![]() ![]() It only takes one bridge to go from one side to the other, pretty much a metaphor of the world if you ask me. We have many clubs, many concerts venues, like the Social Club, the 114… »įor Anna, a middle-aged architect, this debate is irrelevant. Margaux adds « I think that on our side, the life is much more bristling. « The Rive Droite has the Eiffel Tower and The Sacré-Coeur, lefties( we don’t know if he uses the term in purpose because of its political undertone) can keep the Montparnasse tower. » Because of this you can find a 2 pieces apartment for rent for as much as 500,000 euros per month. » Is that really an argument against the Rive Gauche, after all, the place is one of the most sought after in Europe with the proximity of architectural feats such as Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral. ![]() « When you think it was the rive gauche that started May 1968 and was the place where students and artists wanted their revolution to happen, it was also the place where most revolts happened in history and now it has become a kind of an open air museum. For them, it’s not only that the Rive gauche is not affordable, they find the so called historical part of the city is a sell-out. She is a photographer and he is a publicist. What for in the defence of the Rive Droite ? It finds some fierce champions in Margaux and Thomas, a young trendy couple in love with the right side of Paris. Just after he adds rather joyously « After les sans-dents(the toothless people French president François Hollande alledgedly spoke about), you will write about people like me, les sans rives ! ». Sorry. » Fair enough for someone who stands between the two banks. For me it’s more of a trendy turn of phrase. « I don’t know » he says « I would have never asked myself that kind of question. Truth is, this the only island I know, and tourists come from all around the world to contemplate it. » When he is stirred to answer about the age old question « Rive gauche ou rive droite », he goes silent for a moment. ![]() « This is the most beautiful island of France » he bellows, his face half hidden behind a heap of news du jour. Located between the 1 st and the 4 th arrondissement, the islet has a nice flower market. Even before the Romans, came, as a popular french comic book would put it, there was a small Gallic village, whose tribe the Parisii lived off fish and game and ultimately gave their name to Paris. It does not belong on any side of this quarrel.It is said to be the cradle of Paris. The île de la Cité has to be our referee. For me, this left bank of Paris will always remain a glimpse into the sacredness of the past. »īut what about L’île de la Cité ? A small isle located in middle of the river Seine, in the heart of Paris. The very centre of this city, of Paris was settled by Roman architects here, from the Saint-Jacques street to the St-Michel Boulevard. For this dweller of the Quartier St-Germain a retired historian, of course history is where the heart is « Lutèce, (the old name for Paris) was built around the Saint-Jacques street , you know, it’s what ancient people call The Cardo, which is the latin word for the hinge of a door. The advocates of the Rive Gauche would tell you that Paris was built on the left side of the river. Proof that even Parisians are not above that playful debate « Rive gauche ou Rive droite ? » So many things that should keep them from wondering about which side of the city of lights is the better. What is it with the inhabitants of the French capital ? There are renowned for their sure taste(well some are), their art, their food, the disarrayed race of their underground Metropolitain. Although working class is also present, the neighbourhoods tend to be more upscale than the Rive Gauche.«Rive gauche ou rive droite ?» For Parisians, that is the question. But I cannot deny all the great options the Rive Droite has to offer. The area is bigger than its counterpart the Rive Gauche and personally I prefer the last one, which is more informal and seems to me like a more day-by-day Paris. Not to mention the pleasure of just walk around the big boulevards, like the Champs Elysees, but also to walk around the charming narrow streets of the neighbourhood. Many small museums have very interesting exhibitions. So many options of what to do that its difficult to choose. The Champs Elysees avenue, The Petit and Gran Palais, The Louvre Museum, The Picasso Museum, the galleries Lafayette, the most prestigious fashion maisons, The Arc de Triumph, Les Invalides, the Presidential Palace, and the list goes on and on. Restaurants, shops and hotels for all tastes and pockets, bars and most of the Parisian attraction can be found in the Rive Droite, which is one side of the river Seine, the opposite of the Rive Gauche. ![]()
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