10 famous Paris streets and how to experience them like a local

Paris is known for its world-class art, gorgeous architecture, magnificent food, and of course, stunning landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Arc de Triomphe. But the charm of the French capital goes beyond its top attractions. The magic spills over onto the cobbled lanes, café-lined streets, and postcard-worthy boulevards.

Whether you’re after romantic strolls, exceptional dining, historic spots, or glamorous shopping, there are lots of beautiful streets in the city waiting to be explored. Here are 10 of our favorites.

Located in the heart of the 7th arrondissement, Rue Saint-Dominique is one of the most photographed streets in Paris. This 1.5-mile road offers fantastic views of the Eiffel Tower and is just a 10- to 15-minute walk from the iconic landmark.

After a morning of touring the Eiffel Tower, indulge in Parisian fare at the Michelin star Le Violon d'Ingres or the classic La Fontaine de Mars. Afterward, spend an hour or two hitting the upscale boutiques, artisanal shops, patisseries, and fromageries along the street. Or you can while away the afternoon picnicking at the scenic Esplanade des Invalides, but not before visiting the Dome des Invalides, the tallest church building in Paris and home to the tomb of Napoleon.

Perhaps the most famous street in Paris, Avenue des Champs- Élysées connects Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde. Lined with Haussmanian buildings, this busy street is home to the annual Bastille parade, numerous theaters, cafés, and famous luxury stores from Dior to Chanel.

Champs-Élysées is best explored at night when the whole stretch is illuminated. Start your stroll with a skip-the-line visit to the Arc de Triomphe. After taking in a panoramic view of the city, visit the world’s biggest Louis Vuitton store. Close by is Ladurée—not to be missed if you’re a fan of macarons. If you’d rather just sit back and be dazzled, a Paris Merveilles cabaret show at Le Lido comes highly recommended.

The oldest street in Montmartre, Rue Saint-Rustique offers a glimpse of vintage Paris village life. Tucked between Le Consulat—the historic café frequented by Van Gogh, Picasso, and Monet—and the centuries-old bistro La Bonne Franquette, the narrow cobbled street is one of the best spots for romantic strolls.

For Instagrammable shots of the street and Sacré-Coeur, visit between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., before most of the neighborhood shops open. Make your way to La Bohème du Tertre for a hearty brunch, best enjoyed as you watch modern-day artists sketching away at the Place du Tertre.

Stretching through most of the 1st and 4th arrondissements, Rue de Rivoli is among the most prestigious streets in Paris. It’s home to some of Paris’ world-renowned attractions—the Louvre, Jardin des Tuileries, and Tour Saint-Jacques, to name a few—that you can easily reserve a day in your itinerary just for Rivoli.

If you prefer going off the beaten path, check out 59 Rivoli, a free-admission gallery clad head-to-toe in artistic graffiti. For a tranquil afternoon, do as the locals do and head to the intimate but stately Jardin du Palais Royal, the landscaped grounds of a 17th-century palace built for Cardinal Richelieu.

One of the best Paris streets to visit for foodies, Rue Montorgueil is a pedestrianized road lined with cafés, boulangeries, cheese shops, delis, and produce stands. Pastry lovers shouldn’t miss the nearly 300-year-old Pâtisserie Stohrer, the birthplace of the French dessert baba au rhum.

For couples looking for a romantic date spot and delicious food, the cozy L'Escargot Montorgueil will not disappoint. On a solo trip? This guided walking tour will take you to hidden gems in central Paris and includes sampling fine cheese in a fromagerie in Montorgueil.

Undoubtedly the most Instagrammable street in Paris, Rue Crémieux was named after Adolphe Crémieux, a staunch defender of the rights of the Jews in France. Today, the candy-colored street attracts a lot of tourists, to the chagrin of those living there. If you’re visiting, do so on weekdays and be respectful of the residents’ privacy.

Instagram aside, Rue Crémieux is also a great jump-off point for neighboring 12th arrondissement attractions such as the Opéra Bastille and the Place de la Bastille, the former site of the infamous Bastille prison. If you have kids in tow, cross the Seine via Pont d'Austerlitz and marvel at the dinosaur skeletons at the National Museum of Natural History.

Stretching 2.1 miles, Boulevard Saint-Germain traverses the 5th, 6th, and 7th arrondissements of Paris. However, it’s best known for crossing the Saint Germain des Pres Quarter, the center of Parisian café culture and one of the most family-friendly districts in Paris.

Les Deux Magots, a café once loved by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, serves traditional French fare that the whole family will love. Younger travelers can stock up on comic books, manga, and action figures from Album Comics. Meanwhile, seniors will love the slower pace at the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens, which can be easily reached from the main boulevard.

For travelers with cash to splash or those who simply want to window shop, Avenue Montaigne is the place to be. This famous shopping street in Paris is home to high-end fashion houses like Fendi, Chanel, Prada, and Valentino but sees fewer crowds compared to Champs-Élysées.

If art is more your thing, a stop at this street is still worthwhile. Avenue Montaigne lays claim to the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, an art deco theater that presents over 200 concerts annually. On the other end of the street is Artcurial, a French auction house and a hidden gem for art lovers.

While most streets on this list are straight roads, Rue Lepic is a long, lively street that winds through Montmartre, starting near the Moulin Rouge and ending at Parc Jean-Baptiste-Clément.

Art and history lovers can easily spend half a day here as this street has lots to offer: a photo op on 54 Rue Lepic where Van Gogh used to live, souvenir shopping at the Moulin Rouge boutique, a Montmartre street art tour, and lunch at Le Moulin de la Galette, where one of the last Parisian windmills stands. Couples can join the “Lost Lovers Exploration” to see some of the most romantic spots in Paris.

If you feel like combining street art, a lively night out, and a more local, off-the-beaten-track look at contemporary Paris life, head over to Rue Oberkampf in the 11th arrondissement.

Daytime is best spent getting lost in the maze of tiny backstreets and hidden passageways as you amble over to Café Charbon, a brasserie founded in 1863. The southern side of the building housing the café is converted into a street art project called Le MUR.

At night, take advantage of Oberkampf’s trendy bars that serve craft beers, wine, and cocktails at nearly half the price of those in popular neighboring areas like Bastille and the Latin Quarter. Le Marilyn, Bar Les Pirates, and Les Berthom in Boulevard Voltaire are safe bets for a budget-friendly yet fun time.

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