Paris Arrondissements Guide: What’s in Each One + The Real Vibe by a Local

After 15 years exploring all 20 arrondissements of Paris – from the tourist-packed 1st to the quiet residential 20th – I know what makes each one unique. This Paris arrondissements guide (or Paris districts) explains what’s in each arrondissement, its distinct character and atmosphere, and what there is to see and do.

Looking for accommodation instead? See my guide to the best arrondissements to stay in Paris.

Last update: July 2026

Table of Contents:

1. The 20 Paris Districts at a Glance
2. Paris Arrondissement Map (How to Find Your Bearings)
3. Paris by Arrondissement: Vibe and Things to Do
4. Favorite Walking Tours by Arrondissement

The 20 Paris Districts at a Glance

Need the quick answer? Here’s a snapshot of all 20 Paris arrondissements, including the vibe of each area and what it’s best known for. Click on any arrondissement to jump to the detailed guide below.

• Paris 1 – Louvre: Royal palaces, museums, and Tuileries Gardens. Iconic but crowded.
• Paris 2 – Bourse: Historic, bustling central district. Business vibes mixed with history.
• Paris 3 – Temple: Trendy Le Marais. Hip galleries, vintage shops, cool energy.
• Paris 4 – Hôtel de Ville: Medieval charm, historical treasures, cafés to linger in.
• Paris 5 – The Latin Quarter: Students, bohemian energy, lively cafés and streets.
• Paris 6 – Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Intellectual, artistic, chic. Legendary café culture.
• Paris 7 – The Eiffel Tower District: Iconic sights, elegant avenues, and upscale cafés and restaurants
• Paris 8 – Elysée: Luxury, power, grand boulevards. Fancy shopping and fine dining.
• Paris 9 – Opéra: Grand theatre, shopping, lively. Belle Époque charm.
• Paris 10 – Canal Saint-Martin: Cool, hipster, laid-back. Young Parisians, local vibe.
• Paris 11 – République: Young, trendy, nightlife. Bars, restaurants, alternative energy.
• Paris 12 – Reuilly: Quiet, residential, local. Real Paris without tourists.
• Paris 13 – Butte-aux-Cailles: Bohemian, artistic, quirky. Street art, independent spirit.
• Paris 14 – Montparnasse: Artistic legacy, bohemian past. Literary history, relaxed vibe.
• Paris 15 – Vaugirard – Grenelle: Residential, family-friendly, quiet. Real neighborhood feel.
• Paris 16 – Chaillot -Auteuil – Passy: Upscale, residential, quiet. Elegant, leafy, peaceful.
• Paris 17 – Batignoles – Monceau: Village-like, residential, charming. Local Paris hidden gem.
• Paris 18 – Montmartre: Artistic, bohemian, and touristy in Montmartre, with a more mixed atmosphere in other areas.
• Paris 19 – Buttes-Chaumont: Green, alternative, cool. Parks, independent shops, young vibes.
• Paris 20 – Belleville: Multicultural, artistic, authentic. Street art, independent soul, real Paris.

Paris Arrondissement Map (+ How to Find Your Bearings)

Arrondissement Meaning

The Arrondissements of Paris are pure administrative divisions. Paris is divided into 20 Arrondissements (or 20 Paris Districts, it’s the same thing). In each Arrondissement, there is a town hall (Mairie) and a mayor (Maire) but they are still subject to the overall policy of the City and its Mayor, the socialist Emmanuel Grégoire.

How to Find Your Bearings in Paris

If you look at the Paris Arrondissement Map here above, the 1st Arrondissement of Paris is in the center of the city, then the other Paris Arrondissements are located forming a spiral, turning clockwise, to finish in the 20th Arrondissement in the east.

Another way to easily figure out what district you’re in is to look for the street signs that are affixed to the sides of buildings on pretty much every corner of the city. In addition to telling you what street you’re on, the plaques also show the Arrondissement on top.

Paris Arrondissements Explained: Vibe and Things to Do

This chapter takes a closer look at each of the 20 districts of Paris, explaining what makes each area unique and some historical notes. You’ll also find the main attractions, landmarks, and things to do in every arrondissement.

1st Arrondissement of Paris (Louvre)

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The 1st Arrondissement of Paris is the most central district and one of the places where you’re most likely to run into me. It is elegant, historic, and touristy, with grand museums, royal palaces, luxury shopping, and beautiful gardens.

This is the district of (half) Ile de la Cité and the royal and religious power in Medieval times, with the Louvre, the Palais Royal, the Conciergerie, the Sainte Chapelle, and the Place Vendôme within easy reach.

The First Arrondissement is also the district of Les Halles. Historically known as “the belly of Paris,” this Paris neighborhood is less upmarket than the areas around the Louvre, but it has a good choice of accommodations and restaurants for all kinds of travelers.

But visiting Paris 1 also means enjoying numerous green spaces right in the city center. The First Arrondissement boasts the largest area of ​​green space within the city walls (excluding the woods), thanks to the 25 hectares of the Tuileries Gardens. In addition, there are more secluded spots, such as the Square du Vert-Galant, at the western end of the Ile de la Cité – a haven of peace for Parisians seeking tranquility.

This unique district appeals to lovers of the authentic Parisian experience, where history, architecture, and culture meet.

2nd Arrondissement of Paris (Bourse)

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The 2nd Arrondissement is the smallest district in Paris and one of the hardest to define. It blends historic covered passages, a busy business district, an excellent food scene, and lively local streets.

Centered around the former Paris Bourse (Stock Exchange), the arrondissement has long been associated with commerce. Today, it remains home to many textile businesses, while Rue Montorgueil is one of the city’s best streets for food lovers and one of my personal favorites.

The arrondissement is known for its elegant Haussmann architecture, alongside beautiful 17th- and 18th-century buildings, as well as notable examples of Neo-Gothic and Art Deco design. If, like me, you are an architecture lover, don’t miss Rue Réaumur, which boasts an incredible collection of architectural styles.

During the day, the area buzzes with office workers and shoppers. In the evening, it takes on a different atmosphere, with theatres, wine bars, cocktail bars, and lively cafés attracting locals and visitors alike, particularly around Rue Montorgueil and Rue des Petits-Champs.

Elegant, lively, and centrally located, Paris 2 combines history, great food, beautiful architecture, and a distinctly Parisian atmosphere.

3rd Arrondissement of Paris (Temple)

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You may have heard of Le Marais, one of the most famous areas in Paris. Le Marais is neither an arrondissement nor a neighborhood, but a historic area that spans parts of the 3rd and 4th arrondissements.

The 3rd arrondissement is the quieter, more local side of Le Marais, especially compared with the busier 4th arrondissement. It is one of the best-preserved historic areas in Paris, where the charm of old Paris blends with contemporary creativity. Visitors will find high-end art galleries around Rue du Temple and Rue Beaubourg, while some of the city’s most beautiful private mansions now house fascinating museums. The Carnavalet Museum, dedicated to the history of Paris, is one of the highlights.

The 3rd arrondissement is also home to Paris’s first Chinese community, particularly around the Temple and Arts-et-Métiers neighborhoods, making it a great place to discover affordable and authentic Asian food.

Come to Paris 3 for beautiful cafés and wine bars, vintage shops, private mansions with hidden gardens, and contemporary art galleries.

4th Arrondissement of Paris (Hôtel de Ville)

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The 4th arrondissement has a very different feel from the 3rd. It’s the historic heart of Paris, home to Notre-Dame Cathedral, medieval streets, iconic landmarks, lively cafés, and the vibrant streets of Le Marais.

The 4th Arrondissement of Paris extends over a large part of the Ile de la Cité, the Ile Saint-Louis, and the southern part of Le Marais.

Deeply marked by history, it has nevertheless been redesigned over the centuries. The most recent of these changes concerned the Place Georges Pompidou with the construction of the Centre of the same name, with its bold architecture. It contrasts sharply with the classical architecture of the Place des Vosges or the private mansions of Le Marais, such as the Hôtel de Sully, or the Gothic-style Hôtel des Archevêques de Sens.

This Arrondissement has neighborhoods that loudly proclaim their belonging to a community, like the Jewish quarter around Rue des Rosiers and Rue Pavée or the so-called “gay district” around Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie.

A bourgeois and trendy neighborhood, the 4th Arrondissement never leaves anyone indifferent. Far from becoming a “museum district,” I love the 4th for its countless historic vestiges (it sometimes feels like a treasure hunt), atmospheric cafés, and the feeling of walking through layers of Parisian history.

5th Arrondissement of Paris (The Latin Quarter)

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The 5th Arrondissement has one of the strongest identities in Paris. One of the oldest parts of the city, it is best known for the Panthéon, its student life, intellectual history, and lively streets.

Much of the 5th arrondissement is part of the Latin Quarter, an area whose history dates back to Roman times. The Latin Quarter is home to remarkable vestiges of the past, including the Roman baths and the Arènes de Lutèce, as well as prestigious universities that have shaped its intellectual reputation and vibrant atmosphere.

But the 5th arrondissement is far more than the Latin Quarter and its student identity. Locals also enjoy the banks of the Seine River, the Great Mosque of Paris and its beautiful tea room, as well as the Jardin des Plantes, with its magnificent greenhouses and the Galerie de l’Évolution. Personally, Place Contrescarpe is my happy place, where I could spend hours people-watching with an apéritif in hand.

Historic, intellectual, and full of character, the 5th Arrondissement is, to me, the epitome of Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast, a charming part of Paris that continues to surprise visitors and locals alike.

6th Arrondissement of Paris (Saint -Germain-des-Prés)

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Sophisticated, literary, timeless, and quietly luxurious. The 6th Arrondissement of Paris feels like classic Paris – tree-lined streets, historic cafés, independent bookshops, elegant apartments, and locals lingering over coffee. It’s lively without being hectic, making it one of the city’s most pleasant districts to wander.

The arrondissement is best known for Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood, a historic meeting place for students, artists, writers, and intellectuals. Forever associated with Hemingway in Paris and the Lost Generation, it is also home to the Luxembourg Gardens, the impressive Saint-Sulpice Church, elegant architecture, and prestigious art galleries. While many of the independent printers and bookshops that once served the nearby universities have disappeared, the neighborhood has retained its unmistakable cultural identity.

Popular with tourists, the 6th Arrondissement symbolizes the Parisian art of living, a mixture of cultural life and lightness and an aesthetic aged by the years.

7th Arrondissement of Paris (Eiffel Tower)

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Elegant, prestigious, peaceful, and quintessentially Parisian. The 7th Arrondissement is defined by grand boulevards, beautiful Haussmann buildings, embassies, manicured gardens, and some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

Despite the crowds of tourists who gather on the Champs de Mars each day to admire the Eiffel Tower, and the many people who work in the area’s ministries, institutions, and embassies, the 7th Arrondissement retains a remarkably peaceful atmosphere. Shops are relatively few but of exceptional quality, particularly around Rue de Babylone, Boulevard Raspail, and Rue du Bac. The neighborhood is also home to the famous Le Bon Marché department store, which dates back to the Second Empire.

The arrondissement boasts an outstanding collection of museums, including the Musée d’Orsay, the Rodin Museum, Les Invalides (home to Napoléon I’s tomb), and the Musée du Quai Branly, renowned for its striking contemporary architecture.

Its rich cultural offerings, elegant avenues, beautiful streetscapes, and abundant green spaces make the 7th Arrondissement one of Paris’s most distinguished neighborhoods.

8th Arrondissement of Paris (Elysée)

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The 8th Arrondissement is Paris at its most luxurious, grand, and cosmopolitan. Around the Champs-Élysées, it’s busy and international, while the streets closer to Parc Monceau are quieter, elegant, and residential.

The vast majority of Paris 8 was built during the 19th century and features typical Haussmannian architecture, including beautiful bourgeois stone buildings and magnificent private mansions. Full of prestigious addresses that are dream destinations for tourists from all over the world, the arrondissement is home to the Élysée Palace, the Grand and Petit Palais, and the peaceful Parc Monceau.

Haute couture houses, luxury brands, and historic five-star hotels established here contribute to the arrondissement’s prestige. Framing the Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde – with its Luxor Obelisk and the beautifully restored Hôtel de la Marine – and the Arc de Triomphe contribute to the arrondissement’s grandeur.

Paris 8 is also a great place to go out in the evening. After performances at theaters such as the Théâtre du Rond-Point and Théâtre Marigny, or concerts at the famous Olympia concert hall, locals gather in the lively bars and cafés along the Champs-Élysées and Avenue George V.

A symbol and embodiment of the City of Lights, the 8th Arrondissement is truly enchanting, especially during the holiday season, when its illuminations and decorated window displays create a magical atmosphere.

9th Arrondissement of Paris (Opéra)

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Lively, eclectic, cultural, and effortlessly Parisian, the 9th Arrondissement offers a rare diversity, a blend of 19th-century Parisian architecture with theaters, department stores, cafés, music venues, and a growing food scene.

The Opéra neighborhood around the Palais Garnier is the cultural and emblematic heart of the arrondissement, while Nouvelle Athènes – an early 19th-century vision of an elegant, artistic Paris inspired by ancient Greece and the ideals of Romanticism – continues to attract visitors who appreciate art, heritage, and classical architecture.

Paris 9 is also the Grands Boulevards and its iconic department stores, Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, as well as charming small museums such as the Musée Grévin, the Fragonard Perfume Museum, and the Musée de la Vie Romantique.

In the evening, the district comes alive thanks to its numerous performance halls and theaters: the Folies Bergère, the Casino de Paris, the Théâtre de la Bruyère, and more intimate venues such as the Théâtre de Trévise. These venues, along with the surrounding bars where audiences gather for a final drink after the show, attract a loyal clientele and contribute to the 9th Arrondissement’s strong cultural identity.

10th Arrondissement of Paris (Canal Saint-Martin)

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Diverse, less touristy, and more working-class than other areas of Paris, the 10th Arrondissement offers a fascinating mix of local cafés, lively streets, multicultural restaurants, and everyday Parisian life, where the peaceful banks of the Canal Saint-Martin coexist with the constant movement of Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est.

Its many covered and uncovered passageways contrast sharply with the heavy traffic and noise of the main roads. Around Rue du Château d’Eau, African hair salons, specialty grocery stores, and informal pavement markets reflect the arrondissement’s multicultural identity, creating a distinctive atmosphere in the heart of Paris. Meanwhile, the Gare de l’Est and Gare du Nord train stations bring thousands of travelers through the arrondissement every day.

Paris 10 is also the district of the Canal Saint-Martin, with a more bourgeois, friendly atmosphere. The strolls along the canal, vintage shopping, and a break in a lovely café are followed by after work apéritifs in the terraces of the many bars, which become very festive in the evening.

11th Arrondissement of Paris (République)

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The 11th Arrondissement has one of the strongest neighborhood identities in Paris. It has a young, lively, creative, and socially diverse atmosphere, where traditional Parisian streets, independent businesses and artisan workshops, nightlife, and a thriving food scene come together.

The 11th Arrondissement is deeply marked by its historical significance. The Bastille prison, whose storming in 1789 symbolized the beginning of the French Revolution, remains a powerful symbol for Parisians. Social and political demonstrations continue to take place along the streets of the arrondissement – from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Nation – reflecting this enduring tradition of civic engagement and collective memory.

This activist spirit is also rooted in the area’s craftsmanship heritage, particularly in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, where cabinetmaking workshops once flourished. Despite the pressures of real estate development, some organizations continue to preserve the spirit of craftsmanship and manual work in the heart of the capital.

Although it is not home to many of Paris’s major landmarks, the 11th Arrondissement remains a central destination for nightlife, culture, and dining. The area around Place de la Bastille is among the liveliest in the capital, with the Opéra Bastille and a wide selection of cafés, restaurants, and bars. Its young, cosmopolitan population continues to shape a relaxed, creative, and distinctly urban atmosphere.

12th Arrondissement of Paris (Reuilly)

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Residential, relaxed, and authentic, the 12th Arrondissement has the distinction of being one of the greenest districts of Paris, home to the Parc Floral, part of the Bois de Vincennes, the La Coulée Verte, and Parc de Bercy.

Paris 12 may not be one of the must-see districts of this Paris arrondissement guide, but it is home to one of the city’s best markets, the Marché d’Aligre, as well as several unique museums, including the Cinémathèque Française, the Cité Nationale de l’Histoire de l’Immigration, and the Musée des Arts Forains. It also offers beautiful promenades and unusual historic sites such as the Picpus Cemetery.

My favorite part, Cour Saint-Émilion, is a must-visit for wine lovers. Its cobblestone paths, old railway tracks, century-old trees, and former wine and spirits warehouses all reflect the area’s past as one of the world’s largest wine markets. Today, it remains a pleasant place where I like to enjoy stopping for a good glass of wine. Not far away, a small but symbolic vineyard in the Jardin Yitzhak Rabin, within Parc de Bercy, helps keep this wine heritage alive.

13th Arrondissement of Paris (Butte-aux-Cailles)

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Unexpected, urban, creative, and constantly evolving. The 13th Arrondissement is located in the far southeast of Paris, on the Seine’s Left Bank. A kind of “no man’s land” with a strong Chinese influence, this former working-class district hides some cool places worth the detour, such as the arty Butte-aux-Cailles neighborhood, the Gobelins Manufactory, the Cité de la Mode et du Design, and Paris’s only floating hotel.

Formerly dotted with small villages and convents, Paris 13 was crossed by the Bièvre River, Paris’s second river. Due to pollution from the tanneries and factories along its banks, the Bièvre was gradually covered over during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The construction of the Bibliothèque François Miterrand in the 1980s helped put the district back on the map. The area around the building was transformed with avant-garde architecture, trendy bars along the Seine, and remarkable street art. The Mural Program in Paris 13 invited some of the world’s most renowned street artists to bring color to this part of the city.

The 13th Arrondissement is a district I especially enjoy visiting in summer. I love this section of the Seine, with its bars, restaurants, and péniches offering casual dining along the river. If you want to extend the evening, the péniches often transform into music bars after a certain hour, while salsa gatherings take place at the esplanade near the Bibliothèque François Mitterrand.

If you are a curious visitor, I strongly encourage you to give it a chance!

14th Arrondissement of Paris (Montparnasse)

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Artistic, intellectual, peaceful, and full of character. The 14th Arrondissement offers a quieter, more authentic side of Paris. Paris 14 is mainly known for the Catacombs of Paris and the lively streets around Montparnasse, overlooking the Montparnasse Tower and train station. These streets preserve the memory of the wild nights of the 1920s and 1930s, when artists, writers, and intellectuals gathered in its cafés and brasseries. Today, performance venues, crêperies, cinemas, and legendary restaurants continue to create a joyful atmosphere cherished by locals.

However, just a few streets away, the atmosphere becomes much more peaceful, with elegant bourgeois buildings, quiet residential streets, and the beautiful Parc Montsouris.

The Cité Universitaire is an interesting microcosm within Paris 14. Featuring architectural styles from different corners of the world, it is a hub of cultural life where students from around the world gather. Personally, I never miss its Jazz Festival in October, which showcases jazz groups from all over the world.

A very diverse Arrondissement, Paris 14 is above all a lively, vibrant, and pleasant place to explore.

15th Arrondissement of Paris (Vaugirard – Grenelle)

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Calm, family-friendly, and local, the 15th Arrondissement is where many Parisians come to settle down. Less about nightlife and postcard sights, it is a comfortable residential district of schools, markets, parks, and quiet streets.

A few attractions can still be found here, including hotels with Eiffel Tower views and a charming section of La Petite Ceinture. However, Paris 15 is, above all, a place to live rather than a place to visit.

16th Arrondissement of Paris (Chaillot – Auteuil – Passy)

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Bourgeois, elegant, residential, and discreet, the 16th Arrondissement represents one of the most refined and understated sides of Paris. Located on the Right Bank, it is known for its quiet avenues, beautiful buildings, and privileged lifestyle.

Paris 16 is home to remarkable Art Nouveau architecture and renowned museums such as the Marmottan Monet Museum, the Musée de l’Homme, the Fondation Louis Vuitton, and the Maison de Balzac. It also offers numerous cinemas, art galleries, theaters, chic rooftop bars, and foreign cultural institutes.

In Paris 16, you are never far from the Bois de Boulogne, a vast green space perfect for running, picnics, or a romantic evening at the Chalet des Îles (a personal favorite for a special occasion). Sports are also a major part of the arrondissement’s identity, with the Parc des Princes (home of PSG), Roland-Garros Stadium, and numerous private tennis clubs.

17th Arrondissement of Paris (Batignolles-Monceau)

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The 17th Arrondissement is one of the most residential areas of Paris. Located in the northwest of the city, it was largely occupied by royal hunting grounds until the French Revolution.

In the 19th century, the area evolved into three distinct neighborhoods, and the atmosphere changes dramatically from one to another: the merchant Quartier des Ternes, the bourgeois Quartier Monceau, and the artistic Quartier des Batignolles. I lived in Batignolles for half a year, and I loved its lively, village-like atmosphere.

With its markets, boutiques, green spaces, and elegant architecture, the 17th’s charm comes from this mix of refined residential streets, local life, and neighborhood contrasts.

18th Arrondissement of Paris (Montmartre)

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Paris 18 is perhaps the most paradoxical of the 20 arrondissements of Paris, making it difficult for me to summarize with a single atmosphere.

The 18th is home to the former village of Montmartre, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, and some of the most famous cabarets in Paris, yet it also includes working-class neighborhoods with a very different identity and atmosphere.

While there are no Paris districts to avoid, not every part of the 18th will appeal to every visitor. Neighborhoods such as La Chapelle and La Goutte d’Or offer a more intense, multicultural, and urban experience than the romantic image often associated with Montmartre. If you are staying in the 18th for its bohemian, quintessentially bohemian atmosphere, I recommend choosing accommodation around Montmartre, north of the Blanche, Pigalle, or Anvers metro stations.

Between these two clichés, locals and visitors enjoy a dynamic and lively district, which is both cosmopolitan and welcoming.

19th Arrondissement of Paris (Buttes-Chaumont)

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Multicultural, relaxed, green, and unpretentious, Paris 19 is where I live, so I can only say good things about this arrondissement! Less polished and more authentic than the western arrondissements, it offers a lively but laid-back atmosphere, perfect for those looking to escape the crowds and experience a more offbeat side of Paris.

Once a major industrial area developed around the slaughterhouse of La Villette (today home to a park and cultural hub) and the Canal de l’Ourcq, Paris 19 now has a more contemporary and local feel than many central districts of Paris. It is a neighborhood of canals, parks, and everyday life, where families, students, artists, and communities from around the world share the same streets.

In summer, the 19th is a great place to escape the tourist crowds, offering a more local version of Paris Plages, casual dining in the guinguettes along the canal and in the parks, and picturesque neighborhoods waiting to be explored.

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