Located in the heart of the city, the 1er arrondissement is one of the oldest quarters in Paris and has some of the oldest Paris property offers. Being the least populated area, it is a touristic site with very few residential properties. The residential properties that do exist in the area, however, can be quite spectacular and rather pricey.

The quarter is packed with historic sites of exceptional beauty. From landmarks such as the Louvre and the Jardin des Tuileries neighbouring the area, there are many things to keep it alive from morning to night.

Being such a popular tourist destination, the 1er can sometimes feel overcrowded. Many cafés and restaurants that line the streets of the district are often considered “tourist traps”.  However, the beauty of this arrondissement is undeniable. Wonder through Rue Saint Honoré, into the gardens of the Palais Royal and under its colonnaded walkways, which are home to old French perfumeries and recently opened high-end boutiques.

The quarters that make up this arrondissement include Quartier Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois, where the Louves and the Jardin de la Tuilerie reside, and the Quartier des Halles, where some of Paris’ oldest architecture can be seen. Finally, the Quartier du Palais-Royal houses the Ministry of Culture for France alongside various important theatres such as La Comédie Française.

There is a lot to see and do in the 1er arrondissement and the tourists often miss out on the back streets of Palais Royal. Recently there has been an influx of new and modern coffee shops and retail spaces, which share more the aesthetic of New York and London than the widely seen look of typical Parisian cafés and boutiques. Discover our exclusive range of apartments for sale in Paris 1st arrondissement here