Where to Stay in Paris with Hotel Recommendations

ByAnnaEverywhere Hours
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Last Updated on Apr 4, 2023

Trying to figure out where to stay in Paris? Planning a trip to the city of light can be tough, especially when it comes to researching where to stay if you’ve never been before. For many people going to Paris is the trip of a lifetime. But the city is big, and it can be confusing to first-time visitors.

While Paris doesn’t have one perfect area for tourists, some of the best hotels are evenly spread out across the entire city to satisfy everyone’s needs. Where you stay in Paris can make or break your vacation, so depending on your needs and budget, these neighborhood recommendations will help you pick your ideal spot.

Why should you take my advice? I’ve spent time living in Paris and have visited multiple times, so I know all the top areas well enough to share with you. Here are my recommendations for the best location to stay in Paris and have a great trip!

Best Hotels to Stay in Paris:

Best Luxury Hotels in Paris
Four Seasons George V • Shangri-La Paris

Best Boutique Hotels in Paris
Hotel 34B • Grand Hotel de L’Univers

Best Cheap Accommodation in Paris
Generator Paris

best places to stay in Paris
Best places to stay in Paris

Map of Paris Arrondissements

Paris is divided into the Right Bank (north of River Seine) and Left Bank (south of River Seine). The street names are not really used for reference since they are all just a few blocks away from one another. Rather, they are referred to as Arrondissements or use a nearby Metro station.

There are 20 Arrondissements in Paris. What are the arrondissements? They are municipal and administrative districts of Paris. They’re numbered from 1 to 20 in a clockwise spiral from the center of the city known as Kilometre Zero and located at the front of Notre Dame cathedral.

This means that the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th arrondissements are the most central with the higher numbers being further out and more residential.

Paris Arrondissement map
Map of Arrondissement Neighborhoods in Paris

What is the Best Neighborhood to Stay in Paris?

  • Best Neighborhood to Stay in Paris for First Time Visitor: 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th
  • Best Arrondissement for Sightseeing and Museums: 1st, 2nd, 4th
  • Best Neighbourhood in Paris for Families: Saint-Germain-des-Prés
  • Most Romantic Neighborhood in Paris: Montmartre
  • Best Area in Paris for Nightlife: Marais
  • Best Local Neighborhood in Paris: Opera
  • Best Arrondissement for Budget Travelers: 11th, 20th
  • Safest Neighborhood in Paris: Any!

Arrondissements to Stay in Paris

Paris 1 Arrondissement – Louvre
Where to Stay in Paris for First Time Visitors

Paris 1 is the must-see area in Paris on the Right Bank (Rive Droit) of the Seine. It’s the best place to stay in Paris close to everything. This is where you’ll find Louvre, Pont des Art, Tuileries, Les Halles. Naturally, accommodation in this area is pricey, but many things are walking distance away.

Main Sights: Louvre, Place Vendôme, Saint Germain l’Auxerrois Church, Royal Palace

Best Museum: Louvre Museum, Orangerie Museum, Musée des Arts Décoratifs

Parks: Tuileries Gardens, Royal Palace Gardens

Personal experience: I stayed in this area once and enjoyed it. I wouldn’t live there, but for one of the short stays it was good. Most day tours also leave from in front of the Louvre, so it was quite convenient for me.
Recommended Hotels in 1st Arrondissement – Louvre:
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Hotel Le Roche
I stayed in this stylish hotel some time ago. It’s right next to the Louvre, 2 minutes walk from a pick-up point for many tours.

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Hotel du Cygne

Affordable vintage hotel in a 17th-century townhouse. You can’t beat a location for this price.

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Paris 1 Arrondissement

Paris 2 Arrondissement – La Bourse

Paris 2 is a great area for shopping in food. While it doesn’t have any main touristy sights there, it offers stunning architecture and great restaurants. The area near Sentier is known for its textile markets and might be noisy with delivery trucks from early mornings, as they tend to be early risers.

Main Sights: Covered Passages

Personal experience: The area feels similar to Paris 1, but slightly more local. I ate there multiple times, and there’s always a new restaurant to try. On my most recent trip I got a hotel there to show my husband the city and we had no complaints.
Recommended Accommodation in Paris 2 – La Bourse:
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[su_box title=”Luxury:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Mercure Paris Opera Louvre
Simple design hotel that provide comfort in a great location.

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[su_box title=”Mid-Range:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Royal Aboukir
I stayed there during my last visit. Rooms were tiny, as expected for this price, but the experience was pleasant. Super close to metro.

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Paris 3 Arrondissement – Le Marais
Best Area in Paris for Nightlife

If you’re looking for photogenic townhouses and lively neighborhood, 3rd arrondissement might be an answer. It’s a quite posh area, with vintage shops and pricy resident housing. 

Best Museum: Picasso Museum, Carnevalet Museum, Musée des Archives Nationales

Personal experience: I like the area as you can always find some quirky stores and random things. It’s a great spot for the first trip to Paris.

Recommended Hotels in Marais District:

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[su_box title=”Luxury:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Le Pavillon de la Reine

Located on the famous Place des Vosges in the Marais, this spot has a full gym and spa. Great “honor bar” for drinks and wine in the lobby.

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[su_box title=”Budget:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Hotel Americain

Spacious rooms and great breakfast provided.

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Paris 4 Arrondissement – Le Marais & Ile Saint-Louis

Paris’s second half of La Marais is here. It’s a lively area that includes islands like Ile de la Cité and Ile de Saint Louis. A great area for picnics near the Seine, local cafes and close enough to nightlife. It’s also been the gay district in Paris since the 1990’s, so there are many rainbow bars and spots around.

Main Sights: Notre Dame, Saint Chapelle, Hôtel de Ville

Best Museum: Centre Pompidou, Victor Hugo’s house

Personal experience: I love this area. It’s great in the summer and in the winter. You can find some streets that are super quiet and then stumble upon a very lively street next. There are many local boulangeries and fromageries on Ile Saint-Louis.

Recommended Accommodation in Le Marais & Ile Saint-Louis:
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[su_box title=”Luxury:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Hotel de Lutece
The hotel is housed in a former private house dating back to the 17th century on Ile Saint-Louis, hence rooms are quite charming.

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[su_box title=”Budget:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Hotel du Vieux Marais

Clean elegant rooms in a hotel where everything works just fine.

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Place de l'Abbe Basset Midnight in Paris
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Au Vieux Paris d'Arcole
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5th Arrondissement – The Latin Quarter

5th is where the Romans settled for the first time and founded the city of Lutetia. These days it’s a student area as Sorbonne is located there. It’s still considered to be the intellectual center of Paris and is now filled with a variety of bohemian restaurants and bookshops.

Main Sights: Grande Mosquée de Paris, Pantheon, Place de l’Abbe Basset (from Midnight in Paris)

Best Museum: Natural History Museum

Parks: Cluny Museum’s medieval garden

Personal experience: I spent quite some time in the area, as my friends used to live there. Due to the presence of many students, there are many affordable cafes, restaurants and nightlife there. It’s one of best areas to stay in Paris if you’re on a 20-something couple or solo traveler.

Recommended Accommodation in The Latin Quarter:
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[su_box title=”Luxury:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Relais Saint Jacques

Rooms offer a very nice view of the Pantheon from the bedroom window.

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[su_box title=”Budget:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Select Hotel

Good and easy to find location. Very attentive reception.

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Paris 6th Arrondissement – Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Where to Stay in Paris with a Family

Considered one of the classiest districts in Paris and one of the most expensive ones, but still popular among expats, locals and those visiting with families. The district has served residence to the likes of Picasso, Claude Monet, and Auguste Renoir.

Don’t forget to visit Polidor restaurant and check out small and local Gabriel Pierne square if you fancy taking a quiet break from the city.

Main Sights: Palais du Luxembourg

Best Museums: Musée National Eugène Delacroix

Parks: Jardin du Luxembourg

Personal experience: The area is slightly tucked away from crowds of tourists, which felt nice.

Recommended Accommodation in 6th Arrondissement Saint Germain des Pres:
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[su_box title=”Mid-Range:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Holiday Inn Paris Notre Dame

The 9th floor rooftop lounge is a place rest and enjoy and views at night. Delicious breakfast.

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[su_box title=”Budget:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Relais Hotel du Vieux Paris

A boutique hotel with lovely decor.

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Jardin du Luxembourg

Paris 7th Arrondissement – Eiffel Tower

This is the area near Eiffel Tower location. In this neighborhood, you’ll also find Les Invalides – home to Napoleon’s tomb. The area itself isn’t very lively and gets quiet, dark and boring at night. However, during the day you can visit art galleries and museums.

Lots of people are dreaming of staying in a hotel with Eiffel Tower view, and if that’s something you’re interested in, Paris’ 7th arrondissement is the perfect area to stay.

Main Sights: Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides

Best Museum: Musee Rodin, Army Museum, Musee D’Orsay

Parks: Champ de Mars

Personal experience: While the area is nice to stroll during the day, it’s slightly boring there. Tourists love having a sight of the Eiffel Tower, but you can see it from many spots in Paris while staying in more interesting areas.

Recommended Accommodation in Paris 7th:
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[su_box title=”Luxury:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Academie Hotel Saint Germain

Soundproof luxurious rooms. There’s a chocolate shop next door.

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Le Pavillon

Artsy and affordable hotel in an expensive neighbourhood. Totally worth the money.

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Paris 8 Arrondissement – Champs-Elysées

Champs-Elysées is often called the most beautiful avenue in the world. It’s full of exclusive shops and fancy dining options. It’s also the French President’s official residence.

Here you’ll find the most expensive and luxurious hotels in the city. North of the 8th arrondissement is Parc Monceau filled with statues and classical columns. 

Main Sights: Arc de Triomphe

Parks: Parc Monceau

Personal experience: I’ve never had a single desire to stay there despite hotels being because it doesn’t feel local enough. It’s a nice place to see, shop, go for New Year’s Eve, but that’s about it.

Recommended Accommodation in Paris 8th – Champs-Elysées:
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[su_box title=”Luxury:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Hotel Bedford

Very quiet. You can see the Eiffel Tower very close from the window.

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[su_box title=”Mid-Range:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Hotel Monsieur

Within 3 minutes walk to metro and Galerie Lafayette.

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Paris 9 Arrondissement – Opera

Paris 9th is a lively area close enough to Seine and other main attractions. As it’s at the foot of Montmartre, the area also welcomes a classier crowd to its many chic cocktail lounges and trend-setting bistros.

Pigalle, the infamous tourist district of Paris known for its adult entertainment businesses is at the northern part of the 9th. Home of the world-class cabaret, Moulin Rouge, the district was once named the “Pig Alley” due to its raunchy reputation. These days Pigalle is getting better and by no means, it’s like the Red Light District in Amsterdam, so you don’t have anything to be afraid of, but keep in mind that you might see some houses where things happen.

Main Sights: Opéra Garnier, Galeries Lafayette

Best Museum: Fragonard Perfume Museum

Personal experience: I’ve lived there for the longest time in Paris and had no complaints. It was also close enough to Montmartre to go there, but not too close to keep bumping into crowds.

Recommended Accommodation in Paris 9 Opera:
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[su_box title=”Luxury:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Hotel Dress Code & Spa

So quiet you can sleep with open windows. There’s a private spa with an indoor pool.

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[su_box title=”Budget:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Hotel 34B

Design rooms with noise canceling windows. Free breakfast along with an afternoon beverage and snack.

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Opera Garnier
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Palais Garnier
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Paris 10 – Canal Saint-Martin

Paris 10th is a boohoo area close to Gare du Nord and historic Place de la République. You can enjoy a drink or do some stone skipping like Amélie Poulain. In the movie Amélie lives near this station, and most of the scenes take place in its surroundings.

Main Sights: Canal Saint-Martin

Personal experience: I stayed there once and while my accommodation was good, I would recommend it to visitors who want to experience more of a local vibe than do typical sightseeing.

Recommended Accommodation in Canal Saint-Martin:
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[su_box title=”Luxury:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Hotel L’Echiquier Opera by Sofitel

Super close to main metro. Stylish rooms with an access to fully equipped gym.

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Generator Hostel

Good and clean hostel. I’ll always recommend it in Paris as it suits both calm travelers and those wanting to party.

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11th Arrondissement – Oberkampf / Nation
Where to Stay in Paris on a Budget

Oberkampf is a district full of restaurants and nightlife, from basement digs to extravagant rooftop setting. The area is safe and less expensive than the closer arrondissements.

Main Sights: Bastille

Best Museums: Musée Edith Piaf, Atelier des Lumières

Personal experience: There’s nothing super special there for tourists, but if you’re a young Parisian who likes to party then it’s a nice area to live or stay for a bit. It’s a good budget area though.

Recommended Accommodation in Oberkampf:
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[su_box title=”Luxury:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]La Maison Gobert

Fancy hotel in a traditional Parisian town house. Extremely comfortable beds and buffet breakfast.

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[su_box title=”Budget:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Albert’s Hotel

A touch of luxury for a price of budget hotel. Free amenities. Great location in a nice and safe neighbourhood with metro stations and several restaurants close by.

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Paris 18 Arrondissement – Montmartre

This is the picturesque Montmartre area where all the artists like Picasso, Matisse, Monet or Renoir lived. If you want to stay in the 18th for its bohemian Parisian atmosphere, make sure your hotel is located close to either Pigalle or Blanche metro.

Main Sights: Sacré Coeur, Moulin Rouge

Personal experience: While the area is indeed very touristy, it has its charm. There are so many photogenic buildings to explore if you get off the main area full of souvenir shops and overpriced food.

Recommended Accommodation in Montmartre:
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[su_box title=”Luxury:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Terrass Hotel Montmartre

Great rooms with balconies overlooking the entire city. Library in a lobby is a nice bonus.

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[su_box title=”Boutique:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Hotel des Arts Montmartre

This is a boutique hotel located between Moulinon Rouge and the Sacre Cour. Offers amazing views of of the city.

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20th Arrondissement – Belleville

Paris 20th is an ethnically diverse area with expats and residents. If you’re looking for a local spot off the path that’s not too sleepy, then 20th arrondissement will be a great choice. The most famous landmark there is the Père Lachaise Cemetery with Oscar Wilde and Edith Piaf graves.

Main Sights: Père Lachaise Cemetery

Personal experience: When I moved to Paris to study I briefly lived in 20th. Briefly, as I quickly moved closer to the city and school. If you want to see how Parisians really live, then stay there. It’ll also be significantly cheaper and metro to all popular attractions works more than fine.

Recommended Accommodation in 20th:
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[su_box title=”Mid-Range:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Mama Shelter

It offers ultramodern guest rooms with an iMac computer.

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[su_box title=”Budget:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Residence Internationale De Paris

Clean hostel with good wifi. I’ll always recommend it for budget travelers.

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Paris 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 Arrondissements

A growing local area with many hotels, hostels and convenient metro connections. Although at the moment these are still sleepy spots in terms of tourism, but full of good boulangeries and wine bars.

Personal experience: Would not recommend these areas for tourists, unless you’re using Paris as a base for day trips and/or driving. If you’re connecting for a short trip, there’s a little gem of a hotel called OFF Paris Seine.

Paris Neighborhoods to Avoid

There aren’t any no-go zones in Paris and all areas of the city are 100% safe, but in some areas you should take more precautions than in others. I probably wouldn’t walk alone at night around Les Halles metro, unless I absolutely had to.

Some areas, such as St. Denis or Boulevard de Clichy, might be unpleasant due to prostitution.

Just like anywhere else in the world, if you look like a total tourist you might get pickpocketed if you don’t keep your belongings safe. That said, I feel the need to state the obvious – never leave your bags or valuables unattended, and that includes putting your bag on the floor of a restaurant or metro, without attaching it to something or yourself.

However, I can honestly say that after living in Paris and visiting multiple times, I’ve never felt threated, pickpocketed or generally unsafe.

Arrange Your Travel Insurance

Don’t forget to arrange health insurance before heading to Paris. The easiest and the most reliable travel insurance is World Nomads Travel Insurance. Get it before your trip to avoid unnecessary troubles!

When Is the Best Time To Go to Paris?

While Paris isn’t a place that gets a break from tourists at any point, but each season offers different vibes. However, the springtime would be an obvious choice for first-time visitors, as the city isn’t as busy as it is during the summer.

Paris in the Spring: Best for gorgeous seasonal blooms and picnics in the park. Booking your accommodation early is essential if you want to snag a good deal.

Paris in the Summer: You will be sharing the city with thousands of other tourists and wait for a while at different attractions. Many local boulangeries and stores closed in August because locals go on holiday.

Paris in the Fall: Autumn is gorgeous in Paris with many faires and exhibitions going on. Days are still long and most tourists left though.

Paris in the Winter: Winter isn’t the worst idea for visiting Paris. Accommodation is the cheapest then and there are many Christmas markets and celebrations.

Public Transportation in Paris

Parisian public transportation works quite well and it’s one of the safest in the world. Trains usually arrive on time, buses are clean, and I haven’t experienced metro being too hot like it often happens in London.

The metro runs Mon.-Thurs. and Sun. from 5:30 a.m. to 1:15 a.m., and Fri.-Sat. from 5:30 a.m. to 2:15 a.m. That means that if you’re out in a club, you’ll have to take a cab home or wait until dawn to take the first train back.

You can purchase your single tickets at the station (you can switch the language to English), but the machine will only take debit cards and coins. When boarding Paris buses, you’ll need exact change. Tickets are sold exclusively via self-service machines and not at Information desks. The staff is there only to answer questions and provide information on schedules.

Warning: Never purchase tickets from vendors on the street or hovering around the entrance to stations. You will see that a lot. These tickets might be counterfeited and could cost you a fine.

Few Extra Tips:

  • Get yourself a metro map. These are available free of charge from any metro information booth.
  • If you’re in the city for a few days get a Paris Visite Pass. This pass gives you unlimited travel in Paris (Metro, RER, bus, tramway, and regional SNCF trains). While it’s slightly more expensive than Navigo, that locals use, you can just buy it. For Navigo you’ll need to provide a photo of yourself and formally apply for the card, so it’s not worth a hassle unless you’re staying for a few months or returning often.

If you’re arriving from Paris Charles De Gaulle airport, take an RER (Réseau Express Régional) rapid train to the city. Most trains go to Châtelet-Les Halles station and if you need to transfer there. It takes 15 minutes and trains run every 15 minutes during the day. Taxis or Uber from and to the airport are very expensive and often take longer due to traffic, so I’d say: save your time and money.

Remember: RER tickets are separate than metro tickets, even if it doesn’t appear so on many maps. They’re handy for taking day trips from Paris or coming from the airport, but you don’t really need them as a tourist in the city.

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Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Paris
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where to stay in Paris France
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Do you have any questions about Paris neighborhoods? Let me know in the comments below!

Anna Karsten is a travel blogger, historian and journalist. She has been traveling the world for the past 15 years, visiting over 100 countries and living on five continents. These days she often travels with her two small children and a cat. Anna has been featured in The New York Times, National Geographic, Forbes, People Magazine, and more.

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13 Comments

  2. Excellent blog post, and thank you for sharing some very helpful thoughts!!! Best of luck with your travels

    Reply

  3. Fantastic article on where to stay and other tidbits about the arrondisements in Paris. I went to Paris as a student twice, and my wife and I have traveled to Paris first for our honeymoon and at least 10 times since. We have also stayed in several different arrondisements.

    The last several trips, we have had very good luck with renting apartments using the HomeAway, VRBO, AirBnB, etc. sites. We have found that accommodations in apartments are much more inexpensive than hotels, and much larger. Of course, I would recommend hotels for the first couple of visits so that you have staff and other experts at your disposal for recommendations and reservations.

    I will also emphasize one of Anna’s points raised in her article – never, ever set your purse or backpack down without securing it to your person on the metro or RER. In our multitude of trips, we have never been a victim of theft/pickpocketing. On our most recent trip, we took the RER from CDG into the city. We had quite a bit of luggage as Paris was our final destination following a 2 week vacation to Ireland and the south of France. Keeping an eye on all of our luggage, and wearing my backpack the entire journey, when we reached our stop, I set my backpack on the ground outside the stop while moving the remainder of our luggage off the train. It wasn’t until we left the station that I realized my backpack was missing and had clearly been lifted. Thankfully, passports, wallets, and credit cards were on my person and not in my backpack as they typically have been. My advice on transfer from airport to the city – if you have more than 1 suitcase, opt for the extra cost of a car – Uber, taxi, etc. Otherwise, the train is more inexpensive and efficient if you’re familiar with the metro system.

    We are not letting this one bad experience impact our love for the city. Obviously not as we are returning in April 2019 with a good friend who has never been. It will be fun to show a first-timer around “our city”.

    Safe travels to each of you, and thank you Anna for your post.

    Reply

  4. Hello All,

    My wife and I have booked 4 nights in La Maison Farvard in the 2nd. Does anyone have any experience or comments as to the hotel and/or location?

    Thank you,

    Joe

    Reply

      1. Thank you Anna.

        I’m a very adventurous eater. I love to try new foods. Are there some dishes you would advise me to try before I leave Paris? I’m open to any of your suggestions.

        Joe

        Reply

        1. Definitely escargots, lots of cheese, steak tartare, boef borgonion.

          For the most adventurous food experience I recommend Dans le Noir restaurant! 🙂

          Reply

  5. Dear Anna,
    we are from india, (family of three with one adult child) we have planned to visit France from 25th oct to 1st oct. we like more of country side , planned to travel by road. please suggest us an itinerary for the same. tks in advance.

    Reply

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