In the City of Light, luxury real estate continues to captivate the wealthy. As the capital of culture and the art of living, Paris is, at its heart, divided into two: on one side is the Left Bank, located south of the river, in contrast to the Right Bank, situated to the north. Behind its topography, each bank has its own specificities and way of life. A state of mind and places located at the boundaries of the two banks…
The Left Bank: the cultural cradle of Paris
The Left Bank, once known as "l'Outre-Petit-Pont" until the revolution, is a microcosm at the very core of the capital, encompassing the 5th, 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, and 15th arrondissements. It embodies a state of mind associated with universities, thought, and intellect, with its Latin Quarter and bohemian ambiance. This is the picturesque Paris of old stones and noble facades, featuring booksellers along the banks of the Seine, numerous antique shops, and art galleries. Saint-Germain-des-Prés, a favored meeting place for the artistic scene, possesses an aura that evokes culture, art, and a sense of celebration. With the irresistible anchor point of the intelligentsia: Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots. On the Left Bank, the profile of buyers varies depending on what they seek. Families are drawn to prestigious educational institutions like L’Alsacienne school, Lycée Louis-le-Grand, and the Institute of Political Studies. Others seek the tranquility of greenery near the Luxembourg Gardens adjacent to the Odéon district or are in search of exceptional properties with breathtaking views of the Seine, the Pont des Arts, and Notre-Dame. Here, spacious rooms, old wooden floors, moldings, and period fireplaces are common and appeal to affluent clients who enjoy a lifestyle just a stone’s throw from Le Bon Marché and luxury boutiques. Gradually, these fine establishments have replaced small shops and bookstores, significantly increasing real estate prices. More solemn and bourgeois, the 7th arrondissement also attracts the covetousness of the wealthiest buyers. Exceptional apartments and private hotels can see prices per square meter reaching up to 50,000 euros. Living on the Left Bank means being anchored in the city's history and continuing to write new chapters.
The Right Bank: between luxury and popular neighborhoods
Across from it stands the Right Bank, the economic heart of the city, encompassing the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th arrondissements. Reluctant to price fluctuations, the upscale and modern western part, with its business districts and department stores, continues to attract affluent clientele. The 1st arrondissement takes advantage of its heritage and monuments: the Louvre, the Vendôme Column, and the Palais Royal, among others. The Golden Triangle, highlighted by the Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne, and Matignon, feeds a strong demand and maintains high prices. Buyers seek grand bourgeois apartments, as well as pied-à-terre properties. To the east, transformation is underway. Gentrification is now affecting every neighborhood. The Marais and Place des Vosges remain safe investments, but what’s striking is the emergence of a new trendy and bohemian Parisian clientele that is shifting the boundaries of chic, favoring properties in popular arrondissements, with the 11th leading the way. The quest for green spaces and architect-designed houses, lofts, keeps the legendary Montmartre in the 18th at the heart of demand and elevates the 19th and 20th to prominence.
Paris, a capital attraction
Prestigious real estate in Paris remains a safe haven, and the prospect of the 2024 Olympic Games seems to have renewed the capital's attractiveness to investors. The divide between the Left Bank and the Right Bank is becoming increasingly difficult to define. Now, people think in terms of arrondissement and neighborhood. Only the three islands of the Île de la Cité, Île Saint-Louis, and Île aux Cygnes, located on the river, do not belong to either bank and peacefully claim allegiance to both sides.