Paris’ 1st arrondissement is a divisive space for locals. On one hand, it has some of the most significant cultural and historical sites in a city full of significant culture and history. There are endless good reasons to spend time here.
But many locals also see it as too loud, too busy, and too touristy. If you have to visit, you do so in the off season, and steer clear of the tourist traps.
Which begs the question: is the 1st arrondissement a good place to live and spend time?
This article explores the key attractions to this central Paris neighborhood, and offers good reasons to live—and not to live—in the 1st.
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Despite being first on the list, the 1st is the least populated and one of the smallest arrondissements by land area.
The low population is partially thanks to the Musée du Louvre and Tuileries gardens. The gardens alone occupy nearly a third of the arrondissement’s total area.
Musée du Louvre
It’s also a more frequent base for tourists than locals, so much of the accommodation is dedicated to hotels and temporary rentals. It’s also a more commercial space than other arrondissements, with large shopping streets and a mall.
All of this makes it somewhat rare to meet Parisians who live in the 1st arrondissement. It’s a busy, interesting neighborhood, but not particularly residential.
Paris’ arrondissements famously form the shape of a snail’s shell, starting at the center and spiraling outwards. The boundaries of the 1st arrondissement include:
Most Parisians would consider this space the very central nucleus of the city, from which other neighborhoods and directions emanate.
Within those borders described above, you’ll find some of the most famous cultural (and touristic) attractions in the world. These include:
In short, there’s plenty to do in this neighborhood. The one caveat is that these are all busy tourist attractions. So you’ll never lack for entertainment, but you may struggle to find peace and quiet.
Just looking at the list above shows that there’s plenty to do and enjoy in the 1st arrondissement. Whether you want to enjoy those museums and gardens on a regular basis or stroll along the Seine in the evenings, it will always be a beautiful part of the city.
The 1st is in the very heart of Paris—a very central location from which to get anywhere else. Not only is it home to extraordinary sites, you’re also within easy walking distance of Notre Dame, Le Marais neighborhood, Hotel de Ville, République, and so much more.
You can also easily cross the river to visit Musée d’Orsay, and walk a little further to the Jardin du Luxembourg.
Musée d’Orsay
The 1st is also extremely well connected, with metro and RER lines getting you almost anywhere you need to go, including both major airports.
If you want to live in the center of Paris, you simply can’t do better.
We’ve listed them all above so don’t need to go into further detail. But the single best reason why most people would choose to live in the 1st arrondissement is the proximity to some of the most important, enthralling sites in the world of art and history.
It’s hard to deny the magic of walking through the Tuileries each day, or seeing the famous Louvre pyramid on your way home from work. Musée de l'Orangerie is one of the very best galleries in the city, and there are cultural gems like the Musée des Arts Décoratifs or 59 Rivoli, an art collective open to visitors.
Reasonable Parisians can argue about the best places for shopping in the city. But the 1st arrondissement has three very popular shopping destinations:
No matter which end of the price scale you operate at, the 1st arrondissement has the perfect options.
The fact that the 1st has so many wonderful attractions is precisely why it may not be the best place to live. The 1st arrondissement is probably the most touristic part of Paris.
This presents two major issues. First, the neighborhood is always busy, and the sidewalks are often packed with tour groups and selfie sticks. But perhaps worse, most of the restaurants, shops, and other supporting infrastructure are also there to serve tourists. As you get closer to the Louvre, you’ll struggle to find reasonably priced food and groceries. So be prepared for tourist traps.
While the 1st isn’t the wealthiest or most expensive arrondissement in Paris, it’s far from the cheapest. Certainly, an apartment near the glamorous Place Vendôme or Palais Royal will cost more than anything in some of the outer arrondissements.
The 1st is also home to the most expensive street in the city. Quai des Orfèvres on Île de la Cité has an average price of €23,002 m². Property here is now more expensive than Rue de la Paix or Avenue des Champs Élysées, the two most expensive streets in Monopoly Paris.
There also simply isn’t the same housing supply in the 1st, with so much of the space given over to hotels and tourist sites. So any property that becomes available is likely to go quickly.
The Tuileries is the largest public garden in Paris. But while beautiful, and the perfect place for an afternoon stroll or to read a book by the fountains, it’s not actually very green. Most of the walkable area is crushed limestone paths, not grass. The park is exquisitely sculpted and maintained, but it’s not the place for a casual game of football or frisbee.
Jardins des Tuileries
The Palais Royal is a similar story. Also a beautiful and relatively peaceful place for a break or picnic lunch, it’s not the open, green space that some people need close to home.
If that’s you, you’ll likely be happier near the wild expanses of Bois de Boulogne or Bois de Vincennes, or perhaps Parc Monceau or Parc de la Villette.
Many Parisians wouldn’t consider the 1st arrondissement as an option to live at all. It’s a busy commercial and historical center, but not where you imagine creating a home or raising a family.
But for some, its central location and access to most of Paris make it perfect. And there’s an elegant, luxurious lifestyle available to those who can afford it.
If the busy city life and abundance of activities is what you’re looking for, certainly explore your options in the 1st. But if you crave more community, a local feel, and a bit of peace from time to time, you may prefer other neighborhoods.
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