s known today for its fountains, greenhouses, reflecting pool, and the Ballon de Paris.
The 15th also includes a walkable stretch of La Petite Ceinture—a former railway—Île aux Cygnes in the Seine, and the banks of the Seine itself. More than enough to fill your weekends with walks, jogs, and picnic lunches.
Pont de Bir-Hakeim
Lovely stores and markets
We already mentioned Rue de Commerce, with its traditional cheese shops and bakeries, and lovely corner bistros. There are also excellent fresh markets like Marché Grenelle (Wednesdays and Sundays) and Marché Saint-Charles (Tuesdays and Fridays), and endless quaint shops to peruse as you wander the neighborhood.
The best reasons not to live in the 15th arrondissement
Despite its many charms, the 15th is not as trendy or sought after as other arrondissements. Probably for the following reasons:
Too sleepy for some
The 15th is a resolutely residential neighborhood. It’s calm and pretty, with a great sense of community. But it’s not one of the better arrondissements for nightlife, cultural events, or trendy restaurants.
Some people would even go as far as to call it boring. Which could be a little harsh. But if you want to be out every evening in the heart of the action, the 9th, 10th, 11th, or Le Marais (3rd/4th) will suit you better.
Longer travel times
The 15th arrondissement sits in the very bottom-left (south-west) corner of the Paris city map. Depending on where you live, you’re about as far as possible from sites like Notre-Dame cathedral, République, Bastille, and most of the right bank. That’s clearly a nuisance if you work on the other side of the city.
It can also be bothersome for social outings. Unless your friends and colleagues also live in the 15th, you should expect to have to cross town to meet them. Metro lines 6, 8, 10, and 12 keep you fairly well connected, but it can’t really compare with living centrally.
Limited diversity
The flipside of living in a very traditional neighborhood is you’re less likely to encounter other cultures, cuisines, and points of view. That may not be an issue—you’re probably moving to Paris precisely because you want that French way of life.
But if you enjoy exploring cultures of the world, and especially diverse cuisines, you’ll probably have to travel around the city to do so. There is a notable pocket of Korean restaurants and stores in the neighborhood, but otherwise it’s very European, and very French.
Choose the peace of the 15th arrondissement
The 15th arrondissement is a fantastic choice for expats, families, and professionals looking for a safe, relaxed lifestyle with that local Parisian feel. Housing is generally affordable, green spaces abound, and you feel a strong community all around you.
If you’re looking for vibrant nightlife, a hipster atmosphere, or a more central location, you might prefer to be elsewhere. But if a calm way of life—and good rental prices—are what you’re after, try the 15th.
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