You don’t need us to tell you that a walk in Paris is a memory that’ll last a lifetime. Paris streets are a mix of Haussmann architecture, cafe culture, and high street stores. There are hundreds of famous streets in Paris to visit. You could stroll down the Champs-Élysées window shopping at Louis Vuitton and Dior. Or you could walk the flagged paths of Rue de l’Abreuvoir and admire Paris’ famed pink cafe, La Maison Rose.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the most famous and prettiest streets in Paris. Paris is best appreciated on foot. These are the sixteen best Paris streets you should definitely walk while visiting the city.
1. Rue de l’Abreuvoir
If you have Instagram, you’ll have already seen the viral shots of La Maison Rose. This iconic Parisian restaurant is the highlight of Rue de l’Abreuvoir. Its pink-painted exterior marks the east end of the cobbled street and dates back to the 1850s. La Maison Rose even attracted the likes of Picasso and Van Gogh in their lifetimes. Its illustrious history and novelty pink color attract thousands to Rue de l’Abreuvoir.
This famous street in Paris is in the beautiful neighborhood of Montmartre. You can combine it with visiting the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur and Vigne du Clos Montmartre – Paris’ only vineyard. We’d suggest booking a table at La Maison Rose for the ultimate experience. You can walk down Rue de l’Abreuvoir to the Buste de Dalida afterwards and Rue Girardon stairs.
2. Rue de l’Université
Every tourist in Paris looks for a ‘unique’ perspective of the Eiffel Tower. And if this sounds up your street, visit Rue de l’Université. Rue de l’Université is one of the best Paris streets for beautiful views of the Eiffel Tower. The tower is perfectly framed between Haussmann-style buildings. You’ll have cobbles underfoot and an up-close view of the Eiffel Tower. It’s no wonder that Rue de l’Université is dubbed as one of the leading photogenic places in Paris.
Rue de l’Université is in Paris’ beautiful 7th arrondissement. While it is off the general tourist radar, it is still a popular site for those in the ‘know’. So, head to this street early in the morning to snag the best shots.
3. Rue Crémieux
Residential Rue Crémieux is known for its rows of multi-colored terrace houses. It is stunning, one of the most colorful streets of Paris. You can walk the length of the quiet street in minutes. But we’d suggest – while being mindful of residents – allowing extra time to snap a few pictures along the way. The house colors are beautiful, ranging from bright pink to yellow pastels.
Serene yet funky, Rue Crémieux is a top contender for the most photogenic streets in Paris.
The street is in the 12th arrondissement. You are just a few minutes on foot from the Gare de Lyon, so it’s accessible as a quick stop-off. It’s also situated right next to Coulée Verte René-Dumont. Coulée Verte René-Dumont is beautiful; a leafy footpath on a disused railway. It makes a peaceful walk in spring or summer.
4. Rue des Barres
Rue des Barres is only short, at around 150 yards in total. Yet this little street is one of the most historic and prettiest streets in Paris. It connects the backend of Saint-Gervais church to the banks of the Seine, adorned with brightly painted cafes and al fresco seating in summer. You can always find stray tourists snapping photos of the beautiful street layout.
If you visit Rue des Barres, do some history research first. The street gets its name from the Moulin des Barres – a medieval mill that once sat on the banks of the Seine. As such, you can find this Parisian street on some of the city’s earliest maps.
5. Rue Montorgueil
How does a street market sound? Rue Montorgueil is one of the best shopping streets in Paris. It has a permanent market, selling cheese, bread, and fruit – amongst other culinary treats. If you want to take a self-guided food tour in Paris, Rue Montorgueil is the street to choose. The street stretches between the 1st and 2nd arrondissements. It is also home to Stohrer, Paris’ oldest patisserie.
Rue Montorgueil is centrally located and a tasty street to walk while visiting Paris. Paris has one of the leading European cuisines. So fresh, local produce tasting is an excellent addition to your itinerary.
6. Rue des Rosiers
Rue des Rosiers translates to ‘street of rosebushes’. Its name came from a neighboring rose garden in the early 13th century. There aren’t any real roses on this pedestrian-only street. Instead, Rue des Rosiers is in the middle of Paris’ Jewish Quarter. Quaint Jewish cafes and bakeries line the street, and it’s a local hotspot for Sunday shopping.
You can spend an hour or two on Rue des Rosiers. Hop between the bakeries, pick a cafe to sit al fresco, and admire the synagogues. The street holds much history, including medieval and World War II stories. But mostly, it is a beautiful slice of culture and community in central Paris.
7. Rue Mouffetard
Rue Mouffetard doesn’t stop for anyone. This extroverted Paris street cuts through its namesake neighborhood of Mouffetard. It’s one of the oldest districts in Paris. Lively to its core, Rue Mouffetard has a daily market selling fresh produce. Its medieval architecture is another draw and once inspired Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables. Rue Mouffetard was also a soft spot for Ernest Hemingway and George Orwell. As much as it’s a modern hotspot today, Rue Mouffetard has inspired centuries of creatives.
This Parisian street is in the beautiful Latin Quarter. If you choose this beautiful street to visit during your stay, detour to the nearby Panthéon. It’s less than a 10-minute walk from Rue Mouffetard.
8. Rue de la Huchette
While in the Latin District, Rue de la Huchette is another of the best Paris streets for your itinerary. The pedestrian-only street stretches parallel to the River Seine. It starts from Pont Saint-Michel and finishes by Petit-Pont Cardinal Lustiger. Rue de la Huchette is primarily a hospitality street. It has rows of restaurants and cafes ranging from Italian to Greek cuisine. There are pubs and bars too if you don’t feel like eating. Hospitable and beautifully located, Rue de la Huchette is somewhere to visit for lunch or in the evening.
Don’t miss Rue du Chat Qui Pêche either, which connects Rue de La Huchette with the River Seine. This street is famous for being extraordinarily narrow.
9. Rue de la Paix (Monopoly)
Rue de la Paix is the most fashionable and upscale of the famous streets in Paris. This historic street has jewelry stores galore, including a Cartier store. Rue de la Paix isn’t new to the fashion world either. It has hosted fashion designer showrooms and high-end stores since the 19th century. It oozes prestige and fashion history.
You can visit Rue de la Paix for an indulgent shopping spree. Or, if your Paris budget needs more wriggle room, enjoy window shopping. It is also beautiful to walk in its own right. Rue de la Paix connects Colonne Vendome with Place de l’Opéra. Plus, you can easily combine it with a visit to the Louvre Museum and Jardin des Tuileries.
10. Rue Saint-Antoine (Marais)
Rue Saint-Antoine is amongst the oldest Paris streets. It connects Place de la Bastille with Rue de Rivoli. It’s seen everything from the French Revolution to the trading industry boom. If stone could talk, the buildings lining Rue Saint-Antoine would have a permanent audience. Today, though, it is constantly jostling with shoppers and vendors. It remains one of the most famous streets of Paris.
You can walk this Parisian street in less than an hour. Leave time to peer down its photogenic cobbled alleys and browse its shops. The pre-revolutionary architecture is also a striking change from elsewhere in Paris. Architecturally, it’s well worth photographing.
11. Boulevard Saint-Germain
Boulevard Saint-Germain is not a Paris street to snuff. The street cuts through the iconic Latin Quarter and embodies Parisian culture. It curves all the way from Pont de la Concorde to Pont de Sully. It has attracted everyone from musicians to philosophers over the decades. It’s one of the most densely concentrated areas of cultural attractions. You’ll find everything from bookshops to cafes and antique stores. Boulevard Saint-Germain balances artsy with commercial, with a brilliant location to match.
Allow around an hour to walk Boulevard Saint-Germain. This famous street is photogenic, with ivy-covered balcony railings and busy street scenes. It is a beautiful place to people watch and browse independent shops.
12. Avenue Montaigne
Get ready for exclusivity on Avenue Montaigne. This famous street in Paris connects the Champs-Élysées with the Pont de l’Alma. But most importantly, houses some of the most luxurious brands in Paris. Walking Avenue Montaigne, you pass designer stores like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Versace, and Balenciaga. For anyone with expensive taste, Avenue Montaigne is nothing short of bucket list-worthy.
Avenue Montaigne is one of the most expensive streets in Paris for a shopping spree. But, the novelty of many luxury stores in a single street is a serious draw. You can take a self-guided walking tour – window shopping as you go – or treat yourself to some designer shopping.
13. Rue de Rivoli
Rue de Rivoli is a street for history and shopping lovers. Ironically, it was initially commissioned by Napoléon Bonaparte. Napoléon ordered the creation of a street to join Tuileries Garden and Rue Saint-Florentin. Rue de Rivoli was extended to reach 3 km in length, now cutting through the 1st and 4th arrondissements. It’s a street made for hopping. You can play the sightseeing game of ‘spot the historic landmarks’ or just nip in and out of shops.
Watch for the Tour Saint-Jacques, 59 Rivoli art gallery, and the Louvre Palace. The Place de la Concorde is also stunning, with a 3,300-year-old obelisk gifted to France by Egypt. Rue de Rivoli is a street to walk if you only have a few days in Paris and want to cram in as many street landmarks as possible.
14. Rue Saint-Honoré
As far as Paris streets go, Rue Saint-Honoré is another hotspot for shopping. Again, this is a street for those with expensive tastes. Rue Saint-Honoré has luxury brand stores, ranging from Hermès to Chanel and Moncler. It’s a fun alternative to the busier Champs-Élysées. Plus, it’s situated in the 8th arrondissement for easy sightseeing afterwards. Rue Saint-Honoré is uncrowded with elegant, classically Haussmann architecture.
Allow around an hour to experience Rue Saint-Honoré. You could go window shopping or actual shopping. Either way, allow time to soak up grand architecture and palatial-looking luxury stores.
15. Avenue des Champs-Élysées
Not many streets have the allure of Champs-Élysées. There’s no denying that the Champs-Élysées attract a well-deserved crowd. This iconic thoroughfare connects the Place de la Concorde with the Arc de Triomphe. Along the way, you have stylish restaurants with covered al fresco dining. These restaurants are split at random by shops and museums like the Grand Palais. If you stop to dine at a restaurant along the way, you could spend 2.5 hours on the approximate 1.2 mile-Champs-Élysées.
Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous Paris streets of all time. The broad thoroughfare attracts constant traffic of both pedestrians and vehicles. You can shop, sightsee, and dine along this famous stretch of Paris. At the Place Charles de Gaulle roundabout, allow another hour to visit the Arc de Triomphe. This monument has some of the best rooftop views of Paris. It is the perfect endpoint to your Champs-Élysées experience.
16. Avenue de Camoëns
Avenue de Camoëns is just minutes from Place du Trocadéro – the famous platform with Eiffel Tower views. This is one of the best-kept secrets when looking for the prettiest streets in Paris. Short but sweet, Avenue de Camoëns stretches just a couple hundred meters. Historic buildings line the narrow street. Yet, its winning detail is its tiny viewpoint. The street’s endpoint has an intimate Eiffel Tower view over low-lying treetops.
Avenue de Camoëns has the best viewpoint if you want to see the Eiffel Tower yourself. Once you’ve snapped all the pictures you want, head down ornate stone stairs. From here, it’s less than a 10-minute walk to the tower’s base.
