Part of what makes Paris so endlessly interesting is its diversity. The city is split into 20 districts, or arrondissements starting with the first right at the centre of the city and spiralling outwards like a snail’s shell to the 20th. Kind of poetic in a city that eats escargot don’t you think? Each district has an entirely different character from the high class, high price first arrondissement to the bourgeois bohemians (or bobos) of the sixth arrondissement and the working class charm of the twentieth.

We thought it was only fitting then, that each district should have its own travel guide. You’ll never manage to visit them all in one trip (or two, or three, or four trips) so don't spread yourself too thin by trying. Do your research and pick a handful of arrondissements that appeal to your own character and explore those well instead. You may not be able to tick off every item on your to-see list but hey, that’s just a reason to come back again!

Our guide starts on the Right Bank with the first arrondissement (1e) and your trip is likely to do so too – this is the ground zero of Paris tourism. The district stretches from Rue de la Concorde to Boulevard de Sebastapol and is hemmed in by the Seine on one side and Rue Etienne Marcel on the other. It also includes a sliver of Ile de la Cité.

Winged Vicotory at the Louvre

The district’s main draw is the world-famous Palais du Louvre, home of the Louvre Museum. Visiting the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa is one of those iconic Paris experiences that everyone should do in their first trip. That said, many visitors return to the museum on subsequent trips too. The Decorative Arts section in the Rohan Wing includes three museums considered separate to the rest of the museum with collections that span from period posters to costumes and furniture from the Middle Ages. Since the museum is almost a kilometre long, exploring all the treasures of the Louvre may just be as much work as getting to know every inch of the city outside. For those interested in exploring the most memorable pieces of the Louvre during their Paris trip, check out our skip the line access tour here or for something more tailored, see details of our private tour here.

The Palais Royal is worth a visit

Even for those that aren’t so keen on art the Louvre is often a first port of call for its architectural beauty, the IM Pei pyramid and the spectacular Jardin des Tuileries out front. The Jardin des Tuileries is popular in part for its views straight down the Champs Élyseés to the Arc de Triomphe. It’s a very pretty spot in its own right too though, with elaborate flower beds, fountains, sculptures, a pond for kids to sail boats in and the Arc de Triomphe du Carrosel – a miniature version of the Arc de Triomphe that was erected by Napoleon in the early 19th century.

All in all 1e is the domain of culture buffs and shopaholics. As well as the Louvre, this arrondissement is home to Musée de L’Orangerie. Once part of the Palais des Tuileries which was burned during the Paris Commune, the museum is most famous for housing Monet’s enormous piece Waterlilies and is a favourite for second-time visitors. After the Louvre and Musée D’Orsay, it is one of the city’s best art museums. The Palais Royal is closed to the public now since it is in use as a government building, but the 17th century palace is worth a visit for its beautiful façade and lovely gardens. For history buffs La Conciergerie is one of the city’s most important sights as the palace-turned-prison that held Marie Antoinette during the Reign of Terror.

Ste Chapelle's famous windows

The sliver of Ile de la Cité that falls within the boundaries of 1e contains the Palais du Justice, and tucked away within its walls is Ste-Chapelle. Some say that the tiny chapel is prettier than Notre Dame and while it doesn’t have the cathedral’s grandeur or views, the stained glass windows of Ste-Chapelle are undoubtedly the country’s finest. Unfortunately the church is also known for its queues which in the summer months will eat a good chunk of your afternoon. For this reason it falls off many hectic first trip itineraries but if you’ve done the rest of the first arrondissement or if you have any time at all to spare, Ste-Chapelle is a must-see.

Depending on who you ask 1e is the best or worst spot for shopping in Paris. The area around Les Halles is known for its cheap, all-purpose shopping while Rue St. Honore and Place Vendome house luxury brands like Gucci and Cartier. Paris’s first arrondissement is a spot for strolling as much as for intensive sightseeing so take some time to window shop and stroll along beautiful Rue de Rivoli. The Seine is the heart of Paris so be sure to pass some time there too – Pont Neuf is the city’s most famous bridge but by no means is it the only one worth seeing.