1st Arrondissement

Located in the center of Paris, the 1st arrondissement is both the historic and tourist center of the city. In fact, it's the least densely populated district of Paris - most buildings are commercial, cultural or public.

Attractions

Even those on the tightest schedules absolutely have to see two magnificent squares in the center of Paris - the Place de la Concorde designed by 18th century architect Jacques-Ange Gabriel (it was "furnished" in the mid-19th century by Jacques-Ignace Hittorf) and the Place Vendôme with its column celebrating Napoleon's victory at Austerlitz.

Besides those two, the "can't miss" list includes the Louvre and its famous 20th century addition, the Louvre Pyramid by I. M. Pei, which serves as the principal entrance to the museum.

» Our list of selected 1st Arrondissement Attractions (2)

Hotels

» Our list of selected 1st Arrondissement Hotels (3)

Restaurants

» Our list of selected 1st Arrondissement Restaurants (2)

Articles, Updates and Reviews

It's only natural that any project signed by Philippe Starck guarantees attention to an establishment, whether it be a hotel, restaurant or a high-rise apartment tower. But now the maestro seems to be making space for another family member - his daughter Ara.

In the latest example, she was charged with the only truly "artistic" part of a restaurant renovation project for the Meurice hotel, while her famous father was busy desgnining the 600+ pieces of furniture that went into the restaurant...

Read the rest of: "The Starck Surreality: Le Dali at Le Meurice"»

They are a familiar sight on the banks of the Seine - those faintly weary people manning dark-green wooden stalls filled with used and new books, postcards, posters, paintings, compact disks, LP's other pre-digital-era media curiosities.

They are Paris Bouquinistes - a tribe that has existed (and flourished) since as far back as mid-16th century, although it was only from the late 1790's, when they were first officially recognized, that les bouquinistes gradually came to occupy most embankments on and around Île de la Cité - despite organized resistance from the more "orderly" bookstores which, as you know, are aplenty in Paris...

Read the rest of: "Paris Bouquinistes"»