A stroll through the 9th arrondissement Hôtel Plaza Opéra

Like most other neighbourhoods in Paris, the 9th was fully rebuilt during the Second Empire, under the supervision of Baron Haussmann. Its narrow roads made way for wide boulevards lined with lofty buildings. The structure of Avenue de l’Opéra or the Grands Boulevards is typical of this Haussmann-era architecture. Stroll along the Grands Boulevards and discover a proliferation of covered passages which criss-cross the neighbourhood. These include Passage des Princes, at the end of Boulevard des Italiens, Passage Jouffroy, at the middle of Boulevard Montmartre, which extends into Passage Verdeau, to the north, about 500 m from hotel Plaza Opéra. Each of these passages has an atmosphere all its own, as well as playing host to countless boutiques with charming window displays.

Along your walk through the 9th arrondissement from hotel Plaza Opéra, stop by the must-see local monument: Sainte-Trinité church. It was built in 1867 following Haussmann’s decision to transfer another Trinité church on Rue de Clichy. The edifice is impressive: 90 metres long, 34 metres wide and 30 metres tall. Its façade draws strongly on the traditions of Italian Renaissance architecture.

Inside, admire the richly decorated walls, the many paintings, and great church organs. Coming out of the church, walk up Rue Blanche to reach another major tourist attraction – the Moulin Rouge – just 1 km from hotel Plaza Opéra. Founded in 1889, this cabaret, along with its French cancan and its dancers, is associated around the world with Parisian joie de vivre.