16th Arrondissement and Etoile

The 16th means many things to different people. Luxury. Aristocracy. Legacy. Les biens élévés. Innate elegance. Trust-fund kids. Home. Escape. The neighbourhoods of the 16th are elegant, wealthy and conservative, with numerous stately art museums, impressive residences and villas. Bordered by the vast and popular Bois du Bologne park to the west, Palais de Chaillot overlooking the Eiffel tower to the east, and L’Etoile du Champs Elysées to the north, the 16th is situated in an exclusive Triangle du Bermuda. Without a doubt, the 16th arrondissement has a posh reputation. The neighborhoods of Trocadéro and La Muette are elegant, wealthy and conservative. The Passy neighborhood is lovingly called a “village” by Parisians and features chic shopping. Numerous stately art museums, impressive residences and villas bejewel the seizième. Bordered by the vast and popular Bois du Bologne park to the west, Palais de Chaillot overlooking the Eiffel tower to the east, and L’Etoile du Champs Elysées to the north, the 16th is situated in an exclusive Triangle du Bermuda. Start from the most scenic point of the 16th. From metro Trocadéro (lines 6,9), make like Robert Doisneau and snap an iconic photo of the Eiffel Tower from the Place du Trocadéro. Built in neoclassical style for the 1900 World’s Fair, the Palais de Chaillot imitates the style of Catherine de Medici. The hub of the Place du Trocadéro is a 3000 year-old Egyptian obelisk that replaced a statue of Louis XV. Take your morning tea at the exquisite pâtisserie Carette at the intersection of Place du Trocadéro and Place du 11 Novembre. Immaculate rows of rainbow colored macarons wait at attention in jewel-box cases. Pick up a pink and gold box as a souvenir, and try the macaron au chocolat – Carette’s specialty. Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7.00am to 3.00pm is the Marché Président Wilson. On Avenue du Président Wilson, between Rue Debrousse and the Place d’Iéna, the gorgeous farmer’s market is plentiful, colorful, and tidy. Make your way along the Avenue du Président Wilson until the Iéna metro station. Several diverse and excellent art museums are in the immediate vicinity. The Musée Guimet on the Place d’Iéna has one of the most stunning collections of Asian art in the world, covering the East from China, Japan, Afghanistan, India and Southeast Asia. Further down the Avenue du Président Wilson are the Palais du Tokyo and Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. Fraternal twins, the museums host contemporary and modern art exhibits respectively; the Palais du Tokyo focused on boundary-pushing current artists, the latter dedicated to art of the 20th century. The incredible terrace between the two museums faces the Seine and Eiffel Tower with café tables between the marble columns. The Black Block concept store inside the Palais du Tokyo Concept is the brainchild of graffiti artist André and sells street art memorabilia and skater knick-knacks. Yet another museum within walking distance is the Galerie Baccarat. Yes. That Baccarat. Up the Avenue d’Iéna and to the left on the Place des Etats-Unis you’ll find a universe of crystal, designed by Philippe Starck. Next, take the metro to La Muette (line 9). First stop is the mega-chic department store Frank et Fils. It is the only place to assemble your 16th arrondissement ensemble. Tastefully understated boutiques line Rue de Passy. Master chocolatier Régis at number 89 concocts his legendary chocolates fresh daily. On the western edge of Paris is the lung of the city – the Bois du Bologne. A public green area larger than Central Park, the Bois du Bologne is an excellent place for jogging, boating in its many lakes, picnicking, and horseback riding. After dark the forest becomes the seedy office of transvestites and «ladies of the night». Two notable establishments in the Bois du Bologne are the timeless Chinese tea room Salon de Thé de Mademoiselle Li and the three Michelin-starred Le Pré Catelan which resides deep within the park. Finally, if you have extra time, make a pilgrimage out to the Fondation Le Corbusier by metro Jasmin (9). The iconic architect himself designed the residence, Maison La Roche. The foundation houses his original plans, documents, and personal possessions. The building exhibits hallmarks of Le Corbu; geometric forms, industrial detail, and dusty pink, cucumber, and beige color schemes. More information and photos here.