The primary time we visited Paris, we did what a whole lot of first-timers do. We discovered a deal on a resort with a view of the Eiffel Tower and booked it. We thought we had all of it found out.
The fact was that we spent half of our journey on the metro simply making an attempt to get to the neighbourhoods the place we truly needed to spend our time. We had been so targeted on seeing that well-known landmark from our window that we missed out on the true really feel of the town.
On our subsequent go to, we stayed in a small flat in Le Marais, and it modified every little thing. Our days began with grabbing contemporary croissants from the bakery downstairs and ended with a glass of wine at a sidewalk cafe. We lastly understood that crucial resolution you’ll make when planning your journey isn’t which museums to see first, however which neighbourhood you’ll name residence.
After greater than a decade of travelling again to our favorite metropolis, we’ve discovered so much. This information is our manner of sharing that first-hand information with you. It’s not a listing of each resort in Paris. It’s our simple, experience-based recommendation that will help you select the right residence base in your journey model, so you’ll be able to spend much less time on the metro and extra time residing your Paris dream.
The Greatest Areas to Keep in Paris at a Look
Don’t have time to learn the entire put up? Listed here are our prime resort solutions in several Paris neighborhoods based mostly on our travels.
- For Your First Go to: Saint-Germain-des-Prés on the Left Financial institution (in Paris)
- For Meals and Nightlife: Le Marais
- For Artwork and a Village Really feel: Montmartre
- For a Native Vibe: The Latin Quarter (residence to the Jardin du Luxembourg)
- For Luxurious and Procuring: 1st Arrondissement (The Louvre)
Watch Our Video on the Greatest Paris Neighbourhoods
Understanding Paris’s Arrondissements
Earlier than we dive into the most effective neighbourhoods, it helps to know the way Paris is laid out. The town is split into 20 administrative districts known as arrondissements.
Think about a snail shell. The first arrondissement is on the centre, and the remainder spiral outwards clockwise. As a normal rule, the decrease the quantity, the extra central you might be. Many of the essential vacationer sights and the neighbourhoods we suggest for a primary or second go to are in single-digit arrondissements (1 by way of 9). It’s a easy system that makes navigating the town a lot simpler when you get the grasp of it.
The Greatest Neighbourhoods to Keep in Paris (Our First-Hand Expertise)
Le Marais (Arrondissements 3 & 4) – Greatest for Foodies and Tradition
The Vibe
Le Marais is likely one of the most dynamic areas in Paris. It’s a collision of historical past and fashionable vitality. You’ll discover grand Seventeenth-century mansions and delightful squares just like the Place des Vosges alongside fashionable style boutiques, modern artwork galleries, and a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene. Its slender, medieval streets are vigorous, full of bakeries, falafel retailers, and wine bars.
Our Private Take
That is the neighbourhood that made us fall in love with Paris another time. We love that you would be able to spend a complete day right here and not using a set plan. Our favorite factor to do is seize a falafel on Rue des Rosiers and eat it within the Place des Vosges, watching the town go by. It’s a spot for wandering, getting a bit misplaced, and discovering your individual favorite cafe or courtyard.
Professionals & Cons
- Professionals: Very central and walkable to many sights just like the Louvre, Notre Dame and museums like The Picasso Museum and the Centre Pompidou. An unimaginable meals scene for all budgets. Vigorous ambiance day and night time.
- Cons: It may be one of many dearer areas to remain. The favored streets get very crowded, particularly on weekends.
Lodge Suggestions in Le Marais
- Luxurious Choose: Le Pavillon de la Reine & Spa. A chic resort tucked away from the road in a quiet courtyard proper on the Place des Vosges. It’s a peaceable escape from the busy neighbourhood.
- Mid-Vary Choose: Hôtel Jeanne d’Arc. An important worth resort on a quieter avenue however nonetheless just some minutes stroll from the motion. The rooms are easy, clear, and cozy.
- Condominium Fashion: CMG Rambuteau/Archives. Renting a small flat is our favorite technique to keep in Le Marais. It enables you to reside like an area, buying on the markets and bakeries.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Arrondissement 6) – Greatest for First-Timers & Romance
The Vibe
When you have a basic, romantic picture of Paris in your thoughts, intellectuals debating in historic cafes, artwork galleries lining cobblestone streets, and delightful Haussmannian buildings at each flip, you’re most likely considering of Saint Germain des Pres. It’s elegant, refined, and residential to iconic cafes, luxurious boutiques, and the peaceable Luxembourg Gardens. That is the historic coronary heart of Parisian literary and creative life on the Left Financial institution. In our opinion, it’s the good location for a romantic getaway.
Our Private Take
That is the neighbourhood we all the time suggest to pals visiting Paris for the primary time. It feels such as you’ve stepped proper right into a film set. One among our favorite journey recollections is solely sitting at an out of doors desk at Les Deux Magots, sipping a espresso, and simply watching the world go by. It’s the quintessential Paris expertise, and it by no means will get outdated. resort location right here means you might be in strolling distance of so many iconic sights, which is vital to exploring Paris with out stress.
Professionals & Cons
- Professionals: The basic Parisian ambiance is plain. It’s centrally positioned and excellent for strolling to the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Notre Dame. It’s a stupendous and really protected space.
- Cons: This is likely one of the costliest neighbourhoods in Paris for each motels and eating. It will get a whole lot of vacationer visitors throughout the day.
Lodge Suggestions in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Luxurious Choose: Lodge Lutetia. A landmark resort within the space that blends Artwork Deco historical past with fashionable luxurious. It’s a real five-star expertise with an unimaginable spa.
- Mid-Vary Choose: Hôtel de Buci. A captivating resort with basic Parisian decor, together with balconies overlooking the vigorous Rue de Buci market avenue. The situation is excellent for exploring.
- Boutique Choose: Lodge Dame des Arts. This beautiful boutique resort has a improbable rooftop bar with unimaginable views, letting you see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night time.
Montmartre (Arrondissement 18) – Greatest for Artwork and a Village Really feel
The Vibe
Perched on a big hill within the north of Paris, Montmartre looks like a village that has been preserved in time. With its winding cobblestone streets, ivy-covered buildings, and wealthy creative historical past (it was as soon as residence to artists like Picasso and Van Gogh) it has a singular ambiance that’s utterly completely different from the grand boulevards of central Paris. The realm is topped by the magnificent Sacré-Cœur Basilica and is known for the artists portray portraits within the Place du Tertre.
Our Private Take
We love escaping to Montmartre for a day. After climbing the various stairs to the highest, we wish to bypass the busiest crowds on the basilica and get misplaced within the aspect streets behind it. That’s the place you discover the true coronary heart of the neighbourhood. We discovered a tiny cafe there on our final journey and simply watched the native life unfold. It’s part of Paris that actually rewards a little bit of wandering.
Professionals & Cons
- Professionals: It has a singular and picturesque village ambiance. You’ll be able to typically discover extra inexpensive, mid-priced resort choices right here, together with some nice price range motels. The views of the town from the hilltop are spectacular.
- Cons: It’s positioned removed from the town middle, so that you’ll be utilizing the metro so much. The realm round Sacré-Coeur is likely one of the most crowded spots in Paris. The steep hills might be difficult to stroll.
Lodge Suggestions in Montmartre
- Boutique Choose: Hôtel Monsieur Aristide. A trendy and fashionable small boutique resort with a give attention to sustainability.
- Mid-Vary Choose: Terrass” Hôtel. The primary draw of this resort room is its unimaginable rooftop terrace and bar and you might be only a stones throw from Sacré-Cœur.
- Condominium Fashion: Montmartre Residence. Presents fashionable and spacious residences, some with a settee mattress or adjoining rooms making them superb for households.
The Latin Quarter (Arrondissement 5) – Greatest for a Native Vibe & Historical past
The Vibe
The Latin Quarter is the historic pupil hub of Paris, residence to the Sorbonne College. This offers the neighbourhood a vigorous, bohemian, and mental vitality you gained’t discover wherever else. The streets are a maze of slender medieval lanes full of outdated bookshops, together with the well-known Shakespeare and Firm, inexpensive bistros, arthouse cinemas, and jazz golf equipment. It’s a spot that buzzes with historical past, an genuine slice of medieval Paris.
Our Private Take
We love the uncooked vitality of the Latin Quarter. It feels much less polished than different central districts, and that’s what makes it nice. We all the time make some extent to get misplaced right here for just a few hours, searching the outdated bookstalls alongside the Seine earlier than discovering one of many many unimaginable eating places for a basic, no-frills French meal. It’s among the best locations in Paris to discover a scrumptious and inexpensive dinner.
Professionals & Cons
- Professionals: A really vigorous and energetic ambiance. It has a few of the greatest budget-friendly meals within the metropolis. The situation is central and walkable to Notre Dame and the Luxembourg Gardens.
- Cons: The primary streets might be very noisy and crowded, particularly at night time. It’s a preferred spot for each vacationers and college students, so it’s all the time busy.
Lodge Suggestions within the Latin Quarter
- Historic Choose: Hôtel Saint-Paul Rive-Gauche. This resort is ready in a Seventeenth-century constructing that was as soon as a Franciscan convent. It’s a stupendous, historic property on a quiet avenue. Each resort room comes with a personal rest room and fashionable comforts.
- Mid-Vary Choose: The fifth Hôtel. A comfy and vibrant resort with a pleasant ambiance. It’s identified for its glorious breakfast buffet and is a superb location for exploring.
- Boutique Choose: Hôtel La Lanterne & Spa. A contemporary and trendy boutique resort with a stupendous indoor swimming pool and spa, which is a uncommon discover on this historic a part of the town.
1st Arrondissement (The Louvre) – Greatest for Luxurious and Procuring
The Vibe
The first Arrondissement is the geographical and historic centre of Paris, and the place we stayed on our final go to to Paris. That is the place you’ll discover the masters on the Louvre Museum, the manicured Tuileries Backyard, and the opulent Place Vendôme. The vibe is grand, elegant, and opulent. The streets are lined with high-end designer boutiques, well-known jewellers, and five-star motels with iconic histories. It’s the Paris of royalty and runway exhibits.
Our Private Take
Staying within the 1st Arrondissement makes you’re feeling like you might be on the centre of the universe. All the pieces appears to be only a quick stroll away. We love beginning a morning with a stroll by way of the Tuileries Backyard earlier than the crowds arrive. Whereas it’s not a neighbourhood identified for its cozy, native really feel, you’ll be able to’t beat the comfort and the sheer grandeur of the structure that surrounds you.
Professionals & Cons
- Professionals: It’s the most central location in Paris, making it extremely handy for sightseeing on foot. It’s good for museum lovers and high-end customers.
- Cons: That is the most costly space of Paris. It could actually really feel very tourist-heavy and lacks the native, neighbourhood really feel of different districts.
Lodge Suggestions within the 1st Arrondissement
- Final Luxurious: Le Meurice. An iconic “palace resort” with extravagant decor, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and impeccable service. It overlooks the Tuileries Backyard.
- Historic Choose: Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal. Situated proper subsequent to the Palais Royal backyard, this resort affords a quiet and chic retreat from the busy streets. Many rooms have non-public balconies.
- Boutique Choose: Maison Armance. A smaller, extra intimate resort positioned on the higher flooring of a constructing on the well-known Rue Saint-Honoré, providing a singular and stylish Parisian expertise.
The place to Keep away from Staying in Paris
Whereas each neighbourhood in Paris has its personal distinctive qualities, not all of them are perfect for a first-time or short-term customer. Our recommendation isn’t about which areas are “unhealthy,” however relatively which of them could be inconvenient or not provide the expertise you’re searching for on a primary journey.
Based mostly on our expertise, we propose considering twice earlier than reserving a resort in these areas:
- Close to Main Prepare Stations (Gare du Nord, Gare de l’Est, Gare de Lyon): Whereas it may appear handy in your arrival and departure, the speedy areas across the main practice stations might be gritty and lack the Parisian ambiance most guests dream of. It’s higher to remain in a extra central neighbourhood and easily take a taxi or the metro to the station when it’s essential.
- Proper by the Eiffel Tower (seventh Arrondissement): This could be a shock, however we discovered this lesson the arduous manner. The residential areas instantly surrounding the Eiffel Tower are surprisingly quiet and a bit faraway from the colourful, bustling coronary heart of the town. You’ll spend a whole lot of time travelling to different neighbourhoods for meals and sightseeing. It’s an impressive place to go to, however not the most effective residence base.
- The Outer Arrondissements (nineteenth, twentieth, and many others.): Whereas these districts provide a extra native and budget-friendly expertise, they’re usually too removed from the town centre for a typical vacationer go to. You’ll seemingly spend a good portion of your invaluable time on the metro simply attending to and from the principle sights.
Closing Ideas for Reserving Your Keep in Paris
You’ve chosen your favorite neighbourhood, and also you’re nearly able to guide. Earlier than you do, listed here are just a few remaining items of recommendation we’ve discovered over time to ensure your keep is as clean as potential.
- E-book Far in Advance: Paris is likely one of the most visited cities on Earth, and the most effective motels and residences get booked up months forward of time, particularly throughout the spring and summer season. To get your best option and value, we suggest reserving a minimum of 3 to six months prematurely.
- Test Proximity to a Metro Station: Your ft will thanks for this. Earlier than you guide, pull up a map and see how shut your resort is to a metro cease. Being a 2-minute stroll versus a 15-minute stroll from the metro makes an enormous distinction. A handy location with easy accessibility to a number of metro strains will prevent a ton of time.
- Learn the Most Current Critiques: Don’t simply take a look at the general rating of a resort. Take a minute to learn the three or 4 most up-to-date critiques. They will provide you with essentially the most present image of your chosen Paris resort’s cleanliness, service, and any potential points.
- Don’t Obsess Over an Eiffel Tower View: We mentioned it earlier than, however it’s price repeating. An important neighbourhood expertise will all the time be extra memorable than a view of a landmark out of your room. Keep in a spot with character and go to the sights. You’ll have a a lot better journey.
Continuously Requested Questions About The place to Keep in Paris
For first-time guests, we all the time suggest Saint-Germain-des-Prés (sixth Arrondissement). It’s extremely central, protected, stunning, and affords the basic Parisian expertise proper exterior your door. You’ll be able to simply stroll to lots of the essential sights just like the Louvre and Notre Dame.
We suggest a minimum of 4 to five full days for a primary journey to Paris. This offers you adequate time to see the most important landmarks just like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower with out feeling rushed, whereas additionally permitting for a while to easily wander, sit at cafes, and soak within the metropolis’s ambiance.
This will depend on your journey model and the way lengthy you’ll be staying for just a few nights. For shorter journeys, a resort is usually extra handy. For longer stays, or if you’re travelling with household and wish household rooms or two rooms, an condominium is a superb possibility. It provides you extra space and a kitchen so you’ll be able to put together your individual meals.
Montmartre could be a good place to remain if you happen to’re searching for a singular, village-like ambiance and extra inexpensive resort choices. Nonetheless, remember that it’s hilly and positioned removed from different essential sights, so you’ll spend extra time on the metro.
Your Excellent Journey to Paris
Selecting the best neighbourhood is step one to an unforgettable journey to Paris. We hope this information, based mostly on our personal experiences, has made that call a bit simpler. An important factor is to choose a house base that matches your model, permitting you to get on the market and create your individual wonderful journey recollections.
When you have any extra questions, be happy to ask within the feedback under!
