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.
Don’t have time to read the whole post? Here are our top hotel suggestions in different Paris neighborhoods based on our travels.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
For first-time visitors, we always recommend Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th Arrondissement). It’s incredibly central, safe, beautiful, and offers the classic Parisian experience right outside your door. You can easily walk to many of the main attractions like the Louvre and Notre Dame.
We recommend at least 4 to 5 full days for a first trip to Paris. This gives you enough time to see the major landmarks like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower without feeling rushed, while also allowing for some time to simply wander, sit at cafes, and soak in the city’s atmosphere.
This depends on your travel style and how long you’ll be staying for a few nights. For shorter trips, a hotel is often more convenient. For longer stays, or if you are travelling with family and need family rooms or two rooms, an apartment is a great option. It gives you more space and a kitchen so you can prepare your own meals.
Montmartre can be a good place to stay if you’re looking for a unique, village-like atmosphere and more affordable hotel options. However, be aware that it’s hilly and located far from other main sights, so you will spend more time on the metro.
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!
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