April 30, 2023

Paris is a big city. It covers about 41 square miles, making it only slightly smaller than San Francisco. This of course means that, despite Paris being one of the best places to stay in France, figuring out exactly which area to stay in can feel like a daunting task. Luckily, this post will help you understand the best areas to stay in Paris. But first, you need to know about arrondissements, or neighborhoods, a word you will constantly encounter as you plan your trip and while you’re in Paris. There are 20 arrondissements in the city, starting with number one right in the center, and then spiraling outwards as the numbers climb up, making a snail shell-like pattern throughout the city.

1. For luxury: Champs-Elysées area in the 8th arrondissement

The 8th Arrondissement is on the right bank of the Seine and encompasses the Champs-Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, and plenty of shopping (like at Galeries Lafayette, which is a gorgeous department store and one of the best spots to visit in Paris). If you’re after a slightly more upscale accommodation or a more glamorous overall Parisian experience, this is the best area of the city for you to consider. You’ll also have easy, walking-distance access to tourist attractions in the 1st Arrondissement as well as quite a few metro stations throughout the area. 

For a great stay in this neighborhood, check out Idol Hotel.

2. For convenience: Les Halles area in the 1st Arrondissement

The 1st Arrondissement is one of the most touristy neighborhoods in Paris, but it is also one of the most central and one of the most interesting places to stay in France. Despite the crowds, you could choose to stay in the Les Halles area of the 1st Arrondissement, which is a touch quieter than if you were to stay more to the west, closer to the Louvre. If you’re on a longer trip to Paris it’s probably a good idea to stay somewhere slightly quieter and more local, but if you’re short on time the 1st Arrondissement makes for easy access to the attractions you’ll likely want to see.

For an excellent location in the 1st Arrondissement, book at Relais Du Louvre.

3. For history: Saint-Germain-des-Prés area in the 6th Arrondissement

Heading over to the left bank, the 6th Arrondissement encompasses great spots like the Luxembourg Gardens and is home to an immensely rich literary history that now shines through in the great selection of cafes, restaurants, and bars in the district. Saint-Germain-des-Prés is an area of the 6th Arrondissement close to the Seine. If you stay here you’ll still be very central and conveniently located, but you’ll be a bit more outside the hustle and bustle of the busiest tourist spots in Paris. You can find a nice selection of chic and trendy hotels here.

If you like the sound of this area, check out the boutique Hotel des Académies et des Arts.

4. For first-timers: The 7th Arrondissement 

Staying on the left bank, the 7th Arrondissement is a fairly large arrondissement that includes the Eiffel Tower and quite a few museums, including the Rodin Museum. If you’re planning your first trip to Paris, staying in this area is a good way to get your bearings for the city. The 7th Arrondissement has a great selection of restaurants, and it has plenty of metro stops making getting out and back perfectly simple, plus the Seine will be right on your doorstep for lovely evening strolls. 

With great outdoor spaces, Hôtel Duc De St-Simon is a good choice in the 7th.

5. For longer trips: The Marais area in the 3rd and 4th Arrondissements

Back over on the right bank, but now slightly east of central Paris, Le Marais is an area that is actually part of both the 3rd and 4th Arrondissements and is an excellent option for slightly longer Paris stays, or if you’re a repeat visitor who wants to spend a bit less time on the really touristy highlights, and instead dive deeper into life like a local. The area is gorgeous, and as such it is not cheap, but you’ll be surrounded by centuries of history and plenty of present-day buzz to make your stay plenty exciting. 

A small, local, slightly more affordable hotel in this neighborhood is Hôtel de Roubaix.

6. For peace and quiet: The Bourse area in the 2nd Arrondissement

The 2nd Arrondissement is quite a small one, staying here still keeps you central, but for some reason, it is quite quiet and more laid back than the next door 1st. You’ll find shopping passageways, grand boulevards, and hip stores, boutiques, bars, and restaurants. Everything you could want on your trip is here but with a more hipster feel rather than an opulent vibe.

To make yourself more at home with kitchenette options, check out Maison le Bac Paris Aparthotel.

7. For youthfulness: The Latin Quarter in the 5th Arrondissement

The 5th Arrondissement brings you back to the left bank but more to the east. This is the area where the Sorbonne University is. That means staying here will surround you with a university-like vibe. Think plenty of cafes with young French students plotting their futures over a cup of coffee, bookstores overflowing with energy, and, come night, plenty of activity in the streets and bars. If that all sounds perfect – and don’t let student life intimidate you, the Latin Quarter might be one of the most interesting places to stay in all of France – definitely consider booking a hotel in the Latin Quarter, which is part of the 5th Arrondissement closest to the university and the river.

A great option in the 5th Arrondissement is the Seven Hotel.