This stretch of the 16th and 17th arrondissements is one of Paris’s most polished residential areas, wide avenues, Haussmann facades and embassies sit alongside the broad esplanade of Trocadéro. The Palais de Chaillot overlooks the Seine and offers the best photo platform for the Eiffel Tower.
Daytimes are calm and family-oriented: kids in the Jardin d’Acclimatation, museum visitors at the Musée du quai Branly and locals walking dogs in Parc du Champ-de-Mars. Evenings are subdued; you’ll find refined hotel bars and quiet bistros rather than raucous nightlife.
Trocadéro & West Paris at a Glance
Broad esplanades, mansion-lined streets, family parks and polished dining near the Eiffel Tower.
- Best for: Eiffel Tower views, museums and refined stays
- Vibe: Quiet, upscale and family-friendly
- Nearest station: Trocadéro (metro lines 6 and 9)
- Price level: $$$
- To the main sights: Short walk to Eiffel Tower; quick metro to Arc de Triomphe
- Safety: Very safe by day; standard vigilance near tourist spots
Who's Trocadéro & West Paris For?
Great for:
- Couples wanting iconic views
- Families with children
- First-time visitors seeking central calm
- Luxury shoppers
Maybe skip it if:
- You want late-night clubbing
- You’re travelling on a very tight budget
- You prefer a bohemian, edgy neighbourhood
Getting Your Bearings in Trocadéro & West Paris
Centre runs from Place du Trocadéro east to Avenue Kléber and south toward the Seine; Passy and Parc du Champ-de-Mars border the area.
Plan Your Visit to Trocadéro & West Paris
- Views: For the best photos arrive at Trocadéro early morning or at sunset.
- Museums: Check opening days, some museums close one weekday.
- Transport: Use métro lines 6 and 9 for the quickest local connections.
- Markets: Visit covered markets in the morning for the best selection.
- Safety: Take normal tourist precautions, watch bags near major viewpoints.
Things to Do in Trocadéro & West Paris
- Eiffel Tower: Iconic Paris landmark, best admired from the Trocadéro esplanade and the Champ-de-Mars opposite.
- Palais de Chaillot: Historic complex facing the Eiffel Tower with museums and sweeping terraces for photos.
- Jardin d’Acclimatation: Family-friendly park with rides, gardens and playgrounds on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne.
- Musée du quai Branly: Collections of non-Western arts and cultures close to the river and the Eiffel Tower.
- Arc de Triomphe: Monumental arch at Place Charles de Gaulle, an easy stroll or short metro ride away.
- Louis Vuitton Foundation: Contemporary art space and striking architecture set in the Bois de Boulogne.
How to Get to Trocadéro & West Paris
- Charles de Gaulle (CDG): Public transport: RER B to Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame, change to métro line 6 or 9 via Franklin D. Roosevelt to Trocadéro, about 50-65 minutes, one RATP ticket + fares to airport. Taxi/ride-hail: 35-60 minutes depending on traffic; expect a fixed-fare or roughly €45-€70.
- Orly (ORY): Public transport: Orlyval to Antony, RER B to Denfert-Rochereau, change to métro line 6 to Trocadéro, about 45-60 minutes; Orlybus then métro is an alternative. Taxi/ride-hail: 25-40 minutes, roughly €30-€50 depending on traffic.
- Beauvais (BVA): Public transport: airport shuttle to Paris Porte Maillot then métro or bus to Trocadéro, allow 75-100 minutes. Taxi/ride-hail: 60-90 minutes and usually expensive; taxi is simplest if in a group.
- From the main sights: From central sights (Louvre/Châtelet): take métro line 1 to Franklin D. Roosevelt then line 9 to Trocadéro, about 15-25 minutes by metro, or a 20-30 minute walk from the Champs-Élysées.
Getting Around Trocadéro & West Paris
- On foot: Most attractions in the area are walkable; Trocadéro, Passy and the Champ-de-Mars are pleasant on foot.
- Metro: Trocadéro (lines 6 and 9) is the local hub; Passy and Iéna are also close, with quick transfers to Charles de Gaulle-Étoile and the Champs-Élysées.
- RER and buses: RER C at Champ-de-Mars for riverside access; many buses serve avenues and link to major train stations.
- Taxi / rideshare: Taxis are easy to grab near major squares; ride-hail apps work well but beware evening traffic.
- Bike: Vélib stations and bike lanes make cycling to the Seine and nearby parks straightforward.
Where to Stay in Trocadéro & West Paris
The 16th/17th offers a concentration of polished hotels, from formal 5-star palaces to well-placed mid-range options and aparthotels. Streets to look for bookings include Avenue Kléber, Rue de Passy and around Place du Trocadéro. Expect quiet streets and professional service; many hotels advertise views of the Eiffel Tower.
Luxury
- Saint-James: A Relais & Châteaux property with classic, high-end rooms and a secluded garden setting; the ultimate indulgence here.
- Shangri-La Hotel: Palatial riverside hotel with grand rooms and several acclaimed restaurants; famous for its proximity to the Eiffel Tower.
- The Peninsula Paris: Large luxury hotel offering refined service, a spa and rooftop access near Avenue Kléber.
- Four Seasons Hôtel George V: Opulent five-star with Michelin dining and impeccable service; a short taxi ride to Trocadéro.
Mid-range
- Canopy by Hilton Paris Eiffel Tower: Contemporary 4-star with comfortable rooms and modern amenities, within easy walking distance of the Trocadéro.
- Radisson Blu Le Dokhan’s Hotel: Boutique-style Radisson Blu with well-appointed rooms and a refined neighbourhood feel near Passy.
- Hotel Villa Glamour Tour Eiffel: Small, well-located hotel offering straightforward rooms a short stroll from the esplanade.
- Hôtel Résidence Foch: A practical aparthotel option popular with families, close to several attractions.
Budget
- boyet place: Guesthouse-style accommodation offering simple rooms in a quiet residential street near Trocadéro.
- Mode Apparthotel: Aparthotel with basic kitchen facilities, handy for longer stays or travellers on a budget.
- Résidence Impériale: Practical, no-frills residence offering compact rooms and self-catering options near the district.
- Hôtel Marmotel Étoile: Budget hotel with small, functional rooms and easy access to metro links.
Where to Eat in Trocadéro & West Paris
Dining here leans toward quiet cafés, refined bistros and some high-end restaurants, head to streets around Place du Trocadéro, Avenue Kléber and rue de Passy. Expect price levels from $$ for classic cafés to $$$$ for Michelin dining; many places close earlier than in livelier arrondissements. Book ahead for restaurant tables with tower views.
- Les Ombres: Brasserie; french · $$$, Museum-roof restaurant offering dramatic views of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine.
- Prunier: Seafood · $$$, Long-established seafood restaurant known for classic preparations.
- Jacques: French · $$, A friendly local bistro serving straightforward French dishes in a relaxed setting.
- Carette: Restaurant · $$, Traditional Parisian tea-room and patisserie, good for breakfasts and light meals.
- Le Paris Seize: French; local · $$, Neighbourhood brasserie popular with locals for reliable French cooking.
- Pages: French · $$$$, Michelin-starred fine-dining option in the area; book well in advance.
Nightlife in Trocadéro & West Paris
Nightlife is understated and refined: think hotel bars, classic Parisian pubs and a handful of rooftop terraces. Most venues wind down by midnight and attract a well-dressed local crowd rather than clubbers. For later, head east toward the Champs-Élysées or Palais Maillot.
- The Honest Lawyer: Pub · $, Cosy pub near Trocadéro serving drinks and casual fare; relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
- Frog XVI: Pub · $$, International craft-beer pub with a friendly vibe, good for a casual evening.
- Le Rooftop: Bar · $$, Hotel rooftop bar with views and a more polished evening crowd.
- Café 55: Bar · $$, Intimate neighbourhood bar popular with locals for pre-dinner drinks.
- Le Duplex: Nightclub · $$$, One of the larger nightlife spots in the area for late-night dancing near the Etoile.
- Readymade: Bar · $$, Bar space associated with the Palais de Tokyo, good for a cultured evening drink.
Shopping in Trocadéro & West Paris
Shopping here is polished and largely upscale: designer flagships on Avenue Montaigne, independent boutiques around Passy and covered food markets for gourmet groceries. Most shops follow standard Paris opening hours, with markets busiest on mornings and Saturdays.
- Marché couvert Saint-Didier: Covered market offering fresh produce, bakeries and local stalls, great for breakfast or picnic supplies.
- Centre Commercial des Belles Feuilles: Small shopping centre with a selection of shops and everyday conveniences in the Passy area.
- La Grande Épicerie: Department store food hall with high-end groceries, deli counters and gourmet finds.
- Passy Plaza: Neighbourhood mall with a mix of boutiques and services suited to local shopping needs.
- Marché Poncelet: Vibrant food market popular with locals for fresh produce, cheese and charcuterie.
