Markedly less touristic than the 1st, the quartier has become increasingly trendy over the last years. The rue Etienne Marcel which demarcates the southern border between the 1st and 2nd is the epicentre of young designers. As you move north to the east you’ll find a less pretentious environment, full of Jewish tailors and their workshops. Far less expensive than the area around Etienne Marcel it is a comfortable and safe neighbourhood albeit a bit noisy in the mornings. To the west the neighbourhood becomes more bourgeois (and rather soulless) as you move toward the Grands Boulevards and the Opéra Garnier. To the south around the national Library is a section devoted to Asian, primarily Japanese, restaurants.

As is generally the case in Paris, the further north you go the less expensive the accommodation. In the 2nd, the further you move away from Etienne Marcel the less expensive the apartments. Keep in mind that there is not a single park in this arrondissement and that it can become claustrophobic to the north and certain areas lack charm. On the other hand, you’re more likely to find a bigger apartment for less and you’ll certainly be living among Parisians rather than expats and tourists. ­­­

For the trendy, the shopping along Etienne Marcel is heaven. Paris’ famous enclosed shopping galleries are found primarily in the 2nd and in the 9th. Near the French stock market, la Bourse, you’ll find a wide variety of stores selling collectible coins. For one of the best food stores in Paris, visit G Detou (58 rue Tiquetonne, 01 42 36 54 67) where you can find everything from spices and almonds to chocolate and cranberries. For the ultimate in designer gyms, l’Usine (8 rue de la Michodière, 01 42 66 30 30) is the place. ­­

As with nearly every quartier in Paris there is a wide variety of eating and drinking establishments in the 2nd. There are classic bistrots, popular wine bars, and a huge variety of Japanese restaurants in the area. The beautiful Bibliothèque Nationale is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon reading and there are often exhibitions held ranging from photography to rare books. The more you move in the direction of the Opéra Garnier the less funky the area becomes and you’ll find the bars less populated by the young and the hip and more by the besuited and the wealthy. ­­­­

Centre de Santé Reamur is a health clinic provided at very low cost by the French social security and offers full medical services including dental care. Centre de Planification (2 rue Vivienne, 01 42 60 93 20) offers family planning treatments. ­­­

The area is well-serviced by public transportation and relatively car-friendly.­­­­­­­­­­­­

The congestion and lack of green spaces mean you might find yourself escaping elsewhere to relax. The 2nd is fairly safe but with all areas popular for socialising, extra care should be taken at night.