Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the time of Louis XIV, the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
was then a street of 18th-century townhouses belonging to
wealthy Parisians, with gardens overlooking the still bucolic
Champs-Elysées. But not today! The old mansions are now
occupied by embassies and offices, and the Palais de l'Elysée
is the official residence of the president of France. Few of
the old gems of apartments still exist, so when the corporate
types go home for the evening, the side streets are left empty
and dull. Contributing both to the commercialisation and
elegance of this eastern edge is the Golden Triangle of the
haute couture salons of famous French and international
designers, high-class shops of other sorts and some of Paris'
finest purveyors of haute cuisine.
Nonetheless, people live here and live very well. Around
Place François-1
er
, tucked quietly toward the Seine and farther
west at avenue George-V, graceful buildings house a privileged
few—primarily older, wealthy Parisians. The apartments
are large and comfortable, but rarely available. These areas
are fairly quiet, with high-class
traiteurs
and a few services
catering to the rather sedate population.
Fortunately, the 8
e
offers much more. The lovely and
formal Parc Monceau at its western edge, dating from the late
18th century, is one of the more desirable districts of Paris
and popular with both Parisians and newcomers. Here are
wide streets, including avenue Hoche, rue de Monceau and
the residential end of the long boulevard Malesherbes, plus
small, charming side streets abutting the park. Apartments
are plush and airy, with high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows,
and upmarket prices. In general, the elegant atmosphere of
the Parc Monceau area and its proximity to the markets and
services of the 17
e
can make it a lovely place to live.
Ninth Arrondissement (9
e
)
The dense, southwestern edge of the 9th
arrondissement
is
home to the famous Opéra Garnier, department stores, shops,
cinemas, theatres, banks and the American Express office.
It is always crowded and always on the go. Restaurants of
all levels line the boulevards, the broad streets that 'aerate'
one of the few areas of the city that has limited residential
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