8th arrondissement of Paris

The 8th arrondissement lies on the right side of the Seine and forms a large administrative area with several business districts and residential neighborhoods around well-known avenues. The district stretches from Place de la Concorde to Place de l'Étoile and covers the triangle between the Champs-Élysées, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, and the train stations to the north.

In 1860, the present district was created through the annexation of several suburbs, including parts of Roule and Monceau. This reorganization followed Emperor Napoleon III's plan to modernize Paris and extend the city limits.

The area takes its name from the administrative reform of 1795 and covers well-off neighborhoods between the Tuileries and Parc Monceau. Many streets here still show the wide layout and strict symmetry that Baron Haussmann imposed during the 19th century.

Most sights lie along the main avenues and are easy to explore on foot, with short breaks in small parks or cafés proving helpful. The sidewalks are generally wide, but get crowded during peak times, especially around the major squares.

More luxury brands and jewelry stores sit in this area than anywhere else in the city, making it a hub for upscale fashion. Many old townhouses now hold headquarters of international companies or diplomatic missions on quiet side streets.