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Top 15 Streets to See in Paris
You cannot miss the Top 15 Streets to see in Paris! Paris is one of the most diversified city in the world and that undoubtedly means that there are lots od beautiful places. Among them are old historical buildings, gorgeous museums and nostalgic streets.
Whether you fancy the large and luxurious boulevards of the Right Bank or the secret medieval alleys in the Left Bank, you will definitely find what you are looking for in our following article on the Top 15 streets of Paris! Let’s check them out!
1. The Must-Do: The Famous Champs Elysées Avenue
In the top 7 streets to see in Paris, the most famous is undoubtedly the Champs Elysées. This large avenue is one of the longest in Paris with the Vaugirard Street. But it is also one of the most luxurious! The most famous brands can be found there: Dior, Chanel, Cartier, Ladurée and the famous Vuitton giant store. You must go to the Champs Elysées while in Paris: start at Place de la Concorde on metro line 12, 1 and 8. You can read more about things to do near the Champs Elysées.
From there, move forward until the Arc de Triomphe, where the flame of the Unknown Soldier’s tomb is always burning. The best moment to walk in the Champs Elysées Avenue is at night (more information about Discover Walks’ Night Tour), while it is all illuminated. That is definitely the best way to enjoy the “most famous avenue in the world”.
2. The Most Instagrammable: Rue de l’Université
Image Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels
A long street starting near Assemblee Nationale, Rue de l’Université, especially, the street leading to the Eiffel Tower to be the most recognizable on Instagram. It has been photographed numerous times!
As you come up to the street square near the Eiffel, you will also notice the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, a museum dedicated to indigenous and tribal art from around the world. It also has a beautiful garden.
Plaque for Alexander Dumas at 25 rue de l’Université, Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons
This street also had some famous personalities living there. The most recognizable to English speakers is Alexandre Dumas, the author of The Musketeers and the Count of Monte Cristo, who lived on Number 25!
3. The Most Expensive: Avenue Montaigne
Triangle d’Or – by Panoramio upload bot – Wikimedia Commons
For those with a few thousands of dollars to spend in Paris, or those who love window-shopping, Avenue Montaigne is definitely the perfect avenue of Paris for you. It is located in what we call in Paris the “Golden triangle”. That’s where Christian Dior first opened his store, he was quickly followed by Dior, Chanel, Gucci, Vuitton, Prada, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and so many more!
Are you curious about the rent on Avenue Montaigne? It is around 6000€ a square meter or more for the street level shop! Crazy!
4. The Nostalgic Ones: Rue Norvins & Rue Saint-Rustique
Image sourced from Wikimedia Common
Rue Norvins and Rue Saint-Rustique are two nostalgic cobble-stoned streets and some of the oldest streets of Paris and in secret village spots of Montmartre! Visitors to Paris get a beautiful nostalgic atmosphere with an amazing view from the hills of Montmartre. Rue Saint-Rustique is actually considered the oldest street in Montmartre!
On one end you’ve got three bistros; with the most recognizable one being Le Consulat, La Bonne Franquette and Le Tire-Bouchon at the entrance from the west end. They serve classic French fare such as onion soup and escargots. At the other end, the streets end in a cafe lined square called Place du Tertre and soon after, Place Jean Marais.
Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons
The streets have art galleries and even artists and buskers wandering or putting their street little shops up. You can choose to get your portrait painted or take home a handmade souvenir from the nearby shops!
5. The Oldie – Jazzy Street: Rue De La Huchette And Rue Du Chat Qui Pêche
There isn’t any top 15 streets to see in Paris without mentioning the most seething and jazzy street of Paris: La Huchette! It is located near metro station Saint-Michel. In the heart of the Latin Quarter, the medieval part of Paris. When the evening comes, this street becomes one of the liveliest in Paris!
International visitors, as well as Parisian students, gather in the crowded rock bars or the jazz clubs of this street. My favourite jazz club is Le Caveau de la Huchette. In this club, you find yourself underground, dancing below the stone vaults of an old wine cellar. There is such a jazzy atmosphere (More tips about jazzy places)!
The top 15 best streets to see in Paris must include the tiniest street in Paris. From rue de La Huchette, you can access the smallest street in Paris: rue du Chat qui Pêche. In English, the name of the street literally means “the street of the fishing cat“! The size and the shape of this street really symbolise what the medieval city of Paris must have looked like.
6. The Trendy-Shopping Street: Rue Vieille Du Temple
I choose to mention as part of this top 15 streets to see in Paris la rue Vieille du Temple, the “Old Street of the Temple”, if translated. Located near metro station Hôtel de Ville (line 1) and Rambuteau (line 11), this street is special in several ways. First, it is a beautiful historical street in Paris. It is at the same time near the Jewish district and inside what used to be the Knight Templars’ district.
An iconic building in this street would be the Netherlands Ambassadors’ house, which displays a beautiful façade on the street, although it suffered from a fire. It is also a perfect street to shop, since it is located in the middle of the very trendy Marais area (Ready to join our Trendy Marais Tour?). If you are looking for all the information about shopping in Paris, this article is made for you !
7. The Party All Night Street: Rue De La Roquette
My personal favorite in this top 15 streets to see in Paris is Rue de la Roquette, next to Bastille square on metro line 1, 5 and 8. Not very far from the Marais neighborhood, this is the best place to have a drink at the end of the day (because of the “Happy Hours”), or to eat delicious Asian food.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, the street gets completely overcrowded. That is a good thing if you want to meet new people at the ‘terrasse’ of the cafés, or to walk on the road without fear of being run over by a car. Watch out though, Bastille square is often where the French demonstrate against the government!
8. The Cutest One: Rue Des Barres
Located in the Marais, this street is quite small, quite central in Paris (just 1 minute from Notre Dame) but it will send you out of Paris in one second. Walking this street is like traveling into a little village in the South of France. It is my favorite spot to enjoy the sun on a lazy afternoon sitting in my favorite café terrace, just next to a 1300’s church.
So Much to See in Paris…
-> With so much to do in Paris, it’s difficult to choose what to visit. You want to have an amazing experience whilst in Paris…
-> You don’t want to miss Paris’ main attractions
-> Your time is limited
-> Start with a free (tip-only) walking tour of Montmartre – it’s the best way to explore “the old Paris”.
Book your spot now for free (no payment needed). We just want to know how many people will join us! We run Montmartre tours every day.
These kind of moments are, I think, the essence of the French way of life. Relaxing, enjoying beautiful architecture for your eyes while drinking a nice café. I’ll fall for that every time! Your turn now!
9. The Most Scenic Street: Rue De L’Abreuvoir
Whether it’s fall, the summer, spring or winter, this street will leave you astonished by its beauty. It is located in Montmartre, which is the highest hill of Paris. It is surrounded by ivy, trees and old charming Parisian houses.Therefore from the bottom of this street you can see the top of the famous Sacre-Coeur church and the most popular bistro on Instagram: La Maison Rose. In terms of looks, this street is a masterpiece of composition.
Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons
Every time I go there, there’s always an artist working on his next piece of art. I love to watch them trying to catch the beauty of that place. My favorite moment is winter when you can see the smoky chimneys in the distance.
Rue de l’Abreuvoir is one of the reasons why Montmartre is a masterpiece of Paris. There is so much to do … Read our article top 10 things to do in Montmartre to learn more.
10. The Trendiest: Rue Du Faubourg St Honoré
All the Parisian fashion lovers in Paris know every single shop in that street. What is the most famous one? It is the Chez Colette concept store. This street is full of great brasseries and restaurants.
There are also luxury boutiques such as Louboutin shoes and other great designers (read more about Parisian fashion designers)! That is where the fashion week people hang out most of the time while they’re in Paris.
11. The Foodie Favorite: Rue Montorgueil
Now, I’m mainly talking to the cheese addicts here, and the cold cuts (charcuterie, in French) loves, the wine experts and the baguette specialists! Well, actually, to anyone that cares for good French food should go to the best “foodie street” of Paris. There are only 3 or 4 streets in Paris that have this much amount of quality food stores in Paris (Try our food tour).
Rue Montorgueil is most definitely one of them! It is indeed impossible for every English speaker to pronounce its name, so please, do write it down. It is very central, and a few minutes away from the Louvre Museum (link to buy tickets).
12. The Classic and Casual: Rue de Rivoli
Rue de Rivoli – by Pedro Szekely – Wikimedia Commons
Rue de Rivoli is one of the most famous streets in Paris, so it’s no wonder it made the list for top 7 streets in Paris! Adjacent to the Tuileries Gardens, this busy architecturally stunning street is 3,070 meters long. It runs along the first through fourth arrondissements, and is also a great street for strolling and exercising.
Read here for more to do on Rue de Rivoli!
13. The Medieval One: Rue Chanoinesse
Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons
Not far from the Notre-Dame Cathedral, you can stroll to the narrow Rue Chanoinesse, a medieval street where canons or medieval priests used to lived. Located in the City island of Paris, this quiet street is worth checking out if you’re near the Notre Dame cathedral, just like in the steps of Esmeralda and Quasimodo!
Rue Chanoinesse dates from the Carolingian period. In the Middle Ages, access to the Notre-Dame cloister was controlled by four doors that were closed at night. Reserved for the clergy of the cathedral, the area was closed to the outside world, no trade was allowed and no women were permitted. Later on, French nobility were able to gain access by renting some of the properties nearby.
Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons
A medieval era street with beautiful buildings; many have not survived today due to the Napolean and Hausmann renovations of Paris. However, you can still see some parts of the old buildings on this particular street. Many tombstones were also discovered on this street that later became known as the “Graveyard courtyard” but they are now enclosed in private property.
One such canon’s house can be found at Number 24, built in 1512. It is now covered in wisteria (the first photo pictured above) and serves French cuisine at a bistro called Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole. One particular story of this area is of forbidden love: of Canon Fulbert’s daughter being seduced and secretly married to her philosophy teacher, which is still popular today. Although the original house no longer remains, a plaque commemorates the spot, at 9-11 Quai au Fleurs.
14. Historical & Elegant: Rue de la Paix
Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons
Rue de la Paix, translated as Peace Street, is a short but elegant street filled with high end brands, jewelry shops and watchmakers. The most famous among them being Cartier! At the end, you’ll see the Column of the Place Vendome.
As you walk down from the Opera subway, you’ll see historical buildings that house world famous brands such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co., Rolex, Breitling and others. At the end, you’ll find the beautiful square of Place Vendome and more world famous hotels such as the Ritz, Park Hyatt and Hotel Westminster.
Park Hyatt, Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons
Take a leisurely stroll on this street and admire the historical buildings and do some shopping, if you please. This street can be compared to New Bond Street in London with its high end jewelry and high end shopping activities.
15. The Hidden Gem: Rue Crémieux
Picture by Simon Jones, 2016
This charming cobbled backstreet is the one of the most Instagrammable street in Paris. Rue Crémieux is a one-block pedestrian street in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, originally built as workers’ housing. The street has become hugely popular for tourists for its quaint painted housefronts, and the social media love for charming aesthetic has drawn more and more visitors to this adorable street!
It’s reminiscent to London’s streets in Notting Hill and almost feels like an escape from Paris with all the pastel colors. An interesting fact is that the street was renamed in 1897 in dedication to a lawyer named Adolphe Crémieux, who defended the human rights of the Jewish people living in France.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my article! These were my top streets to see in Paris! It was supposed to be a top 15 streets to see in Paris, but I couldn’t help but mention all my favorites, where I like to spend some time and enjoy the Parisian lifestyle!
See you soon in these streets of Paris!
*This article was originally published by Louise in December 2017 and updated in December 2019 by Arielle and by Farah in July 2022.
