The Snail Shell
Paris spirals outward.
The arrondissements are numbered in a clockwise spiral starting from the center — the French call it l'escargot, the snail. The 1st sits at the heart, home to the Louvre and Palais Royal. From there the numbers coil outward, with the 20th at the outer eastern edge.
Lower numbers generally indicate the historic center and most prestigious areas. Higher numbers are more residential — though with hidden gems throughout. For most clients, we focus on the 1st through 8th arrondissements, where the architecture, hotels, and pace align with how luxury travelers want to feel in Paris.
