Staying in the heart of historic Paris: from the Louvre to the Pont-Neuf
The Hôtel Ducs de Bourgogne is a 4-star hotel situated at 19 Rue du Pont Neuf, in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. Its location allows guests to explore the Louvre, the Pont-Neuf, La Samaritaine, the banks of the Seine and several sites in the historic centre on foot. The Île de la Cité and Notre-Dame are also natural extensions of your stroll.
With its 37 rooms, the hotel is an ideal base for exploring Paris at the pace of its streets. In the morning, head to the Louvre. A few hours later, stroll along the banks of the Seine. Cross the Pont-Neuf or experience a change of atmosphere around La Samaritaine.
Staying in the heart of Paris also means being able to put the map away, set off on foot and let the city guide your day.
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Why choose a hotel in the centre of Paris to explore the capital on foot?
Choosing a hotel in the centre of Paris allows you to approach your stay differently. From Les Ducs de Bourgogne, several major attractions fit naturally into walking itineraries.
The hotel’s official website notes that the Louvre is less than a ten-minute walk away, whilst La Samaritaine is about four minutes’ walk away. This proximity changes the rhythm of the day. You can spend the morning at a museum, then head down to the quays, stop for lunch and set off in a different direction.
There’s no longer any need to treat every journey as a separate stage to organise. Less time spent travelling between places, more time to take in Paris between visits.
What can you explore on foot from Les Ducs de Bourgogne?
Culture, architecture, shopping or heritage: there are many different facets of central Paris to discover around the hotel.
The Pont-Neuf, almost at the end of the street
It’s hard to start anywhere else: the Ducs de Bourgogne is on Rue du Pont Neuf, close to one of Paris’s most iconic bridges.
Cross it to reach the Île de la Cité or simply stop for a moment to gaze out over the Seine. The quays, the façades and the views are already part of the experience.
In Paris, a few hundred metres are sometimes enough to tell the story of several centuries of history.
The Louvre to start the day with a cultural treat
From the hotel, the Louvre is less than a ten-minute walk away, so you can easily head to the museum first thing in the morning and spend as much time there as it deserves. Paintings, sculptures, antiquities and works of art make up collections that, of course, a single visit is not enough to take in fully.
The museum is closed on Tuesdays. As opening times and admission conditions may change, always check the official information before your visit.
La Samaritaine for a complete change of scene
After a bit of culture, why not switch to a completely different atmosphere? La Samaritaine is about a four-minute walk from the Ducs de Bourgogne, according to the hotel’s website.
Fashion, beauty, gastronomy and architecture offer a different way to experience central Paris and provide a real sense of freedom. You can spend several hours there or simply pop in whilst out for a stroll.
The Bourse de Commerce to continue your exploration of contemporary art
Nearby, the Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection lets you continue your day exploring art. Its programme, dedicated to contemporary art, offers an interesting contrast to the Louvre’s historical collections. In just a few streets, you can move from a world-class museum to a venue dedicated to the art of our time.
Two very different cultural experiences, without even having to cross Paris.
Crossing the Seine to the Île de la Cité
From the Pont-Neuf, make your way to the Île de la Cité. The Seine runs alongside the walk, offering a different perspective on the Parisian façades. You’ll be leaving the 1st arrondissement, but you’ll remain at the heart of the capital’s history. The walk can continue all the way to Notre-Dame de Paris. Then take some time to explore the surrounding area before heading back.
To return, there’s no need to follow exactly the same route. The banks of the Seine offer a different perspective on the historic centre: bridges, façades and monuments gradually accompany your return to the Pont-Neuf.
On foot, you never quite experience Paris in exactly the same way twice.
Why choose the 1st arrondissement to discover historic Paris?
The 1st arrondissement is home to several key sites for understanding and exploring the capital. The Louvre and the Tuileries tell part of its cultural history. The Pont-Neuf and the Seine allow you to rediscover Paris’s grand vistas. La Samaritaine and the Bourse de Commerce reveal other facets of the neighbourhood.
This diversity means you can plan several days’ worth of visits without turning your stay into a series of long journeys.
Other neighbourhoods are, of course, well worth exploring. But for a first taste of Paris, starting with its historic heart already offers a wonderful glimpse of the capital.
To extend your exploration, the City Guide by the Dukes of Burgundy brings together various ideas for things to do around central Paris.
Key points: why stay at Les Ducs de Bourgogne to explore Paris on foot?
Les Ducs de Bourgogne is an ideal base for exploring the historic centre thanks to:
• a 4-star hotel in Paris’s 1st arrondissement;
• the Pont-Neuf, the Louvre and La Samaritaine nearby;
• 37 rooms where you can return to the hotel at the end of each day.
From a single location, you can explore culture, heritage, architecture, shopping and walks at your own pace.
Everything you need to know for your stay in central Paris
Where to stay if you’re exploring Paris on foot?
Staying in central Paris allows you to explore several attractions in the same area. From the Hôtel des Ducs de Bourgogne, the Louvre, the Pont-Neuf, La Samaritaine and the banks of the Seine are all within walking distance.
Which neighbourhood should you choose to explore historic Paris?
The 1st arrondissement is a particularly good starting point thanks to the Louvre, the Tuileries, the Pont-Neuf, the Seine and its proximity to the Île de la Cité.
Do you need to book in advance to visit Notre-Dame?
Entry to Notre-Dame is free and open to all. Free booking is optional but recommended to minimise waiting times. Conditions may change: please check the official website before your visit.
