What to See and Do in the 9th Arrondissement of Paris?
By Colette Davidson
If you’re looking for a refined yet approachable spot to check out while visiting Paris, head to the 9th arrondissement. History, culture and consumerism meet here, with the Palais Garnier opera house and the Printemps and Galeries Lafayette luxury shopping complexes just steps from one another. You’ll find plenty of top-notch museums, concert halls and restaurants in the area. Located on the Right Bank just south of the famed Pigalle neighborhood, the 9th arrondissement also hosts a substantial business district.
Palais Garnier
This stately opera house seats nearly 2,000 and truly epitomizes the 9th arrondissement. It was here that author Gaston Leroux chose to set his 1910 novel The Phantom of the Opera, and the building itself has been described by some as an architectural masterpiece. Depending on your time and budget, you can either take a tour of the opera house or spend one night enjoying the show.
8 Rue Scribe, 75009 Paris
01 71 25 24 23
Galéries Lafayette and Printemps
If you’re looking for designer wears during your stay, these two luxury shopping malls located on Boulevard Haussmann are a must. Besides men’s and women’s clothing and home wares, Galéries Lafayette also features a giant glass and steel dome to admire. Printemps was built in a similar Art Nouveau style, with a colorful glass cupola englobing the store’s main restaurant. Stop here for clothing, accessories and beauty products.
Galéries Lafayette
40 Boulevard Haussmann
01 42 82 34 56
Printemps
64 Boulevard Haussmann
01 42 82 62 76
The Passages Couverts
This series of passageways from the 19th century wind through streets and buildings, leading you on a magnificent journey of the 9th arrondissement. Covered overhead by glass roofs, the passages are always filled with a gloriously subtle light. Start at Rue Vivienne and make your way towards the Passage Verdeau and Jouffroy, where tiny specialty boutiques, cafes and restaurants abound.
Passage Jouffroy
10 boulevard Montmartre – 9 rue de la Grange-Batelière
Passage Verdeau
6 rue de la Grange-Batelière – 31 rue de Faubourg-Montmartre
South Pigalle
Hugging the 9th arrondissement to the north is the Pigalle neighborhood. While Pigalle is diverse in its own right, the southern tip has something special to offer. Charming bite-sized shops selling flowers, cured meat, cheese, coffee and desserts are just some of the gems you’ll find here. Head to Rue des Martyrs and Notre-Dame-de-Lorette to get a taste, especially on Sundays, when the whole of the neighborhood steps out for a trendy stroll.
Rue des Martyrs
Rue Notre-Dame-de-Lorette
Little Tokyo
If you’ve got a craving for Japanese food while visiting Paris, there’s no better place than the area around metros Bourse and Opéra. Choose between a delicious quick Bento box at Juji-ya, or Kintaro for a bowl of soba noodles or tempura. Rue Saint-Anne is a good starting point for Little Tokyo – the quality of most restaurants in this area can be judged by how long the line extends into the street. Also check out the Japanese and Korean grocers in the neighborhood for authentic buys.
Rue Saint-Anne
Rue Saint-Augustin
