The 16th arrondissement, endorsed by Parisian families

There are many reasons why the 16th arrondissement of Paris is among the most favored by large Parisian families, Frédérique Verrier-Pytel, director of BARNES Paris XVI, tells us.

The sheer enthusiasm that parents and future parents have for this district is the best kind of advertisement. Word of mouth works wonders. The 16th arrondissement of Paris is not only an ideal neighborhood to raise a family, but an intelligent investment to establish a family property that can be passed through the generations.

According to the law of attraction, it’s more than probable that families attract families - and it’s obvious in the 16th, with its gangs of strollers and scooters dominating the streets. This scene is quite the sight, backed by the elegant homogeneity of architecture and urban planning, majestic Haussmann buildings and hôtels particuliers, some equipped with a private garden or courtyard. In the end, no detail looks out of place. All facades have been refurbished, adding a particular gleam to this part of Paris. The monuments, especially, are integral to the landscape, without which something would feel missing. This is part of the joys of living in the 16th, passing through the bustling Trocadéro plaza, and its view of the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, on a daily basis. It’s magical. Frédérique disclosed to us that the housing plan in the 16th arrondissement is especially suitable for growing families, as large apartments with 3 to 4 bedrooms are very common on the market. A significant asset, for investors as well as buyers, is that real estate prices are lower than that of the neighboring arrondissements.

Why are families attracted to the 16th?

The 16th arrondissement of Paris has all the characteristics families are looking for, says the director of BARNES Paris XVI. First of all, there are a number of elite schools in this arrondissement: Lycée Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague (known simply as “Franklin”), Institut de Latour, Institut de l’Assomption-Lübeck, Saint-Jean de Passy, Lycée Janson, and Lycée Collège Jean-Baptiste Say, among others. These academic powerhouses attract families from all over Paris and the surrounding region who are interested in giving their children a highly competitive education. Of course, safety is a concern. But have no fear, children can walk or take the bus to school.

The arrondissement maintains its wide tree-lined avenues and kid-friendly green spaces to an immaculate. Many meet at the Jardin du Ranelagh on weekends. Its little ponies and the famous puppets of the Marionnettes du Ranelagh have been bringing children joy since 1930. The beautiful Bois du Boulogne, with its 846 hectares, is the pride and joy of residents across all of Paris. In addition, the 16th offers a number of sports complexes.

On the side of commerce, there is no shortage of shopping in 16th. The Longchamps-Saint-Didier, Passy, and Auteuil neighborhoods are full of shops and boutiques. On certain weekdays, you can even find a market, with its stalls, taking place on the streets of the 16th. The grand opening of La Grande Epicerie was much anticipated, elevating the status of the traditional 16th to a trendy district with hip boutiques, such as Maison Sarah Lavoine, Brandy Melville, and fashionable restaurants ((Numéro 41, Poule de Luxe, Auteuil Brasserie …).

Beautiful apartments in the 16th

The 16th arrondissement of Paris is known to be one of the city’s most elegant. It’s home to a selection of magnificent apartments and hôtels particuliers or private mansions. Frédérique Verrier-Pytel disclosed to us that the demand is much stronger than the supply. An apartment in the 16th arrondissement sells quickly, especially for the right price. Even more, if it has a terrace or a beautiful view, it can sell in a flash. Very recently she told us, “We had 2 offers, in the same day, for a dual-aspect apartment with 3 or 4 bedrooms and a terrace on the top floor of a building in the neighborhood of La Muette.”

This arrondissement is also very popular with affluent foreigners who want to live in the center of Paris, near all the monuments. Along the 16th’s avenues and in the OECD district, you’ll come across a number of embassies. Recently, there has been a surge of interest from expatriates, returning from London, in search of beautiful residences for their families. They prefer properties that have already been renovated and offer large surface areas, a move-in ready apartment. Frédérique and her office are there to provide support and guidance throughout the entire process in preparation for their arrival. She also revealed to us that her client base is not exclusive to families, as recent retirees, anticipating their return to France, want to invest in a pied-à-terre on the smaller side (100 to 130 m2) to rent in the meantime. We have an entire BARNES team dedicated to rental properties in Trocadéro.

In one word

As with each interview, we asked Frédérique to define the 16th in one word, and to our delight, she treated us to two: 'Traditional and trendy.' It’s true, the 16th arrondissement offers a classic and traditional Parisian elegance with a trendy touch. After all, a classic never goes out of style.