Paris’s 2nd Arrondissement: Your Complete Guide

ByStephanie Rytting Posted on

The 2nd arrondissement is the smallest in Paris, covering just 0.383 square miles (0.992 km²). It sits in central Paris on the Right Bank, bordered by the 1st arrondissement to the south and the 9th arrondissement to the north.

Like its neighbors, the 2nd has broad avenues and classic Haussmannian buildings. It’s also commonly called “Bourse,” thanks to its long connection to the Paris stock exchange and the banking headquarters based here.

You won’t find major, bucket-list landmarks in this district, but it’s a great place to wander, with interesting landmarks and low-key hidden gems scattered throughout. I’ve really enjoyed spending time exploring this tiny Parisian neighborhood.

Read on for the best things to do, plus places to eat and stay, in the 2nd arrondissement.

Attractions & Landmarks in the 2nd Arrondissement

1. Rue Montorgueil

Rue Montorgueil, a pedestrian market street, is probably my favorite spot in the 2nd. This picturesque street stretches for several blocks and is lined with a wide mix of food-focused shops, as well as some cafés.

You’ll see boulangeries (bakeries), pâtisseries (dessert shops), fromageries (cheese shops), boucheries (meat shops), chocolate shops, wine shops, and fruit stands, which gives the street a market-like feel even though it isn’t an official market.

It’s an easy area to stroll, grab a coffee outside, or pop into a few stores as you go. Two well-known sweet shops are along the street: A La Mère de Famille for chocolate and Stohrer for pastries. Stohrer is actually considered the oldest pâtisserie in Paris, and the shop is beautiful!

If you’re picking up picnic supplies, grab a baguette tradition from Boulangerie Blouet at the north end and get some comté cheese from the fromagerie.

2. La Bourse

La Bourse is the historic Paris stock exchange building, easily identified by its row of columns facing Place de la Bourse. Napoleon ordered its construction in the early 1800s, and it served as the city’s main trading floor until operations moved in 1987.

Today, the building functions as an events venue rather than an active exchange. It’s not somewhere you’d usually tour, but it’s an important landmark (and the namesake of the neighborhood) that you’ll likely pass while exploring the 2nd.

3. Covered Passageways

In the early 1800s, Paris began building glass-covered passageways that offered a protected place to shop and stroll. These arcades were a welcome alternative to the muddy streets outside, and quickly became part of daily life for wealthy Parisians.

More than 150 once existed across the city, but only a small number have survived. Several of the best examples are in the 2nd arrondissement – these are four you shouldn’t miss:

📌Galerie Vivienne

Galerie Vivienne is the best-known covered passage in Paris, known for its wide walkway and elegant mosaic floors. Here, you’ll find antique bookstores, clothing boutiques, wine shops, and tea rooms, including the long-running secondhand bookshop Librairie Jousseaume.

📌Passage des Panoramas

Built in 1799, Passage des Panoramas is the oldest covered passageway in Paris, and you can see its age in the woodwork, antique signs, and slightly narrower layout. The passage is lined with small restaurants, postcard stalls, and specialty shops.

Its name comes from two large rotundas that once stood here, each displaying panoramic paintings of cities such as Paris, Rome, and Jerusalem.

📌Passage du Grand Cerf

Passage du Grand Cerf is one of the tallest covered arcades in Paris, with a glass roof that rises nearly 12 meters. Inside, you’ll find a mix of specialty shops, including jewelry, antiques, yarn and fabric stores, lighting boutiques, and even vintage luxury pieces.

The distinctive hanging signs overhead give this passage one of the more unique atmospheres in the city.

📌Passage Bourg l’Abbé

This one-block arcade near Arts et Métiers is much quieter than the more well-known passages. It’s lined with offices, workshops, and interior design studios rather than shops aimed at browsing. The old storefronts and worn details, though, still give it a timeless feel.

4. Bibliothèque Nationale de France Oval Reading Room

The Oval Reading Room at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France (France Public Library) is free to enter and is one of the most beautiful public spaces in the neighborhood.

The room is literally an oval, with long rows of desks in the center and bookshelves wrapping around the edges under a tall glass-and-oak ceiling. You can walk the perimeter even if you’re not sitting down to work.

There are several exhibit-style screens along this outer walkway, and most of them are interactive. You can look at how books are restored, flip through old illustrations, or try a playful screen that lets you “wear” historical outfits as you move.

One of several screen exhibits

The larger exhibitions elsewhere in the building require a paid ticket, but the Oval Reading Room itself is completely free to visit. I really enjoyed spending time here, probably because I love reading and I love beautiful libraries. It’s one of Paris’s many hidden gems and is an easy stop if you’re already in the area.

5. Grand Rex Theater

The Grand Rex is the largest cinema in Europe, with 7 screens, including the Grand Hall that seats 2700 people. It’s been part of the neighborhood since 1932 and has been named a Monument Historique for its distinctive Art Deco architecture.

Besides movies, the Grand Rex also hosts concerts, shows, and special events throughout the year.

If you’re curious about the building and its history, the Grand Rex offers guided and audio-guided tours. They take you through the backstage areas, old projection rooms, and up to the rooftop terraces.

Even if you don’t plan to see a film or take the tour, it’s a fun landmark to notice as you walk through this part of the 2nd.

Great Places to Eat in the 2nd Arrondissement

The 2nd arrondissement has quite a few great restaurants for dining out. Here are a few of my favorites.

Le Chardonnay

Le Chardonnay is a bit of a hidden gem, situated right next to the much more popular Aux Crus de Bourgogne. I had THE most incredible truffle croque monsieur here (a dish I always recommend to eat freshly made, not pre-prepared).

Le Petit Vendome

Le Petit Vendôme is well known for its walk-up sandwich counter at lunchtime. The sit-down restaurant side is just as good, though. I had the steak au poivre here, and it was excellent – the tender filet was smothered with a rich pepper sauce, and the fries had a crisp, almost breaded texture that I still think about.

If you want something lighter, their charcuterie boards are also a great choice.

Les Saveurs de l’Orient

This excellent Moroccan restaurant in Passage des Panoramas specializes in comfort dishes like couscous, tagine, shawarma, and skewers.

Plaq

Coffee is *the* hot drink in France, but I happen to be particularly drawn to Paris’s hot chocolate scene, which specializes in the most decadent cocoa you’ve ever had.

Plaq is an actual chocolatier, selling house-milled, bean-to-bar chocolate, including their homemade chocolat chaud. It’s dark, rich, and not overly sweet, just high-quality melted chocolate that absolutely hits the spot.

Opera Starbucks

Okay, yes, I would normally NEVER recommend Starbucks in France (and I still am not effusively recommending it…). But it’s worth mentioning that the Starbucks location at 3, Boulevard des Capucines, just next to the Opera Garnier, is absolutely gorgeous.

Where to Stay in the 2nd Arrondissement

Hotel Westminster: An elegant, upscale hotel right next to the Opera Garnier

Hôtel France d’Antin Opéra: Lovely boutique hotel in excellent location

Victoires Opera: Incredible location right on Rue Montorgueil and very close to all the central Paris sites

Map of Attractions

Want to Explore More Paris Neighborhoods?

Check out my other detailed Paris neighborhood guides:

Final Thoughts

The 2nd arrondissement is small, but it’s easy to fill a few enjoyable hours here. It’s a great area to explore at a slower pace, especially if you like wandering without a strict plan.

Stephanie is obsessed with everything having to do with France, and she's visited the country 17 times (including a 3 month stint when she lived in Paris). She draws on her extensive knowledge all things French to bring you detailed and helpful guides, from the perspective of a fellow traveler.