Perhaps one of the most diverse arrondissements in all of Paris, in the 9e you can start the day with some luxury shopping and end it in the seedy belly of Paris’ red light district (if you so desire). Along the way are some of the best coffee shops in the city, amazing local bistros and the odd dive bar or two, of which we are particularly fond. Highlights include the Opera Garnier and the Rue des Martyrs (though we personally wouldn’t stay near the Opera house, just drop in for a visit.)
There is plenty to do in the 9e. This blog will touch on a few recommendations, but if you’re interested in even more, be sure to grab our guide. You’ll get instant access to hundreds of recommendations across the city to ensure you have the best time possible in Paris.
What to See
Opéra - Palais Garnier
One of Paris’ most iconic buildings and somewhere that you don’t need show tickets to be able to visit, the Opera Garnier is not to be missed. You can tour the Opera and discover all its secrets and splendor or, perhaps even better, set yourself up for a classy night out with an evening visit to a show. We love a reason to put on our best!
Be careful when you’re booking, as there are two opera houses in Paris. The other is located at Bastille and was decidedly not built in Napoleon III style by architect Charles Garnier. It was built by Carlos Ott in 1989 and, while impressive, won’t give you the same Phantom of the Opera vibes. However, the performances there are spectacular! This is also what we recommend for a truly palatial experience if you’re on the fence about visiting Versailles - it won’t take all day and it has substance.
Musée Gustave Moreau
Just before his death in 1897, Gustave Moreau said ‘I think of…the fate of my poor little works…they give a little idea of what I was like as an artist and the environment in which I liked to dream.’ As a result, Moreau decided to turn the house in which he lived, and where he had a small studio, into a museum. Filled mostly with his own work but featuring some donations by friends including Edgar Degas, this small museum opened in 1903 and is well worth a visit once you have had your fill of the Louvre and are looking for something more intimate.
Where to Eat and Drink
Coffee
KB Coffee
A mainstay of the Parisian coffee scene, KB is one of the first specialty coffee shops and roasters to start the coffee revolution in Paris and their influence can be felt in the explosion of incredible coffee now found all across the city. A short walk from the Butte de Montmartre means the crowds will be thinner and the terrace offers a welcoming respite from the hustle and bustle. You can pick up some beans here as a consumable souvenir or enjoy a flat white and a cookie while you watch the world go by.
Café Pigalle
More than what it seems from the outside, the café Pigalle is a specialty coffee shop with cozy wood cabin vibes. They serve excellent brews to stay or take away, but they also have a private room that you can rent for clandestine dinners. How very Pigalle of them. A few homemade delicacies complete their simple menu and you could do worse than stepping off the street for a pause café here.
Food
Rue Sainte-Anne - Japanese food
While you can get great Japanese food all over town, something we used to feel might never be the case, the classic and most condensed place to get your ramen fix is along Rue Saint-Anne. At lunchtime you’ll find queues outside every good spot, mostly locals taking their lunch break. Follow the lines. You might have a little wait, but you won’t be disappointed!
Dumbo
Smash burgers are all the rage here and no one does a smash burger better than Dumbo. It’s a simple menu: cheeseburger, vegetarian burger, fries and a selection of water, soda, or beer. You’ll want to pick this on a nice day as there’s no seating here. Wander up to the square at Pigalle or somewhere nearby to pick a bench and make a mini picnic out of it.
Photo from Maison Souquet's instagram
Drinks
Maison Souquet
It’s been called the most romantic hotel in the world (boasts their website) and stepping into this cocktail bar is like stepping back into the Belle Époque. The rooms and suites of the hotel are named for the famed courtesans of Montmartre and the cocktails on the menu at the bar offer you a taste of Paris circa 1889. We’re particularly fond of the Rita, whisky, benedictine, aperol and a splash of vermouth.
Best Places to Hang Out
There isn’t a lot of appealing green space in the 9e arrondissement if you need a place to sit and relax. You could pop into the small park, Square Montholon, but we wouldn’t go out of our way to recommend you visit, as we would for some parks in other arrondissements. Instead, how about an incredible drink spot to put the cherry on your day in the 9e?
The 9e really has it all and we hope you take time to explore every corner. And remember: We would stay in this arrondissement, but not around Opéra. And in general, if it’s your first trip to Paris, we recommend you stay as close to Notre-Dame as possible for accommodation to ensure you’re in friendlier and the most walkable streets. And if doing all the research is daunting, we’re got you covered with our Guide, now featuring a full article of Hotels as well as several recommendations, contributed by travel legend and good friend Lindsey Tramuta.
Otherwise be sure to check back tomorrow for the 10e arrondissement, one of the best arrondissements in the city.