Where To Stay in Paris: The Best Areas & Neighbourhoods For Your Visit

1st Arrondissement – Louvre

The 1st arrondissement is home to some of Paris’ most famous landmarks including the Louvre Museum, Tuileries Garden, Sainte Chapelle, Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, Musee de l’Orangerie, Palais Royal and Place Vendome.

If you are looking for the best places to stay in Paris for the first time, or if you want to be centrally located and close to all the main attractions, then the Louvre neighbourhood is a great option for you.

The downside of staying in this arrondissement is that it can be quite touristy and crowded, especially around the Louvre Museum. However, if you don’t mind a little bit of hustle and bustle, then this is definitely the place for you!

Recommended hotels in the Louvre neighbourhood:

• Hôtel Londres Saint Honoré – Just 400M from the Louvre and Tuileries Gardens plus close to metro with family rooms.
• Novotel Paris Les Halles – In the heart of Paris with family rooms and a fantastic location. Popular for families and close to attractions and transport.
• Hotel du Louvre – This five-star hotel is located right next to the Louvre Museum and is the perfect base for exploring all the sights and attractions in this arrondissement.

2nd Arrondissement – Bourse

The second arrondissement is located in the eastern part of Paris and is known for being a business district.

This is the smallest district in Paris. However, there are still plenty of things to see and do in this neighbourhood including the Opera Garnier, Passage des Panoramas and Galerie Vivienne.

If you are looking to shop while you’re in Paris, the Bourse district is a good option. Still quite a busy part of Paris but also still centrally located too.

Recommended hotels in the Bourse neighbourhood:

• Hotel des Grands Boulevards – This 4-star hotel is located on the Grands Boulevards, a street lined with shops, cafes and restaurants and just a 20-minute walk from the Lourve.
• Hôtel France d’Antin Opéra – Popular choice for families with suites available and close to Opera Garnier, the Louvre and other attractions. There is an indoor play area and games room.
• Hôtel Saint-Marc – Swimming pool and gardens and they offer bike hire. Short walk to Galerie Vivienne and Opera Garnier. A great option for visiting with kids.

3rd & 4th Arrondissement – Le Marais

The 3rd and 4th arrondissements both make up the Le Marais neighbourhood, which can get a tad confusing! Le Marais is located on the right bank of the River Seine and is an area we loved staying in during one of our visits. It can be expensive though!

This is a historical neighbourhood with plenty to see and do, yet a little further from the central tourist hub. The location makes it still very easy to get around, either on foot or by public transport.

In the Le Marais neighbourhood, you will find attractions such as the Pompidou Centre, Picasso Museum, Musee Carnavalet and Place des Vosges. This is also near Notre Dame Cathedral.

Recommended hotels in Le Marais:

• Hotel Bastille Speria – Modern hotel with large rooms and Place de la Bastille and its famous opera house just 350M away.
• Hotel Saint-Louis Marais – Budget hotel in the centre of the Marais district
• Paris France Hotel – Budget option with easy access to popular attractions, family rooms and private parking available.

5th Arrondissement – Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter is located on the left bank of the River Seine and is a popular area to stay in Paris for students. This is due to its proximity to some of the best universities in Paris such as La Sorbonne (one of Europe‘s oldest universities) and The College de France.

The Latin Quarter is a rather trendy neighbourhood, likely due to the younger crowd that calls it home. It is also a more culturally diverse part of Paris.

The Latin Quarter is also a great place to stay if you want to be near attractions in Paris such as The Pantheon, France’s oldest zoo – Menagerie, the National Museum of the Middle Ages and Jardin des Plantes (botanical gardens).

Recommended hotels in the Latin Quarter:

• Hôtel Montecristo – Boutique 4-star hotel with an indoor swimming pool and sauna for a little extra luxury during your stay.
• Hotel Observatoire Luxembourg – Boutique hotel within walking distance to many popular attractions, including Luxembourg Gardens and right next to the metro station.
• Hotel Moderne Saint Germain – A great option for couples with brightly decorated rooms and a great location. A good option for short stays.

6th Arrondissement – Saint-Germain-des-Prés

The Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighbourhood is located on the left bank of the River Seine and is one of the most expensive places to stay in Paris. This neighbourhood is known for its high-end shopping, luxury hotels and Michelin star restaurants.

This is one of the best areas to stay in Paris for families, mostly due to the close proximity to the Luxembourg Gardens, which is wonderful for visiting Paris with kids!

Here you will find lots of family activities, including toy boats and playgrounds. It is a beautiful neighbourhood and you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to things to see and do.

However, if you’re looking to stay in this neighbourhood, be prepared to fork out some serious cash!

In the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighbourhood, you can find attractions such as the Luxembourg Gardens, Saint Sulpice Church, Saint-Michel Fountain and the Palace of Luxembourg.

Recommended hotels in Saint-Germain-des-Prés:

• Hotel Trianon Rive Gauche – This four-star hotel is located close to Luxembourg Gardens and is a popular choice with families staying in Paris.
• Résidence & Spa Le Prince Régent – This luxury hotel is located in an 18th-century building and is just 5 minutes walk from Luxembourg Gardens and Notre Dame, with family rooms available and continental breakfast.
• Citadines Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris – This 4-star aparthotel is located just a 10-minute walk from Notre Dame and 300 metres from Saint-Michel Metro Station. Family and pet-friendly.

7th Arrondissement – Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower / Champ de Mars neighbourhood is located on the left bank of the River Seine and is one of the most popular places to stay in Paris, which likely comes as no surprise! This neighbourhood is known for, you guessed it, the Eiffel Tower!

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most popular attractions in Paris, if not the world, so it’s no wonder that this neighbourhood is so popular with tourists.

However, this neighbourhood is also popular with Parisians and there are plenty of things to see and do in addition to visiting the Eiffel Tower.

The only thing is that it is quite a bit further out and does take more effort to get around to see all the other central Paris attractions. Great if you have your own transport, but perhaps not the best area to stay in if you are only spending a few days in Paris and want to see a lot!

Hotels with a view of the Eiffel Tower can be expensive too! But it does make for a romantic area to stay for couples visiting Paris!

This neighbourhood is home to the Champ de Mars (a large park with plenty of green space), the Musée d’Orsay (one of Paris’ most popular museums) and Hôtel Les Invalides (a complex containing museums and monuments).

Recommended hotels in the Eiffel Tower / Champ de Mars neighbourhood:

• Hôtel Le Walt – A great choice for couples with the option to book one of their rooms with a romantic view of the Eiffel Tower (but book early as they are popular).
• Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile – Modern mid-range hotel located 1.5km from the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysees. You can book rooms with an Eiffel Tower or Montmartre view.
• Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel – This 4-star hotel is set at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero with unique views from many of the rooms and is the closest hotel to the tower – just a 5-minute walk.

8th Arrondissement – Champs-Élysées

The Champs-Élysées neighbourhood is located on the right bank of the River Seine and is a busy tourist area. This neighbourhood is best known for its luxury hotels, high-end shopping and fine dining.

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The Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous streets in the world and is definitely worth a visit. However, it can be quite crowded, especially during peak tourist season. It is especially beautiful (and chaotic) during the holiday season!

If you’re looking to stay in this neighbourhood, be prepared to pay a premium for your accommodation. It would not be our preferred choice when visiting Paris as a family. But you will be close to the action, including the famous Arc de Triomphe.

Recommended hotels in the Champs-Élysées neighbourhood:

• Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris – This 5-star luxury hotel has impressive views, Michelin-awarded dining and a luxurious day spa with a swimming pool, vitality pool, gym, salon and much more. This is a true Paris splurge experience!
• Hôtel San Régis – Housed in a 19th-century private mansion, this hotel is a 3-minute walk from Champs-Elysées and Grand Palais, as well as 200m from River Seine.
• Hôtel Mathis Elysées – Set on a quiet street, just 220 metres from Champs Elysees, with an airport shuttle and a 15-minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe. Popular for couples.

18th Arrondissement – Montmartre

The other district worth considering when planning where to stay in Paris is the 18th arrondissement, also known as Montmartre. This is a large hill in the north of Paris with amazing views over the city.

It’s one of the most popular tourist areas in Paris, especially for first-time visitors, thanks to its many attractions including the Sacré Coeur Basilica and Place du Tertre. This is also a great place to stay if you are planning a trip to the famous Moulin Rouge!

This neighbourhood can be quite crowded, especially around the Sacré Coeur, but it’s still a great place to stay in Paris.

It has a really different vibe and is very artsy, historically very popular with many famous artists such as Picasso, Renoir and Van Gogh to name a few. It’s a wonderful place to wander around the markets to find some unique handmade gifts or enjoy street performances.

Recommended hotels in the Montmartre neighbourhood:

• Best Western Plus Hôtel Littéraire Marcel Aymé – 350 metres from the Moulin Rouge and a 10-minute walk from the Sacré Coeur with decor inspired by writer Marcel Aymé. Family rooms are available.
• Hôtel des Arts Montmartre – A great hotel for couples and a 9-minute walk from Sacré-Coeur Basilica and 300 metres from Moulin Rouge.
• Hôtel Monsieur Aristide – Family rooms available. Located 500 metres from La Cigale Concert Hall right in the heart of Montmartre.