Paris Office Space
Known as the City of Lights, Paris is the thriving capital of France with one of the largest GDPs in the world and a thriving diverse economy. The business services, finance and IT industries tend to dominate, along with high-tech manufacturing. Paris is home to the global headquarters of 29 of the Fortune Global 500 companies, including Peugeot, Total, BNP Paribas and Orange. It is also an incredibly popular tourist destination, with a rich cultural heritage and world-renowned landmarks.
The location
Paris is situated in the north of the country, on the Seine River. The city is divided into 20 arrondissements (neighbourhoods) arranged in a clockwork spiral. In terms of transport, Paris is served by three airports, six major train stations, with connections to the rest of the region and Europe, and an extensive bus and metro network.
Looking for an office in Paris
The serviced office market is developing in Paris, with more businesses understanding the value of this type of space, for flexibility and fixed costs, and for allowing companies access to a prestigious business address, as well as the ability to rent small spaces. New centres are opening in new areas all the time.
Popular business addresses in Paris include Rivoli, Champs Elysées, Tour Montparnasse and Grande Arche de la Défense. Accessibility is key, with areas close to business hubs favoured, such as Montparnasse, Gare de Lyon, Gare St Lazarre and Chatelet. Prices can be high and variable, depending on the area.
For businesses looking to move into the city the 8th or 9th arrondissement are great choices as these offer plenty of options and prices are more accessible than more upmarket areas. La Defense is another good choice – prices are cheaper and businesses have access to more modern buildings, along with the presence of many potential business partners and clients.
Office sizes in Paris
Companies in Paris still prefer private office space and coworking is not yet popular.
Instant offer a great variety of flexible office solutions in a range of sizes, and are able to accommodate most enquiries, from one person through to 100 or more, depending on the specifics. Serviced office providers can be flexible with the layout of the workspace and often provide tailor-made packages.
Why choose Paris?
Paris is an iconic city, and a major financial hub with a strong economy. It is also a global leader in commerce, fashion, education, politics, science, and the arts. Paris is an attractive destination for multinational companies, and is an influential member of the European Union. With an array of popular cultural attractions, an extensive public transport network, historic buildings and beautiful scenery, Paris is an ideal city in which to live and work.
A closer look at Paris
9th arrondissement
The Paris Opera 9th arrondissement is a traditional business district for insurance, wealth management and services in general. Danone and BNP Paribas both have headquarters in the area. Boulevard Haussmann is one of the main streets lined with apartments, businesses and department stores, and links to the 8th arrondissement. The district gets its name from Palais Garnier, an opera house built in the 1800s for the Paris Opera. It is well served by train, metro and bus connections.
8th arrondissement
The 8th arrondissement is situated on the right bank of the Seine, whose focal point is the famous Champs-Élysées — a boulevard lined with luxury stores, theatres, restaurants and other attractions. Other landmarks include the Arc de Triomphe, the Place de la Concorde and the official residence of the French president. The area is a showcase for the international business community, with a number of embassies and companies such as AXA, Bouygues, Électricité de France, HSBC France and Air China based here.
1st arrondissement
The 1st arrondissement is a historic and luxury area, home to the Louvre Museum and the Tuileries Gardens. It is one of the smallest districts, but popular with foreign companies and luxury brands. It is also one of the most active business areas, particularly for business services and administration. The 1st arrondissement is easily accessible via train, metro or bus, with many Parisian attractions within walking distance.
16th arrondissement
The 16th arrondissement is part residential and very exclusive — it's one of the most expensive areas, home to a number of law and accounting firms, embassies and international company headquarters. There are many beautiful historic buildings in the district, as well as large avenues, parks, museums, prestigious schools and sporting venues. Employees and residents enjoy easy access to public transport, convenient local amenities and a luxury postcode.
Montparnasse
Montparnasse (in the 14th arrondissement) is a popular area for businesses due to its proximity to the station of the same name. Gare Montparnasse is a major railway station that provides connections to the west and south-west of France including Tours, Bordeaux, Rennes and Nantes. The area is also home to one of the tallest and most iconic French skyscrapers, Tour Montparnasse.
Gare de Lyon
The area around Gare de Lyon in the 12th arrondissement is another sought-after location, also due to its rail links. Gare de Lyon is convenient for business with offices or clients in the south-east of France, as well as Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Spain. Many public sector bodies are based in the area, including the Ministry of Finance and RATP Group, a state-owned public transport operator.
La Defense
La Defense is Europe's largest purpose-built business district, located just west of Paris. It is home to over 70 skyscrapers and 1,500 corporate head offices, including 15 of the 50 leading global companies. Major corporations with offices in La Defense include Total, Société Générale, American Express, and Allianz.
Les Quatres Temps shopping mall — one of the biggest in Europe — is here, along with the iconic Grande Arch building. The district is served by the Paris Métro, RER, and Transilien suburban rail.
Want to find out more?
If you’re looking to move into the area, or simply require more information, contact Instant Offices' specialist local consultants.