Left Bank or Right? 12 Parisians Make a Case for Their Side of the Seine
Cue the heated debate.
It’s human nature to compare and contrast. As a native Californian who moved to the east coast, an interrogation about ‘which is better,’ Los Angeles versus New York City, is a common occurrence, even after nine years of living here. My answer is always the same: they’re just different. The same can be said regarding another notorious rivalry a few thousand miles away in Paris: Left Bank vs. Right Bank (or, Rive GauchecontreRive Droite).
This clash extends back to the Medieval era when the Left Bank connoted an artistic, intellectual lifestyle playing host to the University of Paris (founded around 1150), while the Right Bank was characterized by royal and aristocratic influences, with palaces and luxury shopping districts like Champs-Élysées built to satisfy the wealthy upper-class community. A real bohemian-against-bourgeois situation, as you can imagine.
That said, Paris is over 2,000 years old, and modern perceptions of the city’s opposing banks have shifted away from extremes. Tourists are taking selfies with expensive coffees at Ernest Hemingway’s old haunts in Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Left Bank), and trendy natural wine bars are peppered throughout the 11th arrondissement (Right Bank). Real estate prices on both sides of the Seine have skyrocketed, so sparring about Left versus Right is not as ubiquitous.
That said, who doesn’t love a light-hearted debate? And with summer travel kicking off and the Olympic Games right around the corner, it’s a fine time to pledge allegiance to the bank that suits you best. Ahead, 12 Parisians weigh in on what makes Rive Gauche and Rive Droite distinct in 2024.
Left Bank: Classically Parisian
Right Bank: Convivial Atmosphere
“Right Bank, without hesitation. Living on the Left Bank was beautiful, very classically Parisian—I did my grocery shopping at Le Bon Marché, got (or had) to traverse the Seine any time I wanted to visit friends, saw La Tour Eiffel light up from my bedroom window every night. Every day was a good reminder—‘Oh, I do actually live in Paris', but it was rather isolating.
The Right Bank, I find, is extremely convivial. Folks are friendly and open-minded, welcoming. My little pocket of the 11th is like being on a film set. Every day I cross paths with someone I know. As an expat, this makes me feel grounded, at home—like people are aware of my existence, as simple as that sounds. I like to joke that I'm a bit of a Don Corleone in my neighborhood. It's super small and folks seem to know the blonde girl from Indiana—bringing pies to coffee shops, walking around with my Airpods in and boots on, going for a glass of wine and a taco at my favorite Mexican spot (shoutout Oliver, Jules, and Anto). There are many reasons to love the Right Bank, but the people (and the wine caves) are the most precious. J'ai la chance.”
- Catharine Dahm, Creative and Editorial Director at Dahm House
Left Bank: Scenic Markets
Right Bank: Iconic Architecture
“Nearly every day I ride my bike from Left to Right bank and in reverse; I really need them both. What I love the most is literally crossing the bridge with the view of the Eiffel Tower—any bridge, the Pont des Arts, the Pont Neuf, the Pont de la Concorde.
I think it’s perfect to live on the Left Bank when you’re young and old, Right Bank in the middle. I need the Right Bank for the Louvre, the Marais, the Japanese district, Opera Garnier, etc. I love the Left Bank for the grocery shopping, food markets, the large avenues with lots of trees…”
- Sarah Andelman, Founder and Creative Director of Just an Idea and Colette
Left Bank: Quietly Romantic
Right Bank: Full of Life
“As a born-on-the-Left-bank, raised-on-both, now living-on-the-Right-bank Parisian, this is a complex topic of the utmost importance. As any tribal group, Parisians often swear by one side of the Seine River, usually the one they live on. It would otherwise mean admitting to dissatisfaction or, worse, envy. The cliché is that the Right Bank is more trendy, more busy, more fun, more business, more nouveau-riche, more bling, whereas the Left Bank is quieter, more intellectual, more scholarly, more romantic, even more Parisian some would argue, including the most boring arrondissement in Paris: the dreaded 15th (supposedly more left-wing, ironically).
The cliché is hard to bury in my opinion. Maybe because I associate the Left Bank with rather positive childhood memories, I find that there is something ‘weekendy' about it. And I must admit that when I traverse to the other side, I get a guilty whiff of holiday perfume that makes me want to nose around galleries and eat a croissant. I do try to shake it off immediately as the world is surveying the supposedly holiday-overfed French. The reality of the Parisian bank dispute is that just like the elites of this world hop from one end of the earth to another on a whim, Parisians whizz from one bank to the other on a daily basis, leaving the distinction between the two islands to the tourists, real-estate speculators, and the police.
“From a more anthropological perspective and without naming any of my acquaintances, many Parisians secretly dream of living in the 6th or 7th arrondissement past the 40-year-old mark. As the ultimate landing havens synonymous with discrete and tasteful success, where one’s children may attend the right schools and mingle with children who, just like their parents, will eventually rebelliously flee their bourgeois neighborhoods of their upbringing, slumming as far as the 20th arrondissement. Later in life, they will eventually circle back as one requires more comfort with age. My ivory tower overlooks both the Bastille on the Right Bank, an epicenter of the most violent social conflicts in France, and the sleepy buildings of the National Museum of Natural History on the Left Bank. On weekends, I look forward to entertaining small talk with my butcher on Saint Louis island, also a stone's throw away from my windows. I guess this is my midlife crisis.”
- Julien Pruvost, CEO and Creative Director at Trudon
Left Bank: Picturesque But Touristy
Right Bank: Rich in Culture
“There is no doubt here, Right Bank all the way because that's where the culture is at! It's definitely a biased opinion because I grew up on the Right Bank, but I promise the vibe is so much cooler. It's the real Paris, full of different cultures, museums, galleries, and amazing restaurants. Don't get me wrong, there are amazing restaurants everywhere in Paris, but when I go to the Left Bank I feel like I'm going to get up-charged for the most random things just because there are a lot of tourists there. Even pharmacies are trying to scam you—why would I pay 25 euros for a sunscreen that I usually pay less than 15 euros for?
That being said, the Left Bank is beautiful. It's the Paris you see in movies. You can get lost in the streets and feel like the main character of a romantic comedy. At the end of the day, Paris is an amazing city, but Right Bank still wins!”
- Claire Most, fashion and lifestyle influencer
Left and Right Bank: Creatively Complex
“Boating or floating through Paris down the beautiful Seine river with its brisk current pulling you out to sea, out to the English Channel, there’s a river bank on the Left, and a river bank on the Right with this magical city shimmering out beyond them both. If Left Bank and Right Bank provide truly useful directions, I prefer the suspended moment in the middle, on the bridges over the water, where facing the horizon, the past, and the future come rushing through me.
This city is more truly lived as a city of glitches in space and time, inhabited by all the brilliant spirits, past and present, who make Paris what it is today. It’s full of secret passages and gardens, dead ends, and flickering presences from centuries of radical change, of creativity and counterculture, protest and reinvention, whether in Montparnasse, Montmartre, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, or the Goutte d’Or.”
- Kate van den Boogert, Founder of Makers Paris
Right Bank: Vibrant and Innovative
“It's a tough call because I see Paris more in terms of its arrondissements and neighborhoods rather than just the Left or Right Bank. While the Left Bank holds sentimental value as my birthplace, the Right Bank has an irresistible mix of different energies. It seamlessly blends high-end hot spots and cosmopolitan vibes with charming village-like pockets like Montmartre. The modern and trendy atmosphere continually introduces new hot spots, from buzzing boutiques to innovative eateries, creating a vibrant scene. Additionally, as a cultural hub, it boasts world-class arts venues.”
- Catherine Sarr, Founder of Almasika Fine Jewelry
Right Bank: Bustling and Charming
“The Right Bank, notably the dynamic Faubourg Montmartre neighborhood in which La Fantaisie is located, offers visitors to Paris an authentic immersive experience with its bustling all-day cafes, rich history, and vibrant atmosphere. Our Right Bank's unique mix of historical charm and modern spirit is what makes it the better half of Paris for many.”
- Nastasia Morin, Director of Marketing and Communications at Leitmotiv
Left Bank: Famed Brasseries
Right Bank: Thriving Food Scene
"I live on the Right Bank with my family, but I do love crossing the Seine to explore the brasseries of Montparnasse where I grew up. It was the Left Bank where I opened some of my first hotels, and it’s been exciting to return to the 10th arrondissement for our latest opening, Hotel Chateau D’Eau. The Chateau D’Eau neighborhood has changed so much over the past ten years and has a thriving food scene. Du Pain et des Idees is the best for its pastries (you have to try the ‘escargot’ sweet pastry), followed by cheese and wine at Taka & Vermo for lunch, and a cocktail at Deviant en route to Chez Jeanette for dinner. “
- Adrien Gloaguen, Founder of Touriste Hotels
Left Bank: It’s a Lifestyle
“Left Bank, obviously, as for me, it’s where I grew up and I have many fond memories of hanging out on Rue Daguerre. Back in the day, you might have bumped into Agnès Varda—I can still feel that nostalgic coolness today. The Left Bank isn't just a location; it's a lifestyle—full of history, art, and a dash of playful chicness. To truly understand Paris from the inside out, there's nothing better than exploring the underground catacombs, then reviving yourself with an excellent lunch at Brasserie Lipp.”
-Mathilde Lacoste, Creative Director at Fusalp
Right Bank: Cultural Flair
“The Right Bank is my favorite, mainly because of the Comédie Française and the legendary playwright Molière! As a child, my grandmother would take me there to see one of her best friends performing—she even took me backstage. I'll never forget him lounging on a leopard-print couch! That’s why we opened a Fusalp shop on Rue Saint-Honoré, right next door. I figured a little theatrical flair could rub off on us.”
- Sophie Lacoste, Interim CEO at Fusalp
Left Bank: Great Views and Cocktail Bars
“The thing about the Right Bank is that is has a great view of the Left Bank.”
- Franck Audoux, Founder of Cravan
Right Bank: Grand Dame Hotels
“Isn’t Le Bristol reason enough to choose the Right Bank?! In one location, you have everything that satisfies: a bakery (the only hotel in the world to have installed a mill), a chocolate factory, a 1200-square-meter garden with a restaurant, a cocktail bar, and even a cat to cuddle (Socrate is the Birman mascot, he has his own room within the hotel).”
- Giulia Panossian, Head of Communications at Le Bristol Paris
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