4TH ARRONDISSEMENT OF PARIS
I absolutely love that Paris is a walkable city, but sometimes the museums or monuments you want to visit are far away from each other. If you’d like to stay in one place perhaps for the day, the 4th arrondissement has a lot to offer! This area is located on the right bank of the Seine and is absolutely stunning. Here are some of my go-to restaurants, shops, and sites that are in this beautiful arrondissement!
Land&Monkeys
Land&Monkeys was my first introduction into the world of vegan baking in Paris. Now are the croissants and pains au chocolat exactly the same as ones with tons of dairy in it? No. But are they close enough and is it worth it to save your digestive tract on vacation? Yes. Land&Monkeys also has salads and sandwiches, all of which are vegan. The big draw to me is that there are multiple locations throughout the city, so this institution isn’t confined to the 4th arrondissement. When I need to run in and grab something quick, Land&Monkeys is my go-to.
Pastasuta
You will find that even though you are in Paris, a craving for pasta can happen no matter where you are in the world! Pastasuta is a very small casual restaurant, where I enjoyed delicious rigatoni. The menu specifically notes if something is vegan or vegetarian, so there are options for all!
Bältis Artisan Glacier
Bältis is a small shop that is the perfect spot on a hot day, as they make ice cream and sorbet. Their sorbet options are vegan friendly, and I particularly love the combination of one scoop of strawberry with one scoop of lemon. So refreshing!
Berthillon
Berthillon is an institution when it comes to ice cream and sorbets (which are dairy free). I absolutely love their raspberry sorbet as well as their chocolate sorbet, and it is so lovely to grab a scoop and enjoy it while sitting along the Seine.
Edwart Chocolatier
I love this shop for its dark chocolate grignotines. They are truly addicting (and dairy free)! Another very notable item is the chocolatier’s box of completely vegan chocolates (though they have an even broader selection of non-dairy free items). I picked up a bunch of goodies from Edwart Chocolatier one day during a heat wave, and a shop employee gave me a bag with an ice pack to keep my items from melting!
Place des Vosges
Place des Vosges is one of the oldest squares in Paris, filled with little galleries, shops, and cafes that all border a lovely park. Stroll under the arches of this perfect square, or sit in the grass and relax. One day I rounded the corner to see a brocante being set up, where I purchased a charming little piece of art. You never know what you will find in Place des Vosges!
Tour Saint-Jacques
Built in the 1500s, this Gothic tower stands alone amongst the surrounding buildings. This one is tricky to get tickets for – it is free to view the tower and admire it from the outside, but to climb the tower is by guided tour only. There are about 300 narrow stairs that you will have to ascend, the tours are currently only offered in French, they only take a small number of visitors up, and the tower is only open between June and November. However, if all of that coincides with your plans, I highly recommend contacting Tour Saint-Jacques to make a reservation.
Marché aux fleurs
Marché aux fleurs is a lovely flower market in the 4th arrondissement that has been around since 1830. While as a tourist you are not going to be taking a potted plant with you on the plane home, it is still a darling spot to discover. Part of it is covered and part of it is open air, with seasonal flowers, plants, shrubs – you name it!
Centre Pompidou
Amongst the Haussmannian architecture emerges a (garish) building in the 4th arrondissement that houses modern and contemporary works. The two architects of the building, Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, imagined the complex as a heart, fed by huge arteries in bright colors. Blue represents air conditioning, yellow for electricity, green for water circuits, and red for pedestrian flow. In fact, the huge red escalator, known as the “caterpillar” can be seen from the outside and provides one of the best views of Paris as you travel up. To make the most of the view, take the caterpillar up to the terraces on level 5 and 6. Bean bags and beach chairs await you! Spend as long as you like admiring the view, reading a book, or chatting with a friend, as you can access the caterpillar and the terraces for free without entering the museum portion of the building. Please note that starting in 2025, the museum will be closed for five years.
Green River Cruises
We have all seen those huge boats on the Seine that cart hundreds of tourists around the city. And while those cruises are wonderful, it is sometimes nice to have a more private experience! Green River Cruises is a boat tour agency in Paris that conducts private cruises for six people or less, departing from the 4th (or 13th) arrondissement. This company offers different types of cruises, so you can choose the best one that suits you! We did their one-hour Pont Alexandre III cruise, and it was so special and relaxing! Seeing Paris by water is a must!
