Deciding between the Left Bank and the Right Bank of Paris can be a tough choice, like choosing a favorite sibling. It’s a personal preference, but sometimes you need a nudge in the right direction.
When I asked my followers on Facebook, Instagram, and Patreon which side they favored, the Left Bank was the clear winner. But let’s face it, there’s no single “best” side. There’s no formula, no magic data, just a whole lot of charm on both banks.
The Data Speaks: Finding the Best Side for Tourists
To settle this debate, I went on a quest for definitive answers. I interviewed experts, surveyed my Earful Tower community, and crunched numbers. And I have a conclusion, but first, let’s lay out the facts with a handy map to guide you.
The Right Bank of Paris lies to the north of the Seine River. It’s home to 14 arrondissements (districts) and boasts the popular Marais and Montmartre neighborhoods.
The Left Bank, on the other hand, encompasses six arrondissements. It’s renowned for its jazz scene, the Latin Quarter, and a rich history of writers, artists, and philosophers. This side is where Paris is said to have “learned to think.”
But which side is the champion for tourists? If you crave intelligent insights from seasoned travelers, tune in to the podcast episode where I discuss this topic with two authors, Lindsey Tramuta, a Right Bank enthusiast, and John Baxter, a Left Bank aficionado. You can listen to their perspectives by clicking the play button below.
If you prefer the written word, keep reading for my detailed analysis and the ultimate answer.
The Tourist Trail: Unveiling the Best Museums, Neighborhoods, Cafes, Restaurants, and Landmarks
I started my investigation by focusing on what tourists want: the best museums, restaurants, cafes, landmarks, and neighborhoods. To ensure a solid foundation, I delved into the data from TripAdvisor, where countless travelers have shared their experiences.
I took the top ten establishments in each category, based on these reviews, and noted their location on either side of the river. This created a scoring system for the Left Bank and Right Bank.
For instance, the Musée d’Orsay, a beloved art museum, claimed the top spot, earning ten points for the Left Bank. The Musée de l’Orangerie, another acclaimed museum, ranked second, adding nine points to the Right Bank scoreboard. This pattern continued until the tenth spot, where the winning side earned just one point. Any entries beyond the top ten were disregarded.
This system, while helpful, did present a few challenges. The Pont Alexandre III bridge, a stunning structure between the two banks, was ranked fourth for landmarks. While administratively located in the 8th arrondissement (Right Bank), I decided to split the points evenly between both banks.
Then there were the islands, Ile Saint Louis and Ile de la Cité, nestled in the Seine. They technically belong to the Right Bank but, for fairness, I shared their scores with both sides.
Remember, these rankings are based on traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, and I understand that these rankings can be manipulated, especially for restaurants and cafes. However, I believe it gives a more accurate picture than my personal preferences alone.
The Results: A Detailed Look at the Top Ten Lists
Here’s the breakdown, with a sprinkle of intriguing additions for your Parisian itinerary.
Paris boasts a whopping 255 museums. The Musée d’Orsay, with over 60,000 glowing reviews, takes the crown for best museum in the city. The top ten museum list is below, and you can access the complete list of 255 museums here (just scroll down a bit).
For art lovers, the Right Bank seems to be the place to be, with a higher concentration of exceptional museums.
Museum Results:
Left Bank: 19 points
Right Bank: 36 points
A good Parisian experience often involves aimless wandering, a leisurely stroll known as flaneur. So, I investigated the best neighborhoods, based on traveler reviews.
Note: The two islands in the Seine River are included, with their points split equally, as mentioned earlier.
Neighborhood Results:
Left Bank: 18.5 points
Right Bank: 36.5 points
No Parisian adventure is complete without a delightful cup of coffee. Here are the top-rated cafes, according to reviewers. I must confess that I had never heard of several of these cafes before, but I’m thrilled to add them to my list. Did you know Paris has a staggering 843 cafes?
Cafe Results:
Left Bank: 30 points
Right Bank: 25 points
Paris is a culinary paradise with an astounding 15,543 restaurants. Can you believe it? But where are the best ones, according to TripAdvisor reviewers? You can explore the full list here (scroll down a bit). Or take a look at the top ten below.
The Right Bank reigns supreme in the culinary arena, claiming 43 points to the Left Bank’s 12. If you’re looking for specific restaurant recommendations, check out this popular Earful Tower article.
Restaurant Results:
Left Bank: 12 points
Right Bank: 43 points
France boasts a total of 1,543 landmarks. How many have you seen? The top ten are listed below, or you can explore the entire ranking here. I was surprised to find the Eiffel Tower in seventh place!
The Left Bank had a bit of a rough time in this category.
Landmark Results:
Left Bank: 5 points
Right Bank: 50 points
The Verdict: Which Side Wins?
Across all five categories, we have a grand total of 275 points. The Right Bank is more than twice as good as the Left Bank for tourists, according to this ranking.
But at the end of the day, which side do you prefer? Let me know in the comments below.
If you’re interested in hearing the podcast episode, you can find it here. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. The episode features extra insights, including how Lindsey and John would spend their last day on the Left Bank and Right Bank of Paris.
For a sneak peek at the video we created for Patreon supporters, click here.
That’s it! If you enjoyed these tips, check out The Earful Tower’s Guide to Paris.
A big thank you to Augusta Sagnelli for the beautiful photos.
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