The first 'arrondissement', or district, of Paris lies in the very heart of the capital on the right bank of la Seine, and includes some of the oldest and most magnificent Parisian neighborhoods: Les Halles, Vendôme and l’île de la Cité (the central island in the Seine), and in addition internationally renowned monuments such as the Louvre and the Palais-Royal.
With such monuments occupying much of the area, the first district is the least populous area of the 'Ville Lumière' (City of Light), and is therefore one of the most enjoyable for visitors staying in Paris. Very popular with young people and tourists, the housing stock made of old studio and two-bedroom furnished apartments which are easy to rent for a visit. A good solution to house in Paris, especially if you rent in furnished rental.
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Though harboring a variety of buildings with some dating back to the Middle Ages, the first arrondissement remains a vibrant area looking to the future and has experienced developments such as the new district of Les Halles scheduled for 2016. The historic buildings around the Palais-Royal, the Ile de la Cité, or the Rue Rambuteau's more modern buildings, offer the chance to live in the heart of the city, and a very convenient place to stay when visiting Paris. Having to walk just a few yards to admire the Mona Lisa is a priceless advantage, but there are other good reasons to live in the first arrondissement.
In addition, there are a large number of 'prêt-à-porter' boutiques and luxury stores, traditional bakeries and local shops for everyday needs. The area also offers a very pleasant ambiance for tourists wishing to stay in Paris a few weeks. The Forum des Halles, in the heart of the first arrondissement, offers a range of cultural activities (UGC Ciné Cité, the Les Halles centre, the historic Le Marais...) and sports facilities (Gymnase Suzanne Berlioux, the Les Halles Pool...). It is also home to prestigious retail brands specializing in cultural and entertainment products (Fnac, Darty...), and cafés, bars and restaurants of all kinds line the sumptuous Rue de Rivoli and its side streets.
Because of its central location, the first arrondissement is ideal for a stay in Paris, and with its excellent public transport links – five Métro lines (Métro 1, 4, 7, 11, 14), and three RER lines (RER: A, B, D) – is one of the city's best-connected districts. Besides the many nursery schools, kindergartens and day nurseries, there is also a College (Collège Jean-Baptiste-Poquelin) and one high school (Lycée Pierre Lescot). For leisure facilities, in addition to the huge cultural resources at the Louvre, the Théâtre du Châtelet and the Comédie-Française, the first arrondissement is dotted with green spaces such as the gardens at the Palais Royal, Les Halles and the Jardin des Tuileries – an advantage for whoever wish to live in Paris and enjoy access to green spaces. You will enjoy staying in Paris 1, even for a long- term rental, for sure.