Paris 8th district is is very touristy, but is also where the upper-classes live. The district is home to uncountable luxury hotels and shops, as well as the headquarters of many financial institutions. The Palais de l’Elysée and the Ministère de l’Intérieur (home office) are also located in this arrondissement.
The district is divided into four main areas:
- Quartier des Champs-Élysées (South)
- Quartier du Faubourg-du-Roule (West)
- Quartier de la Madeleine (East)
- Quartier de l’Europe (North)
Famous places
The 8th arrondissement hosts many of the most prestigious and symbolic places in Paris, such as the avenue des Champs Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Palais de l’Elysée or the Eglise de la Madeleine. It also plays a very dynamic role in the city, with more than 180,000 jobs in the financial, service and tourism sectors. Moreover, the 8th arrondissement is also a strategic junction for public transport, with the presence of the Saint Lazare train station, a real hub for the western part of the city.
Facts and figures to illustrate the reputation of the 8th arrondissement:
Four out of the seven luxury hotels in Paris are located in this district: Le Bristol, Crillon, George V and Plaza Athénée.
Three out of the nine Parisian restaurant awarded 3 Michelin stars are located here: Alain Ducasse, Ledoyen and Pierre Gagnaire. There are also two restaurants that have been awarded 2 stars: Taillevent and Hôtel George V.
Most of the luxury shops and haute couture establishements are situated in the district, along the streets of the Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, the avenue Montaigne, or les Champs-Élysées.
The 8th arrondissement also comprises the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais, two famous museum complexes built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900, with large glass vaults and splendid stone facades. The west wing of the Grand Palais houses a science museum called the Palais de la découverte. There is also a famous theatre, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, which is not actually located on the Champs Elysées but in another part of the district.
The Parc Monceau, one of the most beautiful parks of the capital is the perfect place to relax, and is home to an array of trees (including pines, , maple trees, judas trees, lime trees)
The district is particularly famous for its Triangle d’or (golden triangle), an area between the avenue Montaigne, George V and the Champs Elysées, which is home to luxury apartments, boutiques, and the headquarters of Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton. Wealthy families wanting to show off live in the western part of the arrondissement, representing the luxury and elegance of Paris.
Cafés & Restaurants
- Chez Francis, 7, place de l’Alma. View of the Eiffel Tower and serves the most delicious Croques Monsieur and Madame for €12.
Café Marco Polo, 121 rue Saint Lazare. Don’t be fooled by the name, it is a brasserie-style restaurant. Low prices considering the location, but good quality, with a variety of delicious dishes. - Le Cinq, 31 Avenue George V. A gourmet restaurant, part of the luxuy Hotel George V. Traditional French cuisine, expect high prices owing to the location and the excellent reputation (the restaurant was awarded 2 stars by the Guide Michelin).
- Ladurée, 75, avenue des Champs-Elysées. Famous for their macaroons, which come in over fifteen different flavours. Expensive, but an experience. There is a tea room, a bar, and a restaurant. You can also order baked goods to go, in fancy boxes and bags.
- Buddha Bar, 8 Rue Boissy d’ Anglais. Famous in electronic lounge music circles for having commissioned a series of lounge and down tempo records which you can get at most larger record shops in France, as well as many abroad.
Property price per sqm in the 8th arrondissement
According to the website Notaires de France, the average price per square meter was €10,320 for the third quarter of 2011. It is currently the sixth most expensive district of Paris, after the 5th arrondissement.
Population
There were 38 702 inhabitants in the district in 2008.
Useful information
Tourism office in Paris:
www.francetourism.com
Maps of Paris:
www.ign.fr
www.viamichelin.com
Travel from the UK
By air: Easyjet flies from Belfast, Liverpool Newcastle and London Luton to Paris.
Ryanair flies from Shannon, Dublin and Glasgow to Paris.
By rail: Eurostar go from London to Paris in just 2h35.
By car: You can travel by car to Paris by taking the ferries which go from Dover to Calais and then you can take the Motorway to Paris.
You can also cross the channel with the Eurostar and stop at Calais. Then you will travel on the motorway directly to Paris.
Our team of sale advisers at Sextant Properties will be happy to help you to find a property in Paris. We have a large network of partners in Paris. All of them are registered French real estate agents and speak both French and English. Whatever kind of property you are looking for: farmhouse, longere, barn, gite, B&B, country house, mill, castle or chateau, we will do our best to find a property in Paris matching your requirements.