Here’s what happened when I asked The Earful Tower’s Facebook followers for their favourite street in Paris. Here are some of the best answers.
I’m astounded no one said Rue des Abbesses, which might just be my favourite, in case you’re wondering 🙂
1. Rue de Montmorency, 3rd arrondissement
“Because you can fulfil your inner Harry Potter nerd by visiting Nicolas Flamel’s house,” writes Kirk Robinson, referring to what’s considered to be the oldest house in Paris belonging to alchemist Flamel. There’s a restaurant there now.
2. Rue du Pot-de-Fer, 5th arrondissement.
“With a bit of imagination, one can be taken back to Middle Ages Paris while walking there,” says Veronique Cauquil Savoye. “The old fountain (pictured below) is still there at the corner of rue Mouffetard, but it doesn’t work anymore.”
3. Rue Crémieux, 12th arrondissement.
“It’s calm and whimsical – the perfect Instagram spot for this millenial. I love the colourful houses!” says Megan Lapke.
It’s also where I did a Walk Show with Geraldine from Comme Une Francaise.
4. Rue du Chat-qui-PĂŞche, 5th arrondissement
“Besides the name, I like the quirky history that goes along with it,” says Deanie Houghtaling about the narrowest street in Paris. The name means “The street of the cat that’s fishing”, named after the picture on a shop sign.
5. Rue Galand, 5th arrondissement
“Because right around the corner you have Notre Dame, Shakespeare & Co. and well …. it speaks for itself,” says Jennifer González. (And that’s her picture below – and as the main picture).
6. Rue des Thermopyles, 14th arrondissement
“It’s extremely pretty, quiet and has a nice countryside feel,” Tuula Salminen
7. Rue des Rosiers, 4th arrondissement
“Where pitta bread cuisine and Jewish bakeries and restaurants reign supreme intermingled with chic boutiques in a melange of hipster and historic,” says Dee Hubert.
8. Rue des Trois Freres, 18th arrondissement (which means Three Brothers road)
“Because three of us brothers were sitting under the sign drinking and only noticed it as we were leaving,” says Dieter Buse.
9. Rue Saint-Antoine, 4th arrondissement
“Because it is great for people watching, has shops for anything you need, is near the Place de Vosges, and has small streets that intersect it which lead you to fantastic hidden gems of Paris,” says Joan Burns.
10. Rue des Martyrs, 9th and 18th arrondissements
The history in the street is just immense, love the hill & of course finding Sacre Coeur after the climb,” says Joanne Little.
If you want to hear more on this street, we had the author of “The Only Street in Paris” on the show chatting about it.
11. Rue Caulaincourt, 18th arrondissement
“Everything that’s wonderful about Paris can be found on that street, perfect cafes, boulangeries, boucheries, wine caves, fromageries, flower shops, and produce vendors. It’s lined with lovely trees and it has squares for sitting and pondering or playing petanque,” says Katherine Watt.
12. Rue Serpente, 6th arrondissement
“My husband and I were newly married, and after I’d been studying at the Sorbonne all summer, he came from the States to meet me at this beautiful street, at Hotel du Lys, and we explored every corner of this beautiful, historic quartier,” says Kathleen Sylvester.
13. Rue de Vaugirard, 6th and 15th arrondissement
“We walked along this street from Jardin du Luxembourg to our apartment in the 15th several times. Great people watching and window shopping along the way,” says Jaime Richard Macaluso. It’s also the longest road in Paris.
14. Rue du Trésor, 4th arrondissement
“Blissfully charming with its shops, restaurants, old fountain, literally a quintessential street (actually a cul-de-sac) of Le Marais. Cherry on the cake: it is pedestrian and amazingly quiet, which only adds to the pleasure of strolling there,” says Isabelle Virginie.
15. Rue Mouffetard, 5th arrondissement
“An unpretentious but delicious foodie street, where you can sample virtually all the France has to offer in food: fruits and vegetables in season, cheeses, oysters, bakeries, wine: almond croissants in the morning with your cafĂ© au lait, lunch with a salade gourmand with foie gras, oysters later with a bracing sauvignon blanc,” says Walter Schwager.
16. Rue du Pont Neuf, 1st arrondissement
“I LOVE walking down this street because as I get closer and closer to the Pont Neuf, I know what’s coming, past the buildings the Eiffel Tower is in view and it takes my breath away every single time!” says Tami Tamir-Shaughnessey.
17. Rue Vielle du Temple, 4th arrondissement
“It’s such a pleasant walk with great cafes along the way – and you get to see the back of the Picasso museum,” says Jay Vogler.
This street was the main scene for a recent Walk Show with Adrian Leeds.
18. Boulevard Saint-Germain, 6th arrondissement
“The old Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Pres, the very talented street jazz musicians… the traces of the past hang out of famous artists and writers-Cafe de Flore… les Deux Magots… people watching… peering into windows so artistically decorated and staged… eye candy!” says Theta Friend Fink.
19. Rue Lauriston, 16th arrondissement
“It’s a foodie’s paradise … three grocery stores, two butchers, a frommagerie, a poissonerie, vegetable markets galore, and two boulangeries. And it has the best rotisserie chickens (and tiny white potatoes) in the world,” says Virginia O’Brien Record.
20. Rue de l’alboni, 16th arrondissement
“In the spring with the beautiful homes and plants, the view down onto the metro & the stairs & the metalwork of the metro bridge,” says Elyzabeth Vee.
Well, that’s it for now. If you enjoyed this blog post, you’d probably enjoy the podcast. Subscribe wherever you get podcasts, or on iTunes here.
Or follow on Facebook here to contribute to the next story like this!
Lastly, here’s what happened when I asked a Tour Guide April Pett for the best street in every Paris arrondissement. Full list here or listen below.
BONUS: Rue Montorgueil. Another personal favourite street in Paris – I don’t know why no one else said it! Here’s more info on the street, and below is a look at the recent Walk Show I did on it.
For access to the closed Facebook group where all these Walk Shows are, become a subscriber to the Earful Tower on Patreon here.
This story has been updated (a lot) since it was first published in September 2017
If you like these tips, check out The Earful Tower’s Guide to Paris.
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Makes me want to come back!!!
Fabulous choices. Many thanks.
Just looked at the list again..and now have more ideas for next November…in Paris as in most places..you tend to explore what you know…now I will explore what I don’t know!!…love this list!!!
A very useful article Oliver, thank you very much.
You’re most welcome, John. Hope you make it down all 20!