The numbering of buildings in Paris

The numbering of buildings in Paris

With more than 6,000 streets in its twenty arrondissements, the City of Light may appear as a real labyrinth. Easy to get lost but hard to find your way around, how to get your bearings in Paris? In this article we will unravel the secret of the building numbering in the capital. The explanation should make your life easier. numbering of buildings in Paris

The numbering of buildings in ParisWere you aware that building numbering was not made by chance?

Indeed, after a first attempt at numbering under the reign of Louis XVI with numbers way too high able to reach the thousands. For this reason, the numbering system has been redesigned under the reign of Napoléon 1st. This version is the one we still have today.

With the high number of streets and buildings we had to find a way to have a certain consistency. That is why the Seine was chosen as a landmark for the building numbering in Paris.

In a nutshell, it is the Seine that lay down the law.

But in what way?

The numbering of buildings in Paris

For streets perpendicular to the river

For streets perpendicular to the river, the numbering starts with the buildings that are closer to the Seine, in increasing direction. Even numbers are always on the right side of the street as the passer-by turns his back on the river and is walking away from it. Odd numbers are then located on the left side of the street.

perpendicular street - numbering

For streets parallel to the river

For streets parallel to the river, whether you are above or under the Seine, the building numbering always starts following the flow direction of the river, which means from East to West so from left to right.

Even numbering is also on the right side as we walk in the same direction as the river.

In this kind of situation, the odd numbers are then located on the left side.

Easier than it seems!

 

building numbers in parisAnd what about the street plate?

At the beginning of the use of this new numbering, the counting had to be written in black on an ochre background for the perpendicular streets. As for the parallel streets, the numbering was in red and the background remained the same. But in the end, by bint of being damaged, it was the white numbering on a blue background that was chosen. However, the city of Paris is quite tolerant with the numbering of the street. Therefore, many street plates in Paris can be find in different forms.

As you know a bit more about the city of Paris, from now on, it will be easier for you to get your bearings in the City of Light.

 

 

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