Paris Accommodation Guide: Insider Tips for Choosing the Best Neighborhoods
We thought we had it all figured out when we first visited Paris. We booked a hotel with a view of the Eiffel Tower and spent half our trip on the metro trying to get to the neighbourhoods where we wanted to spend our time. But we missed out on the real feel of the city.
On our next visit, we stayed in a small flat in Le Marais, and it changed everything. Our days started with fresh croissants from the bakery downstairs and ended with a glass of wine at a sidewalk cafe. We finally understood that the most important decision you’ll make when planning your trip isn’t which museums to see first, but which neighbourhood you’ll call home.
After more than a decade of travelling back to our favourite city, we’ve learned a lot. This guide is our way of sharing that first-hand knowledge with you. It’s not a list of every hotel in Paris. It’s our straightforward, experience-based advice to help you choose the perfect home base for your travel style, so you can spend less time on the metro and more time living your Paris dream.
The Best Areas to Stay in Paris at a Glance
Don’t have time to read the whole post? Here are our top hotel suggestions in different Paris neighborhoods based on our travels:
- For Your First Visit: Saint-Germain-des-Prés on the Left Bank (in Paris)
- For Food and Nightlife: Le Marais
- For Art and a Village Feel: Montmartre
- For a Local Vibe: The Latin Quarter (home to the Jardin du Luxembourg)
- For Luxury and Shopping: 1st Arrondissement (The Louvre)
Understanding Paris’s Arrondissements
Before we dive into the best neighbourhoods, it helps to know how Paris is laid out. The city is divided into 20 administrative districts called arrondissements.
Imagine a snail shell. The 1st arrondissement is at the centre, and the rest spiral outwards clockwise. As a general rule, the lower the number, the more central you are. Most of the main tourist sights and the neighbourhoods we recommend for a first or second visit are in single-digit arrondissements (1 through 9). It’s a simple system that makes navigating the city much easier once you get the hang of it.
The Best Neighbourhoods to Stay in Paris (Our First-Hand Experience)
Le Marais (Arrondissements 3 & 4) – Best for Foodies and Culture
The Vibe
Le Marais is one of the most dynamic areas in Paris. It’s a collision of history and modern energy. You’ll find grand 17th-century mansions and beautiful squares like the Place des Vosges alongside trendy fashion boutiques, contemporary art galleries, and a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene. Its narrow, medieval streets are full of life, packed with bakeries, falafel shops, and wine bars.
Our Personal Take
This is the neighborhood that made us fall in love with Paris all over again. We love that you can spend a whole day here without a set plan. Our favorite thing to do is grab a falafel on Rue des Rosiers and eat it in the Place des Vosges, watching the city go by. It's a place for wandering, getting a little lost, and discovering your own favorite cafe or courtyard.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Very central and walkable to many attractions like the Louvre, Notre Dame and museums like The Picasso Museum and the Centre Pompidou. An incredible food scene for all budgets. Lively atmosphere day and night.
- Cons: It can be one of the more expensive areas to stay. The popular streets get very crowded, especially on weekends.
Hotel Recommendations
- Luxury Pick: Le Pavillon de la Reine & Spa. An elegant hotel tucked away from the street in a quiet courtyard right on the Place des Vosges. It's a peaceful escape from the busy neighborhood.
- Mid-Range Pick: Hôtel Jeanne d'Arc. A great value hotel on a quieter street but still just a few minutes walk from the action. The rooms are simple, clean, and comfortable.
- Apartment Style: CMG Rambuteau/Archives. Renting a small flat is our favorite way to stay in Le Marais. It lets you live like a local, shopping at the markets and bakeries.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Arrondissement 6) – Best for First-Timers & Romance
The Vibe
If you have a classic, romantic image of Paris in your mind, intellectuals debating in historic cafes, art galleries lining cobblestone streets, and beautiful Haussmannian buildings at every turn, you're probably thinking of Saint Germain des Pres. It's elegant, sophisticated, and home to iconic cafes, luxury boutiques, and the peaceful Luxembourg Gardens. This is the historic heart of Parisian literary and artistic life on the Left Bank. In our opinion, it is the perfect location for a romantic getaway.
Our Personal Take
This is the neighborhood we always recommend to friends visiting Paris for the first time. It feels like you've stepped right into a movie set. One of our favorite travel memories is simply sitting at an outdoor table at Les Deux Magots, sipping a coffee, and just watching the world go by. It's the quintessential Paris experience, and it never gets old. A good hotel location here means you are in walking distance of so many iconic sights, which is key to exploring Paris without stress.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: The classic Parisian atmosphere is undeniable. It's centrally located and perfect for walking to the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, and Notre Dame. It's a beautiful and very safe area.
- Cons: This is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Paris for both hotels and dining. It gets a lot of tourist traffic during the day.
Montmartre (Arrondissement 18) – Best for Art and a Village Feel
Perched on a large hill in the north of Paris, Montmartre feels like a village that has been preserved in time. With its winding cobblestone streets, ivy-covered buildings, and rich artistic history (it was once home to artists like Picasso and Van Gogh) it has a unique atmosphere that’s completely different from the grand boulevards of central Paris. The area is crowned by the magnificent Sacré-Cœur Basilica and is famous for the artists painting portraits in the Place du Tertre.
We love escaping to Montmartre for an afternoon. After climbing the many stairs to the top, we like to bypass the busiest crowds at the basilica and get lost in the side streets behind it. That’s where you find the real heart of the neighbourhood. We found a tiny cafe there on our last trip and just watched the local life unfold. It’s a part of Paris that truly rewards a bit of wandering.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: It has a unique and picturesque village atmosphere. You can often find more affordable, mid-priced hotel options here, including some great budget hotels. The views of the city from the hilltop are spectacular.
- Cons: It’s located far from the city center, so you’ll be using the metro a lot. The area around Sacré-Coeur is one of the most crowded spots in Paris. The steep hills can be challenging to walk.
Hotel Recommendations
- Boutique Pick: Hôtel Monsieur Aristide. A stylish and modern small boutique hotel with a focus on sustainability.
- Mid-Range Pick: Terrass” Hôtel. The main draw of this hotel room is its incredible rooftop terrace and bar, and you are just a stone’s throw from Sacré-Cœur.
- Apartment Style: Montmartre Residence. Offers modern and spacious apartments, some with a sofa bed or adjoining rooms making them ideal for families.
Final Tips for Booking Your Stay in Paris
You’ve chosen your favourite neighbourhood, and you’re almost ready to book. Before you do, here are a few final pieces of advice we’ve learned over the years to make sure your stay is as smooth as possible.
- Book Far in Advance: Paris is one of the most visited cities on Earth, and the best hotels and apartments get booked up months ahead of time, especially during the spring and summer. To get the best choice and price, we recommend booking at least 3 to 6 months in advance.
- Check Proximity to a Metro Station: Your feet will thank you for this. Before you book, pull up a map and see how close your hotel is to a metro stop. Being a 2-minute walk versus a 15-minute walk from the metro makes a huge difference. A convenient location with easy access to multiple metro lines will save you a ton of time.
- Read the Most Recent Reviews: Don’t just look at the overall score of a hotel. Take a minute to read the three or four most recent reviews. They will give you the most current picture of your chosen Paris hotel’s cleanliness, service, and any potential issues.
- Don’t Obsess Over an Eiffel Tower View: We said it before, but it’s worth repeating. A great neighbourhood experience will always be more memorable than a view of a landmark from your room. Stay in a place with character and visit the sights. You’ll have a much better trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where to Stay in Paris
What is the best area to stay in Paris for a first-time visitor?
For first-time visitors, we always recommend Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th Arrondissement). It’s incredibly central, safe, beautiful, and offers the classic Parisian experience right outside your door. You can easily walk to many of the main attractions like the Louvre and Notre Dame.
How many days are enough for a trip to Paris?
We recommend at least 4 to 5 full days for a first trip to Paris. This gives you enough time to see the major landmarks like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower without feeling rushed, while also allowing for some time to simply wander, sit at cafes, and soak in the city’s atmosphere.
Is it better to stay in a hotel or an apartment in Paris?
This depends on your travel style and how long you’ll be staying. For shorter trips, a hotel is often more convenient. For longer stays, or if you are travelling with family and need family rooms or two rooms, an apartment is a great option. It gives you more space and a kitchen so you can prepare your own meals.
Is Montmartre a good place to stay?
Montmartre can be a good place to stay if you’re looking for a unique, village-like atmosphere and more affordable hotel options. However, be aware that it’s hilly and located far from other main sights, so you will spend more time on the metro.