Quartier des Arts-et-Métiers

The Quartier des Arts-et-Métiers is an administrative quarter in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris featuring a mix of shops, educational institutions, and cultural venues. The streets and boulevards display a rich historical fabric with buildings spanning multiple periods.

The quarter developed from lands of the Saint-Martin-des-Champs abbey, which underwent urban transformation starting in the early 13th century. This shift from religious property to an active urban area shaped the structure that remains today.

The quarter takes its name from the Conservatoire that dominates its character, an institution dedicated to crafts and technical arts. This focus on practical skills and innovation shapes how locals and visitors experience the streets and public spaces today.

The quarter is well served by multiple metro stations, making it easy for visitors to arrive and move around. The flat terrain makes it pleasant to explore on foot, especially along the main streets.

After World War II, Chinese residents settled in former textile factories of the quarter, creating an unexpected cultural space. This presence has endured over decades and gives the area a rare cosmopolitan character.