BonjourParis

2nd Arr

Paris - 2nd Arrondissement

The 2nd Arrondissement, as central as it is, is often considered rather unremarkable. First and foremost, it's the financial district of France, housing the French stock exchange -- the Bourse. The one site tourists tend to visit the most is the Biblioteque Nationale -- although it tends to be a spot people visit if they're going past on their way to other destinations, or they've been to Paris countless times and want to explore more. Those who love to rent apartments when they visit Paris, will often rent on or near rue Montorgeuil, because the market is fantastic. If you venture too far in the wrong direction, you might bump into a prostitute (they work rue St-Denis pretty hard -- still, after all these hundreds of years). The covered passages and shops (Galerie Colbert, Passage des Panoramas, Galerie Vivienne) are delightful places to happen upon. And, of course, Les Halles (watch out for pickpockets) and the Grands Boulevards are hot spots for shopaholics.