Travel Guide of 1st Arrondissement (Louvre and Palais Royal), Paris for: Hotel Britannique Rating: 3.0 Pearls

1st Arrondissement (Louvre and Palais Royal), Paris, France

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Louvre, 1st Arrondissement (Louvre and Palais Royal), Paris

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1st Arrondissement (Louvre and Palais Royal) Summary

What It's Like

The 1st Arrondissement, located along the right bank of the Seine, is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris. The relatively small district is dominated by a few of the city's must-see attractions: the Louvre, the Palais-Royal, and Tuileries Gardens. In addition, the Forum des Halles in Les Halles is a well-known open-air shopping center, sunken below street level.

Tourists are always bustling through the 1st Arrondissement, making it one of the city's most crowded (and most exspensive) areas. But despite the crowds, it is extremely pedestrian-friendly and once you arrive, it's easy to cover the entire neighborhood on foot. Aside from several museums and numerous gardens, the 1st Arrondissement is dotted by beautiful churches, such as Sainte Chapelle. Though not as famous as Notre Dame, this chapel has gorgeous stained glass windows and intricate mosaics.

Like most parts of Paris, the 1st Arrondissement has plenty to offer shopaholics and foodies alike. Though most of the shops are on the higher end, meals can be found for any price; if you're on a tight budget, head for a stand or a cart instead of a sit-down restaurant.

Where To Stay

A central tourist spot in Paris, the 1st Arrondissement is filled with mainly luxury hotels. Of course some deals can be found, but the area is so compact (and the public transportation in Paris is so good) that those on a budget can easily stay in a less expensive area and still visit the 1st Arrondissement frequently.