Best Areas to Stay in Paris for an Epic Adventure

Paris is one of my favorite cities in France (and Europe!) and if you are planning a trip soon, you should be prepared to be amazed by all the beauty and incredible attractions this city has to offer! This article is for you if you want to know where to stay in Paris, France for your vacation, so keep reading!

Paris is a fantastic destination for any type of traveler, whether they are interested in history, culture, museums, gastronomy, or the typical romantic getaway. So prepare to be amazed!

In this post, I’ve chosen the eight best Paris neighborhoods and given you my hand-picked hotel recommendations for each, all sorted by budget! Because I lived in the city for a year, I was able to learn a lot about it and get to know its neighborhoods very well.

Just make sure to book your hotels well in advance (especially if visiting during the summer), because this is one city you don’t want to leave to chance!

The 7th arrondissement, where the Eiffel Tower is located, is the best area to stay in Paris for the first time. This is the best place to stay if you want to be close to the main attractions in Paris while also having a plethora of restaurants, bars, and charming cafes to choose from.

Which area should you pursue?

To begin, here is a map of all the best areas to stay in Paris that I’ll be discussing in this post, so you can visualize them:

Paris is divided into 20 distinct neighborhoods known as “arrondissements.” The neighborhoods are numbered in a spiral shape, beginning in the city center and working outward. The island where Notre-Dame Cathedral is located is known as “Ile de la Cité” and the 1st arrondissement.

As you might expect, the neighborhoods closest to the city center have lower numbers (1st to 12th), while the more distant, outer districts begin with the 12th arrondissement.

That being said, here is my personalized list of the best places to stay in Paris, divided by your interests and itinerary:

If you are looking for the best arrondissement to stay in Paris, you should know that each neighborhood has its own distinct vibe and appearance, and you should choose your favorite arrondissement based on your personal preferences.

#1 The Eiffel Tower – 7th arr.

The famous Eiffel Tower is located in Paris’s 7th arrondissement. This is a beautiful residential area with many elegant and luxury hotels, as well as some with an unforgettable window view of Paris’ landmark, the Eiffel Tower!

Of course, there are many chic restaurants and delicious bakeries in this area, making it one of the best places to stay if this is your first visit to the city and you want to experience a true Parisian neighborhood!

Please keep in mind that, surprisingly, the nightlife does not thrive there in the evening, so if you’re looking for a place to go out in the evening, I recommend checking out Le Marais instead. At night, the 7th arrondissement is actually quite quiet. Being one of Paris’s most desirable neighborhoods (and with good reason).

Best hotels

#2 Le Louvre – 1st arr.

This neighborhood is known as “Le Premier,” which translates to “the First.” As I mentioned at the start of this article, the first arrondissement of Paris is right in the heart of the city, so if you want to be in the heart of the city of love, this is the place to be.

This neighborhood, also known as the “Louvre,” is one of the oldest in Paris and is located on the right bank of the Seine. It is also one of Paris’ smallest neighborhoods, with the main attractions being the Louvre Museum and the Tuileries Gardens. If you’re looking for the best place to stay in Paris close to everything, this is the district for you!

Best hotels

#3 Champs-Élysées – 8th arr.

Apart from shopping, this area is ideal for upscale hotels, as there are many of them around the famous avenue. This arrondissement is located on the right bank of the Seine River, and there are many chic restaurants and posh cafes where you can sip a coffee while admiring the view.

Other famous and must-see attractions in this neighborhood include the Arc de Triomphe, the Grand Palace, and Place de la Concorde, so make sure to include them on your itinerary as well!

Best hotels

#4 Le Marais – 3rd and 4th arr.

Le Marais is a historical district that is probably my favorite neighborhood in Paris because of its incredible streets and beautiful buildings that have stood the test of time! It is also known as Paris’ Jewish neighborhood. For many reasons, I believe this is the best district in Paris to stay in. If you want to be surrounded by beautiful art galleries, amazing restaurants, and designer stores, Le Marais is a great place to stay. The Musée Picasso, as well as Place des Vosges and Notre Dame Cathedral, are two of the most popular attractions in this area.

Best hotels

#5 Montmartre – 18th arr.

Montmartre (18th arrondissement) is one of Paris’s most popular and beautiful outlying districts, as well as its most romantic neighborhood. Montmartre is a 130m-high hill dominated by one of Paris’ most famous landmarks, the white Sacré-Coeur Cathedral.

Montmartre used to be a separate neighborhood from the rest of Paris, where many poor and talented artists lived, so the atmosphere here is a little different! Many famous painters, including Pablo Picasso, Renoir, and Edgar Degas, stayed and worked in their own studios there at the end of the nineteenth century.

This is the best neighborhood to stay in Paris for you and the Eiffel Tower if you want to be above Paris, surrounded by narrow and charming streets full of colorful houses. The metro system in Paris is excellent, and you will be able to reach any important location in no time! This is the best neighborhood to stay in Paris if you want to be above the city, surrounded by narrow and charming streets full of colorful houses.

Montmartre is technically located in the 18th arrondissement, but you can also look for lodging in the 9th district (Opera and South Pigalle), which are both within walking distance of each other and offer similar amenities.

Best hotels

#6 Saint-Germain-Des-Pres – 6th arr.

If you’re the type of traveler who wants to be in the heart of things, the 6th arrondissement in Paris, also known as Saint-Germain, is unquestionably one of the best places to be! There are numerous nice cafes, restaurants, and pubs in this area, and the nightlife is vibrant. Everything is very alive, so if this is what you’re looking for, you should book a room in Saint-Germain-des-Pres.

By the way, if you’re looking for some other great places to go out at night, check out these neighborhoods:

11th Arrondissement / Popincourt – located near Place de la Bastille, this area of the city is very lively and fun. This is a nice bonus because Place de la Bastille is walking distance from Le Marais.

13th arrondissement / Gobelins – near Place d’Italie. It is a very lively neighborhood, ideal for travelers looking for new experiences as well as art lovers!

Best hotels

#7 Montparnasse – 14th arr.

If you want to live like a local while still being close to all of Paris’s interesting sights and attractions, the 14th arrondissement, also known as Montparnasse, is a great choice!

Montparnasse is a lovely area on the left bank of the Seine River, full of nice restaurants and cafes where you can live like a Parisian. You’ll also have plenty of museum and art gallery options nearby, making it nearly impossible to get bored around here!

Best hotels

#8 Latin Quarter – 5th arr.

If you don’t want to be in the heart of the city but still want to be close to everything, the Latin Quarter/ 5th arrondissement may be the best option for you. This neighborhood has a more relaxed atmosphere while still being close to all of the important attractions in the 1st arrondissement, for example!

I wholeheartedly recommend this neighborhood to anyone looking for authentic Parisian vibes! During your stay, you can stroll through the beautiful streets, sip wine in a wine bar, or simply admire the stunning architecture.

Because it is more relaxed and local, the hotels here are often less expensive than in other areas of Paris, which is always a plus for budget travelers!

Best hotels

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