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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.
Destinations in the 2nd Arr
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Bibliotheque nationale de France FAQ
At the Bibliotheque Nationale de France you will find the Permanent Exhibition "The Globes of Louis XIV", along with other exhibitions throughout. Discover prints and illustrated books, tracts, posters, reproductions of sound recordings, a digital library and digital resources. Their online services allow you to reserve a place to study, reserve documents, to joine the library, to ask the librarians questions, to order reproductions and more. In other words, this is a library extraordinaire.
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Gallerie Vivienne
Gallerie Vivienne
Gallerie Vivienne is a gorgeous, restored nineteenth century covered passage -- complete with glass roofs, mosaic-tiled floors, hand-carved wood -- and is a perfect place to stop and take in a bit of Zen.
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Tour Jean Sans Peur
Within the commercialized center around Etienne Marcel, the Tour Jean Sans Peur (“John the Fearless”) may seem a bit out of place with its rich history. Only this tower remains from the Palais Parisien des Ducs de Bourgogne. Its unique architecture dates back to the Middle Ages, and the tower was constructed for refuge from invading enemies. The home was one of the largest mansions in the area in the 15th century, and its view from documented sketches was quite fantastic. Unfortunately, the view from the tower now is nothing spectacular. In addition, the tower offers exhibitions in its basement such as information on health in the Middle Ages.
