Where to Stay in Paris: 8 Best Areas & Hotels

Paris, ‘the city of lights,’ is one of every tourist’s dream destinations. Also known as the city of love, the French capital has been attracting visitors worldwide.

When you think about Paris, you might imagine the Eiffel Tower, dazzling nightlife, and busy streets. But there’s more to this romantic city than that. From its magnificent historical monuments to its distinctive culture, art, and cuisine, Paris is a destination like none other.

If you’re planning to visit Paris for the first time, you might feel a little bit lost about where to stay in Paris. The city has many amazing areas, each with different characteristics.

In this post, I collected the best arrondissements to stay in Paris that are perfect for both first-timers and seasoned Parisian tourists as well.

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

Overview of the Best Areas to Stay in Paris

As a tourist, you need to look into the Paris city layout first. The city is situated at the north-bending arc of the Seine River and is a part of northern-central France, otherwise known as Ile-de-France. It is a relatively flat city spread widely on both banks of the river.

Paris is divided into 20 administrative units called arrondissements. The 1st arrondissement is right at the center of the city. From there, the other arrondissements spiral out in a clockwise fashion till the 20th arrondissement in the northeast.

The Seine River cuts through the middle and divides Paris into right and left banks, also named Rive Droite and Rive Gauche, respectively.

The best arrondissement to stay in Paris completely depends on what you want to do as a tourist and how much time you have in hand.

If you’re visiting Paris for the first time, you will probably like to stay near the Seine River (1st to 7th arrondissement), where the major tourist attractions are located.

On the other hand, if you are a regular/frequent tourist to this land of romance, you could look for a more off-the-beaten-path experience. In this case, the 8th to 18th arrondissements can be the best areas to stay in Paris for you.

Here’s a quick overview of the best arrondissements to stay in Paris with hotel recommendations for each area.

Area	Recommended Hotel
1st Arrondissement – Louvre (sightseeing, museums, shopping)	Hôtel Crayon Rouge by Elegancia
6th Arrondissement – Saint-Germain-des-Prés (family-friendly, coffee shops, restaurants)	Hôtel de Joséphine BONAPARTE
5th Arrondissement – Latin Quarter (affordable accommodation, nightlife)	Hôtel des Grands Hommes
6th Arrondissement – Saint-Germain-des-Prés (family friendly, coffee shops, restaurants)	Grand Hôtel de L’Univers Saint-Germain
7th Arrondissement – Eiffel Tower sightseeing, restaurants)	Le Pavillon Hotel
8th Arrondissement – Champs-Élysées (traditional restaurants, shopping)	citizenM Paris Champs-Élysées
14th Arrondissement – Montparnasse (affordable accommodation, shopping)	Novotel Suites Paris Expo Porte de Versailles
18th arrondissement – Montmartre (affordable accommodation, local feel)	Hôtel Littéraire Marcel Aymé

Map of the Best Arrondissements to Stay in Paris

Below you can find a customized map that includes the best areas to stay in Paris, including our recommended hotels for each area for every budget.

How to use this map: This map is fully interactive, so you can move around, zoom in/zoom out, and click on the icons. If you want to see a larger map, click on the bracket in the upper right corner. To see more details and the different layers, click on the tab in the upper left corner. If you want to save it for later, click on the star icon next to the name of the map. Then simply open Google Maps either on your desktop or phone, go to ‘Saved’/’Maps’, and open the map whenever you need it.

Where to Stay in Paris: Best Areas & Hotels

1st Arrondissement (Louvre)

The 1st arrondissement of Paris, located in the center of the city, is full of tourist attractions, famous landmarks, beautiful parks, and renowned museums.

Plus, if you’re looking for the most Instagrammable places in Paris, you will find some of the best photography spots in this district.

The Louvre is situated on the right bank of the River Seine. This area is one of the oldest and one of the smallest neighborhoods in Paris. The Louvre is the best neighborhood to stay in Paris for first-time travelers who plan to visit all the popular sightseeing attractions.

The Louvre Museum and the Tuileries Gardens occupy a good portion of the 1st arrondissement. The other popular attractions in this district include the Palais Royal, the Conciergerie, and Place Vendôme.

While staying in the 1st arrondissement, you are also within walking distance of attractions like Notre Dame Cathedral, the Centre Pompidou, Champs-Elysèes, and just across the river from Musee D’Orsay and Saint Germain.

3rd and 4th arrondissement (Le Marais)

Le Marais, situated at the River Seine’s right bank, is the favorite hangout for most youngsters in Paris. It houses several boutique shops and gourmet chocolatiers. The nightlife in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements is relaxed and vibrant.

Also, the influence of contemporary art can be observed in the buildings in this area. These arrondissements are also called the Jewish neighborhood of Paris.

One of the oldest squares in Paris, Place des Vosges, is located in the Le Marais neighborhood. The 4th arrondissement is home to the Notre Dame Cathedral, located on an island in the center of the Seine River.

The area is surrounded by beautiful art galleries and museums like the Museum of the History of Paris, National Archives, Picasso Museum, Museum of Arts and Crafts, and Place de la République, making them both the best arrondissements to stay in Paris.

Nicolas Flamel House, the oldest house in Paris, is also located here.

5th Arrondissement (Latin Quarter)

The Latin Quarter is one of Paris’s most popular areas, located on the left bank of the River Seine. This neighborhood is the student hub of Paris with several prestigious high schools and universities.

The major tourist sites of this arrondissement are the Pantheon, the National Museum of the Middle Ages, Jardin des Plantes (botanical gardens), Menagerie (the oldest zoo in France), the Museum of Natural History, the Paris Mosque, and Arenes de Lutece (Roman Coliseum).

The Latin Quarter neighborhood offers a calmer and more relaxed atmosphere while not being away from the important attractions in the 1st and 7th arrondissements.

The famed Shakespeare and Co. bookshop is also located in the 5th arrondissement. This is the best area to stay in Paris for tourists who are on a budget trip but still want to reside centrally.

6th arrondissement (Saint-Germain-des-Pres)

The 6th arrondissement, also known as Saint-Germain-des-Prés, is located at the River Seine’s left bank.

Major attractions of this neighborhood are the Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Luxembourg church) and Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg gardens). The gardens are popular for picnicking with families.

The Saint Germain neighborhood is known for its excellent café culture. You can visit the oldest cafe in Paris, Le Procope, while you stroll through the streets of this area.

The picturesque backstreets like the Place de Furstenberg are incredibly beautiful. Also, the Latin Quarter is an easy reach from the 6th arrondissement.

7th Arrondissement (Eiffel Tower)

The 7th arrondissement is a walkable neighborhood situated on Rive Gauche, the River Seine’s left bank. This area is home to the Eiffel Tower, one of the most recognizable monuments in the world.

Other significant tourist attractions include Les Invalides and famous museums like Musée d’Orsay, Musée Rodin, and the Musée du Quai Branly.

With so many major landmarks within walking distance, the 7th arrondissement is definitely one of the best arrondissements to stay in Paris.

When you walk through the narrow streets of the 7th arrondissement, you will find chic restaurants and boutique stores. You can also book a hotel with a view of the Eiffel Tower and have a romantic dinner on a cruise down the Seine.

Night walks in this area are even more beautiful with less crowd and the exquisitely illuminated Iron Lady (i.e., the Eiffel Tower).

8th arrondissement (Champs-Elysees)

The 8th arrondissement is a famous area located at the River Seine’s right bank and is Paris’s main business district. Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, and Place de la Concorde are the major attractions in the 8th arrondissement.

The Champs-Élysées marks the backbone of the 8th arrondissement, spreading its entire east-west length, from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, marking the meeting point of the 8th, 16th, and 17th arrondissements.

If you are looking for the ultimate shopping experience, then Champs-Élysées is the best area to stay in Paris for you. The famous French fashion brands have their store in this neighborhood.

By staying here, you will be close to Cité, Opéra de Garnier, and the Grands Boulevards, the luxury shopping sites.

14th Arrondissement (Montparnasse)

Montparnasse is located on the Seine river’s left bank. This neighborhood is famous for its skyscraper, Tour Montparnasse.

Other major attractions of the area are the Paris Catacombs museum, Parc Montsouris, and Paris Observatory. There are lines of cafes and restaurants in this neighborhood, which you can explore while touring the area.

18th arrondissement (Montmartre)

Montmartre, located on the right bank of the River Seine, is an area that upholds the charm of old Paris. It is the most popular outer neighborhood of Paris.

The 18th arrondissement is actually a high hill that houses one of Paris’s most famous landmarks – the white Sacré-Coeur Cathedral.

Moulin Rouge – the number one cabaret show in the universe is another tourist spot in Montmartre. The area is also well-known as many famous painters like Pablo Picasso, Renoir, and Edgar Degas had their work studios in this place in the 19th century.

You could literally spend hours exploring the cobbled alleyways of Montmartre. Visit the cemetery, the vineyards, and the stairs of Montmartre from where you can get the best views of Paris.

A stay in the hills of the 18th arrondissement will guarantee the best sights and a romantic getaway, making it amongst the best arrondissements to stay in Paris or honeymooners.