Our tour of the arrondissements has returned to the right bank for the final stretch. And today we’re looking at the luxurious 16e district. The 16e is one of the wealthiest arrondissements in Paris, not to mention the whole of France. In fact, “le 16e” is synonymous with wealth in French pop culture, and it is easy to see why. The 16e arrondissement is home to some of the most opulent neighbourhoods, cultural institutions, and sports centres in Paris. So let’s dive in.
The Many Museums of the 16e
The 16e arrondissement is home to over a dozen incredible museums, including the Museum of Modern Art, Maison de Balzac, Musée Marmottan Monet, Musée Guimet, Palais Galliera, Fondation Louis Vuitton, and Palais de Tokyo, just to name a few. Needless to say, I have spent a lot of time in the 16e over the years. Perhaps the most impressive cultural complex in this district is the Palais de Chaillot at Trocadéro, home to four museums, several restaurants, an aquarium, and a theatre. It is also one of the most visited (and photographed!) places in all of Paris, as the views of the Eiffel Tower from Place du Trocadéro are renowned the world over. Bottom line, if you’re looking for culture, head to the 16e.
There’s a Sport for Everyone
If sports are more your thing, you should also head to the 16e, as this arrondissement is home to several important sporting venues. For example, I only recently found out that the home stadium for the Paris Saint-Germain football club is not the Stade de France as I had thought, but rather the Parc des Princes in the 16e. Nine years in and I’m still learning new things about Paris every day. And it’s not just the Parc des Princes that can be found in the 16e. There’s also the Stade Jean-Bouin, home of rugby, and Stade Roland Garros, home of tennis and the French Open. Fun fact about Roland Garros. The stadium is the location of a small tennis museum called the Tenniseum. I swear I’m not making this up.
A Day at the Park
The 16e arrondissement is also where you will find the Bois de Boulogne, the second largest park in Paris after the Bois de Vincennes in the east. This park is a destination unto itself, with castles, racing tracks, landscaped gardens, waterfalls, and lakes all to be found within its expansive grounds. There’s even an amusement park and zoo in the Jardin d’Acclimatation, located in the north end of the park. The 16e is also where you will find the Jardin du Ranelagh and the Jardins du Trocadéro. However, the Bois de Boulogne is the largest and most visited green space in the 16e by a landslide.
Hidden Gems
Musée du Vin – An entire museum dedicated to the history of wine located in the former wine cellars of the Passy Abbey.
78 Avenue Mozart – Former residence of a young Jacqueline Kennedy, located in the affluent neighbourhood of Passy.
Rue de l’Annonciation – One of the 16e’s best kept secrets and a foodie’s paradise.
Rue Berton – An incredible cobblestoned road that is lined with ivy-covered walls. Take a stroll down this street and feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Want to read more about the arrondissements of Paris? Click HERE.
Laura Moore is a professional storyteller who loves history and the many stories that make Paris one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Join one of her signature tours to learn the story of a city.
