Pařížská Street

Pařížská Street (Paris Street), linking Old Town Square with the Čech Bridge over the Vltava, is Prague’s most glamorous boulevard—a showcase of luxury shopping, belle époque architecture, and quiet grandeur. Running through the historic Josefov Jewish Quarter, it was laid out in the late 19th century during the urban redevelopment that followed the demolition of the old ghetto and was originally named Franz Josef Street, after Emperor Franz Joseph I. It was later renamed Pařížská to evoke the elegance of Paris’s wide, tree-lined boulevards.

Lined with elegant façades in Art Nouveau and Neo-Baroque styles, the street draws comparisons to the Champs-Élysées. Today, it’s home to flagship stores of international fashion houses like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Cartier, and Dior, along with upscale Czech boutiques and jewelers. Even if you’re not shopping, the architectural details—curved balconies, wrought-iron railings, mosaics, and sculptural flourishes—make it worth a slow stroll.

At the end of the street near Čech Bridge stands the Intercontinental Hotel, a striking Brutalist structure from the 1970s, currently undergoing an extensive renovation to become a new Fairmont hotel—a rare blend of historic modernism and upcoming luxury.

Beyond the glitz, the street also holds literary significance—Franz Kafka briefly lived at no. 36. A plaque marks the spot, offering a quiet nod to the writer whose life was intimately connected with Prague’s Old Town and Jewish Quarter. For those interested in delving deeper into Kafka's life, visit his birthplace, which is marked by a commemorative plaque and is now part of Franz Kafka Square, a small area dedicated to the writer, located close to the Old Town Square.

Nearby side streets still bear the atmosphere of old Josefov, with narrow lanes and major Jewish landmarks like the Old-New Synagogue and Jewish Cemetery just a few steps away.

💡 Top Tip 💡

Don’t just window-shop, look up! Pařížská Street is a showcase of Prague’s most exquisite facades, complete with ornate balconies, intricate stucco work, and whimsical details. The real spectacle is above eye level, so take your time and walk slowly with your gaze lifted. For a quieter escape, detour into Široká or Maiselova Street, where the crowds thin and the old Jewish Quarter begins to unfold in more atmospheric, intimate corners.

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🍴Where to eat : 

(Here are some suggestions. All are within 7 min walking from your current location).

 

[$]

Mannson’s Danish Bakery & Café (Scandinavian Bakery) 4.3 ⭐

 

[$]

Shelanu Pizzeria (Kosher Dairy Pizzeria) 4.2 ⭐ 

Mistral Café (Modern Czech & European cuisine with courtyard seating) 4.5 ⭐ 

Golem Restaurant (Kosher Meat Restaurant) 4.3 ⭐

[$$]

Asian Temple (Pan-Asian Fusion with Teppanyaki Show) 4.4 ⭐ 

Gruzie Restaurant (Authentic Georgian Cuisine & Live Music) 4.6 ⭐

La Bodeguita del Medio (Cuban Restaurant & Cocktail Bar with Live Music) 4.3 ⭐

 

[$$]

La Veranda (Elegant European Cuisine) 4.7 ⭐ 

Le Moules (Belgian-Inspired Seafood & Mussels) 4.4 ⭐