Where’s the best place to stay in Paris?
We all know that Paris is always a good idea, but is every area in Paris a good idea? Paris is massive and every neighborhood has its own personality, so you need to find the place that best matches your needs.
After 4 visits to Paris and having stayed in different areas of the city each time – plus having visited a few others, I’ve made a selection in this post with my 5 recommended areas where to stay in Paris.
Where to stay in Paris – 5 Best Areas & Hotels
Tips when booking your stay in Paris
- If you book your stay in one of the 5 areas highlighted in this post, you can’t go wrong. They’ve been tested by myself!
- If you’re planning your first trip to Paris, stay at Le Premier, Le Marais or Latin Quarter areas so you can get to the most of the highlights of the city on foot.
- For nightlife, stay at Le Marais or Latin Quarter.
- If you’re looking for a hotel with a Eiffel Tower view, you don’t need to stay at a particular neighborhood. The Iron Lady is visible from almost everywhere!
- Avoid Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysées areas. They’re touristy and busy, meaning worst service in many cases.
- Public transportation is really good in Paris. You can find some great options in residential areas, but in general, avoid the suburbs.
- Book well in advance, especially during fashion week!
1st arrondissement – Le Premier (Louvre)
Best area for luxury travelers.
Known as the district of the Kings of France and it’s where historic hotels like Ritz and luxury boutiques like Chanel are. It’s luxury travelers preferred area.
Top places to visit in Le Premier
- Louvre museum – get your skip the line ticket here!
- Arc de Triomphe de Carousel
- Tuileries Garden
- Palais Royal
- Place Vendome
- Les Halles
- Sainte-Chapelle
Recommended tours
Recommended stay: Mandarin Oriental Paris
Located in a historic building on rue Saint Honoré, Mandarin Oriental is one of the best luxury hotels in Paris, with Michelin star awarded restaurants by Thierry Marx and an unique view to the Eiffel Tower.
Click here to check availability and rates.
4th arrondissement – Le Marais
Best area for both young travelers, families and romantic escapes.
Le Marais is one of the nicest areas in Paris, and currently the trendiest. Centrally located in the right bank of the Seine, this historic neighborhood has it all, from architectural gems to a vibrant atmosphere. It’s also a great pick for foodies – I highly recommend Benedict restaurant.
Top places to visit in Le Marais
- Le Marais guided walking tour – book your ticket in advance here.
- Notre Dame de Paris
- Hôtel de Ville
- Place de la Bastille
- Place de Vosges
- The Centre Pompidou – get your ticket in advance here.
Recommended tours
Recommended stay: Pavillon de la Reine Hotel & Spa
Pavillon de la Reine Hotel & Spa has been my favorite stay so far in Paris. Centrally located in Place des Vosges, where Victor Hugo used to live, it’s a not so touristy yet pretty central, beautiful and quiet area.
Click here to check availability and rates.
5th & 6th arrondissements – Latin Quarter & Saint Germain des Prés
Best area for first timers in Paris, perfect for young and budget travelers.
On the left bank of the Seine, Latin Quarter and Saint German des Prés are beautiful neighborhoods. They’re considered the heart of Paris for its central location.
I totally recommend these areas for your first trip to Paris – it’s one of my absolute favorites because of its vibrant university vibe, great restaurants, markets, chic cafes and art galleries.
Top places to visit in Latin Quarter & Saint Germain des Prés
- Pantheon
- Latin Quarter
- Rue Mouffetard
- Sorbonne
- Institut du Monde Arabe
- Jardin des Plantes
- Jardin du Luxembourg
- Café de Flore
Recommended tours in Latin Quarter & Saint Germain des Prés
Recommended stay: Hotel Belloy Saint Germain
Hotel Belloy Saint Germain was my home last fall in Paris.
I totally loved the area, the 360º view from my room’s balcony and how easy was to get anywhere from there on foot, bus or metro. Totally recommended!
Click here to check availability and rates.
18th arrondissement – Montmartre
Best for: second timers
Montmartre used to be an independent town – that’s why it’s so different to the rest of Paris.
Montmartre is located in the north of Paris and despite being touristy, it’s a bit away from the rest of the city. It’s a really nice place to stay to avoid the hustle of the city and to explore more in Montmartre (especially if you plan to visit for sunrise!). If it’s your first time in Paris though, avoid this area as it will take you longer to get anywhere else in the city.
Plus, when booking your stay in Montmartre pay attention to the exact location: use Google Street View as you may want to avoid the Red Light District areas.
Top places to visit in Montmartre
- Basilique du Sacre Coeur
- Moulin Rouge
- Mur des Je t’aime
Recommended tours in Montmartre
Recommended stay: Le Chat Noir
I loved staying at Le Chat Noir. It was such a especial place because it was the first time I would stay in a room with a view to the Eiffel Tower: so magical and unforgettable.
Le Chat Noir is located steps away from the Moulin Rouge and it’s really well located between 2 metro stops. It’s a fantastic place to stay at to visit Montmartre for sunrise or to attend a late night show at Moulin Rouge.
Click here to check availability and rates.
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