How Do I Read a Paris Postcode?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’re planning a trip to Paris, it’s essential to know how to read the city’s postcode system. Understanding the Parisian postal codes is crucial when it comes to sending mail or locating specific areas within the city. Here’s a guide on how to read a Paris postcode.

What is a Paris Postcode?

A Paris postcode is also known as an arrondissement. The city of Paris has 20 arrondissements, which are numbered from 1-20 in a clockwise spiral pattern starting from the center of the city.

How Do I Read a Paris Postcode?

A typical Paris postcode consists of five digits; for instance, “75001.” The first two digits represent the arrondissement number, and the last three digits represent the specific location within that arrondissement.

To understand this better, let’s take an example:

  • 75001: The first two digits (75) represent that this location is in Arrondissement 1 (also known as L’Hotel-de-Ville).
  • 75004: The first two digits (75) represent that this location is in Arrondissement 4 (also known as Le Centre).
  • 75020: The first two digits (75) represent that this location is in Arrondissement 20 (also known as Menilmontant).

Therefore, if you know the Parisian postcode, you can quickly identify which area of ​​the city it corresponds to.

The Arrondissements

As mentioned earlier, there are twenty arrondissements in Paris. Each one has its own unique character, and it’s worth exploring them all.

Here’s an overview of each arrondissement:

  • 1st Arrondissement: L’Hotel-de-Ville
  • 2nd Arrondissement: La Bourse
  • 3rd Arrondissement: Le Marais
  • 4th Arrondissement: Le Centre
  • 5th Arrondissement: Le Pantheon
  • 6th Arrondissement: Luxembourg
  • 7th Arrondissement: Palais-Bourbon
  • 8th Arrondissement: L’Elysee
  • 9th Arrondissement: L’Opera
  • 10th Arrondissement: L’Enclos-St-Laurent
  • 11th Arrondissement: Popincourt
  • 12th Arrondissement:Bercy
  • T13: Les Gobelins

  • T14: Observatoire

  • T15: Vaugirard

  • T16: Passy

  • T17: Batignolles-Monceau

  • T18: Buttes-Montmartre

  • T19: Buttes-Chaumont

  • T20: Menilmontant

The Paris Postcode System in Action

Let’s consider an example of how to use a Paris postcode. Suppose you’re looking for the famous Louvre Museum, which is located in the 1st arrondissement. With this information, you can determine that the Louvre’s postcode is 75001.

Using this code, you can quickly locate the museum on a map or send mail to its address.

Conclusion

Reading a Paris postcode might seem daunting at first, but with a little practice, it becomes relatively easy. Remember that the first two digits represent the arrondissement number and the last three digits represent the specific location within that arrondissement. Understanding this system will help you navigate Paris more efficiently and appreciate its unique character even more.