9th arrondissement, Paris guide

Within the 9th Arrondissement, you’ll find the Grands Boulevards, an area defined by wide, tree-lined avenues and Belle Epoque buildings. With shops, hotels and cafes, these streets are made for wandering and shopping. To see the neighborhood’s grandeur from above, head to the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann department store — its rooftop terrace offers panoramic views over the 9th Arrondissement and the wider city.

Discover the 9th Arrondissement’s 19th-century covered passages with their Old Paris architecture and one-of-a-kind shops. Passage Jouffroy dates back to 1836 and offers boutiques, antique shops and cafes. And Passage Verdeau is a favorite with book, stamp and postcard collectors. Passage du Havre was also once a historic covered passage but has since been turned into a modern shopping mall.

One of the 9th Arrondissement’s most famous sights is the Palais Garnier, home of the Paris Opera Ballet Company. It’s worth booking a tour just to see the opulent interiors, which rival those of Versailles. Prefer something more contemporary? Catch a concert at Olympia, the iconic music hall that has played host to musical greats like the Rolling Stones and The Beatles.

Families will have a great time learning about history and spotting celebrities at the Musée Grévin, one of Europe’s oldest wax museums. And no one can resist the tempting treats at À la Mère de Famille, Paris’ oldest chocolate shop. When you need to escape the neighborhood’s hustle and bustle, head to Square Montholon and its children’s playground.

For culture off the tourist path, the museums in the 9th Arrondissement deliver. The Musée de la Vie Romantique is one of Paris’ three literary museums. And the Musée National Gustave Moreau features the works of 19th-century painter Gustave Moreau. For a whiff of something different, the Musée du Parfum Fragonard covers the history and secrets of perfume-making.

Make a beeline for Rue des Martyrs, where you’ll find bakeries, cheese shops, artisan food retailers and lively cafes. Rue Cadet is similarly packed with gourmet food shops and fresh produce stalls. Looking for luxury? The historic Café de la Paix is one of the best restaurants in the 9th Arrondissement for a taste of the Parisian high life.

When the sun goes down, the 9th Arrondissement is one of Paris’ liveliest neighborhoods, especially around the Pigalle area. Cocktail bars, late-night brasseries and DJ-fueled dance floors are ready to keep the good times flowing. And if you’re looking for a night of Parisian extravagance, nothing beats a show at Folies Bergère, one of Paris’ most famous cabarets.

Paris’ 9th Arrondissement is a prime shopping destination with department stores and boutiques galore. Galeries Lafayette and Printemps on Boulevard Haussmann are the two most famous shopping malls, each offering extravagant interiors and a wide choice of brands. Prefer to wander? The Grands Boulevards area is packed with shops — look around Boulevard Montmartre, Rue de Clichy and Avenue de l'Opéra.

From January to February and June to July, the 9th Arrondissement’s shops take part in the citywide ‘soldes’ (sales), making it a great time to grab a bargain on your favorite brands. If you’re visiting between mid-November and late December, join the crowds in admiring the much-anticipated Christmas window displays at the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department stores.