The 1st arrondissement is in the middle of the city on the right bank of the Seine, and includes the famous Louvre art gallery and Place Vendôme. The arrondissements curl round until the 20th on the eastern edge of the city.
Each arrondissement is like a town in itself with its own Town Hall and police headquarters.
The administrative divisions have laid untouched since 1954.
Hidalgo's move would – which was first brought up in September last year- would reduce the discrepancies between the services available to the public in each arrondissement.
For example the chances of parents finding a place in nursery for their child can vary significantly depending on which arrondissement they live in.
A look at the map reveals the size of the arrondissements varies widely with the smallest one, the 2nd, being just 1 square kilometre compared to the largest, the 16th, which is nearly 8 square kilometres in size.
While the 1st arrondissement is home to just 17,000 residents, the 15th can count 240,000.
Whether the plan will become a reality or not will be decided in mid-February.
READ ALSO: Facts you need to know about the Paris arrondissements
Member comments