Rive Gauche (Left Bank)

Rive Gauche (Left Bank). Crossing over from the Right Bank on any of several bridges, you'll link up with the Centre Ville Rive Gauche, which includes the shopping streets known as Rues Basses. If you take the Ponts de l'Ile, the Rues Basses are to your left; the Vieille Ville (Old Town) is straight ahead; and to your right is the Plainpalais banking, university, and art-and-theater district. Crossing over on Pont du Mont-Blanc gives you access to the Eaux-Vives waterfront area, behind which a residential, business, and shopping neighborhood opens up.