The primary time we visited Paris, we did what a whole lot of first-timers do. We discovered a deal on a lodge with a view of the Eiffel Tower and booked it. We thought we had all of it found out.
The fact was that we spent half of our journey on the metro simply attempting to get to the neighbourhoods the place we truly needed to spend our time. We have been so centered on seeing that well-known landmark from our window that we missed out on the true really feel of the town.
On our subsequent go to, we stayed in a small flat in Le Marais, and it modified every part. Our days began with grabbing recent croissants from the bakery downstairs and ended with a glass of wine at a sidewalk cafe. We lastly understood that an important determination you’ll make when planning your journey isn’t which museums to see first, however which neighbourhood you’ll name dwelling.
After greater than a decade of travelling again to our favorite metropolis, we’ve realized quite a bit. This information is our means of sharing that first-hand information with you. It’s not an inventory of each lodge in Paris. It’s our simple, experience-based recommendation that will help you select the proper dwelling base in your journey fashion, so you’ll be able to spend much less time on the metro and extra time dwelling your Paris dream.
The Greatest Areas to Keep in Paris at a Look
Don’t have time to learn the entire submit? Listed here are our prime lodge options in numerous Paris neighborhoods primarily based on our travels.
- For Your First Go to: Saint-Germain-des-Prés on the Left Financial institution (in Paris)
- For Meals and Nightlife: Le Marais
- For Artwork and a Village Really feel: Montmartre
- For a Native Vibe: The Latin Quarter (dwelling to the Jardin du Luxembourg)
- For Luxurious and Buying: 1st Arrondissement (The Louvre)
Watch Our Video on the Greatest Paris Neighbourhoods
Understanding Paris’s Arrondissements
Earlier than we dive into one of the best neighbourhoods, it helps to understand how Paris is laid out. Town is split into 20 administrative districts referred to as arrondissements.
Think about a snail shell. The first arrondissement is on the centre, and the remaining spiral outwards clockwise. As a basic rule, the decrease the quantity, the extra central you’re. A lot of the most important vacationer sights and the neighbourhoods we advocate for a primary or second go to are in single-digit arrondissements (1 by way of 9). It’s a easy system that makes navigating the town a lot simpler when you get the cling of it.
The Greatest Neighbourhoods to Keep in Paris (Our First-Hand Expertise)
Le Marais (Arrondissements 3 & 4) – Greatest for Foodies and Tradition
The Vibe
Le Marais is without doubt one of the most dynamic areas in Paris. It’s a collision of historical past and fashionable vitality. You’ll discover grand Seventeenth-century mansions and delightful squares just like the Place des Vosges alongside fashionable style boutiques, modern artwork galleries, and a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene. Its slim, medieval streets are lively, filled with bakeries, falafel retailers, and wine bars.
Our Private Take
That is the neighbourhood that made us fall in love with Paris yet again. We love that you could spend an entire day right here with out a set plan. Our favorite factor to do is seize a falafel on Rue des Rosiers and eat it within the Place des Vosges, watching the town go by. It’s a spot for wandering, getting somewhat misplaced, and discovering your individual favorite cafe or courtyard.
Execs & Cons
- Execs: Very central and walkable to many sights just like the Louvre, Notre Dame and museums like The Picasso Museum and the Centre Pompidou. An unbelievable meals scene for all budgets. Energetic environment day and evening.
- Cons: It may be one of many dearer areas to remain. The favored streets get very crowded, particularly on weekends.
Resort Suggestions in Le Marais
- Luxurious Choose: Le Pavillon de la Reine & Spa. A sublime lodge tucked away from the road in a quiet courtyard proper on the Place des Vosges. It’s a peaceable escape from the busy neighbourhood.
- Mid-Vary Choose: Hôtel Jeanne d’Arc. A fantastic worth lodge on a quieter road however nonetheless only a few minutes stroll from the motion. The rooms are easy, clear, and cozy.
- Residence Fashion: CMG Rambuteau/Archives. Renting a small flat is our favorite technique to keep in Le Marais. It allows you to reside like an area, procuring on the markets and bakeries.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Arrondissement 6) – Greatest for First-Timers & Romance
The Vibe
You probably have a traditional, romantic picture of Paris in your thoughts, intellectuals debating in historic cafes, artwork galleries lining cobblestone streets, and delightful Haussmannian buildings at each flip, you’re in all probability considering of Saint Germain des Pres. It’s elegant, subtle, and residential to iconic cafes, luxurious boutiques, and the peaceable Luxembourg Gardens. That is the historic coronary heart of Parisian literary and inventive life on the Left Financial institution. In our opinion, it’s the excellent location for a romantic getaway.
Our Private Take
That is the neighbourhood we all the time advocate to associates visiting Paris for the primary time. It feels such as you’ve stepped proper right into a film set. One in every of our favorite journey reminiscences is just sitting at an outside desk at Les Deux Magots, sipping a espresso, and simply watching the world go by. It’s the quintessential Paris expertise, and it by no means will get outdated. A very good lodge location right here means you’re in strolling distance of so many iconic sights, which is vital to exploring Paris with out stress.
Execs & Cons
- Execs: The traditional Parisian environment is simple. It’s centrally situated and excellent for strolling to the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Notre Dame. It’s a phenomenal and really protected space.
- Cons: This is without doubt one of the costliest neighbourhoods in Paris for each resorts and eating. It will get a whole lot of vacationer visitors through the day.
Resort Suggestions in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Luxurious Choose: Resort Lutetia. A landmark lodge within the space that blends Artwork Deco historical past with fashionable luxurious. It’s a real five-star expertise with an unbelievable spa.
- Mid-Vary Choose: Hôtel de Buci. An enthralling lodge with traditional Parisian decor, together with balconies overlooking the vigorous Rue de Buci market road. The placement is excellent for exploring.
- Boutique Choose: Resort Dame des Arts. This beautiful boutique lodge has a incredible rooftop bar with unbelievable views, letting you see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at evening.
Montmartre (Arrondissement 18) – Greatest for Artwork and a Village Really feel
The Vibe
Perched on a big hill within the north of Paris, Montmartre looks like a village that has been preserved in time. With its winding cobblestone streets, ivy-covered buildings, and wealthy inventive historical past (it was as soon as dwelling to artists like Picasso and Van Gogh) it has a novel environment that’s fully totally different from the grand boulevards of central Paris. The realm is topped by the magnificent Sacré-Cœur Basilica and is legendary for the artists portray portraits within the Place du Tertre.
Our Private Take
We love escaping to Montmartre for a day. After climbing the various stairs to the highest, we wish to bypass the busiest crowds on the basilica and get misplaced within the facet streets behind it. That’s the place you discover the true coronary heart of the neighbourhood. We discovered a tiny cafe there on our final journey and simply watched the native life unfold. It’s part of Paris that really rewards a little bit of wandering.
Execs & Cons
- Execs: It has a novel and picturesque village environment. You’ll be able to typically discover extra reasonably priced, mid-priced lodge choices right here, together with some nice finances resorts. The views of the town from the hilltop are spectacular.
- Cons: It’s situated removed from the town heart, so that you’ll be utilizing the metro quite a bit. The realm round Sacré-Coeur is without doubt one of the most crowded spots in Paris. The steep hills might be difficult to stroll.
Resort Suggestions in Montmartre
- Boutique Choose: Hôtel Monsieur Aristide. A classy and fashionable small boutique lodge with a give attention to sustainability.
- Mid-Vary Choose: Terrass” Hôtel. The principle draw of this lodge room is its unbelievable rooftop terrace and bar and you’re only a stones throw from Sacré-Cœur.
- Residence Fashion: Montmartre Residence. Affords fashionable and spacious residences, some with a settee mattress or adjoining rooms making them ideally suited for households.
The Latin Quarter (Arrondissement 5) – Greatest for a Native Vibe & Historical past
The Vibe
The Latin Quarter is the historic scholar hub of Paris, dwelling to the Sorbonne College. This offers the neighbourhood a vigorous, bohemian, and mental vitality you received’t discover wherever else. The streets are a maze of slim medieval lanes filled with outdated bookshops, together with the well-known Shakespeare and Firm, reasonably priced bistros, arthouse cinemas, and jazz golf equipment. It’s a spot that buzzes with historical past, an genuine slice of medieval Paris.
Our Private Take
We love the uncooked vitality of the Latin Quarter. It feels much less polished than different central districts, and that’s what makes it nice. We all the time make some extent to get misplaced right here for just a few hours, searching the outdated bookstalls alongside the Seine earlier than discovering one of many many unbelievable eating places for a traditional, no-frills French meal. It’s among the best locations in Paris to discover a scrumptious and reasonably priced dinner.
Execs & Cons
- Execs: A really vigorous and energetic environment. It has a few of the finest budget-friendly meals within the metropolis. The placement is central and walkable to Notre Dame and the Luxembourg Gardens.
- Cons: The principle streets might be very noisy and crowded, particularly at evening. It’s a preferred spot for each vacationers and college students, so it’s all the time busy.
Resort Suggestions within the Latin Quarter
- Historic Choose: Hôtel Saint-Paul Rive-Gauche. This lodge is about in a Seventeenth-century constructing that was as soon as a Franciscan convent. It’s a phenomenal, historic property on a quiet road. Each lodge room comes with a non-public rest room and fashionable comforts.
- Mid-Vary Choose: The fifth Hôtel. A comfy and vibrant lodge with a pleasant environment. It’s recognized for its glorious breakfast buffet and is a good location for exploring.
- Boutique Choose: Hôtel La Lanterne & Spa. A contemporary and classy boutique lodge with a phenomenal indoor swimming pool and spa, which is a uncommon discover on this historic a part of the town.
1st Arrondissement (The Louvre) – Greatest for Luxurious and Buying
The Vibe
The first Arrondissement is the geographical and historic centre of Paris, and the place we stayed on our final go to to Paris. That is the place you’ll discover the masters on the Louvre Museum, the manicured Tuileries Backyard, and the opulent Place Vendôme. The vibe is grand, elegant, and splendid. The streets are lined with high-end designer boutiques, well-known jewellers, and five-star resorts with iconic histories. It’s the Paris of royalty and runway reveals.
Our Private Take
Staying within the 1st Arrondissement makes you are feeling like you’re on the centre of the universe. All the things appears to be only a quick stroll away. We love beginning a morning with a stroll by way of the Tuileries Backyard earlier than the crowds arrive. Whereas it’s not a neighbourhood recognized for its cozy, native really feel, you’ll be able to’t beat the comfort and the sheer grandeur of the structure that surrounds you.
Execs & Cons
- Execs: It’s the most central location in Paris, making it extremely handy for sightseeing on foot. It’s excellent for museum lovers and high-end buyers.
- Cons: That is the costliest space of Paris. It could actually really feel very tourist-heavy and lacks the native, neighbourhood really feel of different districts.
Resort Suggestions within the 1st Arrondissement
- Final Luxurious: Le Meurice. An iconic “palace lodge” with extravagant decor, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and impeccable service. It overlooks the Tuileries Backyard.
- Historic Choose: Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal. Situated proper subsequent to the Palais Royal backyard, this lodge presents a quiet and stylish retreat from the busy streets. Many rooms have personal balconies.
- Boutique Choose: Maison Armance. A smaller, extra intimate lodge situated on the higher flooring of a constructing on the well-known Rue Saint-Honoré, providing a novel and stylish Parisian expertise.
The place to Keep away from Staying in Paris
Whereas each neighbourhood in Paris has its personal distinctive qualities, not all of them are perfect for a first-time or short-term customer. Our recommendation isn’t about which areas are “dangerous,” however fairly which of them could be inconvenient or not provide the expertise you’re in search of on a primary journey.
Based mostly on our expertise, we propose considering twice earlier than reserving a lodge in these areas:
- Close to Main Prepare Stations (Gare du Nord, Gare de l’Est, Gare de Lyon): Whereas it may appear handy in your arrival and departure, the quick areas across the main prepare stations might be gritty and lack the Parisian environment most guests dream of. It’s higher to remain in a extra central neighbourhood and easily take a taxi or the metro to the station when you’ll want to.
- Proper by the Eiffel Tower (seventh Arrondissement): This could be a shock, however we realized this lesson the exhausting means. The residential areas instantly surrounding the Eiffel Tower are surprisingly quiet and a bit faraway from the colourful, bustling coronary heart of the town. You’ll spend a whole lot of time travelling to different neighbourhoods for meals and sightseeing. It’s a powerful place to go to, however not one of the best dwelling base.
- The Outer Arrondissements (nineteenth, twentieth, and so forth.): Whereas these districts supply a extra native and budget-friendly expertise, they’re usually too removed from the town centre for a typical vacationer go to. You’ll probably spend a good portion of your precious time on the metro simply attending to and from the primary sights.
Remaining Ideas for Reserving Your Keep in Paris
You’ve chosen your favorite neighbourhood, and also you’re virtually able to e book. Earlier than you do, listed below are just a few last items of recommendation we’ve realized through the years to ensure your keep is as clean as potential.
- E-book Far in Advance: Paris is without doubt one of the most visited cities on Earth, and one of the best resorts and residences get booked up months forward of time, particularly through the spring and summer season. To get your best option and worth, we advocate reserving no less than 3 to six months prematurely.
- Test Proximity to a Metro Station: Your toes will thanks for this. Earlier than you e book, pull up a map and see how shut your lodge is to a metro cease. Being a 2-minute stroll versus a 15-minute stroll from the metro makes an enormous distinction. A handy location with easy accessibility to a number of metro traces will prevent a ton of time.
- Learn the Most Current Evaluations: Don’t simply take a look at the general rating of a lodge. Take a minute to learn the three or 4 most up-to-date critiques. They provides you with essentially the most present image of your chosen Paris lodge’s cleanliness, service, and any potential points.
- Don’t Obsess Over an Eiffel Tower View: We stated it earlier than, but it surely’s price repeating. A fantastic neighbourhood expertise will all the time be extra memorable than a view of a landmark out of your room. Keep in a spot with character and go to the sights. You’ll have a significantly better journey.
Regularly Requested Questions About The place to Keep in Paris
For first-time guests, we all the time advocate Saint-Germain-des-Prés (sixth Arrondissement). It’s extremely central, protected, lovely, and presents the traditional Parisian expertise proper outdoors your door. You’ll be able to simply stroll to lots of the most important sights just like the Louvre and Notre Dame.
We advocate no less than 4 to five full days for a primary journey to Paris. This offers you sufficient time to see the foremost landmarks just like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower with out feeling rushed, whereas additionally permitting for a while to easily wander, sit at cafes, and soak within the metropolis’s environment.
This is determined by your journey fashion and the way lengthy you’ll be staying for just a few nights. For shorter journeys, a lodge is commonly extra handy. For longer stays, or in case you are travelling with household and want household rooms or two rooms, an house is a good choice. It offers you extra space and a kitchen so you’ll be able to put together your individual meals.
Montmartre could be a good place to remain for those who’re in search of a novel, village-like environment and extra reasonably priced lodge choices. Nonetheless, remember that it’s hilly and situated removed from different most important sights, so you’ll spend extra time on the metro.
Your Excellent Journey to Paris
Selecting the best neighbourhood is step one to an unforgettable journey to Paris. We hope this information, primarily based on our personal experiences, has made that call somewhat simpler. An important factor is to choose a house base that matches your fashion, permitting you to get on the market and create your individual wonderful journey reminiscences.
You probably have any extra questions, be at liberty to ask within the feedback beneath!
