If Paris were a board game, the 1er arrondissement would be the center square. Home to the Louvre, the Tuileries, and some of the postcard-esque places in the city, many people pass through this neighborhood for its big sights and sounds, but few take the time to really explore it well. It’s surprisingly calm in some parts, full to the brim with history, and worth some time spent lingering.
We’ve put together some quick and easy recommendations here, but if you’re spending some time in the 1er arrondissement, and want even more recommendations, be sure to check out our Guide. We’ve got hundreds of recommendations, tons of articles, and if you upgrade we’ve even got three full-day itineraries of the neighborhoods you don’t want to miss and audio walking tours that will get you well off the beaten path.
But let’s start with the basics:
What to See
The Louvre (but make it smart)
Yes, the Louvre is one of the most visited museums in the world. Yes, it can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Enter via the Arc du Carrousel, not the pyramid. It’s a quieter, lesser-known entrance that still gives you full access. And if you only have a short time, don’t try to do it all: pick a theme or a wing and let yourself enjoy just one part. And make sure you grab a timed-entry ticket or better yet, book a private tour with our friend Amber. Highly rated and a blast, she’ll make sure you have the best time possible in the Louvre. Shoot her an email at amberminogue@gmail.com and let her know we sent you!
Musée de l’Orangerie
On the western edge of the Tuileries sits one of our favorite small museums in Paris. Monet’s massive water lily murals are the highlight here, displayed in two oval rooms designed specifically for them. It’s peaceful, poetic, and rarely as crowded as its neighbor across the gardens.
Where to Eat and Drink
Coffee
Motors
Our founder, Jay’s, absolute favorite coffee spot (that he kept to himself for several years!) Motors is a stylish, relaxed coffee shop in the heart of it all. Come for the specialty coffee, stay for the calming neutral palette and design-forward vibes. A great place to recharge during a day of walking. They bake everything in-house, from mouth-watering cookies to cinnamon rolls that will melt when you pull them apart. Don’t overlook the food here. Be aware that it has pretty strong hipster vibes, and their more unique roasts will cost a pretty penny, but the standard fare is reasonably priced for the location and the staff are lovely (even if sometimes a bit gruff).
Terres de Café – Louvre
One of the best French roasters in the game. Their tiny café near the Louvre serves up consistently excellent espresso and filter coffee. It’s the perfect place for a quick stop before or after the museum crowds.
Food
Le Robe et le Palais
Looking for a classic French meal with modern care and a young team that loves their wine more than they love their own children? Hope on over to le Robe et le Palais.
On the Bab Paris
A small Korean street food spot with big flavor. Bulgogi wraps, crispy fried chicken, and spicy sauces that wake up your taste buds… Yum. On the Bab is quick, satisfying, and refreshingly unfussy for this central, often buttoned-up area.
Best Places to Hang Out
Tuileries & Louvre Gardens
While the Louvre gets the headlines, the Tuileries Gardens are where you actually want to spend your time. Stretching between the museum and Place de la Concorde, they’re filled with fountains, sculpture, green chairs, and excellent people-watching. Bonus: parts of the Jardin du Carrousel are often much quieter (that green grassy bit full of hedges between the Louvre and the Tuileries). Oh, and if you have young kids, you can pay a few euros to rent a wooden sailboat and a stick they can set floating in the fountain.
Pro tip!
You can also grab a fresh baguette, cheese, fruit, and maybe a pastry or two from nearby shops and find a shady bench in the Tuileries or the Palais Royal gardens. Instant joy!
Pont des Arts
This pedestrian bridge connects the 1er and 6e, and it’s one of the best spots for a golden hour stroll. Formerly known for the love locks that once filled its wire bannisters to the breaking point, they’ve now been removed and replaced with glass barriers (Please, do not leave locks anywhere, it’s truly just littering - and if you’re relying on a cheap lock to preserve your love over the years… we have bad news). You can see it all from this bridge: the Seine, Notre-Dame, Île de la Cité, the Louvre, the Grands and Petit Palais… not to mention the gold-laced dome of the Academie Francaise looming overhead. It’s a fantastic bridge for a stroll, a photoshoot, or a little makeout session in the City of Light!
We aren’t anti-romance here, after all. Just anti-litterring.
As we get into this series, you're perhaps interested in learning more about our guide and the man behind it: Jay Swanson. To better understand who we are and how Jay approaches the guide and his recommendations, click here.
