The 7th Arrondissement is known as one of the finest neighbourhoods in Paris. It is on the left bank of the Seine River and includes some of the most important buildings in the city. The National Assembly, the historical aristocratic Faubourg Saint-Germain and Government ministries and embassies can all be found here. However, you can also find beautiful cobbled streets, street markets, stunning boutiques and high-end shopping. The 7th Arrondissement Paris is one of the most sophisticated places to stay in Europe. Here is my ultimate guide to this magnificent place.
7th Arrondissement Paris | An Ultimate Guide 2024
How to get to the 7th Arrondissement Paris
Paris has one of the best modern Metros in Europe and getting around is super easy. If you have travelled from London to Paris via the Eurostar, the Metro journey is simple. Take Line 5 down to Republique and then Line 8 to Ecole Militaire. This is one of the main metro stations in the 7th Arrondissement. From Gare de Lyon the journey is slightly longer, but there is no need to change lines. Either the Metro or RER will easily take you to Ecole Militaire or Pont de l’Alma.
The 7th Arrondissement has lots of bus, RER and Metro connections too. If you are not beginning your Parisian journey at one of the main stations, there are plenty of ways to get here. Equally, it is a fantastic base to explore the rest of the city.
Staying in 7th Arrondissement during the Olympics
The 7th Arrondissement takes to the spotlight during the Summer Olympics 2024. Here are all of the events that will be taking place and where to find them:
Champ de Mars Arena
The Judo events will take place from July 27 to August 3
The Wrestling events will take place from August 5 to August 11
Eiffel Tower Stadium
The Beach Volleyball events will take place from July 27 to August 10
Les Invalides
The Archery events will take place from July 25 to August 4
The setting for the end of the Marathon on August 10 (men’s) and August 11 (women’s)
The start of the Cycling Road (Time Trials) on July 27
The 7th Arrondissement is also right next to Trocadero, where the athletics and more of the Cycling Road will take place.
What to do in 7th Arrondissement Paris
Monuments
Eiffel Tower – No trip to Paris is complete without a trip up this iconic landmark. Simply go up to enjoy the view, or enjoy dinner at the Michelin Star Jules Vernes. For each hour after dark, the tower also has the famous twinkling lights. You’ll be able to hear the applause from below as you eat, or you can take part in the clapping yourself by watching them from the ground. At the time of writing, a ticket up to the top costs €18.80
La Seine – Nothing quite says Paris like a walk along the Seine! This is a must-do during your time there. My personal favourite time is during the evening with that warm, glowing Parisian light. Or, push the boat out (literally) and pay for a cruise down the most romantic river in the world.
Champs de Mars – I love this park to stroll about in the summer. I think that it is the epitome of France; sipping a coffee au lait whilst gazing up at the Eiffel Tower. Whilst one of the most peaceful places in Paris, the park is actually named after the famous Roman God of War, Mars. This is because the park used to be a military drilling ground. Not only that, but the Ecole Militaire is just on the doorstep.
Ecole Militaire – The royal military academy is most famous for training Napoleon I in the art of warfare. Whilst there is not a lot to do here, it is a must-see, most notably for the classically French architecture. You can see this from the Champs de Mars, which was once the parade square of this academy.
Hôtel National des Invalides – Arguably the most famous monument in Paris, this incredible landmark is a must-see. Visitors come from all over to see the Tomb of Napoleon I, and to learn about the history of France in the Musée de l’Armée. The museum in particular has an incredible military history collection, including a range of artillery. The monument itself is free and is open for most of the day. However, the price for a ticket that covers the tomb, church and museum is €15.00.
Museums
There are plenty of museums in the 7th arrondissement Paris for you to explore! Here are some of the most famous ones:
Musée d’Orsay – This is a fantastic art museum. It is arguably comparable to the Louvre in some respects, but is more leisurely. The focus is on 19th Century artwork and is housed in a former train station. It is definitely worth a visit, even if you aren’t that interested in art!
Musée Rodin – As the name suggests, this museum celebrates the work of artist Auguste Rodin. You can see some of the most famous sculptures, including The Thinker. All of the work is housed in Rodin’s old mansion, which is artwork in its own right. You can also leisurely stroll through the magnificent gardens.
Musée du quai Branly – This museum celebrates the arts of indigenous peoples from across the world. It houses artwork from Africa, Asia, Oceania and from the Americas. The museum was opened in 2006 and was actually designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. Whilst you’re here, make sure you go into the gardens and find the plant wall.
Musée des égouts de Paris – This museum is all about the sewers of Paris. Whilst that may sound disgusting, it is surprisingly clean and it is fascinating. The large sewer network is really impressive, with the large ‘lake’ beneath the opera house inspiring the famous Phantom of the Opera.
Leisure
If you just want to kick back and relax, or perhaps grab something to eat and drink, then the 7th Arrondissement Paris has you covered too. Here are just a few of the things you can do.
Cafes and Restaurants – The 7th Arrondissement is arguably one of the best places to eat in Paris. The area is a perfect place to meet up with friends for lunch or a coffee. There are also a great selection of different bistros here too. For more information on what to eat in Paris, check out my blog post.
Food stores and Markets – Given the fine nature of the 7th Arrondissement, you have some of the nicest food stores and markets in the city. In particular, the local boulangeries and patisseries are some of the best in Paris, along with fresh meats and cheeses sold by shops and markets. There really are loads to dig into. Rue de Grenelle’s open market (Wednesdays and Sundays) are a must. If you are looking for organic produce, then head to the open market on Avenue de Saxe on Thursday and Saturday mornings. However, the largest open market in Paris is at the Pont de l’Alma. This is a must-see in Paris and if you have time for just one market, make it this one.
Rue Cler – I love visiting this street. There are so many lovely speciality food stores specialising in everything you can imagine. It is so good that it is where the locals come to do their weekly food shop. If you want to make a picnic, this is where you should go first.
Shopping – If you enjoy a bit of shopping, then the 7th Arrondissement is one of the best places in Paris. For a bit of luxury, head to Le Bon Marché, Paris’ answer to Harrods in London. Like the English counterpart, there is a fantastic selection of exquisite luxury. It is also, as you would expect, very expensive! My favourite part though has to be the food hall, featuring everything you can imagine.
Final Thoughts – 7th Arrondissement Paris
I hope that my ultimate guide helps you plan your perfect trip to the 7th Arrondissement Paris. Whether you are visiting for the Paris Olympics or just for fun, I love this part of Paris and can’t wait to see what you get up to.
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Other posts that may help you:
- Day Trips from Paris: Exploring Paris’ Outskirts
- Ten Things You Must See in Paris
- Where to Stay in Paris | Planning your City Break 2024
- Staying in Bercy | Paris 2024
Thank you for reading and I hope I have helped inspire you for your stay in the 7th Arrondissement. If you have any questions about the places on my list or the area in general, please do get in touch in the comments below.
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Happy exploring,
Love Victoria X
