Where to stay in Paris: best areas and hotels

Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world and it is such a big city it can be difficult to decide where to stay if it’s your first time. I wrote this post for you to know where to stay in Paris according to your interests including the best areas and hotels in Paris.

In Paris you’ll find plenty of accommodation of all kinds and for all budgets. In this article I will recommend different hostels, hotels or apartments in the best neighborhoods to stay in Paris.

Don’t have time to read? here’s the top 3 hotels I recommend in Paris:

• L’Hôtel: a historic boutique hotel with a lot of history in the Latin Quarter.
• Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel: a 4-star hotel located perfect if you’re searching for a hotel view of the Eiffel Tower.
• Generator Paris: if you’re traveling solo, this hostel is ideal. It offers both private and shared rooms and is characterised by its fun design.

Paris arrondissements

The first thing you need to know about Paris is that the city is divided into 20 districts or “arrondissements” that are numbered in the form of a clockwise spiral starting from the middle of the city. Each of these municipal districts has its own characteristics and is divided into neighborhoods. Arrondissements are also identified according to whether they are on the right side (rive droite) or left (rive gauche) of the Seine River.

Here is a map with the 20 arrondissements and their main attractions:

In Paris the tourist attractions are scattered throughout the city so there isn’t just one area that is best for staying. Each arrondissement will allow you to be near a particular place, but to see the rest of the attractions, you will have to move by subway or the transport you choose.

Where to stay in Paris: best areas and hotels

1. Central area of Paris (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th arrondissements)

The 4 districts that make up the central area of Paris located on the right bank of the Seine River are among the oldest in the city. Here you’ll find Île de la Cité (districts 1 and 4), the island where the famous Notre Dame cathedral is located.

These districts are a really convenient for staying in Paris because you are right in the center of the city, close to tourist attractions and there are good public transport connections. At the same time it is one of the most expensive and luxurious areas to stay in Paris as many hotels are old palaces and restored buildings.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

Louvre Museum – Orangerie Museum – Pompidou Center – Notre Dame Cathedral – Sainte Chapelle – Pont Neuf – Pont des arts

2. The Latin Quarter and Saint Germain des Prés (5th and 6th arrondissements)

In the central zone but on the left side of Seine River, you’ll find the 5th and 6th distritcs. In the 5th district is the Latin Quarter, a neighborhood known for this name for being the place where students spoke Latin as an academic language during the Middle Ages. It is a neighborhood where many universities and institutions are located.

Next to the Latin Quarter is the 6th district of Paris, mostly known for Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood. This is a very elegant and historical area and the place where many famous writers lived.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

Pantheon of Paris – Institute of the Arab World – Luxembourg Gardens – Pont Neuf – Pont des arts

3. The Eiffel Tower (7th and 15th arrondissements)

The Eiffel Tower is the undisputed icon of Paris and many people choose to sleep in a hotel near it. It wouldn’t be bad to get up and have views of the Eiffel Tower, right? If you are looking for this the best areas to stay are districts 7 and 15. They are residential areas that although they have tourist points such as the Eiffel Tower and some of the best museums in Paris, still remain quiet and without many things to do.

Within the 7th district is Grenelle neighborhood that has direct views of the Eiffel Tower. It’s a good area to stay in Paris if you’re looking for those iconic views.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

Eiffel Tower – The Invalids – Orsay Museum – Rodin Museum

4. Champs Elyseés and Opera (8th and 9th arrondissements)

If you are looking for an area with constant movement and shops, these two districts are the best to stay in Paris. In the 8th district is the famous Avenue of the Champs Elysees, which goes from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. It is a very pretty tree-lined street with luxury shops and restaurants.

In this area you also find the Paris Saint-Lazare train station that connects with many places in Paris and its surroundings. In the 9th district you will find many commercial stores such as the famous Lafayette Galleries. The famous Garnier Opera is also located in this arrondissement.

Either of these two districts are the best for sleeping in Paris if you are looking for an area well connected with the rest of the city and with a lot of both daylife and nightlife.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

Avenue of the Champs Elysees – Paris Saint-Lazare Station – Arc de Triomphe – Galeries Lafayette – Opera Garnier – Place de la Concorde

5. Gare du Nord (10th arrondissement)

The 10th district doesn’t have many tourist attractions but it is an area that I recommend to stay in Paris because it is possible to find budget accommodation and still be very close to the city center.

In this district you;ll find Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est train stations where high-speed national and international train lines arrive. If you have to take a train from any of these stations early in the morning, sleeping in this area is very convenient. It was the district I stayed in when I traveled to Paris by myself. In addition to being well connected with the rest of the city, the area is equipped with cafes and restaurants.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

Gare de l’Est train station – Gare du Nord train station

6. Bastille (arrondissement 11)

Another area to consider for staying in Paris is the 11th district, specifically the area near the Bastille Square which is really close to Le Marais neighborhood. This area is within a short distance from many tourist spots in Paris and there are also many shops and restaurants.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

Bastille Square – Republic Square – Bastille Theater

7. Montparnasse (arrondissement 14)

The 14th district isn’t one of the most touristic areas in Paris but it is a great place to stay because of its proximity to the city center and the possibility of finding cheaper accommodation. It is best to look for hotels in the Montparnasse district, which is the one located in the north of the district, next to the 6th arrondissement.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

The Catacombs of Paris – The Paris Observatory – Montparnasse Tower

8. Montmartre (18th arrondissement)

The 18th district is mostly known for hosting the district of Montmartre where the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris and the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret are located. It is a very nice area since it is on the highest hill in Paris and the streets are very charming with its typical cobblestone, bars and shops.

It is a good area to stay in Paris because you can find cheap accommodation, however, it is not the best area to walk at night.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart – Moulin Rouge

9. La Villette (19th arrondissement)

This district has a history that I love. Hundreds of years ago the Paris slaughterhouse was located here, which after its closure was abandoned for several years until they decided to transform it into La Villette Park. Thanks to this the neighborhood was revitalized and today it is one of the most beautiful and quiet areas of Paris. In the park you also find the City of Science and Industry (a good place to visit with children) and several theaters and concert halls.

If you don’t mind being a little further from the center, La Villette is a good area to stay in Paris because you can get better prices at accommodation. If you stay in the southern part of the district you will be next to the 10th arrondissement, only about 10 minutes by subway from the center.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

Park of Buttes-Chaumont – Parc de la Villette – Cité des sciences et de l’industrie – Cité de la musique

I hope this guide on where to stay in Paris has helped you! If you have any doubts please leave your comment below 🙂

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• 4 days in Paris itinerary
• Best Paris hotels with Eiffel Tower views
• The best museums in Paris
• Visiting Villa Savoye from Paris
• Best Budget places to stay in London
• 2 days in Amsterdam

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