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Paris: The 2nd Arrondissement

You’re nearly there – Paris, France’s crown jewel and capital city! You can’t wait to land. You’ve gotten your cheap international airline ticket to Paris, France , now you’re considering some great looking deals on Paris hotels throughout Paris. What arrondissement 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 Second arrondissement so you can learn more about whether this area of Paris is where you want to be!

It’s unlikely that you’ll spend alot of time in the 2nd arrondissement as a tourist, but if you choose accommodation in this arrondissement , you will be in the heart of Paris’s finance center. Home to Paris’s Bourse (stock exchange) and the CAC 40 index of France’s top listed companies , the second arrondissement is also widely known for its thriving   fashion and journalism industries, as well as its general atmosphere of business.

What To Expect :

Why You Want To Stay Here:

You’ll hardly see any tourists here, so that the people-watching will be strictly French : Parisian businessmen going to lunch, harried traders dashing to work, journalists meeting sources over coffee for the next big scoop . Visitors will also be close to the lovely 19th “galleries,” a tradition when the Duke of Orleans decided to rent out his garden to shops in the late eighteenth century. These “galleries,” akin to early shopping malls, have glass windows and tiled floors, are still working now . Visit for a nostalgic and charming look at Paris’s nineteenth-century past.

The Negatives :

This isn’t an especially with-it area by any means, and while there are many places for lunch in the neighborhood, suitable for an expense account, nightlife absent . However, with the Marais in the fourth arrondissement only a short distance away, there’s not much to be concerned 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 be too alarmed – 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 See:

If you’re a financial type, pay a visit to 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 authentic and beautiful 19th decor, a magnificent mosaic floor, and elegantly high end shops. In contrast, the Passage Choiseul is more “authentic,” catering to business men and women on their way to work, and selling newspapers and offering services like shoe-shining to harried traders at the nearby Bourse.

Eating Places :

Cafe Etienne Marcel, on Rue Etienne Marcel, is a trendy Costes brothers place – less expensive 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, reputed to be the birthplace of the Bloody Mary, and a hangout of Hemmingway. While Harry’s not cheap by any means, it’s nevertheless a great hangout for those who want the elegance and decadence of Art Deco bohemian expatriate life. And, of course, a bloody Mary mixed to perfection.

Shopping Spots :

Brentano’s, on Avenue de L’Opera has an outstanding assortment of English-language and art books. And, of course, the Galleries are filled with fascinating shops . Stroll in and out of some of the delightful galleries, looking at the many wonderful shops on offer, and consider buying art and far more at all of them.