7 Gems of... The 7ème Arrondissement in Paris

The 7th district of Paris is arguably one of the most famous as it encompasses The Eiffel Tower (La Tour Eiffel), The Army Museum (Musée de l’armée + Les Invalides), and The D’Orsay Museum (Le musée d’Orsay). While these marvels all deserve a visit, there are 7 more spots I think any seasoned or curious traveller might like to add to their Parisian list.

1. Musée Rodin

Auguste Rodin’s most well-known sculpture is most definitely The Thinker (Le Penseur), followed closely by The Gates of Hell (La Porte de l’Enfer) and The Kiss (Le Baiser).

This Parisian museum possesses some of his most popular works, including sculptures and paintings. They are beautifully displayed throughout the indoor and outdoor space.

On top of the works by Rodin, various chef-d’œuvres by the greats of the 19th century - Vincent Van Gogh, Camille Claudel, Auguste Renoir, and Claude Monet - can be seen in the museum.

If you’re a fan of Renoir, or enjoy art but want to see something other than the Louvre, do give this museum a try!

Location:
77 Rue de Varenne

2. Musée National Eugène Delacroix

Do you know Eugène Delacroix?

If the answer was “Yes”: great.

If it was “No”: do you know Coldplay? Do you remember their song “Viva La Vida”? It was sort of a huge hit when it first came out. Anyways, the reason I’m bringing up a random British band in my post about French gems is simply because the photo they used as cover art for that song was a painting by Eugène Delacroix!

While that particular painting is featured in the Louvre (in the same wing as The Mona Lisa), many other famed and acclaimed work by the artist can be seen in this museum completely dedicated to him.

Sketches, sculptures, early drafts, paintings… the museum - one of his old residences - gives a glimpse into his life, and provides lots of information about the enigmatic artist.

There is also a garden on the premises that is well-tended.

If you enjoy the work you see, there is a nearby church (Saint Sulpice) that features a large scale painting done by Delacroix while he lived in that house. It’s very fascinating to see the work of a person that was closely examined in a museum in context rather than simply displayed. I highly encourage fans of classical art or Delacroix to check out both this museum, and the church.

« Victoire guidante le peuple » AKA Viva La Vida cover art.

3. Coutume Café

Along the narrow but charming Rue de Babylone lies Coutume Café, which is one of the best places to grab your caffeine fix in the 7th district.

Though the café undeniably makes a great cup of coffee, their brunches are equally stellar. Before a day of visiting some of my other 7th arrondissement gems, you’ll definitely want to check this place out to get the energy you need!

Location:
47 Rue de Babylone

4. Gatsby

I stumbled upon this bar by chance after walking home with a friend from the Eiffel Tower. What a great find - yummy cocktails and great wine with knowledgable servers!

The ambiance is great, the music choices are top-notch, and the decor really fits the 1920s theme to a T.

Location:
64 Avenue Bosquet

5. Musée du quai Branly

The Musée du quai Branly is a great museum of indigenous art and paraphernalia from Africa, Oceania, the Americas, and Asia.

There is a permanent collection, but there are also many themed exhibits that change on a fairly regular basis.

My favourite of the temporary exhibits was centred around Asian paranormal and supernatural folklore.

It was incredibly well done, and it took me almost three hours to get through the entire exhibit!

This particular museum is well worth googling if you’re in Paris to see if they have on an exhibit that tickles your fancy. They take pride in how they display their art and information, which means you can expect quality when you go.

Location:
37 Quai Branly

6. Champ de Mars

There are two places that are well-known Eiffel Tower vantage points - Trocadéro, and Champs de Mars. The latter is slightly less rampant with tourists, and therefore a more calming way to view the Iron Lady.

While La Tour Eiffel can be seen from many areas of Paris, I am quite partial to the view at Champ de Mars. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see it in the snow like I did! What a magical view. At other times of the year, it’s a public green-space with many trees lining the path.

Location:
Champ de Mars

7. Le 7ème Vin

Le 7ème Vin is an authentic French restaurant that serves traditional fare. The restaurant is very small in size, but the decor is charming and elegant.

The menu constantly changes, and it’s featured on blackboards that they bring over to your table when it’s time to decide. Everything I ate the night that I went was fresh, flavourful, and well presented. I heavily stocked up on cheesy delights (I’m not a meat eater), but more adventurous tastebuds will be happy to know there was beef, coq-au-vin, and escargot on the menu.

I should also mention that they had an extensive wine list. My friends and I ordered a bottle based on the waiters suggestion, and we were not disappointed.

The only thing to be cautious about is that this restaurant is very French, and as such doesn’t have many items or signs in English. Be patient, and if you’re comfortable, perhaps surprise yourself to a new dish you’ve never heard of before!

Be prepared to spend a pretty penny, but if you’re a French food aficionado, the quality is well worth it. Overall, I found this to be a gem tucked away in the 7th district.

Location:
68 avenue Bosquet