Paris's 2nd Arrondissement - Top 10 Attractions and Map

Even though the 2nd Arrondissement (you may occasionally hear it called the Bourse) is the smallest of Paris's 20 districts and often dismissed by guidebooks as containing nothing of interest to tourists, it actually packs a lot of fascinating attractions, market streets, and historic sites into its small size.

At the district's western end, glitzy boutiques, upscale restaurants, and 4- and 5-star hotels including the renowned Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme dominate, thanks the well-heeled crowds drawn to the ornate Paris Opera House (Opéra Garnier) located just over the border in the 9th and glittering Place Vendôme in the 8th.

In the district's middle portion is the majestic Paris Bourse, the former stock exchange from which the district gets its name. This area also contains many of the city's historic glass-roofed arcades - the nineteenth century version of indoor shopping malls - and the wonderful pedestrian-only (well, mostly) Rue Montorgueil market street shown in the top photo.

At the eastern end is the Sentier quarter, historically home to small textile and garment manufacturing operations now giving way to hip bistros, bars, and hotels. Once written off as a rather boring commercial area, it is now becoming a newly cool neighborhood, not unlike the Marais next door.

But that's just the beginning. Look for exciting shows at all the major Paris museums, beautiful golden foliage throughout the city, and boutiques bursting with the fall collections. In even-numbered years, the world-famous Paris Motor Show brings over a million visitors to the city to see the latest automotive innovations.

Paris weather during October continues to be mild, with balmy nights, making October a wonderful month to explore the city while enjoying fall foliage colors.

Enjoy sidewalk dining outside your favorite bistro while the warm weather lingers, soak up fall colors in Parisian parks (we'll suggest the best!), and in honor of Halloween, conjure up a few ghostly spirits in the city's famous cemeteries.

Top photo: Place Contrescarpe in the Latin Quarter neighborhood of Paris's 5th arrondissement

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2nd Arrondissement - Top Attractions

Historic Passages & Covered Arcades

1. Historic passages & Covered Arcades

Paris lights up for Nuit Blanche — Each year, a different local artist designs the "Clos Montmartre" wine bottle labels

On October 6, Nuit Blanche (White, or Sleepless, Night) turns Paris into an all-night festival of lights celebrating the work emerging and established artists. Held annually starting at sundown on the first Saturday of October and continuing until sunrise on the following Sunday morning, this free event is one of Paris' largest and most popular cultural events as everyone stays up all night visiting the 100+ special art installations, concerts, dance and theatrical performances, elaborate light shows, and other artistic expressions.

Find Paris concerts for other months