Annie’s Paris Maps–where to stay, eat, go, and walk

I hear from many people how difficult it is to decide where to stay in Paris and how to get to the major sites. I am a visual person, I have to see it laid out on a map in order for me to understand how things relate. For those of you who are also “map people” I hope this page gives you a better understanding of Paris locations.

I have included on this page the maps that I use to help me determine where I will stay, where I will go, where to eat, and where I walk. It includes Annie’s 5 Favorite Walks.

My Interactive Map of Places to Stay, Eat, and Do

I put all of my recommended hotels, restaurants, and major sites from Annie’s Guide to Paris on a map so that you can get a sense of locations. It is too big and detailed to put a copy on this page, so I have provided a link. It’s best to look at it on a computer rather than a phone, but a phone works too. Click here for Annie’s Interactive Map of Hotels, Restaurants and Activities. The map is printable and downloadable.

Annie’s Preferred Area to Stay in Paris

After many years of visiting Paris and staying all over the city, this is the area I feel is most ideal for both new and repeat visitors. The location is central, walkable, subtly elegant, and calm. Even during the busiest seasons there are always empty streets to enjoy. It is historic and beautiful, filled with parks, charming cafes, bookstores and art galleries. The “hub” of Saint-Germain restaurants and shops is steps away. Unlike other areas of Paris, there are very few empty storefronts, graffiti, or panhandlers. There is not even a McDonalds in Saint-Germain!

I love exploring the busy, chaotic, even gritty areas of Paris and then coming back to my peaceful neighborhood at the end of a long day. I always feel safe and have no hesitation to walk back to my hotel after dinner. Call me picky, but I travel solo frequently and safety is high on my list.

My favorite area to stay is the space within the blue line on the map, bordered by rue de Bac, rue de Rennes, the north boundary of Luxembourg Gardens, and Blvd St Michel and the Seine River. You can see that it is central. Reaching the major sites from this area is very doable. Map of Annie’s Preferred Area to Stay in Paris

 

Paris Arrondissements

I like this map because it gives the arrondissement numbers but also the name of the area. It can be confusing because areas can entail more than one arrondissement. For example, Saint-Germain-des-Pres is in the 6th, but also the 5th and the 7th. Le Marais can be the 3rd, 2nd, or the 4th.

 

Annie’s 5 Favorite Walks

I walk all over Paris. Most of the time I start my walk in Saint-Germain. I have written out my walks so that they should be pretty easy for you to follow from anywhere using Google Maps. I also included links to my maps that can be downloaded and printed. They all start at Église Saint-Germain-des-Pres on the corner of rue Bonaparte and Blvd St Germain. If you want to take the Metro to the beginning of my walks, go to the Metro St. Germain.

Île Saint-Louis/ Marais Walk (great Sunday activity)

Walk to Île Saint-Louis. Walk around this very quiet island. This was the original Paris. Have lunch or coffee. (See restaurant list in Annie’s Guide to Paris.)

Walk across the river to the Marais. This was the wealthy part of town and also the Jewish Quarter. I always go on Sunday when the shops and restaurants are open and bustling. (some places are closed on Saturday because it’s the Jewish Sabbath).

Visit Place de Vosges. Have dessert/hot chocolate at Carette. Notice the architecture around Place de Vosges is concrete and brick. This type of facade is what was used for the very wealthy homes. If you have time, visit Victor Hugo’s apartment in the corner of the square.

The main street for the Jewish Quarter is rue de Rossiers. Grab a Jewish pastry or pastrami sandwich at Florence Kahn. Or wait in line for a fallafel at L’As du Fallafel.

 

You can download the map using this link:  Map of Île St. Louis/Marais walk  

 

The Jardin du Luxembourg Walk

Take rue Bonaparte south away from the river. It is a beautiful walk.

The Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés is at rue Bonaparte and Blvd St Germain. Pop in and admire the blue ceiling. It is considered the oldest existing church in Paris.

Les Deux Magots is across from the church. Cafe de Flore is behind Les deux Magots.

Continue down rue Bonaparte across Blvd St Germain.

You will pass CityPharma at rue de Four. Stop in for bargains. Keep walking.

St Sulpice church is on the left. It’s stunning. Visit inside. Admire the gorgeous murals by Eugene Delacroix. Take pictures by the fountain.

The actress Catherine Deneuve lives in the apartment across the street from St Sulpice on rue Bonaparte.

Keep going down rue Bonaparte til you get to Luxembourg Gardens. Find a gate and go inside.

This is my favorite area of Paris. You really get a feel for how the French relax. Luxembourg Gardens was the home of Marie de Medici who was married to Henry IV. She had the palace built in the 1600’s. It now houses the Senate.

Walk around, take pictures. Stop at Angelina for their famous hot chocolate. Don’t miss the Medici Fountain.

 

You can download the map using this link: Map of the Jardin du Luxembourg Walk

 

Rue de Rivoli Walk

Take rue Bonaparte to the river. Take a left. Go right across the Pont du Carrousel bridge. Keep walking straight through the middle of the Louvre. Enjoy the splendor of this famous art museum and home of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

Turn left on Rue de Rivoli. As you walk you will see the Tulleries Gardens on the left. You will pass many shops on this bustling street.

Stop at Angelina (there is always a line, it goes quickly) for their world famous hot chocolate. (They also have good breakfast and lunch items). Don’t miss the bathrooms upstairs. Women took their daughters to Angelina for afternoon tea in the 1800’s. Coco Chanel was a regular.

During the Nazi Occupation, this whole section of Rue de Rivoli was taken over by the Nazis. The street was closed to traffic. The Nazi Headquarters was the elegant Hotel Le Meurice. Pop into Le Meurice to have a peek. (Le Meurice has an amazing afternoon tea.)

Walk to rue Castiglione, turn right. Walk to Place Vendome. The obelisk was made out of old artillery by Napoleon to honor French soldiers. Visit the Ritz, one of the most famous hotels in the world. Coco Chanel had a suite there and entertained Germans during WW2. Princess Diana was last seen going out the back door.

Have a drink in Hemmingway’s Bar at the Ritz and people watch.

Walk back to Rue de Rivoli and continue until you come to Place de la Concorde. The American Embassy is on the right. Also on the right is the Hotel Crillon, where the treaty between England and the newly formed United States of America was signed.

Across from Hotel Crillon, in Place de la Concorde, Queen Marie Antoinette was beheaded.

From Place de la Concorde you can see all the way down the Champs Elysee to the Arc de Triumph.

Stop in to visit Hotel de la Marine. It isn’t a hotel, it’s a gorgeous residence. See Annie’s Guide to Paris under “museums”.

Walk back the way you came down Rue de Rivoli on the Tuileries Garden side. When you come to an opening to the Gardens, walk through the Tuileries. Enjoy a little respite on the chairs near the fountain.

If you still have energy for another museum, stop at Musee de l’Orangerie to see Monet’s waterlilies murals. Don’t miss the collections in the lower level!

When you are ready, walk back across the Seine and back to St. Germain.

 

You can download the map using this link: Map of the Rue de Rivoli Walk

 

Notre Dame Walk

Follow your Google Maps to Notre Dame. As you walk from the 6th into the 5th, you’ll notice a subtle change in atmosphere. The 6th is quiet and sophisticated. The 5th, also known as the Latin Quarter, is rowdy, crowded, and lively.

As you make your way toward Notre Dame, before you cross the river, you’ll find one of my favorite areas. It’s also one of the oldest areas of Paris.

Follow Google Maps to Shakespeare and Company bookstore. It’s the oldest and most famous English bookstore in Paris. It’s fun to say you’ve been there but is often crowded with tourists.

Walk behind Shakespeare and Company away from the river down rue Saint Julian le Pauvre. That is also the name of the little church on the left. Behind the church is a beautiful park/garden with benches if you need a break. The oldest tree in Paris is in this park. At the end of the street is Odette, a tiny bakery that serves the most exquisite cream puffs, or choux a la creme. (I always plan my walk so that I can have afternoon coffee and a cream puff at Odette!) Odette is on rue Galande. If you peek down rue Galande, you will see that nothing has changed since 1700. It looks like a movie set.

Walk back towards the church, cross the bridge, and you will see Notre Dame in all of it’s glory. If you want to enter, you may have a long line but it goes quickly.

While you’re there, explore Ile de Cite, the island that was the first Paris. (Note: Paris Walks does an excellent ÎIe de Cite walk.)

 

You can download the map using this link: Map of the Notre Dame Walk

 

The 7th Arrondissement/Eiffel Tower Walk

I stayed in the 7th near the Eiffel Tower my first ten years of visiting Paris. I love spending a day walking over to that neighborhood, having lunch, exploring, and if I’m not exhausted, cross the river and visit the Petit Palace.

From St Germain, it is about a 45 minute walk.

Take rue Jacob west. It turns into rue de l’Universite. Follow past where rue de l’Universite and Blvd St Germain intersect. Julia Childs apartment was at 81 rue de l’Universite! Keep walking….

When you approach a busy, open area you will see Invalides to your left. It is the old Hospital for Veterans. Continue down rue l’Universite all the way to the Eiffel Tower.

Once you have oooh’d and awww’d at the Eiffel Tower, find rue Cler on your map and make your way there.

Rue Cler is a shopping street that Rick Steves made very popular. It is a wonderful street to explore, eat, shop, people watch.

From rue Cler, go to rue St. Dominique, take a right, and start walking back towards the 6th. If you look behind you, you’ll get some great shots of the Eiffel Tower. I love to stop and have a coffee break at LIBERTE on rue St. Dominique.

If you follow rue St. Dominique it will run right into Blvd St Germain.

On your way, you’ll pass one of my favorite churches, Basilique Sainte-Clothilde.

 

You can download the map using this link: Map of the 7th Arrondissement/Eiffel Tower Walk