Arrondissement de Vaugirard is the other name for Paris’ 15th arrondissement, which lies on the city’s Left Bank near the southwest corner of the city.
Located just south of the Eiffel Tower, the 14th starts at the Champ de Mars and is considered a living, breathing reminder that Paris is much more than the Tower.
Both in terms of area and population, the 15th arrondissement is the largest in Paris. Along the northern bank of the Seine, there is a slew of apartment and office complexes, including the towering Front de Seine.
Even though the district of Montparnasse is just across the border in the 14th arrondissement, the world-famous Tour Montparnasse and the nearby Gare Montparnasse train station are on the 15th arrondissement’s eastern border.
This district may not be a popular tourist destination, but that doesn’t mean that the 15th Arrondissement of Paris lacks things to see and do. There’s a laid-back vibe in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, which is part of its allure.
You won’t have to wait in line for a table at the local cafe or be pushed off the sidewalks mid-stroll by tour groups here. Despite its proximity to the Eiffel Tower, the 15th arrondissement of Paris offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in Parisian culture.
There’s a strong sense of community here, and the 15th’s streets are lined with a variety of businesses that cater to the neighborhood’s 240,000 residents. Let’s learn more about this vibrant neighborhood that is home to a large number of Parisians.
This guide to Paris’s 15th arrondissement features information on the area’s top sights, culinary hotspots, and accommodation options.
Things you'll find in this article
Guide To Paris 15th Arrondissement
Related Read:
- Guide To Paris 1st Arrondissement
- Guide To Paris 2nd Arrondissement
- Guide To Paris 3rd Arrondissement
- Guide To Paris 4th Arrondissement
- Guide To Paris 5th Arrondissement
Things To Do In 15th Arrondissement
As this is the largest arrondissement in Paris, there are plenty of interesting areas to explore on the 15th. Here are some of them, from a quaint museum to a man-made island.
Île aux Cygnes
The Pont de Grenelle and this small island were built together in the 19th century to protect the bridge from the large barges that plied the Seine at the time, which is why it is perfectly straight
. Today, this “island of swans” is best known for the Statue of Liberty replica and the (long, straight) running path it contains.
Île aux Cygnes is the third largest island in Paris, after Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis, despite its narrow width of only 11 meters (also a man-made island).
Eglise Saint-Seraphin-de-Sarov
Related Read:
- Guide To Paris 6th Arrondissement
- Guide To Paris 7th Arrondissement
- Guide To Paris 8th Arrondissement
- Guide To Paris 9th Arrondissement
- Guide To Paris 10th Arrondissement
Many small donations from 15th arrondissement residents helped build the Russian Orthodox chapel, which has an intriguing interior. It’s not every day that you see trees sprouting in the middle of a church!
St.-Seraphin de Sarov Church is one of the 15th arrondissement’s best-kept secrets. It was not until 1933 that the first church on the site was built, with a wooden exterior and ornate interior, that it was consecrated.
However, the current church was built in 1974 on the site of a 1930s wooden structure. Those who fled to Paris during the Russian Revolution because of their loyalty to Tsar Nicholas II see the church as a vital part of their lives.
Musée Bourdelle
Parisian museums like the Louvre or the Musée d’Orsay are well-known, but there are many smaller and less well-known museums in the city that you may want to check out while in Paris.
The former home of artist Antoine Bourdelle, who was a student of Rodin, can be seen as a backdrop to this cultural center in the neighborhood.
A hidden gem in the péripherique, the Bourdelle museum displays some of Bourdelle’s most well-known sculptures today. Admission to the museum’s permanent collection is free from Tuesday through Sunday!
Read More: Best Free Museums In Paris
Puces de Vanves
Related Read:
- Guide To Paris 11th Arrondissement
- Guide To Paris 12th Arrondissement
- Guide To Paris 13th Arrondissement
- Guide To Paris 14th Arrondissement
Locals who know where to look for bargains frequent these two massive flea markets, and now you can, too. Porte de Clignancourt in the north and Porte de Vanves in the south each have their market.
It’s open from 7 am to 2 pm on the weekends, so you can find anything and everything. From French linens to unique vintage clothing to wacky antique furniture, you’ll find what you’re looking for right here.
Where To Eat in 15th Arrondissement
Whatever your cuisine preference and whether you’re on a budget or ready to splurge, there is a highly-rated and well-loved 15th arrondissement restaurant for you. Here are our favorites:
Budget
Chez Ttotte (22 rue Falguière) –
Everything here screams of Basque influence. If you’re a fan of sweet peppers, give cod piquillos a whirl. If not, your appetite may be satisfied by the Basque pâté.
When it comes to your main course, you’ll be in for a real treat whether you opt for the cod or the squid. A must try though is the Axon, a veal stew with red Espelette pepper and tomatoes sauté and onions for a true taste of Basque cuisine
Midrange
L’Atelier du Parc (35, boulevard Lefèbvre) –
From the Porte de Versailles to the Parc des Expositions, the Atelier du Parc is a real star. The chef is dedicated to creating traditional French dishes that are both visually appealing and flavorful.
The decor is simple but elegant, with a modern twist. Every member of the staff exhibits a high level of professionalism and efficiency at all times. When you visit, try the bouillabaisse and lobster.
Luxury
Le Quinzième (14 rue Cauchy) –
The 15th arrondissement is impossible to visit without stopping at Le Quinzième, a restaurant that bears the same name as the neighborhood. Thanks to Cyril Lignac, the world-renowned chef in charge, there is a distinct flavor in the air.
At this establishment, you’ll be able to appreciate both the opulent decor and the delectable cuisine.
If you’re a fan of French cuisine, this Michelin-starred restaurant is the place for you. The menu features dishes like rose mushrooms grown in Saint-Ouen-L’Aumone, cod from the coast, and Aveyron farmhouse lamb.
Where To Stay in 15th Arrondissement
The 15th arrondissement boasts relatively quieter streets and that genuine Parisian feel, making it a good place to book a hotel when you’re in Paris. Here are our recommended 15th arrondissement hotels:
Budget
Next to the Volontaires Metro Station, the Nouvel Hotel is a 20-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower. It provides clean, comfortable, stylish, and well-appointed en suite rooms.
The Nouvel Hotel Eiffel offers a daily breakfast buffet. For an additional fee, guests can take advantage of the hotel’s dry cleaning and airport shuttle services, which are both available around the clock.
Guests of the Nouvel Hôtel Eiffel can easily reach the city’s most popular attractions, such as the Place de la Concorde, Pigalle, and the Montmartre neighborhood, via the nearby Volontaires Metro Station
Check out the hotel rates here.
Midrange
Hôtel Gustave on the 15th Arrondissement is a prime example of 19th-century French architecture. From here, Dupleix Metro Station is just 100 meters away, and the Eiffel Tower is just a short walk away.
There’s free WiFi throughout the property, which has a Belle Epoque and Universal Exhibition-inspired design aesthetic.
This hotel’s well-appointed en-suite rooms have everything. Guests can enjoy a cold breakfast box in their rooms or take it with them. Other services offered by the hotel include dry cleaning, an honesty bar, and a lift serving all of the hotel’s guest rooms.
Walking from the Hôtel Gustave to Trocadéro, where you can get the best views of the Eiffel Tower, will take about 20 minutes.
Check out the hotel rates here.
Luxury
Jardins de Mademoiselle Hôtel & Spa
This luxury hotel in Paris 15th is close to the Paris Expo-Porte de Versailles. Apart from. its elegant and well-kept accommodation, guests have access to a bar, a garden, a gym, and private parking.
Staying at Jardins de Mademoiselle Hôtel & Spa also means guests enjoy the convenience of room and concierge service, along with free WiFi.
Each guest room at Jardins de Mademoiselle Hôtel & Spa is equipped with everything you’ll need for comfort, convenience, and entertainment. A continental breakfast is also available each morning. There is also a sun terrace that:s perfect for lounging after a dip in the pool.
From Jardins de Mademoiselle Hôtel & Spa, guests can easily access Eiffel Tower and Rodin Museum, which are both just a few kilometers away.
Check out the hotel rates here.
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.
7 Most Famous French Athletes Of All Time - Journey To France
Sunday 3rd of April 2022
[…] in a poor neighboorhood in the 15th arrondissement of Marseille, Zidane started playing football at age 5. Five years later, he received his first […]
Guide To The 20 Arrondissements of Paris - Journey To France
Sunday 3rd of April 2022
[…] 15th Arrondissement […]