Luxury Living in Paris: The Left Bank Enclave of “Gros Caillou 6”

Discover the exclusive neighborhood that only the most affluent call home.

In the heart of Paris, nestled between the iconic Champ-de-Mars and the elegant Esplanade des Invalides, lies a neighborhood accessible only to the ultra-wealthy. Welcome to “Gros Caillou 6” – an exclusive enclave of the Gros Caillou neighborhood of the 7th arrondissement – that has recently been crowned the wealthiest neighborhood in all of France. What makes this area so special, and who calls it home?

A New Benchmark for Wealth

To understand just how exclusive Gros Caillou is, consider this: to rank among the top 10% of residents in this tiny pocket of Paris, you’d need a monthly income of at least 21,884 euros after taxes. To put this in perspective, the Observatoire des Inégalités, an independent French organization, estimates that nationwide, you’d need just 3,489 euros per month to be considered among the top 10% of earners.

Even by Parisian standards, Gros Caillou stands out. In the City of Light, where luxury is the norm, it takes 6,000 euros a month to break into the top 10%. But Gros Caillou? It’s in a league of its own.

Who Lives in Gros Caillou?

Local real estate professionals have operated in this zone for years without ever hearing the specific “Gros Caillou 6” designation. That said, it’s well known that the area is host to some of the most well-heeled residents of Paris.

The neighborhood attracts a diverse mix:

1. High-powered executives and their families, living in spacious three or four-bedroom apartments.
2. Wealthy individuals from other parts of France, who buy smaller apartments or studios as pieds-à-terre. These often serve as crash pads for their kids studying in Paris.
3. International buyers, although their numbers dipped slightly after the summer 2023 street demonstrations. The recent Olympic Games put a spotlight back on the area with the exciting events at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, and there’s already an uptick in foreign interest.
4. Celebrities, especially TV personalities, who are drawn to the area’s exceptional security and privacy due to the many international organizations, foreign embassies and government ministries in the area.

Gros Caillou is also home to some of Paris’s most prestigious educational institutions. The neighborhood boasts top-tier private schools like La Rochefoucauld, the Alma Institute, and even the American University of Paris. This concentration of academic excellence makes the area particularly attractive to families.

The Price of Paradise

Living in France’s wealthiest neighborhood doesn’t come cheap. Local real estate experts estimate that property prices in Gros Caillou range from 14,000 to 20,000 euros per square meter. In real terms, that means:

• A cozy 40 square meter apartment (about 430 square feet) will set you back at least 550,000 to 600,000 euros.
• For a family-sized 150 square meter place (around 1,600 square feet) with four bedrooms? You’re looking at a cool 2.4 to 2.6 million euros.

A Microcosm of Global Wealth

The Gros Caillou neighborhood represents more than just a collection of high-priced properties. It serves as a mirror reflecting broader trends in global wealth concentration and urban development, and embodies the enduring allure of Paris itself.

The neighborhood’s blend of historical charm, modern luxury, and cultural significance encapsulates why the City of Light continues to captivate the world’s elite. Its prestigious schools, prime location and proximity to iconic landmarks, and promise of privacy make the neighborhood not just a place to live: it’s a statement, an investment, and a legacy. Those features attract Parisian and international buyers interested in longterm value, high-end real estate. The Gros Caillou streets are not be paved with gold, but the real estate certainly glitters.

Source: Figaro | Photo credit: Moonik