Ah, the 8e arrondissement. The arrondissement that gets us into a fair bit of trouble for saying - why are you here?
But we stand by that question. The 8e arrondissement is full of… not much of anything. A couple monuments, a sad and crowded shopping street, and a beautiful park. That’s about it. Sprinkle in truly next to no good food and coffee (except for wildly priced Michelin restaurants) and you’ve got yourself a wasted day.
Still determined to check it out? No worries, we get it. Perhaps you’re staying in this neighborhood, or maybe you just want to experience every single arrondissement in Paris. Here is our best advice for how to maximize your day in the 8e arrondissement in Paris… if you have to!
What to See
Arc de Triomphe
The one true reason to hit up this neighborhood, the Arc de Triomphe is on our must-see list. In fact, it’s on our must-climb list, and not every monument falls into that category (sorry, Eiffel!) The Arc de Triomphe has one of the best views in Paris: the stick-straight Champs-Elysées through Concorde to the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, and Sacré-Coeur… You can see everything in Paris from up here. Prep yourself for the stairs, and if stairs aren’t possible for you click here for more information (they have an elevator available). Grab your tickets here.
Le Petit Palais
The Petit and Grand Palais are not always on our must-visit list, but you should definitely take a look at their agendas online before you visit - sometimes they have cool expositions going on. The Petit Palais is particularly sweet because it’s small and manageable, free to visit the permanent collections, and has a delightful courtyard garden where you can sit and enjoy something from their café. Also, for these summer months: air conditioning.
Where to Eat and Drink
Coffee
Café Nuances 8
Thankfully there are a few Café Nuances around town now - bringing a truly tasty coffee in a bright, chic atmosphere to parts of Paris that have rarely seen a specialty cup of joe before. Be aware - there is no toilet here, so probably best to take your coffee on the go for a wander literally anywhere but the Champs-Elysées.
Inform Café
While not in the 8e, Inform is your best option for a cup of coffee and a delicious brunch close to the Arc de Triomphe. Trust us - you’ll either want a cup to caffeinate you before climbing those stairs, or a reward for after it’s finished! Not that you’re necessarily hunting for this, but Inform is also one of the few places in Paris to offer an American style cinnamon roll, complete with icing and everything (the rest of the city swings Danish).
Nuances will always hit, and Inform is delicious, but if you are a coffee lover, don’t hang out too much in the 8e. In a city that has literally hundreds of incredible specialty coffee shops, there’s no reason any neighborhood should be this empty. For all of our favorite coffee recs, be sure to grab our Guide!
Food
Valois
Valois is a great option if you’re looking for a classic French meal. Located conveniently next to Parc Monceau, which is a gorgeous location for a pre-dinner stroll.
Drink
Bugsy’s
Want to drink an expensive pint of beer and maybe meet a spy? This Irish pub is famous for being the go-to location for all kinds of diplomats working in the US and British embassies, along with the Presidential Palace just a block away. If you’ve ever imagined what a bar full of expatriate mystery men and women would look like, but in an upscale environment instead of a distant warzone, then this will scratch that itch. The food isn’t bad either.
Best Places to Hang Out
Parc Monceau
We’ll concede that one of the best green spaces in Paris is, in fact, in the 8e arrondissement. The greco-roman columns will whisk you away to another century, and the willows will make you feel like you’re in some wealthy countryside estate. If you stay in the 8e, try to grab a location near Monceau. You won’t find a more beautiful place for a morning run, afternoon nap, or sunset picnic.
Best Things to Avoid
The Champs-Elysées
It’s giving strip-mall vibes, with McDonald’s, Five Guys, Apple Store, and more shopping chains (many high end, but chains nonetheless). There are better places to walk, and better places to shop.
So, you might have to spend your time here, but our advice: limit it and then get moving to another neighborhood. “But where?” you might be asking. To find the best areas of town to eat, drink, and be generally amused, be sure to grab our Guide! Otherwise, check back here tomorrow for our thoughts on the 9e arrondissement (spoiler: we love it).