One of my objectives for this trip was to photograph bicycles but instead I found myself looking at Paris as a village.

The city is divided into twenty arrondissements (administrative districts) and each district has its own personality.

The twenty arrondissements are like a large group of little French villages.  With their own governing body, they service residents with what I consider the French basics; des cafés (cafes), des boulangeries (bakeries), une poissonerie (a fish monger), une fromagerie (a cheese shop), un supermarché (a supermarket), une église ou deux (a church or two), un station metro (a subway station) and a few Vélib bicycle stations.

Many French frequent the same café or boulangerie in their arrondissement – usually because it’s the best quality in the neighborhood.   It also develops the feel of living in a small village – you may never know your neighbor but you will probably know your local baker.

When you live in Paris it’s easy to overlook the enjoyment of having local merchants (especially when you’re in a rush) but as a foreigner it’s a distinct point of difference that adds to the uniqueness and beauty of the city.

Here’s a look at a few of the arrondissements of Paris.

Enjoy!

Leslie