Where to Stay in Paris with Hotel Recommendations
Trying to figure out where to stay in Paris? Planning a trip to the city of light can be tough, especially when it comes to researching where to stay if you’ve never been before. For many people going to Paris is the trip of a lifetime. But the city is big, and it can be confusing to first-time visitors.
While Paris doesn’t have one perfect area for tourists, some of the best hotels are evenly spread out across the entire city to satisfy everyone’s needs. Where you stay in Paris can make or break your vacation, so depending on your needs and budget, these neighborhood recommendations will help you pick your ideal spot.
Why should you take my advice? I’ve spent time living in Paris and have visited multiple times, so I know all the top areas well enough to share with you. Here are my recommendations for the best location to stay in Paris and have a great trip!
Best Hotels to Stay in Paris:
Best Luxury Hotels in Paris
Four Seasons George V • Shangri-La Paris
Best Boutique Hotels in Paris
Hotel 34B • Grand Hotel de L’Univers
Best Cheap Accommodation in Paris
Generator Paris
Map of Paris Arrondissements
Paris is divided into the Right Bank (north of River Seine) and Left Bank (south of River Seine). The street names are not really used for reference since they are all just a few blocks away from one another. Rather, they are referred to as Arrondissements or use a nearby Metro station.
There are 20 Arrondissements in Paris. What are the arrondissements? They are municipal and administrative districts of Paris. They’re numbered from 1 to 20 in a clockwise spiral from the center of the city known as Kilometre Zero and located at the front of Notre Dame cathedral.
This means that the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th arrondissements are the most central with the higher numbers being further out and more residential.
Where to Stay in Paris (2020)
To directly skip to selected Paris neighborhoods, click on links below.
Paris 1 – Louvre
Paris 2 – Bourse
Paris 3 – Temple
Paris 4 – Le Marais, Ile de la Cite & Ile Saint-Louis
Paris 5 – The Latin Quarter
Paris 6 – Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Paris 7 – Eiffel Tower
Paris 8 – Champs-Élysées
Paris 9 – Opera
Paris 10 – Canal Saint-Martin
Paris 11 – Nation
Paris 18 – Montmartre
Paris 20 – Belleville
Paris 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19
Areas to Avoid in Paris
What is the Best Neighborhood to Stay in Paris?
- Best Neighborhood to Stay in Paris for First Time Visitor: 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th
- Best Arrondissement for Sightseeing and Museums: 1st, 2nd, 4th
- Best Neighbourhood in Paris for Families: Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Most Romantic Neighborhood in Paris: Montmartre
- Best Area in Paris for Nightlife: Marais
- Best Local Neighborhood in Paris: Opera
- Best Arrondissement for Budget Travelers: 11th, 20th
- Safest Neighborhood in Paris: Any!
Paris 1 Arrondissement – Louvre
Where to Stay in Paris for First Time Visitors
Paris 1 is the must-see area in Paris on the Right Bank (Rive Droit) of the Seine. It’s the best place to stay in Paris close to everything. This is where you’ll find Louvre, Pont des Art, Tuileries, Les Halles. Naturally, accommodation in this area is pricey, but many things are walking distance away.
Main Sights: Louvre, Place Vendôme, Saint Germain l’Auxerrois Church, Royal Palace
Best Museum: Louvre Museum, Orangerie Museum, Musée des Arts Décoratifs
Parks: Tuileries Gardens, Royal Palace Gardens
Personal experience: I stayed in this area once and enjoyed it. I wouldn’t live there, but for one of the short stays it was good. Most day tours also leave from in front of the Louvre, so it was quite convenient for me.
Recommended Hotels in 1st Arrondissement – Louvre:
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Hotel Le Roche
I stayed in this stylish hotel some time ago. It’s right next to the Louvre, 2 minutes walk from a pick-up point for many tours.
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Affordable vintage hotel in a 17th-century townhouse. You can’t beat a location for this price.
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Paris 2 Arrondissement – La Bourse
Paris 2 is a great area for shopping in food. While it doesn’t have any main touristy sights there, it offers stunning architecture and great restaurants. The area near Sentier is known for its textile markets and might be noisy with delivery trucks from early mornings, as they tend to be early risers.
Main Sights: Covered Passages
Personal experience: The area feels similar to Paris 1, but slightly more local. I ate there multiple times, and there’s always a new restaurant to try. On my most recent trip I got a hotel there to show my husband the city and we had no complaints.