The Boulevard Haussmann is a major cross-town artery for commuters from both sides of the city. The portion between the Boulevard des Italiens and the Rue Tronchet, is almost entirely taken up by major department stores (Printemps, Galeries Lafayette…), banks, and luxury hotels on both sides of the boulevard.

This is an area with a dual identity: During the day it is the commercial hub of Paris, whose sidewalks teem with shoppers from around the world, and at night the conduit to theaters and the Opera, as well as home to numerous hotels and restaurants in the area. The "Grands Boulevards" (bd des Italiens, bd de Montmartre, bd Poissonière) offer the night-time entertainment with its many restaurants and theaters, including the famous Grand Rex cinema.

Architecturally, the old Credit Lyonnais building near the boulevard Montmartre is somewhat impressive, as well as the Opera Garnier on the Place Diaghilev, but then, this isn’t a place for casual touring, this is where people come to power-shop!