How to Choose Where to Stay in Paris (And Where to Avoid)

The first time we visited Paris, we did what a lot of first-timers do. We found a deal on a hotel with a view of the Eiffel Tower and booked it. We thought we had it all figured out.

The reality was that we spent half of our trip on the metro just trying to get to the neighbourhoods where we actually wanted to spend our time. We were so focused on seeing that famous landmark from our window that 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 grabbing 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)

Watch Our Video on the Best Paris Neighbourhoods

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 neighbourhood 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 favourite 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 favourite 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 in Le Marais

• 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 neighbourhood.
• 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 favourite 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 neighbourhood 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 favourite 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 neighbourhoods in Paris for both hotels and dining. It gets a lot of tourist traffic during the day.

Hotel Recommendations in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

• Luxury Pick: Hotel Lutetia. A landmark hotel in the area that blends Art Deco history with modern luxury. It’s a true five-star experience with an incredible spa.
• Mid-Range Pick: Hôtel de Buci. A charming hotel with classic Parisian decor, including balconies overlooking the lively Rue de Buci market street. The location is superb for exploring.
• Boutique Pick: Hotel Dame des Arts. This lovely boutique hotel has a fantastic rooftop bar with incredible views, letting you see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night.

Montmartre (Arrondissement 18) – Best for Art and a Village Feel

The Vibe

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.

Our Personal Take

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 in Montmartre

• 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 stones 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.

The Latin Quarter (Arrondissement 5) – Best for a Local Vibe & History

The Vibe

The Latin Quarter is the historic student hub of Paris, home to the Sorbonne University. This gives the neighbourhood a lively, bohemian, and intellectual energy you won’t find anywhere else. The streets are a maze of narrow medieval lanes packed with old bookshops, including the famous Shakespeare and Company, affordable bistros, arthouse cinemas, and jazz clubs. It’s a place that buzzes with history, an authentic slice of medieval Paris.

Our Personal Take

We love the raw energy of the Latin Quarter. It feels less polished than other central districts, and that’s what makes it great. We always make a point to get lost here for a few hours, browsing the old bookstalls along the Seine before finding one of the many incredible restaurants for a classic, no-frills French meal. It’s one of the best places in Paris to find a delicious and affordable dinner.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: A very lively and energetic atmosphere. It has some of the best budget-friendly food in the city. The location is central and walkable to Notre Dame and the Luxembourg Gardens.
• Cons: The main streets can be very noisy and crowded, especially at night. It’s a popular spot for both tourists and students, so it’s always busy.

Hotel Recommendations in the Latin Quarter

• Historic Pick: Hôtel Saint-Paul Rive-Gauche. This hotel is set in a 17th-century building that was once a Franciscan convent. It’s a beautiful, historic property on a quiet street. Every hotel room comes with a private bathroom and modern comforts.
• Mid-Range Pick: The 5th Hôtel. A cozy and colourful hotel with a friendly atmosphere. It’s known for its excellent breakfast buffet and is a great location for exploring.
• Boutique Pick: Hôtel La Lanterne & Spa. A modern and stylish boutique hotel with a beautiful indoor swimming pool and spa, which is a rare find in this historic part of the city.

1st Arrondissement (The Louvre) – Best for Luxury and Shopping

The Vibe

The 1st Arrondissement is the geographical and historical centre of Paris, and where we stayed on our last visit to Paris. This is where you’ll find the masters at the Louvre Museum, the manicured Tuileries Garden, and the opulent Place Vendôme. The vibe is grand, elegant, and luxurious. The streets are lined with high-end designer boutiques, famous jewellers, and five-star hotels with iconic histories. It’s the Paris of royalty and runway shows.

Our Personal Take

Staying in the 1st Arrondissement makes you feel like you are at the centre of the universe. Everything seems to be just a short walk away. We love starting a morning with a walk through the Tuileries Garden before the crowds arrive. While it’s not a neighbourhood known for its cozy, local feel, you can’t beat the convenience and the sheer grandeur of the architecture that surrounds you.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: It is the most central location in Paris, making it incredibly convenient for sightseeing on foot. It’s perfect for museum lovers and high-end shoppers.
• Cons: This is the most expensive area of Paris. It can feel very tourist-heavy and lacks the local, neighbourhood feel of other districts.

Hotel Recommendations in the 1st Arrondissement

• Ultimate Luxury: Le Meurice. An iconic “palace hotel” with extravagant decor, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and impeccable service. It overlooks the Tuileries Garden.
• Historic Pick: Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal. Located right next to the Palais Royal garden, this hotel offers a quiet and elegant retreat from the busy streets. Many rooms have private balconies.
• Boutique Pick: Maison Armance. A smaller, more intimate hotel located on the upper floors of a building on the famous Rue Saint-Honoré, offering a unique and chic Parisian experience.

Where to Avoid Staying in Paris

While every neighbourhood in Paris has its own unique qualities, not all of them are ideal for a first-time or short-term visitor. Our advice isn’t about which areas are “bad,” but rather which ones might be inconvenient or not give you the experience you’re looking for on a first trip.

Based on our experience, we suggest thinking twice before booking a hotel in these areas:

• Near Major Train Stations (Gare du Nord, Gare de l’Est, Gare de Lyon): While it might seem convenient for your arrival and departure, the immediate areas around the major train stations can be gritty and lack the Parisian atmosphere most visitors dream of. It’s better to stay in a more central neighbourhood and simply take a taxi or the metro to the station when you need to.
• Right by the Eiffel Tower (7th Arrondissement): This might be a surprise, but we learned this lesson the hard way. The residential areas immediately surrounding the Eiffel Tower are surprisingly quiet and a bit removed from the vibrant, bustling heart of the city. You’ll spend a lot of time travelling to other neighbourhoods for food and sightseeing. It’s a magnificent place to visit, but not the best home base.
• The Outer Arrondissements (19th, 20th, etc.): While these districts offer a more local and budget-friendly experience, they are generally too far from the city centre for a typical tourist visit. You’ll likely spend a significant portion of your valuable time on the metro just getting to and from the main attractions.

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

Your Perfect Trip to Paris

Choosing the right neighbourhood is the first step to an unforgettable trip to Paris. We hope this guide, based on our own experiences, has made that decision a little easier. The most important thing is to pick a home base that fits your style, allowing you to get out there and create your own amazing travel memories.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask in the comments below!