General Map Terminology & Orientation information

Look at the Map below when reading this short section.

For purposes of this information packet, the map directions will be just like a USA map. North – Top, South- Bottom, East- Right, West – Left.

Here is a quick description of each of the three main sections of Paris:

Rive Droite – This is the Right Bank. On the map it is the area North of the River. Historically this has been the "upper class" or snobby section of Paris. The "Old" Paris. On the Right Bank the main Boulevard is the Champs Elysees. When you walk down this street you will see that it is more upper class and the crowd there seems more conservative and older.

Rive Gauche – This is the Left Bank. On the map it is the area South of the River. This has always been the "second class" section of Paris. This is the University District where the younger students, artists, and philosophers would be. The

Main Boulevard is the Boulevard Saint Germain. The crowd here is much younger and this area seems more wild.

Isle de la Cite – This is the Island in between the Right Bank and Left Bank. Notre Dame, St. Chapelle, and the Concierge (police station) are all on the Island. Originally Paris was only that Island. Paris grew out from the Island in every direction. The original bridges to the Isle de la Cite all had houses built on them.