The 2nd (IIe) arrondissement includes some of the nicest parts of Paris, including Les Halles, le Palais Royal, and much more. Famous books, restaurants and sights made it a great place to spend a day. Read below for more details.
The 2nd (2e arrondissement) is one of the 20 arrondissements of Paris. Situated on the right bank of the Seine, the 2nd, together with the adjacent 8th and 9th arrondissements are centered roughly on the Paris Opéra.
Paris' smallest arrondissement, its land area is just 0.992 km² (0.383 sq. miles, or 245 acres). The 2nd contains the former Paris Bourse (stock exchange) and the Opéra-Comique concert hall.
Sentier, the ready-to-wear garment district, is also here, as well as several 19th century glass-roofed "galeries" or "passages". A little history: At the beginning of the 19th century most of the streets of Paris were muddy, dark and lacking sidewalks. As a result, a few entrepreneurs copied the success of the Passage des Panoramas and its well-lit, dry and paved pedestrian passageways. By the middle of the 19th century there were about two dozen of these commercial malls, but most of them disappeared as the main streets were paved, and sidewalks and gas street lighting were added. In addition to the Passage des Panoramas, the commercial survivors are the Passage du Ponceau, the Passage Basfour, the Galerie Vivienne, the Passage du Caire, the Galerie Colbert, the Passage Lemoine, the Passage du Grand Cerf, the Passage Jouffroy, the Passage Choiseul, the passage du Bourg-L'abbé, and the Passage des Princes.
The 2nd arrondissement reached its peak of settlement in the years before 1861, although it has only existed in its current shape since the re-organization of Paris in 1860. As of the last census (in 1999), the population was 19,585, in spite of a land area of only 0.992 km², making it the arrondissement with the densest concentration of commercial activity in the capital, with an average of 62,695 jobs per km². Many Paris apartment rentals 2nd may be rented in this popular area, a short walk to the Louvre, Seine and more.
Today, this bustling area contains the Bourse (the Paris Stock Exchange), and may be thought of as being divisible into three general areas: The quaint, trendy Montorgueil district to the east, the business and financial districts around the Bourse, and the Opéra district to the west.
The place des Victoires here is a beautiful round 'square' with an equestrian statue of King Louis the XIVth and matching XVIIth century buildings. Be sure to see the Notre Dame des Victoires, the XVIIth century church.
There’s a wide selection of bookstores, famous bakeries, cafes and restaurants as well, especially in the direction of the Montorgueil, which offers many Paris short term rentals. The chic Montorgueil is alive both day and night with local commerce, cafés, restaurants and bars, and is a favorite among both tourists and locals. There are vegetarian restaurants, wine and tapas bars, and much more.
The business districts are relatively peaceful past rush hour. For a more vivacious evening scene, you may wish to try the Opera area, which remains busy day and night due to the number of main roads that converge here.
The main residential community is around the lively Montorgueil pedestrian district. There are apartments in Paris of all types here. Unique, bohemian old apartments often overlook quiet courtyards away from the view of the streets. Some modern additions have been created here, built to integrate with the style of the district.
Adjacent to all of central Paris, and within walking distance of so many of Paris’ main attractions, a stay in your Paris apartment rental 2nd arrondissement is truly what it means to be in the center of Paris.
