Monceau - Batignolles

The 17th is an arrondissement that would be better off split in two for the sake of presentation, considering the contrast between its western and northern frontiers. It is upscale and at times ultra-chic, starting on the southwest side at the Porte Maillot, and including the surroundings of the exquisite Parc Monceau. There are several plush corporate headquarters nestled behind the stately facades. The Porte Maillot conference center draws in hoards of businesspeople and pushes local prices up. Within this area, there are still some pockets of local "village" life, most notably around the open-air markets on the rues Poncelet and Lévis.

Moving north and east, the cityscape is more diversified. The "village" neighborhood called Batignolles remains authentically Parisian, which is to say that you won't find many tourists there. The Square de Batignolles will offer you a lovely stroll amongst local fauna and flora. The surrounding streets hide numerous interesting shops and restaurants, as well as a daily market for fresh produce.

Heading still east, you're within walking distance from Montmartre, but not yet subject to tourist prices. It is only near the outer boulevards on the north side that you will find yourself in social housing zones of little interestunless you are into urban planning or anthropology. That being said, one of the newest parks in Paris was recently inaugurated in that area, making use of what was previously a massive railway zone.

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