Exploring the Arrondissements of Paris

Whenever you visit a particular city for the first time

, it is a good idea to get a map so you can find your way around. Even though Paris is arguably one of the most famous cities in the world, this rule still applies to it particularly because it is made up of several arrondissements.

Arrondissements are basically separate municipal areas of the city, and they are numbered from one to twenty. If you think of a snail's shell this will give you a good idea of how the numbering of the arrondissements works. Number one is right in the middle and the sections go round in a clockwise direction. This means that the twentieth arrondissement is further out on the right hand side of Paris.

Knowing where each arrondissement is will help you to better understand the layout of Paris itself. For example when you hear someone talking about the Left Bank, you will know they are referring to the area to the south of the river which takes in the fifth, sixth and seventh arrondissements. The Right Bank refers to the eighth, first and fourth areas, which all butt up against each other geographically speaking.

It won't surprise you to know that the main attractions and most famous sights in Paris are commonly located in the smaller numbered arrondissements. This is because they are generally situated towards the centre of the city.

This doesn't mean that the higher numbered areas are not worth a visit though. For example if you head out to the thirteenth arrondissement you will be able to explore Chinatown, the largest area of its type in Paris.

Just to the west of the thirteenth section you will be able to visit the fourteenth arrondissement as well. This is best known for the Montparnasse Cemetery, the final resting place of many famous Parisians and residents over the years. Samuel Beckett is buried here, as is the author Guy de Maupassant and the composer Camille Saint-Saens.

As you can see each separate arrondissement of the city has its own character and landmarks to show you. This is why it pays dividends to grab a map and mark out the key areas to see in each one. This way you won't miss out on any of the character of Paris. Landmarks are one thing but Paris is so much more than just that. Take the Latin Quarter in the fifth arrondissement for example.

Once you have arranged your flights to Paris you can look forward to exploring each area in turn. Regardless of whether you have a long weekend in Paris or a week's holiday it will help you to get the best out of this superb city.

Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.

Exploring the Arrondissements of Paris

By: Paul Buchanan

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