Ah Paris 14e. The boring arrondissement. Home to a big old train station and a lot of corpses. There’s not much to eat, drink, or see here if we’re being honest. If you’re really looking to jam a full-day itinerary in, we’d recommend you stick to other arrondissements.
Not sure which? Check out the other blogs in this series, or head straight to our Guide for all the best information on what the city has to offer.
Of course, we are being a little harsh on the old 14e. It’s a quiet, calm, and very homey place that can give you a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the city. For those who have visited Paris a lot, it offers some really nice hidden streets and interesting architecture you’re unlikely to find elsewhere in the city.
What to See
Dead people. You come to the 14e to see dead people. We’re not kidding. Our two places to check out when you’re in this area are where corpses gather to haunt, though they have very different vibes.
The Catacombs
This is not a must-visit in Paris, but it's a must see if you’re hanging around the 14e, have a morbid curiosity, or are way too hot on a summer’s day. Granted, you might have to wait in line for several hours before you get in, so be sure you book tickets ahead of time and choose a slot that expects fewer visitors. You’ll thank us later. Once, we stood in line for 3 hours to get in. Wish that were a joke - but hey, some people wait for much longer for a visit to the Kingdom of the Dead… [insert spooky noises… wait, this is a blog. Dang it]
Montparnasse Cemetery
The “normal” place to hang around waiting for the afterlife. The cemetery is enormous, and a peaceful pause in an otherwise busy, train-station neighborhood. Notable people buried here are: Simone de Beauvoir, writer and philosopher. Jacques Chirac, a French president. Samuel Beckett, the playwright. André Citroen, yes who you think he is. Jean-Paul Sartre, “Hell is other people” (here’s hoping he was right). There are so many well-known names on this list, take a look here.
Where to Eat and Drink
Coffee
Hexagone
This is the coffee shop of the coffee roaster, Hexagone, a name that leans into the colloquial term for Metropolitan France, given from its roughly six-sided shape on the map. This was the saving grace of the 14e for a very long time and we’re glad they exist, with a Korean twist on the pastries and some really nice natural light by which to caffeinate. Keep your eyes peeled as you’re likely to see their coffee on the shelves of a few other coffee shops around town as you go.
Aka
A quaint and bright little coffee shop near a cute square (great for an iced coffee to go on a hot day!) It’s been really great to see a few more coffee shops open in this classically dead zone. The cookies here are top notch, and banana bread a must-try.
Food
Poinçon
Not going to lie, each time we’ve visited (twice) this restaurant has been closed (our own fault for not checking, nothing on them) but we have heard amazing things, and it’s on our list to go. The real reason we mark this is that it sits on an easy entrance into the Petit Ceinture, the old railroad that once circled Paris and is now, in part, a public park (and entrance to the other catacombs of Paris). We trust it would be a great spot for a nibble after a morning out on the Petite Ceinture (more below).Built in an old train station, it provides a beautiful, light, and airy building, with fresh and seasonal food. Reserve here.
PNY Gaité
Okay, so this is a burger chain, but they’re delicious, and it can be really tricky to find good food over here by the train station! So if you need to grab a quick bite before your train, you’ll be safe and well taken care of here! If you’re a burger fan, keep your eyes peeled as they’re all over the city and each location has its own unique burger only available to them. Some are surprisingly spicy.
Best Places to Hang Out
La Petite Ceinture
A wonderful place to take a walk and grab some air. La Petite Ceinture is part of an old converted rail line in Paris. You can hop on by walking behind Poinçon to the left. You’ll spot a gate in the fence that should be open with a sign indicating that it’s a city park. Head on through and down to the rail line where you’ll find some fresh street art murals underground and a lovely green stretch of park beyond. You might note that the other direction is closed off, as it houses entrances to the catacombs beneath Paris - a tragedy as there are some beautiful stretches to the park that way too, but at the end of some very long, very dark tunnels. You can access the Petit Ceinture in other parts of the city as well so be sure to check our guide for more favorites.
Parc Montsouris
We’d sum it up as one of those parks you’ll love, but isn’t worth going out of your way to get to. If you happen to be in the 14e, whether staying or just wandering around because you have lots of time in Paris, this is a great local outdoor space. You’ll have some students, as it’s right next to Cité Universitaire (basically international student dorm rooms in Paris). Otherwise, it’s a great place for a picnic - a big lake, lots of grass, and trees - and a perfect Parisian afternoon.
Basically, as a visitor, if you don’t have to be in the 14e, we’re not sure why you’re here. We’re still not convinced it has much more to offer, but we’ll keep exploring just in case. Come back tomorrow for the 15e - spoiler, it’s also pretty barren for visitors. If you’d like our best recommendations for the hopping places in Paris, be sure to grab our Guide.
