The 2nd arrondissement is one of Paris‘ best kept secrets. Home to the neighbourhoods of Bourse, Sentier and Montorgueil, this elegant and charming arrondissement manages to fly under the radar despite it’s central location. It was one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Paris on my most recent visit, and one I’d previously overlooked. Located in the heart of Paris, it’s the city’s smallest neighbourhood. Despite being surrounded by some of Paris’ most popular neighbourhoods for tourists; Louvre-Tuileries, Le Marais & Opera, the 2nd arrondissement has a healthy Parisians:tourists ratio. For a more authentic-feeling afternoon in Paris, explore the 2nd arrondissement.
2nd Arrondissement Neighbourhoods
The 2nd arrondissement is home to three distinct Parisian neighbourhoods: Bourse, Sentier and Montorgueil.
Bourse
Bourse is Paris’ financial district, home to the Paris Stock Exchange and several other banks and financial offices. The sweet, hand-sized French cakes, financiers, were invented in this neighbourhood in 1890, for the clientele of bankers who wanted a snack that was easy to eat without getting their hands dirty!
Sentier
Sentier is the historic home of Paris’ textile industry, and there are still lots of fabric shops lining the back streets. Today, it’s being revived as an under the radar shopping destination.
Montorgueil
Montorgueil is named for Rue Montorgueil, one of Paris’ famous market streets & foodie destinations.
Rue Montorgueil
Rue Montorgueil is one of Paris’ best market streets. Lined with fromageries, fishmongers, fruit & vegetable vendors and cafes, it’s a perfect place to wander around lunchtime. It’s home to the famous patisserie, Stohrer, as well as the artisanal fromagerie La Fermette, and the bistro L’Escargot, which opened in 1832.
La Maison Stohrer
Stohrer is the oldest patisserie in Paris, founded in 1730 by King Louis XV’s pastry chef. This jewel-box of a patisserie is like stepping back in time, and you will be absolutely stuck trying to choose just a few items from the cabinet. I went for a classic and had a chocolate eclair, and I think I am ruined for all other eclairs. It also created the first baba auh rhums! Stohrer is located in the heart of Rue Montorgueil.
Place des Victoires
Place des Victories is one of the five royal squares of Paris. Squares in the sense of the French word for an open public space (place), as Place des Victoires is actually circular. It’s a beautiful spot, with concave facades of buildings creating a circle around the central statue of King Louis XIV. It was established in 1686, and like the other royal squares celebrating royal dominance, was destroyed during the French Revolution. It was restored in the early 19th century. It’s a beautiful spot for photography, and is surprisingly tranquil and sparsely populated. This is also really close to the filming location for Savoire’s office, from Emily in Paris!
Galerie Vivienne
Paris has a number of jewel-box like coverage passages, the 19th century equivalent to a a mall. Galerie Vivienne is the most famous and beautiful, built in 1832 and lined with luxury boutiques. Even if you’re not shopping, it is worth strolling through Galerie Vivienne or one of the other passages, to step back in time for a few moments. Other nearby covered passages are Passage Choiseul, Passage des Panoramas, Passages des Princes and Du Grand-Cerf.
Frenchie & Frenchie Bar a Vins
Chef Gregory Marchand’s Frenchie has long been a hot spot in Paris, and is famously nearly impossible to snag a table at. Across the road, French Bar a Vins gives visitors the opportunity to try a sample of his renowned menu, without needing to secure a reservation. I was planning to visit Frenchie Bar a Vins on the day we were in Bourse, but we ended up being in the area too early in the day and we didn’t feel like eating or drinking. It’s rare that I make a note of something I haven’t personally visited, but it would be remiss of me to share a guide to the 2nd arrondissement and not mention that you’re on Frenchie’s doorstep.
Sezanne
When we lived in New York, I lived just blocks away from Sezanne’s New York City outpost – a rare opportunity! I love Sezanne, and didn’t realise how lucky I was to have a nearby store without a permanent queue snaking out the door! Paris is home to multiple Sezanne stores, but the 2eme store is the original. Expect a line, but it’s worth the wait.
Near the 2nd Arrondissement
The 2eme arrondissement is super central to some of Paris’ most popular neighbourhoods.
1st Arrondissement – Louvre-Tuileries
Palais Royal, Jardie Des Tuileries and the Louvre, and the filming location for Savoir’s office, from Emily in Paris!
9th Arrondissement – Opéra
A very beautiful neighbourhood, home to the magnificent Opera Garnier and Galeries Lafayette luxury department store – the most beautiful department store in the world.
3rd Arrondissement – Le Marais
The Marais is home to some of Paris’ best boutique shopping, the beautiful Place des Vosges and the Marche des Enfants Rouge.
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