Sentier: A Hip Neighborhood in the 2nd Arrondissement

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Sentier: A Hip Neighborhood in the 2nd Arrondissement
Ever since I moved to the 2nd arrondissement upon arriving in Paris in July 2023, this small yet charming quartier has consistently surprised and delighted me. Sentier, the neighborhood where I live, is nestled between the Métro stations Bonne Nouvelle, Sentier, and Réaumur-Sébastopol, and its centralized location makes it easy to walk or take the Métro anywhere in the city. Although Sentier is one of the smallest neighborhoods in Paris, it’s become a treasured spot for trendy bars, international cuisine, and chic clothing stores. While there aren’t any major tourist attractions in the area, places like the Louvre, Opéra Garnier, and Place Vendôme are all within a 20-minute walk from Sentier. In addition, the neighborhood boasts fascinating, lesser-known sites, such as the Passage du Caire and the Green Wall in the Oasis d’Aboukir created by famous botanist Patrick Blanc. Sentier is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris, developed during the Middle Ages. It’s seen the rise of famous sculptors, artists, publishers, and more. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, various immigrant communities helped industrialize Sentier, turning it into a textile neighborhood. However, many textile and haute couture shops in Sentier have moved or closed since the early 2000s, as the neighborhood was wracked with scams, harsh working conditions, and tax fraud. To reduce manufacturing and rental costs, many designers moved their operations to different areas of the city and began to fabricate their clothes in warehouses in the suburbs of Paris. Similarly, some designers chose to fabricate their clothes in China instead of France in order to receive their products quickly and cheaply. The unique Paris Metro sign, inspired by the London Underground, at the Sentier station. Photo: Malias / Wikimedia commons Today, Sentier is a popular and enchanting neighborhood with various vintage shops and fabric stores, though it’s not as well-known for its textile industry anymore. The most common streets where fabric and clothing shops can still be found include Rue des Jeûneurs, Rue d’Aboukir, Rue de Cléry, and Rue Réaumur. Another famous street on the border of Sentier is Rue Saint-Denis, which, in addition to being a popular spot for bars, restaurants, and boutiques, is known for its sex shops and sex workers. While it’s not a dangerous area, this is something to keep in mind when visiting the neighborhood.  Flowers on rue Montorgueil, the historic market street in the 2nd. Photo: Bonjour Paris Editors
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Lead photo credit : A wall of green in the Sentier neighborhood. Photo: Jill Amari

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Jill Amari is a writer and environmental activist from Massachusetts, USA, now living in Paris. She has a B.A. in English and is a passionate writer of short stories, poems, songs, blogs and novels. She is currently querying her first YA fantasy/sci-fi novel, and her day jobs include tutoring and freelance writing. After studying in Paris for four months in 2022 and having returned in summer 2023, she has found no end to the inspiring nature of the capital and the charm of French culture. You can follow her journey on Instagram @author.in.the.attic or on her website https://authorintheattic.wordpress.com/.

Comments

  • Victoria Zebrower
    2025-01-24 02:51:27
    Victoria Zebrower
    Great article Jill! I plan to visit Paris in April and I love learning about neighborhoods that are less popular but wonderfully interesting. I hope to visit your ‘hood. I envy you and appreciate your work! Sincerely, Vicky Originally from CT, living in NJ, US

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    • Jill Amari
      2025-01-29 10:54:06
      Jill Amari
      I'm glad you enjoyed the article, Vicky! Thank you for the kind words. If you get a chance to visit Sentier when you come to Paris, I'm sure you'll love exploring the neighborhood. Best, Jill

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