paris by arrondisement

Paris is divided into 20 districts or arrondisements. The hotel Left Bank St.Gemain is located in the 6e, just where the the Left Bank or Rive Gauche (5e) is located. Both districts are south of the Seine River. The a

reas are the familiar haunts of Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein - the lost generation of the post World War I years. The Latin Quarter is also home to the Sorbonne and hence, the name Latin from the students who spoke the language.

The Louvre which is directly north across the Seine, is the first or 1er district. Again, going north is the 2e district, the Borse, France's financial market.

Going west from the Louvre across the Tuilleres, one enters the Champs Elysees, the 8e and the premier shopping district of Paris. Here one finds Niketown, Addidas, Louis Vouton, Renault, and other famous names. The Champs-Elysees ends at the Arc de Triomphe.

Crossing back across the Seine from 8e to the south one enters the 7e where the Eiffel Tower is located. The 7e is also home to the Hotel Invalides and Napolean's tomb.

Back north of the river and north of 2e is 9e, the Opera where many of the famous Parisian department stores, including Printemps, are located. The 9e is also home to Pigalle, a less attractive area.

Further north is 18e, the Montmarte, once famous for its Bohemean atmosphere, not as much today. Still, on weekends it is a good place to wander and find an artist who will do your portrait.

Far to the east is the 11e where the Bastille once stood. The area is blue collar chic and graffiti strewn. Artistes walk the street of rue Oberkampf.