Before you decide on where to stay in Paris, it is important that you know a little about the arrondissement (neighborhood). Each area in Paris has a unique feel and depending on your Paris itinerary, we can help you find the best neighborhood to stay in Paris, including the top Paris hotel recommendations in each arrondissement.
In general, hotels in arrondissements in the best areas to stay in Paris – close to Paris’ city center or near Paris’s must-see sights – will be more expensive. It’s important to decide if the price is more important than a great location or vice versa before choosing where to begin looking for accommodations and the best places to stay in Paris.
This is not to say that deals cannot be found in some of Paris’ more desirable arrondissements and close to the main attractions, it’s just a bit more challenging. And, rest assured, most of Paris arrondissements are completely safe.
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What is an arrondissement? The city of Paris is organized according to a system of arrondissements (municipal districts/neighborhoods) that spiral out from the center of Paris, beginning with the 1st and going all the way through 20.
Paris’ arrondissements are identified by the last two digits of address postal codes and are typically written as 17eme or 17e arr. Parisiennes also refer to their arrondissement as “left of the Seine River” (La Rive Gauche) or “right of the Seine River” (Rive Droite). Regardless of where you stay in Paris, every arrondissement is well connected by a wonderful Métro (subway) system that allows you to travel to any point in the city with no more than one transfer.
Where to Stay in Paris for Tourists
Paris is very accessible with public transportation, and you can find hotels for every budget in Paris. You can choose where to stay in Paris based on your budget, interests, and itinerary.
If you only have limited time in Paris and want to see all the major sights, then the first section of this article might be the best neighborhoods for you, as you are right in the heart of things. If this is your return visit to Paris and you want to experience Paris like a local, one of the more residential neighborhoods might be a good fit.
Read below a description of each Paris Arrondissement, its feel, and the main attraction as well as our hotel recommendations for each arrondissement and what makes those the best neighborhoods in Paris for Tourists.
SPECIAL TIP: Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. That means that you will often find long lines at the most popular attractions and skip the line tickets for each museum and sight can be expensive. If you plan to visit several tourist attractions and museums, you can save some money and time by buying the Paris Pass, which will give you access to 60 museums and major tourist sights, and offers skip-the-line access for most of them. Read our guide on whether the Paris Pass is worth it or not.
Are you looking for something special for your Paris Hotel? How about a room with a view of the Eiffel Tower – our guide gives options for any budget!
Before coming to France, do not forget these 3 important points:
The Best Arrondissements in the Center of Paris
1st Arrondissement
The 1st Arrondissement is the center of the old city of Paris and it is a great place to stay while in Paris. It is located on the Right Bank (Rive Droit) of the Seine River and is home to many beautiful historic buildings, the Louvre Museum, the Palais Royale, the adjacent Jardins des Tuileries and the elegant Place Vendome.
Because of its great location, hotels in this area of Paris tend to be more expensive. The advantage of staying here is that you are within walking distance of most of the top tourist destinations and restaurants in Paris and the area is very safe, as is most of Paris.
More information on the 1st Arrondissement.
Paris Hotel Recommendations for the 1st Arrondissement:
Luxury Hotels:
Renaissance Paris Vendome
4 Star Hotels:
3 Star & Budget Hotels:
Hotel Louvre Sainte Anne Opera
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Most popular sights and things to do in the 1st Arrondissement:
Skip the Line Louvre Tour + Audio Guide
Orangerie Museum with Guide (see Monet’s Waterlillies)
3rd Arrondissement
As shown on the Paris Arrondissement map above, the 3rd Arrondissement encompasses part of the Marais district, a former swamp that is now a trendy, art-filled neighborhood. This safe area is very gay-friendly and has a great Jewish quarter with excellent restaurants and shops. Be sure to check out the lovely Musée Picasso while you are here.
More information on the 3rd Arrondissement
Paris Hotel Recommendations for the 3rd Arrondissement:
Luxury Hotels:
4 Star Hotels:
3 Star & Budget Hotels:
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4th Arrondissement
The 4th Arrondissement is at the heart of Medieval Paris. Many prominent tourist sites such as Notre Dame, St. Chapelle, and the National Museum of Art in the Pompidou Center are all here. The Marais spills into the 4e arr. and contains the Place des Vosges, known as the most beautiful square in Europe. More information on the 4th Arrondissement
Luxury Hotels:
4 Star Hotels:
3 Star and Budget Hotels:
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5th Arrondissement
The 5th Arrondissement is located on the Left Bank of the Seine River (Rive Gauche) and has been known as the Latin Quarter since the early 13th century because the Sorbonne University professors and students all spoke Latin. This is my favorite area of Paris to stay in because it is centrally located, hotels are affordable and the atmosphere is amazing.
It is still considered to be the intellectual center of Paris and is now filled with a variety of bohemian restaurants and bookshops, so if you want to experience Paris’ artsy and bohemian side, this might be one of the best places in Paris for you to stay in.
The 5th Arrondissement is also in close proximity to the glorious Luxembourg Gardens, Notre Dame, and if you like walking even the Louvre Museum (about 20-25 min). Foodies will enjoy the food shops and cafés on Rue Mouffetard. More information on the 5th Arrondissement
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6th Arrondissement
The 6th Arrondissement, also known as St. Germain de Prés, is a colorful part of the Left Bank that was once the favorite haunt of Ernest Hemingway and the artist Eugène Delacroix. Today you can stroll the famous Boulevard St. Germain, or find the former homes of famous authors on Rue Jacob.
The gorgeous Luxembourg Gardens are in this district as well. The little street in this district called Cherche-Midi has some great little local restaurants. More information on the 6th Arrondissement
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7th Arrondissement
The Eiffel Tower, one of the most recognized landmarks and European tourist attractions in the world, is located in the 7th Arrondissement. Remember to book your skip the line tickets in advance, if you don’t want to waste hours waiting in line.
The Invalides, which holds Napoleon’s tomb, and the Musée d‘Orsay are also found here. The Musée du Quai Branly (African and Oceanic arts museum) is also located in this arrondissement.
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8th Arrondissement
The Right Bank’s 8th Arrondissement is where you’ll find the glitz, glamour, and elegance of Paris, as well as some of its most expensive hotels. The Champs-Elysées, Arc de Triumph (book your skip the line ticket here), famous fashion houses, elegant hotels, and restaurants are all in this exciting and beautiful arrondissement.
You may pay a little more for a hotel here, but the convenience and beauty is worth it. For the best restaurant prices and authentic French food, don’t eat on the Champs-Elysées. These restaurants are geared for tourists and the value is not good.
Opt for somewhere on one of the small, winding streets that branch off of the Champs- Elysées. One exception to this would be the famous Ladurée (located on the Champs-Elysées), which is worth every euro. More information on the 8th Arrondissement
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Great Value and Still Close
9th Arrondissement
When staying in the 9th Arrondissement, you will see that it holds both the most elegant and the most tawdry areas of Paris. At Pigalle, where you’ll find the Moulin Rouge, you can enjoy a classic cabaret show and dinner.
For a classier evening, you should visit the Palais Garnier, Paris’ elegant Opera house. Be sure to book a tour of the Opera Garnier; its ornate décor is over-the-top and the Chagall painted ceiling is worth the price of admission itself. More information on the 9th Arrondissement
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10th Arrondissement
The 10th Arrondissement centers on the Canal St. Martin and the restaurants and cafés that line its banks. The streets along the canal become car-free zones on Saturday afternoons/evenings, and all day on Sundays to make way for the cycling and rollerblading hoards.
Two great train stations, Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est, are located here as is the historic Place de la République on the south end of the arrondissement. This area has become quite trendy in recent years and you will find many young people flocking to the area. Train stations tend to attract itinerants and pickpockets, so be on the alert. More information on Paris’s 10th Arrondissement
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11th Arrondissement
The Opera Bastille has helped to revitalize the once dreary 11th Arrondissement. There are more than a few good restaurants here to tempt you as well. This is a great place to stay in Paris. The area is safe and less expensive than the closer arrondissements. There are also plenty of good restaurants within walking distance. More information on the 11th Arrondissement
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12th Arrondissement
The 12th Arrondissement has been totally revitalized and is now the new, trendy spot in Paris for the younger crowd. Known as Bercy, this area is considered by many to be the “new Saint-Germain”. The métro meteor (line 14) makes Bercy a short 10 minutes from the Madeleine stop in the center of Paris.
The Parc de Bercy is a 26-acre garden at one end of this Arrondissement; at the other end, you will find the restaurants, shops, and cinemas that are infusing this area with new life and excitement. More information on Paris’s 12th Arrondissement
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Feel Like a Parisienne: Residential Arrondissements in Paris
2nd Arrondissement
The 2nd Arrondissement is also located on the Right Bank and is principally known as the stock exchange and business district. The eastern end contains the garment district. While this is not an exciting tourist destination, it is a safe and quiet area with more affordable accommodations. More information on the 2nd Arrondissement
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13th Arrondissement
The 13th Arrondissement centers on the Gare de Austerlitz, and is another area that has little to offer the tourist unless you have a passion for tapestries. The Manufacture des Gobelins (a textile manufacturer) is located here at 42 ave des Gobelins.
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14th Arrondissement
Largely residential, the 14th Arrondissement is best known for Montparnasse (both the station and the towering skyscraper (Tour Montparnasse – a must-see, if you want a panoramic view of the city), the Paris Catacombs (book your skip the line tickets here), and the Parc Montsouris.
The Cité Universitaire is also found in this district as well as lively cafés and restaurants around the Boulevard du Montparnasse and the rue Daguerre.
The northern end of the district was the home to many American ex-pats and other famous members of the literati; Hemingway, Henry Miller, F. Scott Fitzgerald, T.S. Eliot, Alice B. Tolkas, Gertrude Stein, to name but a few.
At the southern end, you’ll find a quiet residential area. We love this area for great restaurants and reasonably priced hotels.
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15th Arrondissement
The 15th Paris Arrondissement is a quiet residential area that was once the home of the artists Modigliani, Chagall and Leger. There are few tourist sights here except for the Parc de Expositions. More information on the 15th Arrondissement
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16th Arrondissement
The former village of Passy, the 16th Arrondissement, is a lovely residential area that holds great charm for the tourist who is looking for refined calm. This safe arrondissement has beautiful boulevards, such as the Ave d’Iena, Ave Foch and Ave Victor Hugo as well as the exquisite Bois de Bologne Park.
Some wonderful museums are here, including the Guimet, the Marmottan, and the Balzac. And, you can get a great view of the Eiffel Tower from the place de Trocadero, just across the river.
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17th Arrondissement
The 17th Arrondissement is pretty much a nice residential area and has few tourist sights. It borders on the Arc de Triumph and can be a good lodging choice if you don’t mind being a bit away from the city center. The nearby La Defense business district has many hotels and is a safe and clean area.
More information on Paris’s 17th Arrondissement 18th Arrondissement
18th Arrondissement
One of the most popular outer areas of Paris, Montmartre, attracts many visitors to its colorful street artists and stately Sacre Coeur church.
Some of the world’s greatest artists lived here, notably Picasso, Matisse, Max Jacob, Utrillo, and Renoir. There are some charming eateries in this area. Unfortunately, the area is now also home to prostitutes and souvenir shops. And some of the “street artists” are rip-off artists as well; don’t feel obligated to buy anything you did not ask for, even if they made it “just for you”!
Watch out for people trying to tie bracelets on your wrist. They will trick you into buying them. Keep an eye on your wallet when you’re in parts of this area.
This neighborhood is best explored with a semi-private walking tour that shows you some of the hidden gems and lively areas.
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19th Arrondissement
The 19th Arrondissement, an ethnically rich area, is home to the Museum of Science and Industry, an absolutely wonderful museum. You will also find the Buttes-Chaumont which is a great place for children to enjoy donkey rides and puppet shows. T
here are some excellent African and Middle Eastern restaurants in this area that offer quality cuisine at low prices. Look to see which ones are bustling with locals and eat there.
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20th Arrondissement
The 20th Paris Arrondissement is another ethnically diverse area. People from all of France’s former empire can be found here, bringing their own cultures with them.
The most famous landmark is the Père Lachaise Cemetery that is the final resting place for Oscar Wilde, Isadora Duncan, Colette, Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison of the Doors and a host of other celebrities and politicians.
If you visit the Père Lachaise cemetery, be sure to look for the grave of Victor Noir; there is a life-size statue of him lying dead, killed by Pierre Bonaparte. Interestingly, the statue is said to have fertility powers. We highly recommend a guided tour, so you can find the most noteworthy “residents” of the cemetery.
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Best Paris Hotels for Every Budget
- Best Luxury Hotels in Paris- by Arrondissement
- Favorite Paris 4-star Hotels – by Arrondissement
- Best Paris 3-star and Budget Hotels – by Arrondissement
- Our Favorite Paris Boutique Hotels
- Best Paris Hotels with a View of the Eiffel Tower
No matter where you stay, Paris is quite safe and one of the most beautiful cities on earth. Enjoy!
Where to Stay in Paris – Written by Terri Fogarty and Jen Westmoreland Bouchard for EuropeUpClose.com
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