Paris is a beautiful city, but it is also massive. It doesn’t matter how many times you visit you still have to face the monumental task of deciding where to stay in Paris. There are a lot of arrondissements in Paris, but some are better than others.
After visiting 8 times we have noticed there are neighborhoods that are good for restaurants and nightlife, and others that are good for shopping. That is the beauty of Paris, there is something for everyone. From Montmartre to The Eiffel Tower these are our choices for the best places to stay and arrondissements in Paris.
Where to Stay in Paris, France
In a hurry and want to book directly, these are the best hotels in Paris to suit any budget.
The Best Hotels in Paris
- Luxury Hotel: The Ritz Paris
- Mid-Range Hotel: Hotel Résidence Montebello
- Budget Hotel: Generator Paris
- Family Hotel: Hotel Le Six
- Boutique Hotel: Le Narcisse Blanc
- Airbnb: Elegant Eiffel Tower
First time in Paris? A great place to stay in Paris for first-timers is near the Eiffel Tower in the 7th Arrondissement. Go Directly to the 7th Arrondissement for Details.
Check out VRBO to Hotels and Apartment Rentals close to the Eiffel Tower
All the Paris Arrondissements have pros and cons, but if you are looking for one of the best places to stay in Paris that gives you the most for your money the 7th Arrondissement (Eiffel Tower) makes for a great base. It has some of the best hotels in Paris and it is close to everything. Jump directly to see what to do in the 7th arrondissement and where to stay.
Best Luxury Hotel in Paris: The Ritz Paris
It was a beautiful hotel before its renovation in 2016, but after it truly is the grande dame of Paris. There are suites named after famed guests like Coco Chanel and the bar, named after Hemingway, who spent an exorbitant amount of time there. This is known as one of the best and most luxurious hotels in the world and if you can afford it is one of the most exclusive experiences you will ever have at a hotel. With its world-renowned spa and indoor pool, it is the perfect place to unwind from a busy day of sightseeing in Paris.
- More Luxury Hotels in Paris
Best Mid Range Hotel in Paris: Hotel Moliere
If you are looking for a mid-range place to stay in Paris that is in a great location then make sure to check out the boutique Hotel Moliere. Located in the heart of the 1st Arrondissement, you are within walking distance of Place Vendôme, Louvre, the Jardin de Tuileries, and the Opera Garnier. The rooms are elegantly decorated and you have free access to the sauna and hammam.
- More Mid Range Hotels in Paris
Best Budget Hotel in Paris: Generator Paris
Budget hotels are not easy to find in Paris. For the best deals, you have to look outside the main arrondissements. The Generator Paris is one of the best in the city. Located in the 10th Arrondissement close to the Gare de Nord, this funky hotel has a cool feel and a real art-house kind of design. The King rooms are a great value with your own balcony and private bath. Make sure to check out the beautiful views of Sacre Coeur and Montmartre from the rooftop.
- More Budget Hotels in Paris
The 8 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Paris
There are 20 Arrondissements in Paris. Arrondissements are numbered in order as they circle out in a counter-clockwise direction from the Seine starting at 1. The closer to the River Seine, the lower the number of the arrondissement. If you are a first-time visitor to Paris we suggest choosing a place to stay that is in the 1-8th Arrondissements. We are going to highlight the 8 neighborhoods in Paris that we think are the best places to stay.
Regardless of which neighborhood you stay in Paris, you will be walking a lot. That is why we suggest that you pick a place to stay in Paris that is close to a Metro station. Paris has great transportation options, so take advantage of them.
1. 7th Arrondissement – Eiffel Tower
If you are a first-timer to Paris you are going to want to base yourself in the 7th arrondissement. Located on the left bank of the River Seine, this has been home to the aristocrats and upper class of Paris for three centuries so of course, it is one of the best places to stay if you want to be in the heart of the action.
You are close to everything. All of the major attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides – home to Napoleon’s Tomb, Musée d’Orsay, Musée Rodin, and the Musée du Quai Branly are located here and are within walking distance of most hotels.
If you are visiting Paris for the first time then you will notice that most of the best places to stay in this neighborhood are actually not that close to the Eiffel Tower, but most offer a great view of the Eiffel Tower.
This is definitely one of the most popular neighborhoods to stay in Paris so I would recommend booking early especially if you are looking at t boutique hotel. They fill up quickly. It is in this neighborhood that you’ll find some of the best hotels in Paris as well.
Top Rated Hotels in the 7th Arrondissement-Eiffel Tower
- Luxury: Le Narcisse Blanc Hotel
- Mid Range Hotel: Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
- Budget: Hotel Longchamps Elysees
- Air BnB: Charming Apartment Champ de Mars
Explore More Hotels and AirBnB’s in the 7th Arrondissement Here.
2. Le Marais – 3rd and 4th Arrondissement
Le Marais is by far the coolest and hippest district in Paris and one of our favorite places to stay in Paris. It is also a favorite hangout for the younger generation of Parisians. It is here that you’ll find a vibrant nightlife scene, situated beside boutique shopping and gourmet chocolatiers.
It may look and feel like old Paris, with Notre Dame Cathedral within walking distance, but the area is definitely contemporary. Most notably the Centre George Pompidou. The Pompidou Centre spans several blocks showing the latest in contemporary art. The Parisians are great at integrating art into their architecture.
What I love about this area is the neighborhood feel in the middle of the city. It is culturally diverse and home to the LGTQ community as well as the Jewish community. Pair that with the wonderful restaurant selection and cool markets and you will understand why this is one of the best areas to stay in Paris.
One of our favorite things to do is to visit Place des Vosges to people watch, which is one of the oldest squares in Paris.
Top Rated Hotels in Le Marais
- Luxury: Hotel Dupond Smith
- Mid Range: Hotel de JoBo
- Budget: Marais Home Hotel
- Air BnB: Cosy Studio in the Heart of the city
Explore More Hotels and AirBnB’s in Le Marais Here.
- Looking for a great Paris itinerary? – Check out our 3 Days in Paris Itinerary for information on all of the top attractions including hours of operation and cost.
3. Saint Germain – 6th Arrondissement
If you are looking for that classic Parisian neighborhood feel that allows you to escape the craziness of other parts of the city, then Saint Germain ( Saint-Germain-des-Prés) is the best area to stay in Paris. Especially if you have kids.
Here you’ll spend your days sitting in the city’s most trendy cafés lining Saint Germain and people watching. With plenty of busy shops, cool boutiques, and cafes, its lively atmosphere will keep children interested and thrill older travelers as well.
This area also houses the Jardins Luxembourg which we have always suggested is the perfect spot for a picnic and it is within walking distance to sites like the Musee D’Orsay and Notre Dame.
Saint Germain des Près is one of the best neighborhoods in Paris to base yourself if you are traveling with your family.
Best Places to Stay in St Germain
- Luxury: Hotel Le Six
- Mid Range Boutique Hotel: Artus Hotel by MH
- Budget: Holiday Inn St-Germain
- Air BnB: Saint Germain – Beautiful Studio
Explore More Hotels and AirBnB’s in Saint Germain Here.
4. The Latin Quarter – 5th Arrondissement
This is definitely a popular tourist and student area. It has been the student hangout for 800 years. Here you’ll find a lot of budget and mid-range accommodation. It makes for a good central place to stay in Paris at a reasonable price.
The Latin Quarter is home to the “menu formule“. If you stroll the streets you’ll find a lot of great budget food choices. You’ll also get your kitschy tourist items in this area and plenty of cheap drinks. There are some great wine bars and restaurants and you will want to spend a bit of time on the market street of Rue Mouffetard. The charm of this area is just getting lost in the streets.
It is also full of really diverse architecture. From Roman ruins to gothic spires. If you are staying in this area make sure to check out the Pantheon, Luxembourg Gardens, and The Eglise Saint-Séverin Saint-Nicolas.
Top Rated Hotels in the Latin Quarter
- Luxury: Hotel Monge
- Mid Range: Hotel Petit Paris
- Budget: Hotel Parc St. Severin
- Air BnB: 5th Heaven Studio
Explore More Hotels and AirBnB’s in the Latin quarter Here.
5. The Louvre / 1st Arrondissement
Located on the Right Bank of the River Seine this is one of the oldest neighborhoods making it one of the best places to stay in Paris. It is definitely central and conveniently located, but be aware that all that convenience comes at a price. The 1st arrondissement is probably one of the most expensive districts in the city.
That also means that some of the most luxurious hotels in Paris are located in the 1st Arrondissement.
Most people who are visiting for the first time and looking for where to stay in Paris end up booking here because it is so central. But, remember, the Metro is cheap and convenient So if you feel you don’t need to be within walking distance from all of the major sites, like Notre Dame Cathedral, you can save some money by checking out another neighborhood in Paris.
The west end is where you’ll have the very upscale hotels reaching out to the Place de la Concorde. The center of the 1st Arrondissement has the Louvre, Famous Ponte Neuf, and Jardin des Tuileries while the East reaches out to touch on the Ile de la Cite and the West to the Place de la Concorde.
Top Rated Hotels in the 1st Arrondissement – Louvre
- Luxury: Mandarin Hotel Paris
- Mid Range: Hotel Moliere
- Budget: Hotel Crayon Rouge
- Air BnB: Saint Honore
6. Montmartre – 18th Arrondissement
Montmartre is the 18th arrondissement and was the neighborhood in Paris we based ourselves on our first trip to Paris. It is also one of the best places to stay in Paris if you are on a budget. It has a fantastic bohemian vibe.
Montmartre is full of affordable accommodation and has a certain charm that brings us back to old Paris. There is something magical about sitting in a cafe, enjoying a coffee and croissant while watching the street performers ply their trade up and down the streets.
Pair that with the art district, which features artists like Dali and Picasso, the beauty of Sacre Coeur, the famous Moulin Rouge as well as some of the best views of Paris and you will never want to leave. I imagine this is where we would live if we ever moved to Paris.
Montmartre is home to the Moulin Rouge Cabaret. Book a Moulin Rouge with Champagne evening to watch the world-famous cabaret as you sip on a half bottle of champagne per person. Highlights of the neighborhood include Place du Tertre, Place du Calvaire, the Montmartre vineyard, and the windmills of Montmartre.
Montmartre is also the best area to stay in Paris if you are looking for some real Parisian culture. It is the Paris neighborhood that has it all in our opinion.
Best Places to Stay in Montmartre
- Luxury: Maison Souquet
- Mid Range: Mercure Sacre Couer
- Budget: Perfect Hotel
- Air BnB: Apartment near Sacre Coeur
7. 8th Arrondissement – Champs-Élysées
If shopping and dining are at the top of your list then one of the best places to stay in Paris is in the 8th Arrondissement. Located on the Right bank of the River Seine it is home to the world-famous Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, The Grand Palais and so much more.
A day can be spent walking along this street, peeking into boutiques, dining on fine French cuisine, and even catching the latest Hollywood movie. We highly recommend going up the Arc de Triomphe at night for the best view of Paris. Get front-of-the-line access to the Arc de Triomphe rooftop for a panoramic view with the Arc de Triomphe Skip the Line ticket.
If you are looking for a great dining experience make sure to check out Fouquet’s or the more reasonably priced La Maison de l’Aubrac.
Top Rated Hotels in the 8th Arrondissement
- Luxury: The Le Bristol
- Mid Range: Buddha Bar Hotel
- Budget: Hotel La Sanguine
- Air BnB: Apartment Champs-Elysees
Make sure to purchase a Paris Museum Pass. Paris is known for its museums. Get the museum pass for the front of the line entrance to 60 museums. If you’re going to the Louvre on regular hours, book in advance at skip the line for a reasonable self-guided tour.
8. Montparnasse – 14th Arrondissement
Montparnasse was the second place we stayed in Paris. On that trip to Paris, we booked a cheap room at an Ibis Hotel and had three glorious days in Paris. We loved our time in the city and found this to be an excellent neighborhood to stay in Paris. It’s not too far from anything and easy to get around.
We just hopped on the metro each day and made our way to all the Paris attractions. I get the feeling this is where the residents of Paris live. It feels like a modern liveable part of the city.
I imagine this is the spot where Owen Wilson walked the streets of Paris during Midnight in Paris. After all, it is the district where Jean-Paul Sartre discussed existentialism.
This Paris neighborhood is home to one of the best views of Paris from the Tour Montparnasse as well as one of the coolest attractions n the city, the Catacombs.
If you want to stay in the best neighborhood in Paris to feel like a modern-day local, this is the spot.
Where to Stay in Paris near Montparnasse
- Luxury: Victoria Palace
- Mid Range: Villa Montparnasse
- Budget: Ibis Montparnasse
- Air BnB: Artist’s studio
Explore More Hotels and AirBnB’s in Montparnasse Here.
9. South Pigalle – 9th Arrondissement
One of the up-and-coming places to stay in Paris is South Pigalle in the 9th Arrondissement. Located walking distance from Montmartre, this area used to be the red-light district in Paris, but in recent years it has started to emerge as the Williamsburg of Paris. With new boutique hotels popping up constantly, it is more geared towards the frequent visitor to Paris rather than the first-time visitor.
There are bars and eateries for every type of interest and the atmosphere is both intimate and relaxed. There are great restaurants, cafes, and bakeries and it is the perfect place to stay if you want to meld into the Paris lifestyle.
The best hotels in the area are a mix of boutique and mid-range. So, if this isn’t your first trip to Paris or you just want to avoid staying amongst the throngs of tourists by the Eiffel Tower, the 9th Arrondissement is probably one of the best areas you could choose to stay in Paris.
Best Hotels in South Pigalle – 9th Arrondissement
- Luxury: Maison Souquet
- Mid Range: LAZ’ Hotel Spa Urbain
- Budget: Migny Hotel Opera Montmartre
- Air BnB: Romantic Pigalle
Explore More Hotels and AirBnB’s in the 9th Arrondissement Here.
When people dream of Paris this is probably the area that they think of the most. From the incredible views of the Eiffel Tower and the Champ de Mars to the famous museums like the Musee d’Orsay and Musée Rodin, this is the perfect place for first-time visitors to stay in Paris. This area of Paris is very versatile and is good for both a romantic getaway or a family vacation.
By far one of the best places to stay in Paris if you want some great nightlife. Whether you are into funky pubs, cocktail bars, or even some cool speakeasy’s, Le Marais has something to suit any taste. If you are adventurous and don’t mind venturing out of the core, check out the nightlife scene in the 18th Arrondissement of Montmartre. They have some cool cabaret’s and different types of nightly entertainment.
Depending on the age of your children, there are actually a few great areas to stay in Paris if you are traveling with your family. Saint Germain is our recommendation because it is central, there are a ton of shops and restaurants and you are close to family-friendly activities like Luxembourg Gardens, the Botanical Garden, Seine River cruise, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. If your kids are a little older then we would suggest the 4th or the 1st Arrondissements.
By far the best neighborhood in Paris for shopping is the famous Champs-Elysees / 8th Arrondissement. With all the name brand and high-end shops, you can spend a lot of money in this area of Paris. If you are looking for more of a mid-range area to shop then head to Marais. There is a good mix of Paris boutiques as well as larger American and french chain stores. Don’t miss Galeries Lafayette, you can get some really quality items here at a good price.
If you want to be close to all of the major sites in Paris and do a lot of sightseeing, then you will want to base yourself in the 1st Arrondissement the LouvreYou can easily walk to the Louvre, stroll through the Jardin de Tuileries or take in the beauty of Sainte Chapelle and the Palais Royal. Make sure to visit one of The Ritz, if only to admire its beauty. It is an easy walk to just about anywhere, including Notre Dame Cathedral, Musee D’Orsay, and the Champs-Elysèes. The only place you will have to take the Metro to would be the Eiffel Tower.
OUR #1 MONEY SAVING TIP IN PARIS
One of the best ways to save money when you are visiting Paris is to get yourself a Paris Pass. We did this on our last trip to Paris and found it was really worth it.
Here are some of the benefits that we thought were the best parts of the pass.
Purchase a Paris Pass
- You can get it for 2-6 days
- Free entry to more than 60 top attractions
- Free travel on the metro
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- Skip-the-line entrance to many of the sights, like Centre Pompidou, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum, and more.
- Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise
- Wine Tasting – O Chateau
- Get your Paris Pass Now!
Getting Around Paris
The city of Paris is easy to get around so don’t stress too much about choosing a hotel near your favorite monument or museum. The Metro is affordable and easy to navigate. When you arrive in Paris, you can easily pick up a pass and travel is easy. A five–day pass in zones 1-3 is only €37,50.
- If you want to travel further, you can get a pass for zones 1 to 5: travels in Paris, the suburbs Orly/CDG airports, Disneyland and Versailles start at €24.50 for a one day pass. You can pre-order your tickets online and have them delivered to your home as well.
- Depending on which zones you select, Paris Transport allows you to travel on: metro lines, RER lines (RATP and SNCF), Ile-de-France bus lines (RATP and OPTILE), except those circulating on Jetbus, Allobus Roissy CDG, tourist excursion, and Air France networks, Tramway lines and the Montmartre funicular.
- Getting to and from the airports is fairly easy. We have broken down all the Airport options and costs here.
Read More Articles on How to Plan Your Trip to Paris
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Disclosure: There are some affiliate links in the post above, should you click on a link and book a hotel, we earn a small fee but it’s no extra cost to you!
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 !!