“The first place I ever lived in Paris (and I flitted between neighborhoods quite a lot) was the 17th arrondissement by Boulevard de Courcelles. It was a quintessential bourgeois neighborhood, with light glinting from the chandeliers of lavish lofts, elderly dames walking their statuesque dogs, little girls in pristine dresses with squeaky patent black shoes, and a beautiful park with mossy greens and lacquered ponds, le Parc Monceau. I used to spend my afternoons here when the weather allowed, sitting on a bench to watch the ducklings pitter patter on the water. In spring the magnolia trees would bloom and the wind would shower the lawns with airy petals of pink.
A few steps from the park on Avenue Vélasquez there’s the Musée Cernuschi exhibiting interesting pieces of Asian art from China, Japan, and Korea. This whole area between Avenue Wagram, Boulevard Malesherbes, and Avenue de Villiers is quite residential, but I found lots of unique museums that are a joy to explore since they’re not nearly as crowded as those in the more touristy areas of the city.
Metro Malesherbes was my point of transport, but most of my shopping was within walking distance on Rue de Lévis, a street full of markets, flower shops, and bakeries leading up to my favorite café, le Dôme.
In the neighborhood, I recommend visiting the Parc Monceau, the Musée Cernuschi, and Le Dôme café.”