What to See and Do in the 16th Arrondissement of Paris?
The 16th arrondissement in Paris could be compared to the Upper East Side in New York, or the borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London. Wide avenues, beautiful Haussmanian buildings and pristinely-kept parks make this chic district a favorite among Paris’ high society. So if you find yourself with the zip codes 75016 or 75116, count yourself very lucky indeed!
The borders of the 16th run, on the western side, from the opposite bank of the Eiffel Tower, follow the river south, and then curve back up towards the east and around the Bois de Boulogne, Paris’ second largest park. We’ve selected a few gems from the 16th so that you can get a taste for what this prestigious district has to offer.
Museums
The 16th has a lot to offer anyone interested in museums, history, art or culture. The Musée Galliera is a world-famous fashion museum, displaying centuries of photographs, garments and accessories. If you are a literature enthusiast, then the exhibitions at Balzac’s former home, including manuscripts, first editions and his original library, are a real treat to visit. A short walk away – for the wine connoisseur – the Musée du vin is a fun and enlightening experience and, possibly one of my favorite museums in Paris, the Musee Marmottan Monet (showing over 300 pieces by Impressionist and Post-Impressionst artists) is also located in the 16th.
Musée Balzac -47 Rue Raynouard
Musée du Vin – 5 Square Charles Dickens
Musée Marmottan Monet– 2 Rue Louis Boilly
Musée Galliera – 10 Avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie
Parks
The 16th is known for the enormous public park, the Bois de Boulogne, which marks Paris’ eastern border. Within the park, you’ll find several landscape gardens, forest, lakes, a castle, a zoo, a racecourse and an amusement park. It’s a great place to take the family on a sunny day. If, however, the winter weather is not in a forgiving mood,, we highly recommend you visit the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil, a series of botanical gardens, built in 1985, that contain thousands of varieties of plants, separated into different greenhouses depending on their provenance.
Sights
One of Paris’ most famous landmarks can be found on the edge of the 16th and its neighbor, the 8th. The Arc de Triomphe marks the start of the Champs Elysées, and stands imposingly in the center of the fearsome traffic circle, the Place de Charles de Gaulle. A visit to the top gives a good view of the famous avenue below. Opposite the Eiffel tower, you’ll find Trocadero and its gardens. The wide esplanade on the site of a former palace is the perfect place to watch the Eiffel Tower light up at night, and the fountain displays are quite impressive!
