8th Arrondissement

This arrondissement contains what's considered by many as the most beautiful street in the world, Avenue des Champs-Elysées. The center of Hausmannian Paris, the 8th arrondissement symbolizes political power in Paris. The presidential palace and the Interior Ministry (the Ministère de l'Intérieur) are located here, as well as some embassies and diplomatic functions.

The 8th is also renowned for its plentiful shopping (see below).

Attractions

The Champs-Elysée is a landmark onto itself, but typically tourists flock to the 8th arrondissement for what's found on its extremities: the Arc de Triomphe and place de la Concorde.

L'Église de la Madeleine (Place de la Madeleine) is one of the better-known churches in Paris, whose architecture is unusual for a a church - it is built in the Neo-Classical style.

» Our list of selected 8th Arrondissement Attractions (1)

Hotels

As the preferred habitat of some of the world's richest people, hotels in the 8th arrondissement command extremely high prices.

» Our list of selected 8th Arrondissement Hotels (10)

Articles, Updates and Reviews

After two years of construction, Le Bristol, one of the swankiest hotels of Paris, will open a new wing with 26 rooms, 5 suites and a new restaurant.

This addition represents its first major expansion since the hotel's opening in 1925.

Read the rest of: "Le Bristol Expands"»

Back in June, Parisian decorator Pascale Benhamou finished her project for Hotel Plaza Athénée in Paris's 8th arrondissement. The lobby restaurant, La Galerie des Gobelins (named after Manufacture des Gobelins - a former factory, now a museum, which supplied furniture to French monarchs) got new carpet, furniture and redesigned lighting.

But actually, what caught my attention was not so much the decorative changes of the space as the restaurant's updated menu, which features desserts by world famous pastry chef Christophe Michalak, the winner of the 2005 "Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie"...

Read the rest of: "La Galerie des Gobelins: New Look, Cute Cakes"»