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Paris: The Second Arrondissement

You’re nearly there - Paris, France’s glistening capital city! You can’t wait to land. You’ve gotten your cheap airfare to Paris, France , now you’re considering some wonderful sounding bargains on Paris hotels . Where you are staying in the city is always an important consideration for cheap or expensive hotels in Paris even if you are looking at hotels in Paris city centre.  Here’s a guide to Paris’s 2nd arrondissement so you can learn more about whether this part of Paris is where you want to be!

It is not likely that you’ll be spending alot of time in the 2nd as a tourist, but if you choose a hotel in this arrondissement , you’ll be in the pulsing heart of Paris’s financial center. Home to the Bourse (stock exchange) and the CAC 40 index of France’s top listed companies , the 2nd arrondissement is also widely noted for its thriving   fashion and journalism industries, as well as its general atmosphere of business.

What You Need To Know About The Second:

Here’s The Upside :

You’ll hardly find any tourists here, meaning that the people-watching will be authentic: Parisian business people going out to lunch, harried traders rushing to work, journalists meeting sources over coffee for the next big news break. You will also be close to the exquisite 19th “galleries,” a tradition when the Duke of Orleans decided to rent out his garden to shops in the late eighteenth century. These “galleries,” similiar to early shopping malls, have glass windows and tiled floors, are still in operation today. Visit for a nostalgic and enchanting look at Paris’s 19th century past.

What’s Not Great :

This isn’t an especially happening part of town by any means, and while there are quite a few places for lunch in the area , geared toward those with an expense account, nightlife doesn’t exist . However, with the Marais in the 4th arrondissement only a short distance away, there isn’t 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 areas like Rue St. Denis or the Pigalle area.

What To Visit:

If you’re a business type , visit the Bourse, or Stock Exchange, for a look at France’s economic heart. Or check out the Galleries - the Gallerie Vivienne is considered the best-preserved, with authentic and gorgeous 19th decor, a splendid mosaic floor, and elegantly upscale stores . In contrast, the Passage Choiseul is more “authentic,” catering to business folks on their way to work, and selling magazines and newspapers and offering services like shoe-shining to harried traders at the nearby Bourse.

Places To Eat:

Cafe Etienne Marcel, on Rue Etienne Marcel, is a trendy Costes brothers joint - less costly than most of their others - with a menu to match. Or have a drink at Harry’s New York Bar on Rue Danou, allegedly 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 wanting the elegance and decadence of Art Deco bohemian expatriate life. And, of course, a bloody Mary mixed to perfection.

Places To Shop:

Brentano’s, on Avenue de L’Opera has a great selection 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 boutique clothes, antiquarian books and far more at all of them.