13+ Best Things To Do In The 16th Arrondissement Of Paris (+ Where To Stay And Eat)

Want to explore the 16th arrondissement of Paris? This post will show you all the fun things to do, and where to stay and eat to get a deeper insight into this area!

The French gave us the word chic so we can be assured that it is a subject they know something about.

Mention that you are staying in the 16th district of Paris, known locally as the Seizieme, and you can be certain that it is a word that will come into the conversation at some point.

Situated to the northwest of the city, the 16th arrondissement of Paris is home to impressive boulevards, classic manor houses, museums, and of course, the famous Trocadéro esplanade.

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Less well-known perhaps is that almost half of the district is occupied by parks and woodland. Although unashamedly bourgeois, this district still offers plenty to see and do for the curious tourist wishing to get a real feel for French life.  

But don’t let the neighborhood’s high society reputation put you off. Here, you will also find some quaint little villages, delightful restaurants, and coffee shops, as well as some of the city’s best museums and sporting facilities.

Ready to explore all that the 16th arrondissement in Paris offers? Keep reading to find out what to do, where to stay, and eat for a fun day in the 16ème arrondissement de Paris as the French call it.

Before You Go, Here’s How to Plan Your Visit To Paris: Practical Quick Tips

MUST-DO EXPERIENCES HAPPENING NOW IN PARIS
Luminiscence at Saint-Eustache Church: A music and lighting show in one of Paris’s most beautiful churches: (4.7/10)
Candlelight show: Perfect if you want to be treated to a candlelit music show in a beautiful Parisian venue: (4.8/10)
Cabaret at Moulin Rouge: A cabaret in the iconic Moulin Rouge is a must: (4.7/10)

Where To Stay In The 16th Arrondissement Of Paris

If you’ve set your heart on staying in one of the chicest arrondissements of Paris, here are the best accommodation options to consider for all budgets.

Budget Hotel

Citadines Trocadéro Paris: This condo-hotel is the perfect stay for those on a budget. The rooms are equipped with a kitchen and a seating area, plus they’re designed in a modern and chic way just like the district they’re in. >>> Click here to check rates and availability <<<

Mid-range Hotel

Elysées Union: With just a 12-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower, a view of the Iron lady from some rooms’ balconies, and an indoor garden, you can’t go wrong with a stay at this hotel if you’re traveling on a mid-range budget. >>> Click here to check rates and availability <<<

Luxury Hotel

Hôtel Raphael: Staying in the 16th arrondissement of Paris means playing hide and seek with the Eiffel Tower and that’s what this hotel offers. From Eiffel Tower views, close proximity to the Champs-Élysées, to luxurious rooms that have amenities that scream elegancy, you can’t go past this hotel if you’re looking for a luxury place to stay in the Paris 16ème. >>> Click here to check rates and availability <<<

Apartment Rental

Renovated Eiffel Tower Studio: Want to stay at an apartment rental instead? Then this is what I recommend. This Eiffel Tower view studio has been recently renovated to give you a home away from home kind of feeling. Plus, it has all the amenities you might need. >>> Click here to check rates and availability <<<

Where to Eat in the 16th District of Paris

These are some of my all-time favorites in the 16th.

• Le Scheffer: For traditional French food. Address: 22 Rue Scheffer, 75116 Paris.

• Substance Paris: Address: 18 Rue de Chaillot, 75116 Paris.

• Restaurant Bon – Paris 16: For French Asian fusion food. Address: 25 Rue de la Pompe, 75116 Paris.

• Le Flandrin: French restaurant. Address: 4 Pl. Tattegrain, 75116 Paris.

Related Post: Weird French foods to try

13 Best Things to Do in the 16^th Arrondissement of Paris

Here are some of the activities you shouldn’t miss while exploring Paris 16ème.

1. Take in the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadéro Square

There is an understandable desire to get as close to the Eiffel Tower as possible to capture those all-important photographic memories, which is expected considering it’s the most famous landmark in Paris.

The truth is, the view from slightly further away on the right bank offers more spectacular shots.

Being one of the best Eiffel Tower photo spots, images from the Trocadéro allow you to frame the Tower against the horizon and your best shots should be taken at sunrise if you can deal with the pain of rising so early.

Plus, you’ll get a chance of taking photos without the crowds that swamp the Trocadéro square at other times of the day.

2. Explore the Trocadéro and its surrounds

The Trocadéro is built around 10, 000 square meters (10960 sq yards) of garden space. Named after a famous battle in southern Spain, one end of the Trocadéro is fronted by the Palais de Chaillot.

In addition to the sumptuous views of the most famous tower in the world, there are the Warsaw Fountains and, arguably, some of the most famous statues in the city — L’Homme and L’Femme.

The Trocadéro gardens are also a delight in the summer when they are used as a popular Parisian picnic spot, in the winter when they are converted into a mini-wonderland complete with chalets selling all manner of Christmassy goods and food, and in the spring when they’re covered in pink cherry blossoms.

3. Expand your knowledge of Architecture at the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine

The French are immensely proud of their architectural heritage and this museum sets out to celebrate some important aspects of it.

Even though its name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, you are assured of a fascinating visit that will expose you to architecture and statuary from several different periods.

The museum is housed in the Palais de Chaillot and the book shop is a must for any architecture buff.

The building itself is amazing, but its large windows also serve as a perfect frame for the Eiffel Tower on the other side of the Seine.

As you plan to immerse yourself in the architectural world, I’d recommend booking this Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine entry ticket in advance to not waste time in queues.

4. Go beneath the waves and the city at the Aquarium de Paris

This is one for the whole family. Before leaving the Trocadéro, you might want to venture underground where you will discover a huge aquarium that houses more than 7,500 marine creatures, as well as one of the largest shark tanks in the whole of Europe. 

Besides sharks, Aquarium de Paris also houses the largest Jellyfish exhibition in Europe plus over 500 different aquatic species that both kids and adults will enjoy discovering.

There are also touch pools, educational workshops, and even mermaid shows to make the visit even more interesting. The complex also contains a cinema showing some of the latest films.

And if you get hungry, there is an onsite restaurant that offers stunning views of the Eiffel Tower.

Before you visit, make sure that you purchase this Aquarium de Paris entry ticket to save time.

5. Do a little bit of wine tasting at Musée du Vin

Wine is integral to French culture and it is difficult to overemphasize just how important it is to the locals.

From an early age, children will be allowed watered-down wine with their meals. Known as a Nuage (cloud), this allows them to start gaining an appreciation of wine while still young. 

Even in the 16th district of Paris, you will find that one of France’s most famous exports plays a prominent role.

The Musée du Vin offers a fascinating insight into this industry and, though you might not come away a qualified sommelier, you will learn a great deal.

As a bonus, you will also get to taste some of the better-known wines from the region and see the old quarries of Passy and historical cellars where the museum’s exhibitions are held.

6. Admire Art at The Paris Museum of Modern Art

Modern art is often challenging and most artists will tell you that it is supposed to be, and the Paris Museum of Modern Art in Palais de Tokyo is no exception to that rule.

With over 15,000 works of modern and contemporary art on display, some will leave you scratching your head while others will take your breath away.

There are displays by artists you may be familiar with, such as Amedeo Modigliani, Henri Matisse, and Pablo Picasso, but others will be creations by artists you may have never heard of. 

If you’re an ardent art lover or just a slight fan, this is one not to be missed. The best part is that entrance is free which makes it one of the best free museums to visit in Paris.

7. Savor the Works of Claude Monet at Musée Marmottan-Monet

Claude Monet is one of the famous French painters and no matter where they are displayed, his works will always draw a large audience.

The Musée Marmottan-Monet is a collection of the painter’s artworks donated by his son to the city in 1966.

They are housed in an impressive townhouse built in the Empire style that was once a property of Paul Marmottan.

In addition to housing the largest collection of Claude Monet’s works, including the world-known, Impression, Sunrise, there are displays by other famous Impressionists like Auguste Renoir and Pissarro, as well as pre-modern paintings and sculptures.

To admire some of the most famous paintings at Musée Marmottan-Monet, you’ll need to purchase this ticket to avoid wasting time in lines.

8. Take a stroll through the cobbled streets of Passy

Originally, in what is now the 16th arrondissement of Paris, were three villages. The most well know of these is Passy, now referred to as the Passy neighborhood of Paris.

Now a suburb of the Seizieme, this area has managed to hold onto its village charm. 

A mixture of large apartments and artisanal shops, intersected by quaint cobbled streets, this is a wonderful place to just stroll and take in the atmosphere or to sit down at the terrace of a Parisian café and enjoy a coffee and a fresh croissant. 

Benjamin Franklin once lived here as did Jacqueline Kennedy when she was studying French.  

9. Enjoy a bit of the outdoor life At Bois de Boulogne

Most people visiting the 16th arrondissement of Paris fail to realize that more than half of the district is made up of a park and a forest.

Once a hunting estate for the aristocracy, the Bois de Boulogne is a great oasis in which you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city for an hour or two without having to traipse miles into the country.

As the second largest park in Paris, Bois de Boulogne contains ornamental ponds, botanical gardens, lakes, a rose garden, (Parc de Bagatelle), and the Jardin d’Acclimatation, a fun amusement park with a zoo that is always popular with kids.

Also in the park is the Jardin des Serres d’Auteil which is a series of glass houses containing 100,000 thousand plants, and an English landscape garden.

And when you’re done connecting with nature, you can also stop by Louis Vuitton Fondation to not only admire its unique architectural designs but also the impressive artwork in the museum.

If you’re taking your young ones to Jardin d’Acclimatation, you’ll need to book this 1-day ticket that will give you access to all the rides and the zoo, but if you’d rather enjoy art at the next-door Louis Vuitton Fondation, then this entry ticket will give you access to both the permanent and temporary exhibitions.

10. Admire Asian Art at Musee National des Arts Asiatiques – Guimet

Although it may seem a little incongruous to take in a vast collection of Asian art while in the heart of the 16th district of Paris, a visit to the Musee National des Arts Asiatiques – Guimet, is one that should be high up there on your Paris travel bucket list.

The collection was largely assembled through the efforts of one man, Émile Étienne Guimet.

His passion for travel and the Far East led him to assemble one of the largest collections of Asiatic art outside of Asia.

The collection is vast and also slightly eclectic. It includes porcelain from China and Japan, as well as from Egypt and Greece, plus Buddhist art from South East Asia.

It is an often-overlooked treasure that helps to remind us how far the French empire spread in its heyday.

11. Dicover the Word of Balzac at Maison de Balzac

For literary enthusiasts, exploring Maison de Balzac is one of the fun things to do in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.

Dedicated to Honoré de Balzac who is considered one of the most famous French writers of all time, this museum, like the 2 other literary museums in Paris was the resident of Balzac ( though he registered it in his housekeeper’s name).

The museum has a collection of his manuscripts, books, portraits of his family, a daguerreotype, and some works of famous artists of that time.

The Maison also has a little garden where you can enjoy a view of the Eiffel Tower.

12. Fall in Love With Fashion At Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris

Another museum that transverses the 16th district of Paris is the Musée Yves Saint Laurent — a museum that shouldn’t be missed by fashion lovers.

The museum focuses on the life and creations of French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent whose fashion brands have taken over the fashion scene in the entire world.

You may not learn how to be a designer yourself but a visit to this museum will give you a glimpse into designing haute couture, and see some of his best designs while also learning some history about the haute couture traditions and the iconic brand itself.

To visit this museum, you’ll need to book your ticket here in advance.

13. Relax at Jardin Du Ranelagh

Located just 2 minutes from Musée Marmottan Monet, Jardin Du Ranelagh is another oasis of greenery to enjoy in the 16th arrondissement in Paris.

Endowed with walking paths, sculptures, picnic seats, playgrounds, and a large area of greenery, this is the perfect place to relax if you want to stay away from the crowds of Trocadéro gardens but don’t want to go as far as Bois de Boulogne.

More Things to do in the 16th District of Paris

• Pay your respects Passy cemetery.

• Take in the views of the Eiffel Tower at Pont de Bir-Hakeim.

• Discover the home of Paris Saint-Germain (Paris’ football club), Le Parc des Princes.

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Final Thoughts on Best Things To do in the 16th Arrondissement of Paris

In many ways, the Seizieme encompasses much of Parisienne’s life in an area that makes it easily accessible.

It is a great place to see fine art, take in an international sporting event, or even photograph the Eiffel from various viewpoints.

At the same time, it is also a place through which you can wander on foot, enjoy a meal, sip a coffee, connect with nature in a forest, and get a feel for how the locals live. 

Regardless of what you choose to do, you’ll have an amazing time in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.

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Check out these posts to help you plan your trip to Paris

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• Famous Paintings at the Louvre Museum
• Best Covered Passages of Paris
• Most beautiful neighborhoods of Paris
• Fun free things to do in Paris
• Famous Churches to Visit in Paris
• Best Museums in Paris
• Tips for Visiting the Eiffel Tower
• How to spend One day In Paris

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