Sentier: A Hip Neighborhood in the 2nd Arrondissement


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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
Beyond fashion, Sentier has long been a destination for food. Les Halles was once a major marketplace, now a popular mall and green space just a few minutes away from Sentier. Rue Montorgueil, the famous pedestrianized street and former outdoor food market steps away from the Sentier Métro, was an offshoot of Les Halles.
In recent years, a bevy of gourmet shops have appeared on Rue Montorgueil, as pastry shops like Jeffrey Cagnes join historic hangouts like L’Escargot, Au Rocher de Cancale, and Stohrer, the city’s oldest pâtisserie. International flavors dominate Rue Montorgueil, with restaurants specializing in Italian, Lebanese, Syrian, and more gastronomies.
If you’re looking for a bar to go to after a workday or on the weekend, be sure to check out Rue Saint-Sauveur, a street off of Rue Montorgueil brimming with bars and other fun spots.

Les Halles de Paris. Dessin de Lancelot reproduit dans Magasin Pittoresque, t. XXX, janvier 1862. Public domain
Sentier has also seen an influx of coffee, donut, and cookie shops which generally take inspiration from the United States and other anglophone countries. Their popularity and success have proven that French people and tourists alike appreciate this mix of international flavors. Likewise, the neighborhood has witnessed an increase in organic and artisanal shops. Rue du Nil is a foodie’s mecca, with stores like Terroirs d’Avenir, L’Arbre à Café, the Michelin-starred restaurant Frenchie, vegan and gluten-free Thai restaurants, and the chocolate shop PLAQ.

Rue du Nil. Photo: Mbzt / Wikimedia commons
Despite being a small neighborhood without any famous tourist attractions, Sentier is frequented by both Parisians and tourists, particularly on the weekends or at night. The neighborhood offers a unique look into the history of Paris juxtaposed with modern restaurants, stores, and bars.
If you’re in the area, check out some of these hangouts:
Coffee shops & sweet treats:
- Noir: A chain coffee store located in various spots around Paris. Address in the 2nd arrondissement: 44 rue de Cléry
- Boneshaker: A vegan donut and coffee shop run by an Irish-American expat. Address: 86 rue d’Aboukir
- Cookie Love by Jean Hwang Carrant: All the cookies are lovingly made by hand at this cookie shop owned by a Taiwanese-American expat. Address: 84 Rue d’Aboukir
Bars:
- Sof’s Bar: For an intimate, cheery night out, try Sof’s Bar, located along the popular Rue Saint-Sauveur. Address: 43 rue Saint-Sauveur
- Talkie Molkky: Enjoy the rustic atmosphere and wide selection of drinks. Ask if the karaoke room, hidden underground, is available! Address: 4 bis Rue Saint-Sauveur
Restaurants and food shops:
- Mister Garden: This salad bar is a popular spot during the work week, offering a classic American-style salad bar with various base and topping options. Address: 43 rue des Petits Carreaux
- Le Palais du Fruit: In addition to other shops like cheese shops, bakeries, and butcher shops along Rue Montorgueil, Le Palais du Fruit is a great place to find all your fruits, vegetables, and apéro snacks. Address: 62 rue Montorgueil
- Zuzuttomo: In the mood for a high-quality Asian meal? Check out Zuzuttomo, known for their amazing ramen dishes. Address: 10 rue Poissonnière
Lead photo credit : A wall of green in the Sentier neighborhood. Photo: Jill Amari
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