The 1st - 7th arrondissements. How to see the real Paris on foot. Paris is a collection of arrondissements, each having it's own history and distinctive character. Around and About Paris is published in three volumes, each covering several arrondissements, in numerical order, for ease of reference and because this accurately represents the way the city grew. Each chapter consists of an introduction that sets the scene for your explorations of the arrondissement and a section outlining where to walk and what you will learn and experience along the way.