Even the most romantic city has an orderly structure and clear divisions. Any Frenchman knows that in Paris there are now exactly twenty districts, officially called arrondissements. The traditional breakdown appeared towards the end of the 18th century, when the map of the arrondissements of Paris was made up of twelve units. But over the next fifty years the capital grew in size and in 1859 eight more districts were added to the map. The districts of Paris have a numerical number and a historical name; all this has not changed for a century and a half.

How to navigate by area

To easily navigate by district, you first need to determine which district is in the center of Paris. Then take into account that the city center, also known as the first district, is the historical part of the capital. The Louvre is number one, and all the others follow it in two circles (inner and outer).

Graphically, the map of Paris by district resembles a prehistoric shell rolled into a spiral; you need to “go” clockwise, mentally unwinding the line. The landmark is the Seine, from which the districts begin in ascending numbers. Another landmark for tourists is metro stations; their names will tell you the name of the district.

Each administrative unit has its own index; the last two digits contain the district number. So, knowing the address of an object with an index, you can immediately find the districts of Paris on the map. You can also navigate by house numbers with an eye on the Seine; the closer the house is to the river, the lower its number; accordingly, you should look for buildings with a larger number moving away from the water.

1. Louvre

Number one is the smallest and oldest district of Paris on the right bank of the river. This is where the city began in the Middle Ages, and now this is its most touristic part. The district was named after the most striking central attraction of the Louvre.

The district includes streets adjacent to the right bank of the Seine, partly the Ile de la Cité. It is one of the most expensive urban areas, wealthy people stay here, and the local population accounts for less than a percent of all Parisians. The high cost of hotels is due to the large number of attractions and the popularity of this area among tourists.

But the advantages include walking distance to the most famous places, safety, and beauty. Living here, you can stroll through the Tuileries Garden every evening, visit Place Vendôme and watch the line move to the Louvre. The disadvantages include the high cost of everything and the tourists always crowding the streets and in queues.

2. Burs

The small district is quiet; there are fewer tourists here than in other districts in Paris. But the number of attractions cannot compete with the previous one. Walking along the wide alleys past historical buildings, you can see what is being performed at the Opera Comique. Art lovers are welcome at local galleries.

The advantages include numerous food outlets for every taste and budget, accessibility to ancient sites and tourist infrastructure, crowds of tourists usually drive past, straight to the first district.

Tourists looking for inexpensive and safe areas of Paris should look to the third arrondissement. True, it is practically devoid of attractions; you can only stroll through creative galleries and museums. The most remarkable place will be the Picasso Museum.

3. Temple

As a result, tourists rarely wander here and there is no particular crime. Hotels in the Temple district are cheaper than in previous areas, and getting to the center or to interesting places is not a problem; these are the main advantages of the area. The disadvantages include only a small number of establishments suitable for living, and in recent years many refugees from African countries have appeared here.

4. Hotel de Ville

The fourth is a famous district in Paris, the concentration of business cards of all France. So if you want to look at Notre Dame de Paris from your balcony in the morning, then it’s better to live at the Hotel de Ville. But not in the city hall itself, which is the official center of the city and a historical monument, but in one of the modern hotels.

The main advantage of the district is its ancient buildings, among which you can wander endlessly. Lovers of antiquity prefer to book small apartments in this area. There are no downsides here, the area is quite quiet and calm, imbued with the atmosphere of Paris. Crowds of tourists are observed only near the main attractions and do not extend to the Marais and Latin Quarter.

5. Pantheon

The fifth district does not surpass the sights of Paris by district, but there is something to see here too. Its main features are the Pantheon and the Sorbonne, the first is a very visited place, the second is the concentration of city studios. They are the main inhabitants of the area during school and free time.

There is no crime in the Pantheon district, but during evening walks you can meet noisy groups of well-rested students. And in general, the area is considered quite busy, but very convenient in terms of the comfort of housing and its distance from public transport and attractions.

6. Luxembourg

Another old district of Paris, not distinguished by many famous attractions, but which has preserved the French rhythm of life. The sixth district is not cheap, but the local intelligentsia lives here. Everyone can visit its parks for free, walk along its spacious streets, and sit at cafe tables.

Accommodation prices here are lower than in the first district, but still the price tag in hotels is not always pleasing to the wallet. A big plus is the silence and close proximity to interesting places, allowing you to better understand the inner life of the romantic capital.

7. Palais Bourbon

One of the largest inner districts of Paris in terms of territory. There is more housing here, at attractive prices, and entertainment for every taste. Plus well-thought-out transport links, allowing you to easily get to anywhere in the capital.

The seventh district is a priori a calm and cozy place, because in addition to local authorities, diplomats from different countries live here, consulates and embassies of the leading powers of the world work here. It is also included in the list of beautiful areas of Paris, especially since if you are lucky with housing, then from the windows you will have a view of the main building of the whole country - the Eiffel Tower.

8. Elise

When looking for safe areas for vacation, pay attention to the eighth district. True, you will have to pay a large sum for the right to become neighbors of the President, but it will be the best hotel. The neighboring rental housing will also pretty much empty your wallet, but in front of your windows there will be a promenade on the Champs Elysees and the desired security.

Elize is filled with tourists, rich people and bustling 24/7 life. Everyone rushes to the Champs Elysees, wanting to see the Arc de Triomphe and walk past the presidential residence. Another striking urban attraction of the region is the oldest train station, and now receiving trains, Saint-Lazare.

9. Opera

The ninth arrondissement is favored by tour operators selling group tours to the city of dreams. The noisiest bohemian life takes place near the Montmartre hill; you can settle there if you don’t plan a night’s rest at all. The remaining quarters are calm and quiet, the price tag at the hotel inspires hopes for a good holiday.

First of all, the Opera district pleases those who like to go shopping, because here, in addition to luxury boutiques, there are the best shopping galleries. Cultural life revolves around the Opera Garnier, and local restaurateurs offer national cuisine in establishments accessible to tourists.

10. Antrepo

Entrepo closes the list of names of Paris districts in the inner circle. Its quarters are the only ones in the old part of the city that are categorically not recommended for tourists. The only attractions are the Canal Saint-Martin and one old church. The cheapness of hotels and hostels attracts poor travelers, but it is better not to walk here at night, and it is not safe to walk during the day. Food in the tenth arrondissement will be cheaper, there are no problems with public transport.

The area of ​​Paris near the Eastern station is simply contraindicated for people with children. Two local train stations bring not only tourists, but also slum dwellers from Saint-Denis, plus pickpockets and illegal emigrants from the dark continent gather here.
Outer circle districts

The distance from the heart of the country does not make the area dangerous or uninteresting for travelers. The map showing the areas of Paris divides them into inexpensive and quiet, suitable for renting housing and into a few districts populated by immigrants and marginalized individuals.

11. Popencourt

The eleventh district is a concentration of noisy parties, festivities until the morning and an atmosphere of constant celebration. On its outskirts it can be unsafe; you can part with your purse or wallet, receive a flattering offer to try drugs, or spend the night with a narrow-eyed priestess of love. It’s like a modern “Courtyard of Miracles”.

But the center of the youthful and modern district in Paris is quite suitable for partying until the early morning. The only advantages of Popencourt are very cheap rooms for students and the Bastille Opera.

12. Royi

But hotels whose index ends with the number twelve are the best places for inexpensive accommodation with children of any age. There are practically all advantages here: the lungs of the city - the picturesque Bois de Vincennes with paths and waterfalls, the best national zoo and cinematheque. Parisians themselves love Röya, who come by metro for a walk through the forest. It is inexpensive and quiet here, with the exception of the places of contact with the twentieth district.

13. Tapestry

The thirteenth is not for the superstitious, but for those who want to get to the local Chinatown. Its inhabitants do not bother tourists; on the contrary, they even serve exotic dishes in their restaurants and offer to go to the Chinese version of the Cathedral of Our Lady. But hotels near them are still cheaper. The Tapestry district is an old industrial center, now an inexpensive residential area of ​​Paris.

14. Observatory

Another inexpensive and quiet urban district, characterized by an intelligent population. There is nothing particularly exotic here, but for adventure lovers there are real catacombs, telescopes from the local observatory, and views from the Montparnasse Tower. The disadvantages of the fourteenth district are its distance from the center and not the most convenient public transport network.

15. Vaugirard

Quiet, inexpensive and again close to the Eiffel Tower - this is the situation awaiting tourists booking accommodation in the fifteenth arrondissement. Prices for housing and food are close to the city average, and this is where you can observe the daily life of ordinary Parisians. Vaugirard cannot boast of any sights, but this modern district of Paris is really very close to the seventh arrondissement.

16. Passi

Neighboring Passy is a respectable district, home to local millionaires. One of the best areas for comfortable and safe living, but requiring appropriate finances. From here it's a stone's throw to the country's main tower. Nearby is the Bois de Boulogne and the residence of the President. In the sixteenth district you can see the best tennis players warming up on the courts.

17. Batignolles-Montsoi

Far away, but nice and calm - all this is about the seventeenth arrondissement of Paris, a respectable residential area. After a walk through the local parks, you will have to leave Batignolles-Montsoi to go to neighboring Montmartre or head to the central areas. This is easy to do; the entire district is covered with metro stations.

18. Buttes-Montmartre

Noisy fun, bohemians, people from African countries with souvenirs and famous city attractions. All this is located in the bohemian eighteenth arrondissement, in Montmartre, completing the list of safe areas in Paris. But even here there are places that are undesirable to visit. Buttes Montmartre is a great place to take a selfie with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

19. Buttes-Chaumont

The nineteenth and twentieth arrondissements are not just the urban periphery and the road to the airport, but the most dangerous areas of Paris. Buttes-Chaumont has been steadily losing its dangerous status in recent years, turning into a place of residence for wealthy pensioners and rentiers. Recently, inexpensive housing in the nineteenth district has been chosen by tourists with children, since there are pleasant parks with boats for rides and a metro network.

20. Menilmontant

The last area before the airport, its reputation is spoiled by long-term colonies of emigrants and high crime. The authorities are struggling with this phenomenon, which scares away tourists, but so far the situation is tense, especially in the area of ​​train stations. The modest prices are offset by the small number of public transport, and there are not many attractions in the twentieth arrondissement. The main goal of tourists reaching the last district is to walk along Père Lachaise and examine the graves of celebrities.

All areas of Paris have their own charm and nice streets. The main thing is to book accommodation correctly, based on your interests, the thickness of your wallet and recommendations for the safety of living in the best city on the planet.

Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris (ENS de Paris)

The Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris (ENS de Paris) is a French public higher education institution under the jurisdiction of the French Ministry of Education and Scientific Research.

The École Normale Supérieure (pedagogical) of Paris differs qualitatively from most public universities, primarily in the organization of the learning process and the quotation of diplomas issued.

The Parisian Ecole Normale Supérieure was created during French Revolution with the aim of training new teaching staff who support the ideas of the Revolution and the secular values ​​of the Enlightenment.

Over time it became the most prestigious higher education institution all over France. Among its graduates are numerous scientists, philosophers, writers, government and church leaders of the highest level - Jean-Paul Sartre, Louis Pasteur, Jacques Derrida, Georges Pomidou, Michel Foucault, Pierre Bourdieu and others.

In the supplement to the British newspaper The Times, dedicated to higher education, The École Normale Supérieure of Paris was recognized as the best university in continental Europe based on the results of the 2006 and 2007 academic years.

The main campus of the Higher School is located on Ulm Street, in the 5th arrondissement of the capital of France (the main academic building of the school is located on Ulm Street 45). The school also has campuses on Boulevard Jourdan and in the suburb of Montrouge, plus a biology department in the rural area of ​​Foljuif.

The courtyard near the main school building on Ulm Street is called Cour aux Ernests (Ernests is the name of the goldfish in the fountain). The courtyard of the Higher School is considered one of the main attractions the entire educational complex.

The four-story school building itself was created in a laconic classical style, without lush decoration, which does not prevent it from looking quite harmonious. (ENS de Paris) is a permanent member of the “Best Universities in Paris” association, which includes 6 higher education institutions.

History, status and tasks of the École Supérieure de Paris

The Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris (ENS de Paris) is one of the four schools of this specific French educational system together with Higher Normal School of Cachan (ENS Cachan) , Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon (ENS Lyon) and the Ecole Normale Supérieure of Fontenay-Saint-Cloud (ENS-LSH).

However, unlike the other two schools, the Parisian École Normale Supérieure, due to its solid period of existence and prestige, is simply called “Ecole Normale Supérieure” in legislative or regulatory texts without additional notes.

The current École Supérieure de Paris was created through the 1985 merger of the École Normale Supérieure de Paris and the École Normale Supérieure de Sèvres for women. (Before the merger, women had the right to take part in the competition only at the Paris High School. Two excellent examples are Simone Weil, who entered the Paris High School from the women's High School in 1928, and academician Jacqueline de Romilly in 1933).

The Paris High Normal School was founded on the 9th Brumaire of the third year of the Republic (November 30, 1794) by the National Convention, which expressed the desire that a “normal School would be established in Paris, where citizens already educated in the useful sciences would be called from all parts of the Republic, so that under the leadership the best scientists in all fields of knowledge and professors to learn the art of teaching.”

Now, in accordance with the decree of August 26, 1987, the École Normale Supérieure of Paris, with a high level of cultural and scientific education, prepares students for work in the field of fundamental or applied scientific research, for teaching at universities and in preparatory courses for higher education, as well as for secondary education. education and, more generally, to service in public administration and administrative-territorial structures, their public institutions and enterprises.

The Paris Ecole Normale Supérieure differs from other high schools in France in that it deals not only with the natural sciences, but also in equal measure with the humanities and social sciences.

Science and education at the Ecole Normale Supérieure of Paris

Departments of Natural Sciences: chemistry, physics, biology, computer science, mathematics and its applications, Earth-atmosphere-ocean (geology, etc.);

Departments of Humanities: Literature and Languages ​​(Departement Lila), Geography, Philosophy, Antiquities, Social Sciences, History, Cognitive Studies, History and Philosophy (Collectif Histoire et Philosophie des Sciences, CHPS), Environment (Plateforme environnement), History and Theory of the Arts ( Department d'Histoire et de Theorie des Arts, DHTA), foreign languages ​​(Espace des Cultures et Langues d'Ailleurs, ECLA).

Admission to the Ecole Normale Supérieure of Paris

State order students

All students of ENS de Paris (state order) undergo a competitive selection upon admission. The competition is designed primarily for students in preparatory classes (immediately after receiving secondary education it is impossible to enter the Higher School of Paris) and consists of entrance tests designed to be taken in all departments of the Higher School of Paris.

It should be noted that there is also an entrance competition for students who have completed at least two years of higher education and wish to continue their studies at a higher school. All state contract students who enter the École Normale Supérieure of Paris are required to enter into an agreement with the school, which stipulates that upon completion of their studies, they are required to work exclusively in the public service for the first 6 years.

In this way, the French state compensates for its costs incurred during the students' studies at the Higher School (education in all three French high normal schools is provided free of charge). The annual number of public contract places offered by the École Normale Supérieure de Paris can be found on its official website.

Students listeners

The Higher School accepts applicants who have completed preparatory classes, as well as students who have studied at universities for at least two years. Also, the ENS de Paris Graduate School welcomes foreign students, graduate students and persons of other types of educational profiles.

The most important factor in the popularity of this university is that when training students, identical educational methods are used, as for government students, and as a result, the same diplomas are issued. In addition, unlike state contract students, student listeners do not have the status of civil servants and do not receive remuneration for their research, and therefore they do not need to work in the civil service for 6 years after graduation.

Notable alumni of the École Supérieure de Paris

Arriving in the French capital, not all tourists think about which districts of Paris they will visit on their trip. They are interested in several famous sights that are definitely worth seeing and taking photos against their background. Meanwhile, the magical city is fraught with a large number of charming corners and wonderful architectural monuments, located far from the tourist trail and therefore less famous.

If you want to enjoy Paris to the fullest and explore it as best as possible, then you need to learn more about the city’s districts. This will help not only to find your way around the French capital, but also to create an ideal travel route for yourself. What are they, the districts of Paris, and what interesting things can be found in each of them?

How the capital of France is divided

Administratively, the French capital is divided into 20 sections called arrondissements. Each of them is a separate “town”, headed by its own mayor. All counties are assigned a specific number from 1 to 20 and a postal code. The authorities decided to number them starting from the city center and moving in a spiral from west to east to the outskirts of the capital. The result is 3 spiral circles.

Expert opinion

Knyazeva Victoria

Guide to Paris and France

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The smallest ones were located in the center, and the outlying districts became large in area. The map of Paris arrondissements, when you look at it, resembles a snail. All areas were divided into 4 blocks, setting up a police station in each of them.

Central areas of the city

The oldest arrondissements of Paris are located in its center. The historical core of the capital, from which in 52 AD. and the history of the city began, is the 1st arrondissement of Paris, the Louvre. Located in the western part and on the opposite right bank territories adjacent to the Seine, the area is small in size. But due to its rich history, it is literally “stuffed” with attractions. Here is the largest museum on the planet, the Louvre, after which the district is named.

The 1st arrondissement of Paris was occupied by a huge market for more than 8 centuries, described in detail by E. Zola in the novel “The Belly of Paris”. Now a multi-level shopping center-forum has been built here. The architectural gem of the area is the Sainte-Chapelle chapel. The Comédie Française theater is located in this district; Molière himself staged his productions here. History buffs will love the Louvre area.

The area of ​​the right bank district of the Exchange is only 99 hectares. It was formed only at the end of the 15th century due to the expansion of the borders of the capital. Now the stock exchange is located in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, the financial center of the city. Shopping lovers will be happy to visit the Lafayette Gallery, and history buffs will tremble through the Place de la Bastille.