Paris’ 2e arrondissement is an often overlooked, charming, and elegant area of the city. It’s not well known for anything in particular, save for its covered passages, which we’ll get to in a bit, but it does a lot of things very well. We’ll set you up with some tasty coffee and nibbles, and otherwise we just encourage you to walk, walk, walk. This arrondissement has so much to give, but most of it is best stumbled upon.
The 2e arrondissement is also a great place to stay. Quieter than the more central spots (Marais, Latin Quarter), well connected by metro, and walkable to most of central Paris. In fact, we collaborated with our good friend Lindsey Tramuta on just where you should stay in Paris, including the 2e arrondissement. So if you know this is the place for you, but you’re not sure where to lie your head at the end of a day exploring, be sure to grab our Guide!
If you’re here for a few hours (or a few days) this slice of Paris is an ideal mix of neighborhood charm and city access. Now, let's get into the best things to do, eat, and sip in Paris’ 2e.
What to See
La Bourse
Technically called EuroNext Paris (integrated in 2000), La Bourse is Europe’s second largest stock exchange, and has been around since the mid 1800s. It’s a tall, imposing building with lots of columns. Impressive to see as you walk around the 2e arrondissement, La Bourse makes a fun backdrop for photos - and there’s a secret sneaky Space Invader hidden in the back
BNF Richelieu - The Oval Room
You’ve seen this gorgeous space make the rounds on instagram and tiktok - and for good reason. The BNF Richelieu’s Oval Reading Room is one of the most romantic (in a literary sense, of course) places to crack open a book. Pop in for a photo or a wander, but please be respectful of the scholars you’ll see working or researching. The library’s collection of artifacts hosted in its museum is impressive and available to view for a fee. You’ll find Louis XV’s coin collection and la galerie Mazarin is worth it on its own, hosting one of the coolest astrological globes we’ve found yet.
If you’re a book person, then be sure to grab our Guide+ for access to 3 full-day Paris itineraries - including A Book Lover’s Guide to Paris. In it you’ll visit this reading room, and several beloved English bookshops in the City of Light…
Where to Eat and Drink
Coffee
Le Floor
Le Floor is a coffee shop and brunch place run by The Bureau Paris, which is a company that runs high-end all-inclusive co-working spaces in Paris. As with most of The Bureau’s establishments, Le Floor has soothing, clean architecture, and is a great place to work (wifi available) or sit and enjoy a moment of peace with your avocado toast before heading out into Paris’ bustling streets.
Matamata
We’ve been fans of Matamata for a few years now - They’re owned and operated by Noir. You’ll find it in a hopping area of town, around the corner from terraces and foot traffic. A true neighborhood coffee bar, Matamata is the go-to for many matcha drinkers, and their filter hits the spot as well.
Food
Boneshaker
We’ll never stop craving Boneshaker. Other donut shops may come and go, but Boneshaker is our #1 forever. Surprise surprise - all donuts are vegan, and you would never guess it. They’re always experimenting with fun flavors, like Victoria Sponge or Sticky Pecan Buns. You don’t want to miss a sweet treat (over a great cup of coffee) when you’re in town.
Frenchie
Looking for Michelin Guide French food that you’ll be thinking about for possibly the rest of your life, right in the heart of Paris? Frenchie will take you places you didn’t even realize you wanted to go. They book out pretty far in advance, so be sure to reserve early.You can also check their sister restaurant Altro Frenchie, right next door, if you’re in less of a French and more of an Italian mood. Delicioso!
Best Places to Hang Out
The Passageways
The passageways of the 2e arrondissement are some of the best places to explore. While not all of them constitute places to hang out per-se, some have lovely little cafés inside where you can stop for an apéro. Otherwise, you’ll want to weave your way through these ones:
Passage des Panoramas
Wonderfully busy, quirky, and full of half glasses of wine and loud window displays, the Passage des Panorama will make you feel like you’ve taken a step back in time to the lively days of artists flooding the city.
Galerie Vivienne
We love recommending Galerie Vivienne for its charm and classic Parisian feel. From the mosaic floor to the vaulted glass ceilings, you’ll want to walk through as slowly as possible. You’ll also find some delicious wine on offer in Le Comptoir et les Caves Legrand, and if you know where to look through the back you’ll find a decent candy shop for the kids (or yourself, who are we kidding?).
Passage Colbert
Lesser known but just as elegant as Galerie Vivienne, Passage Colbert is known for its gorgeous dome in the center. Definitely worth a visit, and a photo.
Other gems include: Passage Choiseul and Passage du Bourg-l’Abbé.
If you were to look at a map of the 2e arrondissement, you’d find countless others, but many of these smaller passages are no longer in use, feel more modern, or even house stores like Office Depot (places that you might not be so interested in visiting on your trip to Paris).
At the end of the day, what you will find in Paris’ 2e arrondissement is great food, good coffee, large and tiny hidden passages to explore, and some classic Parisian architecture. What you aren’t going to get is famous monuments or many green spaces to hang out outside….but that’s part of the charm. It’s a working, living, breathing part of Paris that rewards the curious. You just have to be willing to wander.
And if you’re out wandering and wondering where to eat, drink, or relax next, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better resource than our Guide to Paris. Our map of recommendations can geolocate you to help you find the best cocktail, cup of coffee, and more right around the corner. We keep it up to date, always, and you’ll receive access for life.
Grab yours here, and check back tomorrow for our advice on what to check out in Paris’ 3e arrondissement.