Paris 2nd district real estate guide

The 2nd arrondissement of Paris: a charming neighbourhood.

A multifaceted arrondissement in the heart of Paris

Investing in real estate in the Paris 2nd arrondissement

Paris’ 2nd arrondissement may be small in size and often wrongly overlooked by the Parisians due to the renowned qualities of its next door neighbour, the 1st arrondissement, nevertheless it is a wonderfully charming area. Among its greatest assets, in our opinion, are its galleries and panoramas, its unusual little streets and the wide variety of people to be found there. It is an arrondissement with an uneventful history that contains stories and reminders of the past and of the Paris of yesteryear.

The 2nd arrondissement of Paris: a charming neighbourhood.

Paris’ second arrondissement has preserved the soul of 18th century Paris, most notably thanks to the careful conservation of the old, traditional facades that can be seen on the famous rue Montmartre for example. The remnants of the past are most visible in the remarkable galleries and covered passages for which the second arrondissement is known: the passage des Panoramas, passage du Grand Cerf and the galerie Vivienne to name a few. These relics provide an excuse to travel back in time, when mosaics, concrete cobblestones, woodwork and covered bistros were widespread. You will find traditional restaurants, bistronomique recipes and highlights of Parisian gastronomy in the second arrondissement, where time seems to have stopped to make way for a calm and elegant way of living.

A multifaceted arrondissement in the heart of Paris

Leading to the famous Louxor obelisk and close to the iconic Garnier opera house, the rue de la Paix links to the first arrondissement and exemplifies the haussmannian style of architecture that would seduce anyone hoping to buy a traditional haussmannian apartment. Here, luxury brands can be found next to highstreet chains and stylish restaurants, where businessmen and women often take working lunches. On the rue Saint-Anne one can also find the best asian cuisine in all of Paris, rivalling that offered by its neighbours in the 13th arrondissement.

The essence of the second arrondissement is not only to be found on the rue de la Paix, it is also evident on the fabulous rue Montorgueil, near Chatelet-les-Halles. With its typical Parisian markets, timeless shops and old-fashioned restaurants, this famous road charms every passer-by. Nearby is also the Grand Rex cinema, one of the largest in Europe and without a doubt one of the most beautiful! The programme is full of a mix of movies, musicals and live performances which attract thousands of Parisians and tourists throughout the year.

At the heart of the neighbourhood is also the famous Bourse square and building of the same name, also called the Brongniart palace, built in 1825 and commissioned by Napoleon 1st.

Just a few minutes away is Sentier, with rue Saint-Denis, rue d’Aboukir and the boulevard Réaumur-Sébastopol offering a change of scene with their shops and markets known across Paris for their fabrics. Here, the atmosphere is more lively, the streets are straighter and the cost of living is lower. This neighbourhood is the least expensive part of the 2nd to buy an apartment.

Investing in real estate in the Paris 2nd arrondissement

Whilst the executives, CEO’s and wealthy artists tend to live in the chic neighbourhood of Opera and rue Saint-Anne, the students and other more modest Parisian workers live more communally in the Montorgueil and Saint-Denis areas, which are nevertheless excellently situated for public transport. Families can also be found in the Montorgueil area due to its location near all kinds of services and activities, giving one the possibility to walk everywhere: from school to music lessons and nights out for the parents.

Saint-Denis is more popular among students renting studios and young workers. Nevertheless there are also some hidden real estate gems owned by wealthier families, as is the case with the famous living wall, dubbed the Oasis of Aboukir, situated on the renowned street of the same name.

A family neighbourhood that also provides activity and luxury, the second arrondissement is eclectic and offers a wide price range based on which area you wish to buy an apartment in. The cost of buying an apartment here varies according to what you are looking for.

It’s unsurprising that Opera is the most expensive area of the second arrondissement, with the average price per metre square coming in around €9,900. Next is the Bourse-Vivienne district: to buy a Haussmann style apartment or a rental apartment here, it will cost you around €9,800 per metre square. If you’re considering buying in the Montorgueil-Etienne Marcel area, you will need a budget of around €9,600 per metre square. Finally, Saint-Denis- Sentier is the least expensive area in the second arrondissement, with apartments here selling for around €9,100 per square metre. 

Read more about the parisian arrondissements.