14th arrondissement of Paris: What to see, do, and eat

The 14eme arrondissement is not very well known and touristy, which makes it all the more special. One of the more residential districts in Paris, the area is full of great restaurants and shops, as well as beautiful architecture.

With much of the 14th within walking distance to the Eiffel Tower, Tour Montparnasse, the Latin Quarter, and Saint-Germain-des-Près, it is a wonderful place to base yourself in the City of Lights.

There are not a lot of large museums in this area, but there are nonetheless a few hidden gems that are well worth a visit.

What to see: Top Attractions

The Catacombs

Catacombes de Paris is a tunnel network beneath the streets of Paris, and the final resting place of over 6 million people. 

When old cemeteries and burial grounds dating back to the Gauls, Romans, Franks, and medieval age started falling apart, the graves were moved here starting in 1810, stacked in rows and piles.

During World War 2, the Catacombs were utilized by the French Resistance who required the tunnel system to travel back and forth. Today, going into the catacombs is banned because people have been known to get lost there.

However, there is a portion that is reserved as a museum in the 14th arrondissement that tourists can visit. You can buy your skip-the-line tickets to visit the Catacombs here.

Rue des Artists

One of the more residential neighborhoods of Paris, this was an area known for the artists who used to hang around there. The area became famous in the 1920s and 30s, les Années Folles (the Crazy Years), where Picasso, Zola, Manet and Hemmingway all used to gather and discuss the issues of the world.

At the same time, Ville Suerat (named after George Suerat) was opened as an artists’ residence, bringing even more artists to the area. Today there are still many art studios around, but unless you know them, you are not going to be invited over for tea.

Instead, head over to the restaurants and cafés of Boulevard Montparnasse which was the epicenter of the artists during les Années Folles.

Parc Montsouris

When Emperor Napoleon III (nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte) reimagined Paris in the 1860s, he and his architect Baron Haussmann knocked down the medieval neighborhoods of Paris to build new haussmannian-style buildings and completely rethink how the country’s capital was laid out.

Along with these rambling boulevards and beautiful architecture, Napoleon III ordered the construction of four large new parks at each end of the city:

• Bois de Boulogne in the 16th arrondissement
• Bois de Vincennes in the 12th arrondissement
• Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th arrondissement
• Parc Montsouris in the 14th arrondissement

This beautiful parc remains one of the most popular parks in the area. With a lake, beautiful statues, a variety of plant species, the restaurant Pavillon Montsouris and even a meteorological observatory, there is no shortage of things to explore.

In addition, to bring fresh water to the city, a new aqueduct was built by Haussmann to bring clean water from rivers in the Loire to a new huge reservoir near Parc Montsouris.

The Montsouris reservoir holds a third of the drinking water consumed by Parisians, and is open to the public once a year. In addition, many free summer concerts are held in the park annually, so don’t hesitate to head over if you are visiting during that period.

Shopping

One of the main shopping streets in the 14th arrondissement is along Avenue du Général Leclerc which has plenty of mainstream and high end shops, as well as around Tour Montparnasse on the edge of the 15th arrondissement.

And if you are looking for outdoor farmers’ markets, head over to Marché Edgar Quinet on Boulevard Edgar Quinet. It is one of the biggest in Paris and is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. With everything from charcuterie and cheeses to antiques and souvenirs, you are sure to find what you are looking for.

Where to eat: Restaurants, Brasseries, and Bistros

The 14th arrondissement has no shortage of restaurants, with quite a variety. Some local favorites are:

• Les Tontons – classic bistro at 38 Rue Raymond Losserand, 75014 Paris
• Les Rouquins – French fare at 146 Rue du Château, 75014 Paris
• Les Frangines – traditional bistro at 46 Rue Raymond Losserand, 75014 Paris

You can find more ideas and ways of spending an evening in Paris here.

Bars and Nightlife

There is quite a variety of bars and nightlife in this area, so don’t hesitate to walk around and explore. Some popular favorites are:

• La Coupole – art deco classic brasserie at 102 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75014 Paris
• Rosebud – cocktail bar and bistro at 11 Rue Delambre, 75014 Paris
• 48 Cocktail Club – at 48 Rue du Montparnasse, 75014 Paris

You can find more bars and nightlife options around Paris here.

Where to stay: Hotels and other accommodation

On the edge of the 5th and 6th arrondissement, the 14eme arrondissement is a great base to remain walking distance to the Latin quarter, in a neighborhood that is less noisy and prices a bit cheaper. Some recommended hotels in the area are:

• €€€ – Hôtel Du Midi Paris Montparnasse
• €€€€ – BoB Hotel by Elegancia
• €€€€ – Pullman Paris Montparnasse

You can find more accommodation options for the 14th arrondissement here.