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

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.
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2. Rue Saint-Anne Japanese Restaurants

Montmartre's annual Grape Harvest Festival ("Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre) takes place each on the second weekend of the month - October 10-14 this year.
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3. Le Grand Colbert & Other Historic 2nd Arrondissement Paris Restaurants & Bars

Photo courtesy of e.d.b.
Montmartre's annual Grape Harvest Festival ("Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre) takes place each on the second weekend of the month - October 10-14 this year.
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4. Rue Montorgueil Market Street - 2nd Arrondissement

Montmartre's annual Grape Harvest Festival ("Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre) takes place each on the second weekend of the month - October 10-14 this year.
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5. Palais Brongiart - Paris's Historic Bourse

Montmartre's annual Grape Harvest Festival ("Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre) takes place each on the second weekend of the month - October 10-14 this year.
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6. Paris in the Middle Ages: La Tour Jean Sans Peur

Montmartre's annual Grape Harvest Festival ("Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre) takes place each on the second weekend of the month - October 10-14 this year.
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7. Sentier - The 2nd Arrondissement's Newly Cool Neighborhood

Montmartre's annual Grape Harvest Festival ("Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre) takes place each on the second weekend of the month - October 10-14 this year.
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8. Opéra Comique - Paris's Comic Opera House

Montmartre's annual Grape Harvest Festival ("Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre) takes place each on the second weekend of the month - October 10-14 this year.
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9. The Grand Rex Theatre
Montmartre's annual Grape Harvest Festival ("Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre) takes place each on the second weekend of the month - October 10-14 this year.
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10. The 2nd Arrondissement's Grands Boulevards - Belle Epoque

Montmartre's annual Grape Harvest Festival ("Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre) takes place each on the second weekend of the month - October 10-14 this year.
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Recommended Hotels in the 2nd Arrondissement
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Where to Eat in the 2nd Arrondissement
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Getting there: Metro station and Tramway: Porte des Versailles, 15th arrondissement
Tickets: 14€ adults, 6,50€ children from 3-12, free for children under 3 - available at the door
More information: Salon du Chocolat website
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Best 2nd Arrondissement Tours
More to See & Do in the 2nd Arrondissement
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- Top 10 Paris Attractions - Places and sights you won't want to miss!
- Paris Arrondissement Map & Paris Neighborhoods - "Getting Around Paris 101" - See at a glance where all the top attractions are located!
- Paris Winter Sales - Our top 10 tips for getting the biggest discounts and bargains on Paris designer fashions
- What to see & do in all 20 Paris arrondissements: Our complete guide