The first time we visited Paris, we did what a lot of first-timers do. We found a deal on a hotel with a view of the Eiffel Tower and booked it. We thought we had it all figured out.
The reality was that we spent half of our trip on the metro just trying to get to the neighbourhoods where we actually wanted to spend our time. We were so focused on seeing that famous landmark from our window that we missed out on the real feel of the city.
On our next visit, we stayed in a small flat in Le Marais, and it changed everything. Our days started with grabbing fresh croissants from the bakery downstairs and ended with a glass of wine at a sidewalk cafe. We finally understood that the most important decision you’ll make when planning your trip isn’t which museums to see first, but which neighbourhood you’ll call home.
After more than a decade of travelling back to our favourite city, we’ve learned a lot. This guide is our way of sharing that first-hand knowledge with you. It’s not a list of every hotel in Paris. It’s our straightforward, experience-based advice to help you choose the perfect home base for your travel style, so you can spend less time on the metro and more time living your Paris dream.
The Best Areas to Stay in Paris at a Glance
Don’t have time to read the whole post? Here are our top hotel suggestions in different Paris neighborhoods based on our travels.
- For Your First Visit: Saint-Germain-des-Prés on the Left Bank (in Paris)
- For Food and Nightlife: Le Marais
- For Art and a Village Feel: Montmartre
- For a Local Vibe: The Latin Quarter (home to the Jardin du Luxembourg)
- For Luxury and Shopping: 1st Arrondissement (The Louvre)
Watch Our Video on the Best Paris Neighbourhoods
Understanding Paris’s Arrondissements
Before we dive into the best neighbourhoods, it helps to know how Paris is laid out. The city is divided into 20 administrative districts called arrondissements.
Imagine a snail shell. The 1st arrondissement is at the centre, and the rest spiral outwards clockwise. As a general rule, the lower the number, the more central you are. Most of the main tourist sights and the neighbourhoods we recommend for a first or second visit are in single-digit arrondissements (1 through 9). It’s a simple system that makes navigating the city much easier once you get the hang of it.
The Best Neighbourhoods to Stay in Paris (Our First-Hand Experience)
Le Marais (Arrondissements 3 & 4) – Best for Foodies and Culture
The Vibe
Le Marais is one of the most dynamic areas in Paris. It’s a collision of history and modern energy. You’ll find grand 17th-century mansions and beautiful squares like the Place des Vosges alongside trendy fashion boutiques, contemporary art galleries, and a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene. Its narrow, medieval streets are full of life, packed with bakeries, falafel shops, and wine bars.
Our Personal Take
This is the neighbourhood that made us fall in love with Paris all over again. We love that you can spend a whole day here without a set plan. Our favourite thing to do is grab a falafel on Rue des Rosiers and eat it in the Place des Vosges, watching the city go by. It’s a place for wandering, getting a little lost, and discovering your own favourite cafe or courtyard.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Very central and walkable to many attractions like the Louvre, Notre Dame and museums like The Picasso Museum and the Centre Pompidou. An incredible food scene for all budgets. Lively atmosphere day and night.
- Cons: It can be one of the more expensive areas to stay. The popular streets get very crowded, especially on weekends.
Hotel Recommendations in Le Marais
- Luxury Pick: Le Pavillon de la Reine & Spa. An elegant hotel tucked away from the street in a quiet courtyard right on the Place des Vosges. It’s a peaceful escape from the busy neighbourhood.
- Mid-Range Pick: Hôtel Jeanne d’Arc. A great value hotel on a quieter street but still just a few minutes walk from the action. The rooms are simple, clean, and comfortable.
- Apartment Style: CMG Rambuteau/Archives. Renting a small flat is our favourite way to stay in Le Marais. It lets you live like a local, shopping at the markets and bakeries.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Arrondissement 6) – Best for First-Timers & Romance
The Vibe
If you have a classic, romantic image of Paris in your mind, intellectuals debating in historic cafes, art galleries lining cobblestone streets, and beautiful Haussmannian buildings at every turn, you’re probably thinking of Saint Germain des Pres. It’s elegant, sophisticated, and home to iconic cafes, luxury boutiques, and the peaceful Luxembourg Gardens. This is the historic heart of Parisian literary and artistic life on the Left Bank. In our opinion, it is the perfect location for a romantic getaway.
Our Personal Take
This is the neighbourhood we always recommend to friends visiting Paris for the first time. It feels like you’ve stepped right into a movie set. One of our favourite travel memories is simply sitting at an outdoor table at Les Deux Magots, sipping a coffee, and just watching the world go by. It’s the quintessential Paris experience, and it never gets old. A good hotel location here means you are in walking distance of so many iconic sights, which is key to exploring Paris without stress.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: The classic Parisian atmosphere is undeniable. It’s centrally located and perfect for walking to the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Notre Dame. It’s a beautiful and very safe area.
- Cons: This is one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in Paris for both hotels and dining. It gets a lot of tourist traffic during the day.
Hotel Recommendations in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Luxury Pick: Hotel Lutetia. A landmark hotel in the area that blends Art Deco history with modern luxury. It’s a true five-star experience with an incredible spa.
- Mid-Range Pick: Hôtel de Buci. A charming hotel with classic Parisian decor, including balconies overlooking the lively Rue de Buci market street. The location is superb for exploring.
- Boutique Pick: Hotel Dame des Arts. This lovely boutique hotel has a fantastic rooftop bar with incredible views, letting you see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night.
Montmartre (Arrondissement 18) – Best for Art and a Village Feel
The Vibe
Perched on a large hill in the north of Paris, Montmartre feels like a village that has been preserved in time. With its winding cobblestone streets, ivy-covered buildings, and rich artistic history (it was once home to artists like Picasso and Van Gogh) it has a unique atmosphere that’s completely different from the grand boulevards of central Paris. The area is crowned by the magnificent Sacré-Cœur Basilica and is famous for the artists painting portraits in the Place du Tertre.
Our Personal Take
We love escaping to Montmartre for an afternoon. After climbing the many stairs to the top, we like to bypass the busiest crowds at the basilica and get lost in the side streets behind it. That’s where you find the real heart of the neighbourhood. We found a tiny cafe there on our last trip and just watched the local life unfold. It’s a part of Paris that truly rewards a bit of wandering.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: It has a unique and picturesque village atmosphere. You can often find more affordable, mid-priced hotel options here, including some great budget hotels. The views of the city from the hilltop are spectacular.
- Cons: It’s located far from the city center, so you’ll be using the metro a lot. The area around Sacré-Coeur is one of the most crowded spots in Paris. The steep hills can be challenging to walk.
Hotel Recommendations in Montmartre
- Boutique Pick: Hôtel Monsieur Aristide. A stylish and modern small boutique hotel with a focus on sustainability.
- Mid-Range Pick: Terrass” Hôtel. The main draw of this hotel room is its incredible rooftop terrace and bar and you are just a stones throw from Sacré-Cœur.
- Apartment Style: Montmartre Residence. Offers modern and spacious apartments, some with a sofa bed or adjoining rooms making them ideal for families.
The Latin Quarter (Arrondissement 5) – Best for a Local Vibe & History
The Vibe
The Latin Quarter is the historic student hub of Paris, home to the Sorbonne University. This gives the neighbourhood a lively, bohemian, and intellectual energy you won’t find anywhere else. The streets are a maze of narrow medieval lanes packed with old bookshops, including the famous Shakespeare and Company, affordable bistros, arthouse cinemas, and jazz clubs. It’s a place that buzzes with history, an authentic slice of medieval Paris.
Our Personal Take
We love the raw energy of the Latin Quarter. It feels less polished than other central districts, and that’s what makes it great. We always make a point to get lost here for a few hours, browsing the old bookstalls along the Seine before finding one of the many incredible restaurants for a classic, no-frills French meal. It’s one of the best places in Paris to find a delicious and affordable dinner.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: A very lively and energetic atmosphere. It has some of the best budget-friendly food in the city. The location is central and walkable to Notre Dame and the Luxembourg Gardens.
- Cons: The main streets can be very noisy and crowded, especially at night. It’s a popular spot for both tourists and students, so it’s always busy.
Hotel Recommendations in the Latin Quarter
- Historic Pick: Hôtel Saint-Paul Rive-Gauche. This hotel is set in a 17th-century building that was once a Franciscan convent. It’s a beautiful, historic property on a quiet street. Every hotel room comes with a private bathroom and modern comforts.
- Mid-Range Pick: The 5th Hôtel. A cozy and colourful hotel with a friendly atmosphere. It’s known for its excellent breakfast buffet and is a great location for exploring.
- Boutique Pick: Hôtel La Lanterne & Spa. A modern and stylish boutique hotel with a beautiful indoor swimming pool and spa, which is a rare find in this historic part of the city.
1st Arrondissement (The Louvre) – Best for Luxury and Shopping
The Vibe
The 1st Arrondissement is the geographical and historical centre of Paris, and where we stayed on our last visit to Paris. This is where you’ll find the masters at the Louvre Museum, the manicured Tuileries Garden, and the opulent Place Vendôme. The vibe is grand, elegant, and luxurious. The streets are lined with high-end designer boutiques, famous jewellers, and five-star hotels with iconic histories. It’s the Paris of royalty and runway shows.
Our Personal Take
Staying in the 1st Arrondissement makes you feel like you are at the centre of the universe. Everything seems to be just a short walk away. We love starting a morning with a walk through the Tuileries Garden before the crowds arrive. While it’s not a neighbourhood known for its cozy, local feel, you can’t beat the convenience and the sheer grandeur of the architecture that surrounds you.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: It is the most central location in Paris, making it incredibly convenient for sightseeing on foot. It’s perfect for museum lovers and high-end shoppers.
- Cons: This is the most expensive area of Paris. It can feel very tourist-heavy and lacks the local, neighbourhood feel of other districts.
Hotel Recommendations in the 1st Arrondissement
- Ultimate Luxury: Le Meurice. An iconic “palace hotel” with extravagant decor, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and impeccable service. It overlooks the Tuileries Garden.
- Historic Pick: Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal. Located right next to the Palais Royal garden, this hotel offers a quiet and elegant retreat from the busy streets. Many rooms have private balconies.
- Boutique Pick: Maison Armance. A smaller, more intimate hotel located on the upper floors of a building on the famous Rue Saint-Honoré, offering a unique and chic Parisian experience.
Where to Avoid Staying in Paris
While every neighbourhood in Paris has its own unique qualities, not all of them are ideal for a first-time or short-term visitor. Our advice isn’t about which areas are “bad,” but rather which ones might be inconvenient or not give you the experience you’re looking for on a first trip.
Based on our experience, we suggest thinking twice before booking a hotel in these areas:
- Near Major Train Stations (Gare du Nord, Gare de l’Est, Gare de Lyon): While it might seem convenient for your arrival and departure, the immediate areas around the major train stations can be gritty and lack the Parisian atmosphere most visitors dream of. It’s better to stay in a more central neighbourhood and simply take a taxi or the metro to the station when you need to.
- Right by the Eiffel Tower (7th Arrondissement): This might be a surprise, but we learned this lesson the hard way. The residential areas immediately surrounding the Eiffel Tower are surprisingly quiet and a bit removed from the vibrant, bustling heart of the city. You’ll spend a lot of time travelling to other neighbourhoods for food and sightseeing. It’s a magnificent place to visit, but not the best home base.
- The Outer Arrondissements (19th, 20th, etc.): While these districts offer a more local and budget-friendly experience, they are generally too far from the city centre for a typical tourist visit. You’ll likely spend a significant portion of your valuable time on the metro just getting to and from the main attractions.
Final Tips for Booking Your Stay in Paris
You’ve chosen your favourite neighbourhood, and you’re almost ready to book. Before you do, here are a few final pieces of advice we’ve learned over the years to make sure your stay is as smooth as possible.
- Book Far in Advance: Paris is one of the most visited cities on Earth, and the best hotels and apartments get booked up months ahead of time, especially during the spring and summer. To get the best choice and price, we recommend booking at least 3 to 6 months in advance.
- Check Proximity to a Metro Station: Your feet will thank you for this. Before you book, pull up a map and see how close your hotel is to a metro stop. Being a 2-minute walk versus a 15-minute walk from the metro makes a huge difference. A convenient location with easy access to multiple metro lines will save you a ton of time.
- Read the Most Recent Reviews: Don’t just look at the overall score of a hotel. Take a minute to read the three or four most recent reviews. They will give you the most current picture of your chosen Paris hotel’s cleanliness, service, and any potential issues.
- Don’t Obsess Over an Eiffel Tower View: We said it before, but it’s worth repeating. A great neighbourhood experience will always be more memorable than a view of a landmark from your room. Stay in a place with character and visit the sights. You’ll have a much better trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where to Stay in Paris
For first-time visitors, we always recommend Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th Arrondissement). It’s incredibly central, safe, beautiful, and offers the classic Parisian experience right outside your door. You can easily walk to many of the main attractions like the Louvre and Notre Dame.
We recommend at least 4 to 5 full days for a first trip to Paris. This gives you enough time to see the major landmarks like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower without feeling rushed, while also allowing for some time to simply wander, sit at cafes, and soak in the city’s atmosphere.
This depends on your travel style and how long you’ll be staying for a few nights. For shorter trips, a hotel is often more convenient. For longer stays, or if you are travelling with family and need family rooms or two rooms, an apartment is a great option. It gives you more space and a kitchen so you can prepare your own meals.
Montmartre can be a good place to stay if you’re looking for a unique, village-like atmosphere and more affordable hotel options. However, be aware that it’s hilly and located far from other main sights, so you will spend more time on the metro.
Your Perfect Trip to Paris
Choosing the right neighbourhood is the first step to an unforgettable trip to Paris. We hope this guide, based on our own experiences, has made that decision a little easier. The most important thing is to pick a home base that fits your style, allowing you to get out there and create your own amazing travel memories.
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask in the comments below!
Great guide on where to stay in Paris! ?? Choosing the right neighborhood can really enhance your travel experience. Excited to explore these recommendations and find the perfect spot for my next trip. Which neighborhood do you think offers the best blend of charm and convenience?”
Fantastic post! Your guide on where to stay in Paris is incredibly helpful and well-organized. The detailed descriptions of the best neighborhoods and their unique characteristics make it easy to choose the perfect spot for any travel style. Thanks for sharing such valuable insights and recommendations!
Thanks for sharing this, I have got the idea about where to stay in Paris now.
thanks for sharing this really a lot of work you put into it
Very helpful post.
This is a great and informative post, but one Arrondissement you didn’t discuss is the 17th, where I’m considering staying. Have you heard anything about a budget hotel named Hotel Darcet? Very high ratings on all online travel sites. Also, what do you think of that neighborhood? It seems like it’s closer to the city center than the 18th, yet still out of the way enough to feel less touristy. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thank you!
Great post and good tips. Thank you for sharing it! 🙂
Thank you for pulling this together! I stayed in the Latin Quarter both times I went to Paris as it’s so centrally located and affordable, but you have inspired me to venture out and try something new. 🙂
Thanks for this article and for sharing such beautiful pictures.
Keep Blogging!!
Great information, i really want to go there once.
Thankyou both for helping us to decide where to stay and what to do when we visit next week.First time visitors and overwhelmed by all of the places to see.Im more of a not very well travelled, museum loving, shopping addict and coffee drinker watching every one go by whilst sitting in a trendy cafe.My husband is a well travelled, art and music lover, hates shopping and prefers a traditional cheap and cheerful pub!
Should be fun as always! Schoolgirl French here we come.
Ps
This guide is going to be my bible 🙂 x
This is really an awesome guide!
Hey Dave, hey Deb! I can’t stop coming back to your blog again and again. Your posts are always so detailed and have so much interesting things to read about. This is my dream place in Europe and would love to go there soon. Thank you so much for making it easier for me to plan my trip.
Hey Dave and Dab, Really loved the way you explained everything. It will be really easy to visit and also stay in Paris. Thank you So Much for the Article.
Thank you Lancy! Have a great time when you go!
With no doubt, Paris is a wonderful place to travel. It has great locations to visit and Famous Ponte Neuf and gardens are one of my favorites.
Depending on where one stays of course, is Paris a walkable city to see all of the sites? We walked all over Rome and Florence and saw everything we should have in 3 days in each city. If it is possible to do this, which neighborhood would be best to look at for an AirBnB apartment?
It is quite walkable, If you want to walk to most of the major sites, near the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, The Latin Quarter or Le Marais will have you close to most things.
Like Rome, you if you are an avid walker, you can walk everywhere. We have even walked all the way from Montmartre to the Seine along the canals. But Montmartre is a little far to base yourself if you want to walk everywhere. Stick closer to the river.
informative post. it can help someone to plan their visit to paris well.
Paris is one of my favorite place and dream is go there once in a life. May this dream will true in next year, your post will help me then.
One thing I can truly say about the French is that they make some of the BEST fragrances for women & men. I LOVE their style! 🙂
One correction: the Pantheon is not based on ‘Greek temples’. It is based primarily on the Roman Pantheon in Rome.
You are correct, and I have no idea why I said that. Since I have been to the Pantheon in Rome. Haha I appreciate the correction.
Paris is my favorite city and I have been many times. This fall I stayed in the 20th arrondissement for the first time! I was worried that it would be too far out. Surprise! I loved it!!! For some people, the arrondissements you mention here are too expensive – even the Airbnb’s! I LOVED the 20th. We could still walk into the center easily in 20 minutes. Along the way there were many places to enjoy walking through. The 20th had the feel of a REAL Parisien neighborhood – no tourists, local restaurants that were delicious, an easy local feel, AND, the beautiful, amazing Père LaChaise cemetery. So glad we got to see that…beautiful, and “inhabited” by many famous, great famous figures. – Chopin and Jim Morrison to name 2. I feel bad because the 20th arrondissement is rarely recommended as a place to stay, and I’ll vouchsafe many would love it.
We will be celebrating my teen’s 14th birthday in January. Any advice or recommendations?
I think we have a lot of advice right here in this post 🙂 and there are links to other Paris posts at the bottom of the article. Have a great time!
We are a family of 4 and planning to go in the first wk of Nov. This is our first trip there and I wanted to know which would be a good area to stay in and what are the things we should be doing . We are looking at a 4day stay. Thanks
Will be using this for my solo trip! Thanks
This will help us our first time to Paris in November.What can you recommend for clothing to bring ? Also planning to celebrate my husband’s birthday by having dinner at Eiffel Tower,can you recommend something for that as well .Thank you
Pack in layers for sure. You’ll want to be able to switch as the weather changes.
If you wear black, it is easy accessorized. A good pair of walking shoes, and then a good pair of smart leather shoes for evenings.
I love wearing a wrap to dress up my clothes.
Great Tips! Thanks so much very useful and helpful tips ? I’m going this coming Sept
Nice breakdown of the most touristy Districts. These posts are always helpful as many times people do not know where to stay in a big city like Paris. Next time you come tell us about the rest of the Arrondissements, please 🙂
Im going solo to Paris this year ,woohoo, and this helped me with understanding the districts better and where to stay..Latin quarter sounds good to me ..and good info on where to go and what to see ..
thanks guys, its always good when you know the writers been there done that ..
Thumbs up..Erin from Sydney.
I have traveled Paris in 2007. I remember that I had hard times to find a place to stay. There was rugby tournament that year. Even tough I did last minute reservations for accommodatiing in many of European cities, Paris was different. It requires some search and perhaps early reservation. So your article is useful and necessary for travellers. Thank you!
Thank you so much for putting this together, it has been of great help preparing for my first visit to Paris.
This is really an awesome guide! Thanks for putting that together! 🙂
We love Paris. We had a chance to run a 6K race through the city which ran past all of the main attractions which were pretty incredible. The only problem is that we didn’t want to run with our camera nor slow down to take pics so we did miss out on that aspect. However, we went back the next day and retook the pics. Reading this makes us want to make a pit stop this year, thanks for the very detailed info!
Amazing that you did a run through Paris. What an experience that must have been.
great
great !!