Apart from the top attractions in France’s capital, like the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame, you’ll also want to see some of the prettiest streets in Paris on your visit. With this in mind, we’ll review roads that are well-known for a variety of reasons, including fascinating histories, world-class shopping, exceptional dining, and stunning locations.
From the Champs-Élysées to Rue Crémieux, you need to add these 20 most famous streets in Paris to your itinerary. With a bit of planning, you’ll be able to stop by each of these locations on your trip! We’ve also included a map at the end of this article to help you find all of these noteworthy roads in Paris.
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Rue Crémieux
Rue Crémieux, located in the city’s 12th arrondissement, is undoubtedly the most colorful street in Paris. It’s also one of the most famous Instagram spots in the city! In fact, many tourists compare Rue Crémieux to Portobello Road in London, Burano in Venice, or Rainbow Row in Charleston.
You can find this tiny, 472-foot (144 meters) cobblestone street between Rue de Lyon and Rue de Bercy. Although the quaint terraced homes lining this road were built in the mid-1800s as housing for workers, they now attract tourists on their vacation to Paris.
Due to the number of visitors passing through this street, residents have recently decided to limit the taking of photos and videos. Nonetheless, this charming pedestrian street is still worth visiting to see all the candy-colored houses.
Just remember that people do live in these houses, so please be respectful and limit noise when snapping photos. We recommend visiting during the week to avoid the crowds!
Avenue Montaigne
Situated in the 8th arrondissement, Avenue Montaigne is one of the most famous shopping streets in Paris. It forms part of the city’s Golden Triangle (Triangle d’Or), along with Ave George V and Rue Francois 1er.
Historically speaking, this avenue is a sought-after location for some of the finest fashion houses in the world. For example, you can find luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel, Fendi, Valentino, and Ralph Lauren along this Parisian street.
If you’d like to visit some of the other major fashion houses, you can continue your shopping excursion to Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Or, check out some of the other highlights on Avenue Montaigne, like the historic Hotel Plaza Athénée and the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.
Avenue des Champs-Élysées
The Avenue des Champs-Élysées begins from the Place de la Concorde and ends at the Place Charles de Gaulle, where the Arc de Triomphe is located. The name “Champs-Élysées” in French means “Elysian Fields,” a paradise where heroes in Greek mythology rested after death.
This avenue was first cleared in the 17th century and lined with elm trees to create an extension for the Tuileries Palace gardens. Nowadays, Champs-Élysées is famous for many reasons, including its Bastille Day parade, as the endpoint for the Tour de France, and as one of the leading luxury shopping districts in the city.
Home to upscale brands like Louis Vuitton, Guerlain, and Chanel, you could easily spend an entire day shopping in Paris on the Champs-Élysées. On the lower end of this pretty street, you can also find the Jardin des Champs-Élysées.
This popular public park was one of the first parks in Paris and is home to the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais, both of which were created for the Universal Exposition of 1900. However, the Arc de Triomphe is likely what makes Champs-Élysées the most beautiful avenue in the whole world.
This famous French landmark was built between 1806 and 1836 to honor those who fought and died for the country in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. It’s a beautiful spot for a panoramic view of the city–a must-do activity when visiting Paris for the first time!
Rue Montorgueil
Often overlooked by tourists, Rue Montorgueil is a popular place for Parisians to do their daily shopping. It’s also one of the top Paris streets to visit for “foodies”! After all, this cobblestone street is lined with restaurants, bistros, cafés, bars, pastry shops, and other food-related stores.
Tucked within the vast city of Paris, Rue Montorgueil maintains a village-like charm. Thus, if you’re looking for a more off-the-beaten-track experience, you’ll definitely want to spend an afternoon wandering this famous Paris street. While there, some of the highlights include L’Escargot Montorgueil, Au Rocher de Cancale, La Fermette, and Stohrer.
The first two restaurants serve traditional French food, are semi-formal, and have been in the area since the 1800s. Meanwhile, La Fermette is considered one of the best cheese shops in the city. We recommend picking up some cheese here and buying a baguette at a nearby boulangerie for the perfect snack.
Meanwhile, Stohrer is one of the oldest bakeries in Paris, serving its customers since 1730. Some of their most famous desserts include the baba au rhum, eclairs, and Saint Honoré Cake. If you have a sweet tooth, you won’t want to miss this spot!
Rue de la Paix
Rue de la Paix (“Street of Peace”), located in the 2nd arrondissement, runs from Place Vendôme to Opéra Garnier. Although this French street was initially called Rue Napoléon, the name was later changed to celebrate the peace brought by the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
Currently, Rue de la Paix is a famous street in Paris for shopping–jewelry shopping in particular! For example, luxury jeweler Cartier opened a shop along this road in 1898. Other high-end brands you can find here include Mellerio, Tiffany & Co., and Piaget.
You can also find a Repetto store here, well-known worldwide for its ballet shoes. Due to its reputation as an expensive street, Rue de la Paix is the most costly property in the French version of Monopoly.
Rue de Rivoli
Rue de Rivoli is a commercial street that runs parallel to the Seine River through the center of Paris’ Right Bank. While the shops are a significant draw, most tourists find themselves here on a visit to the Louvre Museum. Other attractions along Rue de Rivoli include the Palais-Royal and Tuileries Garden.
This road is a perfect place to shop for souvenirs to bring home to family and loved ones. For instance, the Carrousel du Louvre is an ideal spot for all your shopping needs and makes a great stop after visiting the Louvre museum. Then, if you’re craving something sweet, head down the street to Angelina, one of the finest pâtisseries in Paris.
Read More: The Most Photo Worthy Spots in Paris
Rue des Rosiers
Rue des Rosiers, located in the 4th arrondissement, translates to “Street of the Rosebushes”. It began as the center of the Jewish quarter in Paris, unofficially called “the Pletzl,” meaning “the little place” in Yiddish.
Nowadays, this historic cobblestone road in the Marais district has been slowly changing into a popular shopping street. For this reason, Rue des Rosiers is currently home to a fusion of traditional bakeries and trendy boutiques.
One of the most popular Kosher restaurants on this famous street in Paris is L’As du Fallafel, located at number 34. This local joint serves up the best falafel in Paris and is particularly known for its falafel sandwich served with eggplant and hummus. Be prepared to wait in line–we promise it’s worth it!
Rue Vieille du Temple
Rue Vieille du Temple sits in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements and runs through the heart of the trendy Le Marais neighborhood. It spans just over half a mile (855 meters), beginning at 36 Rue de Rivoli and ending at 1 Rue de Bretagne. This historic Parisian street began in the 13th century as a pathway leading to an important fortress in Square du Temple.
At present, it’s probably best known for its many bistros, restaurants, and cafés. For example, you have to try steak tartare at Au Petit Fer à Cheval, “Little Horseshoe,” located at no. 30. Other highlights include La Belle Hortense, a bookshop plus wine bar, and Robert et Louise, a great spot for an authentic French meal.
Apart from the many dining options, this road is also becoming a popular shopping street. As the neighborhood changes, designer boutiques like Karl Lagerfeld and Kenzo have moved in alongside the local boutiques.
Rue Saint-Dominique
Rue Saint-Dominique is a narrow shopping street that spans the entire 7th arrondissement–the same neighborhood as the Eiffel Tower! Throughout the history of Paris, this road has actually had nine different names. Eventually, the title Rue Saint-Dominique stuck, inspired by a Dominican monastery that existed here in the 1600s.
If you’d like to have a meal along this road, don’t miss classics like Michelin-starred Le Violon d’Ingres and cozy La Fontaine de Mars. For a sweet treat, make sure to stop by Aux Merveilleux de Fred or Grégory Renard Cacao et Macarons. You can also find an Instagram-worthy tea room called Le Jardin de Mademoiselle on the east side of this road.
As you make your way down Rue Saint-Dominique towards the Champ de Mars, you’ll be able to catch occasional glimpses of the Eiffel Tower in the distance. Or, if you’re heading in the opposite direction, you’ll also eventually cross the Esplanade des Invalides, a scenic green space ideal for picnicking and sunbathing.
Rue Cler
Rue Cler stretches from Rue Saint Dominique to Avenue de la Motte-Picquet in the 7th arrondissement and is famous as one of the best market streets in the city. In fact, many attribute its popularity to travel writer Rick Steves, who calls Rue Cler his “favorite street in Paris.”
Along this cobblestone road, you’ll find authentic cafés, boulangeries, and countless specialty shops. It’s where Parisians go to pick up all sorts of local groceries (think cheese and wine shops!).
For example, check out Mariage Frères, a celebrated tea shop, À la Mère de Famille, the first candy shop in Paris, and Davoli, a highly-recommended delicatessen. Other popular shops along Rue Cler include Aux PTT, a French-style brasserie; L’Éclair, a cute café with creative cocktails; and Ulysee en Gaule, a yummy crêperie.
Once you’ve chosen some snacks from the food markets, we suggest having a picnic with an Eiffel Tower view in the nearby Champs de Mars garden.
Read More: 18 Interesting Facts About Paris
Avenue de Camoëns
A short walk from Trocadéro–one of the most popular viewpoints of the Eiffel Tower–you’ll come across Avenue de Camoëns. This charming street is named after the famous Portuguese poet Luís Vaz de Camões. Tucked away in the 16th arrondissement, Avenue de Camoëns is a fantastic place to take pictures of the Eiffel Tower.
It spans only 377 ft (115 m) from Rue Benjamin-Franklin to Boulevard Delessert, ending in a beautiful staircase that connects the two roads for pedestrians. You’ll find a monument to Luís Vaz de Camões at the bottom of the stairs, sculpted in marble.
Many tourists seem to walk right by this avenue without realizing that it’s a hidden gem! You’ll typically only run into bloggers and photographers along this street.
Avenue Victor Hugo
Avenue Victor Hugo is one of twelve streets that begin at the Étoile (Place Charles de Gaulle). It’s also the second-longest of these avenues, with Champs-Élysées taking the first place. Avenue Victor Hugo is most famous as the street where renowned French poet Victor Hugo spent his last days.
You can find the hôtel particulier where he lived at number 124, which Pierre Humbert designed. Previous names for this street are Avenue de Saint-Cloud and Avenue d’Eylau. However, the city of Paris chose to honor Hugo as he entered his 80th year by renaming it after him.
From then on, letters addressed to Hugo were labeled “To Mister Victor Hugo, In his avenue, Paris.” At present, this street is one of the most prestigious avenues in the city. Trees line the entire road, and you can find a statue of Hugo at the junction with Avenue Henri-Martin.
Avenue Rapp
Avenue Rapp is a posh street in the 7th arrondissement, which runs from Avenue de la Bourdonnais to Quai Branly. The biggest attractions on this avenue include the Lavirotte Building and a square with a secret Eiffel Tower view.
The Lavirotte Building, located at 29 Avenue Rapp, was designed and built by Jules Lavirotte between 1899 and 1901. Currently, it’s one of the best examples of Art Nouveau architecture in Paris.
As you continue down the avenue, between numbers 33 and 35, you’ll notice Square Rapp hidden away from the crowds. This gorgeous square features a view of the Eiffel Tower like no other!
Additionally, 3 Square Rapp is an apartment building also designed by architect Lavirotte, where he lived on the fifth floor. Other noteworthy sites here include the Theater of the Eiffel Tower and the Theosophical Society of France.
Read More: The 30 Best Books About Paris
Rue de la Huchette
Rue de la Huchette is one of the oldest streets in Paris along the southern bank of the Seine River. Spanning only two blocks, it’s recognized for having the highest concentration of restaurants in Paris. Due to its proximity to the Notre Dame Cathedral, this Latin Quarter street is a trendy place for tourists to grab a bite to eat.
In recent years, the majority of restaurants lining this road were Greek restaurants. However, nowadays, you can find all sorts of options, including Indian, pizza, barbecue, Italian food, and more.
Moreover, you can find numerous buildings of historical importance along Rue a la Huchette. For example, Le Caveau de la Huchette (no. 5) is one of the most famous jazz clubs in Paris. You can also visit the nearby Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche (“Street of the Fishing Cat”), thought to be the narrowest street in the city.
Rue Mouffetard
Rue Mouffetard sits in the 5th arrondissement, also known as the Latin Quarter. It’s one of the oldest streets in Paris, dating all the way back to Roman times. Nowadays, it’s a famous shopping street that Parisians have nicknamed la Mouffe.
This primarily pedestrian road is famous for its lively open-air market and its numerous cafés, restaurants, and specialty shops. It begins at Place de la Contrescarpe and spans south for 1,985 feet (605 m), ending at Square Saint-Médard. You can expect this street to be at its busiest on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Rue Norvins
Rue Norvins is one of the busiest streets in the Montmartre district, running from the Place du Tertre to Rue Girardon. It dates back to 1672 when it was shown on Albert Jouvin de Rochefort’s city plans for Paris.
In the old town of Montmartre, this French road’s original name was “Rue Traînée” or “Rue Trenette.” However, in 1868, it was renamed Rue Norvins after Jacques Marquet de Montbreton, the Baron of Norvins. At present, this street in the 18th arrondissement is famous for preserving the image of Montmartre as an old town or village.
As you walk down Rue Norvins, you’ll notice quirky shops in historic buildings with the Sacré-Cœur in the distance. One particularly notable spot is Le Consulat Restaurant, located at number 18. This café was frequented by famous artists who lived in Montmartre–some names include Monet, Picasso, and Van Gogh!
Rue Lepic
Rue Lepic is an ancient road that winds through Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement. It begins near the Moulin Rouge and ends at Place Jean-Baptiste-Clément at the top of the hill. Legend has it that Napoleon originally commissioned this road after being forced to abandon his horse and climb Montmartre hill on foot in 1809.
In the late 1800s, this neighborhood became a center for up-and-coming artists. During that time, many famous painters lived on Rue Lepic, including Vincent Van Gogh. If you’re interested in seeing where he lived, head to number 54.
Other notable addresses along this street include the Café des Deux Moulins, where Amélie took place, and Le Moulin de la Galette, a traditional French restaurant that houses the only still-functioning windmill in the neighborhood.
Rue de l’Abreuvoir
Rue de l’Abreuvoir, situated in the 18th arrondissement, is the most beautiful street in Montmartre. It’s a popular location to take photos for social media, and it even appeared in the Netflix series Emily in Paris! This picturesque street is also famous as the home to La Maison Rose, a recognizable pink building that currently operates as a restaurant serving traditional French cuisine.
Like many other popular spots in this neighborhood, this restaurant was historically a haven for promising artists. Specifically, there are records indicating that Pablo Picasso, Albert Camus, Suzanne Valadon, and Maurice Utrillo all spent time at La Maison Rose.
Based on Rue de l’Abreuvoir’s name, we know that it originally led to an ancient watering place. In fact, its history dates back to 1325, when it was first mentioned as an alley. Then, sometime between 1325 and 1672, it was indicated in Albert Jouvin de Rochefort’s city plans. This road has maintained the name of “Abreuvoir” since 1843.
Boulevard de Clichy
Boulevard de Clichy runs 3,068 feet (935 m) through the 9th and 18th arrondissements from the Place de Clichy to the Rue des Martyrs. Thanks to its location just south of Montmartre Hill, this famous Paris street was once home to some of the world’s most renowned painters.
For example, Van Gogh, Degas, Picasso, and Gérôme all lived here between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In fact, Van Gogh, who resided at No. 62, chose to immortalize Boulevard de Clichy in his 1887 painting by the same name.
Nowadays, Boulevard de Clichy is best known as a center for entertainment due to its many theaters and concert halls. You may most notably recognize the popular cabaret Moulin Rouge, with its trademark red windmill. Here, you can have dinner while watching dancers in elaborate costumes perform a can-can show.
Rue Lamarck
Rue Lamarck is a charming street in the 18th arrondissement that runs along the side of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. It begins at the top of Montmartre and wraps around the hill as it descends down to Avenue de Saint-Ouen. Named for the celebrated French naturalist Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck, it officially opened in 1867.
Over the years, this road has slowly been extended, making it one of the longer streets in Montmartre. The metro station on this street, Lamarck–Caulaincourt, is particularly beautiful and even appears in the 2001 film Amélie.
You can also find one of the most delicious brunch restaurants, Hardware Société, at number 10, Rue Lamarck. It makes for a great stop after visiting the Sacré-Cœur early in the morning!
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This article was first published in September 2020 and has since been updated.
David Bernazani
Sunday 13th of August 2023
Thanks for a very informative article on Parisian streets, and I’m glad you included Rue Cler, a little street I love (a la Rick Steves, yes!). And I learned a lot from you about some other beautiful streets in Paris, and have added many to my list for my next visit. Well done!