Paris’ 14th Arrondissement- Home to Gare Montparnasse and one of Paris’ more Affordable Districts

The 14th Arrondissement is officially named Arrondissement de l’Observatoire as its host Paris’ Observatory. Like many Paris Districts the 14th’s population peaked in the 1950s at 1854K. Its now down to around 135K-140K, which it has been since the 1980s. The district has traditionally been home to many artists as well as a significant Breton community, which arrived at the beginning of the 20th century when Gare Montparnasse was built. The most recognizable part of the 14th is its northern border formed by Blvd du Montparnasse. Here one finds the Gare Montparnasse, Le Tour Montparnasse, Cimetière du Montparnasse, L’Observatoire de Paris, the Market set up regularly along Blvd Edgar Quintet, Les Catacombes de Paris and the vibrant Rue Daguerre commercial district, which is a quasi-pedestrian street. The southern edge of the 14th also hosts some welcome known sites at least for Parisians (i.e. Parc Mountsouris, Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris and Les Puces de Vanves).

The 14th Arrondissement is a solid urban neighborhood, which is more affordable than most Parisian districts. The district is well served by neighborhood parks, metro systems, bike infrastructure, several excellent biz districts, plenty of mixed use fabric and solid cultural and retail amenities especially concentrated around Gare Montparnasse. The only neighborhood attribute that I find a bit lacking with the 14th Arrondissement is a lack of more distinctive subdistricts that help distinguish smaller pockets from the larger Arrondissement. These subdistricts feel more prevalent in most Paris Districts.

Click here to view my 14th Arrondissment Album on Flickr

URBAN STRENGTHS:

* Great array of large and interesting parcs (Montsouris, Montparnasse Cemetery, Pl. de Catalogne, Petite Ceinture du 14e, Jardin Atlantique). Plenty of other small & medium parks well distributed through the district.
* Lots of quaint villagelike streets (
* Lots of attractive commercial streets including: Rue des Thermopyles, Sq. de Montsouris, Rue Daguerre, Blvd Edgar Quinet, Ave du Maine, Av. du Général Leclerc, Rue Didot, Rue Raymond Losserand, Rue de l’Ouest, Boulevard du Montparnasse,  Rue Brézin. Plenty of mixed-use fabric outside of these notable biz districts.
* Several notable landmarks: Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, Montparnesse, Gare Montparnasse, Observatoire de Paris, Les Catacombes (underground), the 14th arrondissement Townhall, Church of Saint-Pierre-de-Montrouge, Church of Our Lady of Labour, Réservoir de Montsouris
* Solid historic architecture with lots Haussman buildings and more intimate but less ornate  late 18th/early 19th styles. Also some more creative late 19th/early 20th century styles more in the Art Nouveau style and some post WWII in-fill.
* Not a very touristy district, esp. outside of Montparnasse Cemetery and Garde Montparnasse.
* Great system of dedicated bike lanes.
* Much more affordable/accessible neighborhood than the right bank districts. Medium incomes are 13th of Paris’ 20 Arrondissements.
* Solid cultural amenities with a strong concentration around Gare Montparnasse. Excellent retail amenities really throughout the district.
* Solid density at just under 63K residents per square mile. Also a solid number of jobs at around 70K. 

URBAN WEAKNESSES:

* Tree canopy is fine but outside of the southern edge of the district where there are larger block apartment buildings, it feels a bit limited.
* Does not have as strong of sub-districts with their own unique character as most other Paris Arrondissements.