This is where tiny back street shops produce the bulk of France’s small name-brand apparel. Tiny sewing shops rub elbows along the back streets from the Rue D’Aboukir to the Rue du Caire producing every kind of clothing from standard knitwear and skirts, to synthetic furs, kitschy jewellery and knock-off designer watches. It is said that 24 hours after a major designer launches his latest creation, it can be found in every size somewhere in the Sentier for a tenth of the price. Indeed many wonder if the opposite isn’t true too. The variety of styles and materials is such that anyone can find inspiration on a hangar, practically anywhere.

At any moment, during an average week, the rue Réaumur is the worst way to get from the Bourse to Arts et Métiers by car. As if the stalled automotive traffic wasn’t enough, the sidewalks are murderous with heavy high-speed racks of garments being pushed along in every direction. But in spite, or more likely because, of all this activity, the area is great fun. This is Paris at its bee-hive best, with people from every ethnic background focusing on the magic of dressing the public, in anything they can think of.

The neighborhood has the usual cafes and small bistros catering to a working-class lunch audience. Fancier dining can be found farther down the Rue Montorgueil and near the Eglise Saint-Eustache (“Saint Eustache Church”). But the real attraction of this area is the diversity of ready-to-wear garments and accessories available whole-sale or retail in the myriad shop fronts that either produce clothing, or represent those who do.

Nightlife in the Sentier quartier is nonexistent. The Boulevard Sébastopol has a few cafés but in general this is an area best seen during the day. After closing hours the place is deserted, save for the busy sound of late-night workers filling orders on industrial sewing equipment in back courtyards.