Since Baron Haussmann shaped the face of the 7th arrondissement between 1853 and 1870, devotees of the Invalides district and aficionados of the Champ-de-Mars have argued over a property market midway between upper crust and family luxury. While the Champ-de-Mars may have its vast tree-planted avenues lined with private mansions under the benevolent gaze of the Eiffel Tower, Invalides relies on the prestige of its numerous institutions and embassies close to the Seine. Two similar but rival micro-markets, each with its own particular strengths.
Champ-de-Mars v. Invalides
The Champ-de-Mars, the sprawling public park located between the Eiffel Tower and the École Militaire, has been marked by a number of bloody episodes over the course of its history, which is how it came to be named after the god of war. Before the French Revolution, however, the land was used for nothing more than growing fruit and vegetables; it was only when the École Militaire was built in 1765 that it took on this new persona. A parade ground was consequently created to the south of the school, while the northern esplanade now incorporated a facade surrounding the Champ-de-Mars. It was here, during the Fête de la Fédération on 14 July 1790, that Louis XVI took the oath on the Constitution that had been read to him by La Fayette. Years later, from 1848 onwards, the Champ-de-Mars played host to the Universal Exhibitions, one of which, the 1889 edition, gave France its trademark Eiffel Tower. Invalides also has a rich history that, along with its beauty, contributes to its unique charm. The Hôtel des Invalides was built on the orders of Louis XIV in the late-17th century to house mutilated and wounded veterans. Soldiers were only allowed to stay there once they had served ten years in the army, a period that increased to twenty years in 1710. Humanitarian gesture aside, however, His Majesty didn’t particularly want to see these cripples wandering around the Pont-Neuf. Several war leaders are also buried here, the most famous, of course, being Napoleon I, whose ashes were brought back from St Helena in 1840. Invalides and the Champ-de-Mars are two key areas that have always attracted buyers looking for peaceful surrounding and spacious apartments.
At the top of the property pyramid here, of course, sit the private mansions, of which there are many throughout the arrondissement, but annual transactions involving such properties, typically in excess of €10 million, can usually be counted on one hand. What about prices in the 7th arrondissement in general? While the 2024 average is around €14,000/sq.m, sales at the upper end of the scale can easily exceed the €20,000/sq.m mark, and with a steady upward trend that investors will no doubt find reassuring!
The 7th arrondissement, with its embassies, ministries, and iconic Eiffel Tower views, is a coveted address for discerning buyers. Luxury apartments here blend historic prestige and architectural excellence. For more opportunities, explore nearby districts such as the 5th arrondissement and the 6th arrondissement, or browse our exclusive offers on Paris Rive Gauche.
