Must-see tourist attractions in the 7th arrondissement of Paris
This district is like a living history book. It is home to many of the monuments that have made France famous the world over, including the capital’s most iconic landmark: the Eiffel Tower!
Other quintessential buildings can be seen from the riverbanks of the 7 th arrondissement. Among them is the magnificent Hôtel des Invalides, opposite the pont Alexandre III, which is well known as a powerhouse of the French armed forces. It is home to various organisations dedicated to the remembrance of veterans, as well as the headquarters of the senior military authorities.
If you’re fond of culture and museums, a visit to the 7 th arrondissement will not disappoint. The Musée d’Orsay, housed in a disused railway station, avails you of a large collection of impressionist paintings. Are you an afficionado of Cézanne, Monet or Renoir? Then you simply must go there!
Those fond of sculpture will also find something to their liking in other museums in this district, which is fertile ground when it comes to culture. Among the best-known are the Musée Rodin and the Musée du Quai Branly, which is dedicated to indigenous art in all its forms.
Worth knowing: Discover the true secret history of Paris monuments
A neighbourhood steeped in the history of politics and officialdom
A simple walk along the riverbanks is enough to take you back in time. From the quai d’Orsay, you can see the Palais Bourbon, which now houses the chamber that is the National Assembly. Built in the Empire style and completed in 1728, it pre-dates even the oldest Haussmann-style apartment blocks in Paris, which date back to the early 19 th century.
If you’re interested in politics, there are other monuments that should appeal to you in this neighbourhood that’s very much characterised by its officialdom. Not least among them are the former headquarters of the socialist party (ancien siège du parti socialiste) in rue de Solférino, and the Ministry of Labour (Ministère du travail) which is based in rue de Grenelle.
The 7 th arrondissement is also the district of choice for embassies. In total there are some sixty embassies in Paris, of which no fewer than twenty or so are sited in the 7 th arrondissement! Germany, Italy and Sweden are among the many countries that have embassies there.
A district that’s popular due to the high quality of its higher education establishments
Opposite the Eiffel Tower, another monument is well worth a look: the Ecole militaire de Paris. This site steeped in history is now an education centre specialising in military courses of study.
It is not the only renowned establishment in the area. Many other higher education centres are sited in the 7 th arrondissement of Paris.
Some are particularly prestigious, such as Science Po Paris, in rue Saint-Guillaume. On the border between the 6 th and 7 th arrondissements, there is also the Faculté Paris Descartes, which in recent years has rocketed up the worldwide university rankings.
A place that holds special appeal for Catholics visiting Paris
The 7 th arrondissement of Paris is steeped in Christian history. The Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Médaille-Miraculeuse, in the Bon Marché neighbourhood, is a quintessential site for Catholics from all over the world. More than that, in the Christian community it is held to be a major pilgrimage site. For Catholics visiting Paris it’s easy to make a stop here when staying in the neighbourhood. You just need to take metro line 10 or 12 and get off at Sèvres-Babylone station.
The Hôtel des Invalides is also home to an imposing cathedral that will delight those who are fond of historical buildings: the Cathédrale Saint-Louis des Invalides.
Luxury and high-end gastronomy are central to the essence of the 7 th arrondissement of Paris
The most affluent among us favour the 7 th arrondissement, and not only because of its cultural offerings and fine monuments. The area is also known for its luxury boutiques, gourmet restaurants and specialist shops. And it’s worth noting that the neighbourhood’s residents are known for their ample salaries. According to INSEE, in 2020 the median gross income of the district’s population was €44,000, which was exactly double the mean income of the French population over the same period.
So the 7 th arrondissement is not affordable for everyone, but it will delight wealthy shoppers, who will enjoy getting lost in the labyrinthine Bon Marché. You can also go shopping in rue Cler and rue Saint-Dominique, which are home to an array of luxury boutiques. You’ll even find even great gourmet restaurants there, such as Le Violon d’Ingres and Le Garance, which are both in rue Saint-Dominique. They will allow you a gourmet getaway in the middle of an afternoon’s shopping. To find out more about trendy shopping addresses in the 7th arrondissement, consult our guide.
The neighbourhood of choice for organisers of seminars and business events
The sophisticated, officialdom-heavy atmosphere of the 7 th arrondissement lends itself perfectly to business meetings, B2B events and so on. Moreover, there is no shortage of prestigious venues for conferences and evening events in the finest mansions in Paris. The most iconic among them has to be the Hôtel national des Invalides, owing to its history. The 7 th arrondissement also enjoys a prime location within Paris, as it is at the crossroads of all the capital’s most sophisticated districts.
So the 16 th and 8 th arrondissements have plenty of appeal for those wanting to organise conferences in luxury hotels:
- Next to the Trocadéro, the Shangri-La hotel, which is famous for hosting the International Institute for Strategic Studies Dialogue every year, is a venue that’s very popular with event organisers
- Over in the 8 th arrondissement, the Hôtel de Crillon is also a favourite venue for meeting organisers, thanks to its exceptional view over place de la Concorde.
Read also: Exceptional venues for your business events in the 7th arrondissement
A popular neighbourhood for France’s most influential companies
The 7 th arrondissement is also home to some of France’s biggest companies. They settle there because of the prestige associated with it, but also to take advantage of the tranquil environment and its location right in the heart of Paris. A great many CAC 40 listed companies are headquartered there, such as Total, Sanofi, BNP Paribas, Yves Saint-Laurent and Éditions Gallimard in the street of the same name, at 5 Rue Gaston Gallimard. So it’s the perfect neighbourhood to stay in on a business trip.
The 7 th arrondissement of Paris is of historical, cultural and economic importance. Multifaceted as it is, it appeals to visitors from all over the world. For your Parisian getaway, enter the luxurious 1.75 scene and enjoy a unique holistic experience as you get acquainted with this most vibrant of neighbourhoods.
