Paris/8th arrondissement - administrative district of Paris

The 8th arrondissement of Paris is home to the Avenue des Champs Elysées, which ends up at the Arc de Triomphe. The executive branch of French government is also based here, as well as the embassies of certain nations.

Understand

The four quartiers of the 8th arrondissement are as follows:

Quartier des Champs-Elysées

Extending all the way along the Champs-Elysées it encompasses the entire southern part of the arrondissement, including its part of the bank of the river Seine. This quartier is home to some of the most luxurious hotels and restaurants, as well as headquarters of luxury goods companies in its western part, and to the famous exhibition venues, the Grand Palais and Petit Palais, as well as Place Concorde in the east.

Apart from Champs-Elysées, the main streets of the quartier include Cours Albet 1er/Cours la Reine along the river Seine, Avenue Montaigne (luxury boutiques), Avenue George V (luxury hotels and restaurants) and Avenue Marceau (marking the border with the 16th arrondissement). All four meet at Place de l'Alma, from where the famous Pont de l'Alma bridges the Seine. Three of those (sans Avenue Marceau) are also joined by the perpendicular Rue Francois 1er, which plays host to some more luxury addresses. Avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt, with a large circular Rond-point des Champs-Élysées-Marcel-Dassault in the middle, marks the division between the densely-built part of the quartier to the east and the Jardins de Champs-Elysées to the west.

Quartier de la Madeleine

Named after the L'eglise de la Madeleine temple in its western extremity, this quartier houses some of the most important offices of state of the French Republic, including the presidential Elysee Palace, many embassies and more luxury goods companies and stores along its famous Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore.

Quartier du Faubourg-de-Roule

It extends from the northern frontage of Champs-Elysées and encompasses the Avenue Friedland, the Avenue Hoche and the eastern frontage of Avenue Wagram.

Quartier de l'Europe

This densely-built quartier around the Gare Saint-Lazare replaced the erstwhile faubourg of Petite-Pologne ("small Poland") in the 19th century. The quartier was a centrally-planned development with streets extending from the Place de l'Europe bearing names of European cities such as rue de Vienne or rue de Saint-Pétersbourg

Get in

From airports

Le Bus Direct (dead link: January 2023) offer connections from both the Orly (line 1) and Charles de Gaulle (line 2) airports to Charles de Gaulle-Etoile.

By train

In the northeastern part of the 8th arrondissement you will find the Gare Saint-Lazare 📍, which is the second-busiest railway station in Paris, and in fact the whole Europe, by the number of passengers. That said, by the 21st century it is a solely domestic station serving as a terminus for Intercités from Normandy and Transiliens lines J and L, connecting Paris with its suburbs and municipalities of Ile-de-France west of the city.

The RER A, which traverses Paris over the northern (right) bank of the Seine and connects to its western and eastern suburbs, including La Defense, crosses the 8th arrondissement but has no stations within the district. You can use it to get to the 8th by getting off at Charles de Gaulle-Etoile at the western end of the 8th or Auber a tad east of the 8th.

To get to the 8th arrondissement from other major Paris railway stations you can make use of the following connections:

• From Gare Montparnasse, take M6, M12 or M13
• From Gare du Lyon, take the RER A, M1 or M14. The M14 also serves the nearby Gare du Bercy
• The Gare du Nord where the majority of international trains arrive, as well as the neighbouring Gare de l'Est, have no direct metro or RER connection to the 8th arrondissement. You may walk from either Gare to the Magenta RER station between them and take the RER E to its terminus at Haussmann - Saint-Lazare, which is connected by an underground passage to Gare Saint-Lazare. Otherwise, you have to either change between metro/RER lines or succumb to the posh atmosphere of the 8th and take a taxi.
• Gare d'Austerlitz does not have a good direct connection to the 8th at all. You may take the RER C and get off at any station on the left bank of the Seine facing the 8th and walk across one of the bridges.

By Métro

The majority of the Métro lines, with the exceptions of M4, M5, M7, M10 and M11, have stops within the 8th arrondissement.

• M1, which crosses the northern (right) bank of the Seine from east to west, terminating at La Defense, has 5 stops within the 8th along Champs-Elysees
• M2, which follows the borders between the inner and outer districts of the right bank of Seine, does so for the northwestern district of the 8th, with no less than 7 stations along it
• M3, another east-west line on the northern bank, has three stops at the northwestern end of the 8th arrondissement, including the one at Saint-Lazare
• M6, which runs through the southern bank of the Seine, terminates at Charles de Gaulle-Etoile.
• M8 stops at Concorde and Madeleine
• M9, yet another east-west line on the northern bank, has 5 stops in the 8th
• M12, which runs from the north to the south of Paris, has stops along the western border of the 8th arrondissement, including Concorde
• M13, another north-south line, has four stops in the eastern part of the 8th
• M14 has its terminus at Saint-Lazare and also stops at Madeleine before continuing to the east and southeast of Paris

Get around

See

Landmarks

• Avenue des Champs-Elysées, 48.86967°, 2.30786°. For many visitors one of the must-see places in Paris is the Avenue des Champs-Elysées which was first created in 1667 by Louis XIV's gardener, Andre Le Nôtre, in order to improve the view from the Tuileries garden. This elegant and broad avenue was extended towards the end of the 18th century, now running from the place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. It is noted today as one of the most prestigious shopping boulevards of Paris. 2018-07-21
• Place de la Concorde, 48.865556°, 2.321111°. The largest square in Paris with fantastic vistas in every direction. It was in this square (then called la Place de la Revolution) that the French King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and many others were guillotined during the Terror. The large Egyptian obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde was brought from the Temple of Luxor. 2017-06-24

• l'Arc de Triomphe, Place de l'Étoile, Place Charles de Gaulle (), 48.8738°, 2.295°, +33 1 01 11 01 03. This iconic triumphal arch forms the focus of the main east-west road axis of Paris, running between the Louvre and the Grande Arche de la Défense in the west. The monument was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 as a tribute to his victories as Emperor of France - it was finally completed in 1836, long after his death. 50 m (150 ft) high and 45 m wide, the Arc de Triomphe is decorated with battle scenes and martial sculptures that includes La Marseillaise by Rude. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was placed beneath the arch in 1920, where an eternal flame burns in tribute to the French dead of both World Wars. The arch is surrounded by a large roundabout, aptly known as l'Etoile - 'the star' - with 12 thoroughfares leading off from it. Visitors can purchase a ticket to climb to the top of the arch, from where magnificent views spread out over western Paris. Admission to a small museum devoted to the history and meaning of the monument is included. The central island and the arch are accessed by an underground passage. Do not attempt to negotiate by foot the busy multi-lane road that rings the Arc de Triomphe, which many Parisian drivers seem to consider their own personal speedway. admission fee applies for over-17s, free for EU-people under 26

• Église de la Madeleine (La Madeleine), place de la Madeleine (Métro: Madeleine), 48.87°, 2.324167°. M-Sa, 07ː00-19ː00; Su, 08ː00-13ː30 and 15ː30-19ː00. One of the best-known and most beautiful churches in Paris, in the guise of a Corinthian order classical temple. Construction started in 1764, although the church was not finally consecrated until 1845. The Madeleine has a lavish interior of marble and gold.
• Élysée Palace (Palais de l'Élysée), 55, Rue du Faubourg, Saint-Honoré, 48.870278°, 2.316389°. The official residence of the President of France since 1848. Dating to the early 18th century, it contains the office of the President and the meeting place of the Council of Ministers. It is located near the Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, the name Élysée deriving from Elysian Fields, the place of the blessed dead in Greek mythology. Not open to the public, except occasionally during the annual National Heritage Days (usually a weekend in mid-September). Important foreign visitors are hosted at the nearby Hôtel de Marigny, a palatial residence. 2018-01-04
• Pont Alexandre III, 48.86361°, 2.31361°. The bridge is widely regarded as the most ornate, extravagant bridge in the city. It is classified as a French Monument historique.

Museums and galleries

• Le Grand Palais (Galeries nationales du Grand Palais), 48.866111°, 2.3125°. Built in 1900 for the universal exposition, the Grand Palais was an engineering feat and a milestone of design, marking the transition between historicism and modern architecture. It remain impressive today due to its unique, exquisite style and sheer volume of its main nave. The Grand Palais, managed by the state-owned institution Rnm who also manage the Musee de Luxembourg, is used both for temporary exhibitions of historic and contemporary art collections (both beaux arts and applied) and unique events, such as catwalk shows during the Paris Fashion Week, Bonhams car auctions and prestigious galas. Prices and opening hours set individually for each exhibition and event
• Musée du Petit Palais, Avenue Winston Churchill (Metro Champs-Elysées Clémenceau (M1, M13)), 48.866033°, 2.314553°. Open daily except except Mondays and public holidays from 10:00 to 18:00. Thursdays until 20:00 for temporary exhibitions only. Ticket office closes at 17:00. The Petit Palais was built as a complement to the Grand Palais for the 1900 universal exhibition, and afterwards became the prime exhibition venue for the City of Paris' vast collection of artworks spanning centuries from ancient history to around 1914. (Later material is at the Museum of Modern Art of the City of Paris in the 16th). There is a permanent exhibition of selected artworks of artifacts, complemented by temporary exhibitions of historic artworks. The Petit Palais also features an on-site cafe/restaurant, as well as a book and gift shop. Free admission to the permanent collections. Admission charge for temporary exhibitions (€ 5-11) 2018-01-04
• Palais de la decouverte (Palace of discovery), Avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt (Metro Franklin D. Roosevelt (M1, M9)), 48.866111°, 2.310833°. Tu-Sa 09:30-18:00, Su 10:00-19:00, closed on Mondays and public holidays and on the day Tour de France finishes in Paris.. Located in a magnificent the western wing of the Grand Palais, this museum forms a part of science-themed education-oriented universcience establishment together with the La Cite des Sciences in La Villette. In the Palais, you will find two large floors with rooms dedicated to different branches of science, including physics, chemistry, mathematics and life-sciences, as well as a planetarium. Full price €9, planetarium requires extra €3 supplement
• Jerome de Noirmont, 38, av Matignon, 48.87248°, 2.31485°, +33 1 42 89 89 00. This museum represents some key contemporary and emerging artists such as Jean Pierre Raynaud, Eva and Adele, and Jeff Koons.
• Musée Cernuschi, 7, av Vélasquez (Métro Monceau, Villiers), 48.88°, 2.311944°, +33 1 45 63 50 75. Daily 10:00-17:40. Closed M and public holidays.
• Musée Jacquemart-André (Jacquemart-Andre Museum), 48.87543°, 2.31055°. Private collection of French, Italian, Dutch masterpieces in a typical XIXth century mansion.

Parks and greenery

• Parc Monceau, 48.8794°, 2.30923°. One of Paris's best kept secrets, painted by Monet numerous times. It is a very elegant centre of green in the middle of cosmopolitan Paris. Make sure you check out the statues, entrance rotunda and the surrounding mansions. Thanks to Haussmann himself this precious slice of parkland was reserved for the enjoyment and leisure of the people of Paris. It is unusual in France due to its casual, informal "English" style planning, and is a contrast to other Parisian parks such as the classically laid out and formal Luxembourg Gardens and the Tuileries. Randomly placed throughout the park are scaled-down architectural replicas including an Egyptian pyramid, Dutch windmill, and a Chinese fort. Free Wi-Fi in the park.

Do

• Lido de Paris (Le Lido), 116 bis av des Champs-Elysées (Metro 1 George V: Metro 13 Champs-Elysées - Clémenceau; RER A Station Charles de Gaules Etoile), 48.872361°, 2.300561°, +33 1 40 76 56 10. Daily, 09:00-02:00. The most famous cabaret celebrates spectacle revues. Children ages 4 and older are welcome. Casual elegant dress code. Coat and tie appreciated. Shorts, Bermuda shorts, athletic clothing and tennis shoes are not allowed.

Buy

Champs-Élyseés

• Carre Marigny, 48.869°, 2.3126°. The open-air market for trading postage stamps and other similar collectibles
• C42, Avenue de Champs-Elysees 42, 48.87011°, 2.30774°. Su-W 10:00-20:00, Th-Sa 10:00-22:00. C42 is the flasghip Citroen store occupying an entire building, designed by Manuelle Gautrand and completed in 2007, being the first new building in the Avenue in some 30 years. The unmistakable facade is inspired by Citroen's chevron logo, and the building has no less than seven storeys exhibiting Citroen's past, present and future, including iconic classics, the concept cars and winning sportscars from its many decades of history, and of course the current lineup. The interior is just as spectacular and unique as the exterior and well worth a visit.
• Atelier Renault, Avenue des Champs-Elysees 51-53, 48.87011°, 2.30542°. Renault has opened its Champs-Elysees showroom at this location in 1910. The highlight of its current form, launched in 2011, is the cafe/restaurant/bar in the "floating" mezzanine, where you can enjoy some good drinks and food as well as a nice view over the Champs Elysees and the Renault cars from the past and present exhibited below. Su-Th 10:30-22:30, F Sa 10:30-01:30)
• Guerlain, No. 68.
• Avenue Peugeot, Avenue des Champs-Elysées 136, 48.87270°, 2.29960°. While not as spectacular from the outside as its sister brand Citroen's building, the Avenue Peugeot is also worth a visit if you are a car fan, as it always has a temporary exhibition of some of Peugeot's concept or competition cars the brand is famous for. You can obviously also explore the regular range of Peugeot cars and purchase one, as well as an extensive range of Peugeot merchandise from the on-site "boutique Peugeot", including the Peugeot condiment grinders the company makes for much longer than it does build cars. Daily (incl. Sundays) 08:30-20:00/23:00 (longer opening hours Th-Sa, summer and Christmas period)
• Louis Vuitton Building, Avenue de Champs-Elysees 101, 48.87160°, 2.30054°. M-Sa 10:00-20:00, Su 11:00-19:00, closed Jan 1, May 1, Dec 25. An unmistakable piece of modernist architecture at the corner of Avenue George V, the Louis Vuitton Building was erected in 1913 and in the 21st century continues to serve as the flagship for the luxury brand, housing the largest Louis Vuitton boutique in the world.

Avenue Montaigne

• Christian Dior, Avenue Montaigne 26-30.
• Louis Vuitton, Avenue Montaigne 22.
• Valentino, Avenue Montaigne 17-19.
• Chanel, Avenue Montaigne 51.
• Montaigne Market, Aveue Montaigne 18.

Rue Francois 1er

• Zadig & Voltaire, Rue Francois 1er 18-22.

Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore

• Hermes flagship store, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore 24, 48.86886°, 2.32171°. Hermes has been occupying those premises since 1880, contributing to the street's long-lasting reputation as the hub for luxury apparel and accessories.
• Lanvin flagship store, 48.86886°, 2.32201°. Jeanne Lanvin moved her maison de couture to premises facing Hermes in 1889, where it remained to this day.

Eat

Budget

Mid-range

• Chez Francis, 7, place de l'Alma (Métro Montagne), 48.86504°, 2.30187°. View of the Eiffel Tower. Delicious croque-monsieur and croque-madame for €12

• Diep, 55, rue Pierre-Charron (Métro Franklin D. Roosevelt), 48.86952°, 2.30302°, +33 1 45 63 52 76. Thai, Chinese, and Indonesian. Vegetarian friendly.

• Kokohana (Teppanyaki), 1, rue Jean Mermoz, 48.86978°, 2.31059°, +33 8 26 10 01 99. Two chefs battle against each other in a spectacular performance of chopping, slicing, sauteing everything from scallops to foie gras. The food is average, but the presentation is well worth it. Menus from €14.50—38

• Qasim, 22, rue du Colisée (Métro Franklin D. Roosevelt), 48.87104°, 2.30942°, +33 1 45 62 19 73. Pakistani and Indian dishes.

• Villa Spicy, 8, av Franklin Roosevelt (Métro Franklin Roosevelt), 48.87058°, 2.31032°, +33 1 56 59 62 59. Warm and peaceful close to the Champs-Élysées serving an organic detox menu.

Splurge

• Hanawa, 26, rue Bayard, 48.86722°, 2.30791°, +33 1 56 62 70 70. Great sushi in a nice atmosphere, extensive menu.
• Ladurée, 75, avenue des Champs-Elysées, 48.87088°, 2.30299°, +33 1 40 75 08 75. Famous for their macaroon cookies, which come in over 15 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.

Drink

• Buddha Bar, 8, rue Boissy d' Anglais (Métro Concorde), 48.86809°, 2.32157°, +33 1 53 05 90 00. 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 abroad. Although you can also get them at the bar it's probably not the best way, since they charge €45 per CD. The drinks are not so over-priced, and definitely worth it for the hip, sophisticated, and chill atmosphere.

• The Bowler, 13 Rue d'Artois, 48.873008°, 2.307494°. English pub regularly frequented by British expats. 2021-09-04

Sleep

Thanks to its relatively large size and the fact that the most popular attractions are either contained within its borders or in the neighbouring districts, the 8th arrondissement boast a large number of hotels even by Parisian standards. That said, you would be hard-pressed to find really inexpensive accommodation here - most are luxury hotels. For less expensive accommodation, you may want to check out your options in the neighbouring districts.

Mid-range

• Hotel Ceramic Elysees, 34, av de Wagram, 48.87684°, 2.29755°, +33 1 42 27 20 30.
• Holiday Inn Paris Elysees, 24, rue de Miromesnil, 48.87301°, 2.31615°, +33 1 43 12 87 87, contacts@hotelelyseesparis.com. Contemporary 4-star hotel near Champs Elysees and rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré.
• Hotel Le Lavoisier, 21, rue Lavoisier (Between Saint Augustin church and Place de la Madeleine, near rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré), 48.873796°, 2.320286°, +33 1 53 30 06 06, info@hotellavoisier.com. Brands itself as a boutique hotel, with unique décor combining classical and contemporary in a Haussmann-style building on the street of the same name. 25 double rooms with old-style furniture, air conditioning, satellite television, a telephone socket, Wi-Fi, and baths with both tub and shower. €169-450
• Mercure Paris Opera Garnier, Rue de L'Isly 4, 48.87487°, 2.32601°. A conservatively-styled Mercure with no particularly unique characteristics.
• Mercure Paris Royal Madeleine, Rue de l'Arcade 29, 48.87286°, 2.32402°. Decorated in brown and beige, this Mercure tries to make the most out of a historic immeuble, with all the necessary compromises - some bedrooms are smaller than their en-suite bathrooms!
• Mercure Paris Haussmann St Augustin, Rue Roquepine 20, 48.87330°, 2.31817°. Another typical Parisian Mercure, farther to the east than the other two.

Splurge

• Champs Elysées Plaza, 35, rue de Berri, 48.87370°, 2.30622°, +33 1 53 53 20 20, reservation@champselyseesplaza.com. Unusually large rooms and suites. Elegant and sophisticated, with high tech equipment and comfort, they offer a unique mix of contemporary chic décor with ceiling moldings, marble fireplaces, and large windows looking at two beautiful and quiet streets.
• Four Seasons Hotel George V, 31, av George V, 48.86877°, 2.30069°, +33 1 49 52 70 00. Steps from the Champs-Elysées, with private terraces that command all Paris.
• Hôtel Astor Saint Honoré, 11, rue d'Astorg, 48.87284°, 2.31930°, +33 1 53 05 05 05, reservation@astorsainthonore.com. 4-star hotel on a quiet street.
• Hôtel Balzac, 6, rue de Balzac, 48.87331°, 2.30048°, +33 1 44 35 18 00, reservation-balzac@jjwhotels.com. This elegantly furnished luxury boutique hotel exudes opulence from its fine classic interior to the personalised butler service. 2015-06-29
• Hôtel Champs-Elysées Friedland, 177, rue du Faubourg St Honoré, 48.87505°, 2.30486°, +33 1 45 63 64 65, friedland@my-paris-hotel.com. Check-in: 14ː00, check-out: 12ː00. from €140
• Hôtel de Crillon, 10, place de la Concorde (north side), 48.867222°, 2.321389°, +33 1 44 71 15 01. The legendary hotel overlooking Place de la Concorde has been the epitome of Parisian luxury for centuries.
• Hotel Pershing Hall, 49, rue Pierre Charron 75008 Paris, 48.86908°, 2.30223°, +33 1 58 36 58 00. Charming five-star boutique hotel with a secluded patio and lush vertical garden.
• Hotel Plaza Elysees, 177, boul Haussmann, 48.87464°, 2.30575°, +33 1 45 63 93 83. Near the Champs Elysées and Faubourg Saint-Honoré, very close to the Arc-de-Triomphe.
• Hotel San Régis, 12, rue Jean Goujon, Champs-Élysées, 48.86645°, 2.30852°, +33 1 44 95 16 16, message@hotel-sanregis.fr. Five-star boutique hotel with 44 individually decorated rooms and suites.
• Hotel Sofitel Le Faubourg-Paris, 15, rue Boissy d'Anglas, 48.86840°, 2.32138°, +33 1 44 94 14 14. 154 rooms and 20 suites spread over two buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries.
• Hyatt Paris Madeleine, 24, boul Malesherbes, 48.87290°, 2.32162°, +33 1 5527 1234, paris.madeleine@hyatt.com. Close to the shopping centres on Boulevard Haussmann-Printemps and Galeries Lafayette. 86 hotel rooms and suites, High-speed Wi-Fi available. Views of Boulevard Malesherbe. Business services available.
• Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Avenue Montaigne 25, 48.866203°, 2.304369°, +33 1 53 67 66 65. The legendary hotel in Avenue Montaigne, home-away-from-home to numerous celebrities, in the ownership (Sultanate of Brunei)
• Prince de Galles, 33 Avenue George V, 48.8688°, 2.30072°, +33 1 53 23 77 77. Named after Edward VIII, the erstwhile Prince of Wales and son of George V, this art-deco hotel opened in 1928 and amassed a veritable potpourri of celebrities in its guest book, ranging from Winston Churchill to Elvis Presley. It was thoroughly renovated and reopened in 2013 as a part of Starwood's Luxury Collection.
• Intercontinental Paris Avenue Marceau, Avenue Marceau 64, 48.87059°, 2.29801°. The "other" Intercontinental in Paris contrasts with the lavish historic Grand by having a more subtle, postmodern decor. The location in a converted historic building provides for spatial limitations clear in all areas of the hotel, but with only 57 rooms the property has almost a boutique feel to it.
• Marriott Champs-Elysees, Avenue de Champs-Elysees 70, 48.87106°, 2.30504°. Behind the fin de siecle facade on the Champs-Elysees hides a much larger, late 20th-century building housing almost 200 rooms decorated in a subdued, for a Marriott property, way.
• Radisson Blu, Avenue Marceau 78 Bis, 48.87199°, 2.29695°. Compared to the many opulent and extravagant hotels in the 8th arrondissement, the Radisson does not come across as spectacular, but can provide good value with the balconies of its front-side rooms offering views of the Arc de Triomphe.
• Hotel de Vigny, 9/11 rue Balzac, +33 1 42 99 80 80. Boutique hotel near Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elyséess.

Connect

Go next

• Continue east beyond the Place Concorde to the 1st arrondissement to see the historic core of Paris, including the Louvre, and more luxury boutiques...
• ...or northeast beyond the Madeleine to the 9th, for the famous department stores and the Opera Garnier
• Cross any of the four bridges on the Seine to find yourself in the 7th arrondissement, home to Les Invalides, Musee d'Orsay and the Eiffel Tower
• The Etoile is where the 8th meets two other, much more quiet and residential arrondissements, the 16th and 17th