Last Update: January 4th, 2023

Now that you’ve decided to take that long-dreamed Paris trip, it is time to weigh your options regarding which areas to stay in the French capital. Here’s what we are covering in this article:

Table of Contents

Paris Map

Generally, it is a good idea to visualize first how the city is organized. We suggest examining the Paris map below, where all the city districts (“arrondissements”) and Paris's most famous attractions are represented.

The first thing you’ll notice is that the River Seine divides the city of Paris into two distinct areas: the right northern bank (“Rive Droite”) and the left southern bank (“Rive Gauche”); the city is then subdivided into 20 arrondissements, running in a clockwise direction and following a swirl logic, each with its appeal and intrinsic persona.

Keep reading as we drill down on the best areas to stay in Paris, depending on what you’re looking for.

The best Paris Arrondissements

1st & 2nd Arrondissements

This is where royalty and high-end shopping come together.

Most travelers visiting the “city of lights” for the first time likely spend most of their time doing some serious sightseeing. If this is your primary goal, the 1st and 2nd arrondissements are probably your best bet: the first is the city's least populated district, while the latter is its smallest. Some of Paris's most visited attractions are located in this area, namely The Louvre and the Jardin des Tuileries, which account for two-thirds of its total area. Those exploring the region will inevitably stroll along the upscale Rua Saint-Honoré, filled with luxurious boutiques, fragrance shops, and art galleries. Getting to the Eiffel Tower is a breeze, as these arrondissements are well connected to the city’s metro network, with the Chatelet station being its central hub.

Best luxury hotels with views: Le Meurice, Hôtel Regina Louvre

Best mid-range hotel with views: Hôtel Brighton

Most famous attractions: The Louvre, Palais-Royal, Place Vêndome, Pont Neuf, Saint-Chapelle

Also worth visiting: Arturo Arita flowers, Bibliothèque de l'Institut National d'Histoire de l'Art (salle Labrouste library room), Bibliothèque Nationale de France- Richelieu Site (salle Ovale library room), Canopée des Halles, Samaritaine department store, Chanel’s first atelier, Chez Georges bistro, Épices Roellinger, Café Verlet

“When you see some sun, Paris is the most beautiful city in the world. It brings tears to your eyes.”

— Lee Radziwill

3rd & 4th Arrondissements

The cultural epicenter Centre Georges Pompidou and the arty and trendy Marais neighborhood.

The 3rd arrondissement is northward of the 4th arrondissement, whose limit goes southward to the River Seine. The 3rd harbors one of the city’s most happening areas, the Marais, known for its charming eateries and exquisite bars; a bit further north, the Haut Marais, located around Rue de Bretagne and Square du Temple, is home to several art galleries, romantic restaurants, and Marché des Enfants Rouges, a beautiful covered market packed with locals. Further south, on the way to the 4th, the Musée National Picasso-Paris, displaying more than 5,000 works and 300 paintings, mandates a visit. The highlights of the 4th arrondissement include the avantgarde Centre Georges Pompidou, the commercial artery of Francs Burgeois, the stunning Place des Vosges (Paris’ oldest planned square), the architectural gem of Île Saint-Louis, and, just across Pont Saint-Louis, in the Île de la Cité, the iconic Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris.

Best luxury hotels with views: SO Paris Hotel, Cour des Vosges

Best mid-range hotel with views: Goralska Résidences Hôtel Paris Bastille

Most famous attractions: Centre Georges Pompidou, Marché des Enfants Rouges, Musée National Picasso-Paris, Carnavalet Museum, Place des Vosges, Victor Hugo’s home, Île Saint-Louis, Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Also worth visiting: Bontemps La Pâtisserie, GrandCœur brasserie, Le Mazenay classic french restaurant, Poget & De Witte oyster bar, Sacha Finkelsztajn - La Boutique Jaune bakery, Sherry Butt cocktail bar

“The last time I see Paris will be on the day I die. The city was inexhaustible, and so is its memory.”

— Elliot Paul

5th & 6th Arrondissements

The scholarly Quartier Latin, the happening and literary heartbeat of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area, and the open-air museum that is the Jardin du Luxembourg come together to create a perfect chic lifestyle.

Across the 1st and the 4th, on the left banks of the Seine, lay the 6th and the 5th arrondissements, respectively. The 5th, where Quartier Latin is located, is Paris’ oldest district after Île de la Cité and is dominated by prestigious schools and universities, like the Sorbonne, which is open for public visitation. To get a glimpse at student life in Paris, we recommend strolling along the Rue Linné and Rue des Fossés Saint-Bernard, packed with students hitting their books, often accompanied by coffee and baguettes. Speaking of food and while on your way to the Saint-Germain area, pay a visit to the Rue Mouffetard, an open-air market street. As you reach the Jardin du Luxembourg (the “Luco” for locals) heading westward, you will leave the 5th and enter the 6th. Before rushing out, take your time to feel the city's pulse, noticing families enjoying the outdoors amidst countless statues, including the Statue of Liberty, a replica of the New Yorker counterpart.

The journey continues to Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where enjoying a cup of coffee or a Club Sandwich at the timeless Café de Flore is mandatory. The Boulevard Saint-Germain and adjacent streets are filled with charming shops, art galleries, restaurants, specialty shops, and cinemas.

Best luxury hotel with views: Hotel Lutetia

Best mid-range hotels with views: Les Rives de Notre-Dame, Hôtel Les Dames du Panthéon, Hotel Le Notre Dame Saint Michel

Most famous attractions: Arènes de Lutèce, Grande Mosquée de Paris, Jardin des Plantes, Jardin du Luxembourg, National Museum of Natural History, Odéon Theatre, Palais du Luxembourg, Panthéon, Sorbonne (University of Paris)

Also worth visiting: A Balzac à Rodin art books, Café de Flore, Café de la Rotonde, Jean-Charles Rochoux chocolatier, La Closerie Des Lilas historic brasserie, Le Bon Saint Pourçain bistro, Les Deux Magots brasserie, Shakespeare and Company bookstore

“The chief danger about Paris is that it is such a strong stimulant.”

— T.S. Eliot

7th Arrondissement

Home to the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, and Musée D’Orsay, the 7th arrondissement contains all the ingredients that make Paris a formidable city.

This fashionable district, regarded as the most exclusive on Rive Gauche, holds Paris’ most potent magnet: the iconic Eiffel Tower, the city’s most visited landmark, hosting seven million visitors a year. As cliché as visiting it may be, the panoramic views captured by the “Iron Lady,” standing tall at 324 meters, are second to none. Speaking of exceptional views, we have put together a selection of the best hotels in Paris with an Eiffel Tower view, including rooms with balconies and terraces.

Moving away from the tower (but not by much), the seventh also holds two other popular attractions in Paris, where grand vistas can also be admired: the Champ-de-Mars and the Esplanade des Invalides, stretching from the banks of the Seine to the impressive Les Invalides, the military complex commissioned by Louis XIV and the resting place of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Formerly a railway station, the colossal Musée D’Orsay displays one of the world’s largest collections of 19th-century art, only supplanted in total visitors by The Louvre.

Best mid-range hotels with views: Hôtel La Comtesse, Hôtel Le Walt

Most famous attractions: Champ-de-Mars, Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, Musée D’Orsay, Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, Pont Alexandre III, Pont de l'Alma, Rodin Museum

Also worth visiting: Au Bain Marie antique furniture shop, Auberge Bressane french restaurant, Arnaud Nicolas - Restaurant & Boutique, La Grande Epicerie de Paris, Le Bon Marché

“I like The Eiffel Tower because it looks like steel and lace.”

— Natalie Lloyd

8th Arrondissement

If luxury has an address, it must be in the eighth, somewhere between Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne, where reputable five-star hotels, high-end boutiques, and awarded restaurants entertain the most demanding of travelers.

The 8th arrondissement is about Paris dressing up in its best costume and putting on a show. Nowhere in the city is the sense of grandeur and luxury surpassed; one should remember that France is run from the Elysée Palace, the official residence of its President, located in this district. The neighborhood architecture is impressive, from magnific mansions to unexpected structures, like the Pagoda Paris, where Chinese and European influences meet, reminding us that Paris is more than a city; it’s an expression of humankind.

The posh district is intersected by one of the world’s most famous avenues, the Champs-Elysées. Still, there are many more streets and avenues worth exploring, for instance, Rue de Courcelles, Rue d’Artois, and Rue de la Boétie, among others. While in the area, two major attractions should also deserve your attention: the massive Madeleine Church and the leafy Parc Monceau.

Best luxury hotels with views: Hôtel San Régis, Hotel Marignan Champs-Elysées, Hôtel Barrière Fouquet's Paris

Best mid-range hotel with views: Hôtel Keppler

Most famous attractions: La Galerie Dior, Lelong & Co. Gallery, Hôtel de la Marine museum, Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris, Parc Monceau, Petit Palais museum, Place de La Concorde

Also worth visiting: Brasserie Mollard, Café Mirette, Le Relais Plaza restaurant, Pierre Gagnaire restaurant, Au Chat Bleu chocolates, CopperBay cocktail bar, Bulgari Bar & Lounge, Creed perfume store

“To know Paris is to know a great deal.”

— Henry Miller

9th Arrondissement

The Opéra Garnier, Place Saint-Georges, and especially Pigalle are synonyms with bohemian life, burlesque and comedy clubs, legendary cabarets, lively bars, and concert halls to ensure a fun-filled night in Paris.

Flanked on the west by Gare Sant-Lazare and the nearby area of Gare du Nord on the east (two of the most relevant railway stations in the city), the 9th arrondissement hosts one of Paris's most notable establishments, the Belle-Époque cabaret Moulin Rouge, as well as many other theatres like the famed Folies Bergère. As of today, Pigalle, bordering Montmartre, has lost its edge as the city’s go-to place for night fun, and the crowds have now moved a bit further south to South Pigalle (dubbed by locals as “SoPi”), particularly around Rue La Rochefoucauld, Rue des Martyrs, and Rue Saint-Lazare. But there is more to the ninth: for instance, the old but cherished department store, the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, and the gentrified Rue du Faubourg Montmartre and Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière.

Best luxury hotel with views: InterContinental Paris Le Grand

Best mid-range hotels with views: Hotel Rochechouart, Le Matissia

Most famous attractions: Palais Garnier Opera house, Musée du Parfum, Musée Gustave Moreau (artist’s house)

Also worth visiting: BKNK | Book Nook | Paris Coffee Shop, Bouillon Pigalle brasserie, Galeries Lafayette Haussmann department store, Galerie Fayet, Moulin Rouge dinner theatre, Passage Jouffroy

“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you.”

— Ernest Hemingway

10th & 11th Arrondissements

While the colossal Place de la République holds the keys to the highly-gentrified Haut Marais, it is strolling alongside Canal Saint-Martin that visitors often fall in love with the area.

If you’re arriving in Paris from London via the Eurostar or from Amsterdam, Brussels, or Coloque via Thalys, the impressive Gare du Nord railway station, located on the tenth, will be your entry point into “La Ville Lumière.” These arrondissements aren’t the first choice for those visiting Paris as most of the city’s highlights are a bit far to walk. Still, the areas around Boulevard Voltaire and Boulevard Magenta contain some elegant hips and eateries, like the Le Villaret bistro. The pedestrian-friendly Place de la République is where the 3rd, 10th, and 11th converge and is the ideal starting point to explore the area; with that said, beware of any demonstrations taking place in the city as this is usually a meeting point for protesters.

Best luxury hotel with views: Renaissance Paris Republique Hotel & Spa

Best mid-range hotel with views: Le Petit Beaumarchais Hotel & Spa Ex Hotel Original

Most famous attractions: L'Atelier des Lumières, Saint-Ambroise Church

Also worth visiting: Bistrot Paul Bert, Sot l'y Laisse bistro, Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse chocolate factory, Brasserie Rosie, Artazart bookstore

“When good Americans die, they go to Paris.”

— Oscar Wilde

12th Arrondissement

Home to the Bastille, this is an area fit for foodies and for those wishing to experience nature at Paris’s beloved green lung.

The 12th arrondissement is home to Paris's largest green space, the Bois de Vincennes, where Parisians head to unwind from the bustling urban life; in the warmer months, its grounds become crowded with sun-bathers as any other French beach. The district meets the 4th and the 11th at the Place de la Bastille, best known for its fortress that used to hold anyone who disagreed with French royals. The most renowned street on the 12th is Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, a gastronomic melting pot; those who wish to explore stalls packed with delicacies should visit the nearby open-air market of Marché d'Aligre.

A bit further to the south, in the Bercy area (often referred to as the first village in Paris), sits Gare de Lyon, Parc de Bercy, and Cinémathèque Française.

Best mid-range hotels with views: Courtyard by Marriott Paris Gare de Lyon, citizenM Paris Gare de Lyon

Most famous attractions: Bois de Vincennes, Opera National de Paris, Place de la Bastille (Colonne de Juillet)

Also worth visiting: Accor Arena, Aquarium Tropical, Les Cuves de Fauve beer bar, Boulangerie Vandermeersch, Le Train Bleu (beautiful) restaurant

“A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life.”

— Thomas Jefferson

13th, 14th & 15th Arrondissements

The less-touristic arrondissements in Paris's southern belt are full of charm and ideal for those traveling with their families or looking for a leafier version of the city.

The 13th arrondissement is one full of surprises. We’d start with a visit to the Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand, one of Paris’s most impressive libraries, cleverly placed between four towers that resemble open books. Not far, Paris’s Chinatown hosts eateries from all corners of Asia, including bubble tea shops every other door.

Moving west to the 14th, the area feels more residential, making families feel at ease while strolling the streets of the Denfert-Rochereau neighborhood, namely the foodie’s paradise Rue Daguerre. This district also displays a robust cultural scene and is the address of the Giacometti Institute and the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art. For parents traveling with their little ones, the Parc Montsouris is among the kids’ favorite parks in the city.

The 15th most striking feature is the controversial Tour de Montparnasse, a 59-floor tower that offers, too many, the best views Paris has, including the Eiffel Tower. Apart from the building, the 15th has little to offer, perhaps except for the Parc André Citroën and Parc Georges-Brassens, two lovely city parks.

Best mid-range hotel with views: Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel, Le Parisis - Paris Tour Eiffel

Most famous attractions: Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand, Bourdelle Museum, Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art, The Liberation of Paris Museum - General Leclerc Museum - Jean Moulin Museum

Also worth visiting: L'Assiette restaurant, Le Duc seafood restaurant, Le Gymnase Montparnasse brasserie, Les Petits Plats restaurant, NOSSO Franco-Brazilian restaurant, Le Lithographe bistro, La cave des Papilles wine store

“Secrets travel fast in Paris.”

— Napoleon Bonaparte

16th & 17th Arrondissements

The elegance of the 16th and the eclecticism of the 17th showcase Paris’s traits of nobility and bourgeois persona.

Trocadéro, Bois de Boulogne, and La Défense business district

Located in western Paris, the 16h arrondissement’s development is deeply associated with the spectacular Bois de Boulogne (more than twice the size of New York’s Central Park). For at least a thousand years, the area has attracted the wealthiest, namely royals and nobles, and its attractiveness remains until the present day. The upscale, sometimes opulent 16th is proud to host some cultural marvels such as Palais de Tokyo (one of the wings is dedicated to the Paris Museum of Modern Art), the Musée National des Arts Asiatiques Guimet, and Musée Marmottan Monet. As for sporting facilities, the district also holds two of the most famous in France: Le Parc des Princes and Stade Roland Garros. But the attraction’s list goes on: from the Place Charles de Gaulle (also referred to as Place de l'Étoile), presided by the Arc de Triomphe, twelve wide avenues spread out into the direction of the 8th and the 17th, in addition to the 16th. Lastly, the city’s romantic postcard view of the Eiffel Tower can be enjoyed from the Esplanade du Trocadéro.

The 17th arrondissement can be divided into two distinct areas: a middle-class, more traditional Villiers, where the Musée Jean-Jacques Henner can be found, and the underrated Batignolles, where hipsters gravitate around Rue Legendre. Also worth visiting is Porte de Clichy, an eco-district whose epicenter is Martin Luther King Park.

Best luxury hotels with views: Shangri-La Paris, Hôtel Raphael, Brach Paris

Best mid-range hotels with views: Splendid Etoile, Hôtel de Banville

Most famous attractions: Arc de Triomphe, Bois de Boulogne, Louis Vuitton Foundation, Maison de Balzac, Musée Marmottan Monet, Musée National des Arts Asiatiques Guimet, Palais de Tokyo, Parc de Bagatelle, Trocadéro

Also worth visiting: Beatilles deli, Chez Georges brasserie, Girafe restaurant (Eiffel Tower view), Le Week-End Bistrot, Monsieur Bleu restaurant, Palais Galliera fashion museum, Prunier seafood restaurant

“Whoever does not visit Paris regularly will never really be elegant.”

— Honoré de Balzac

18th, 19th & 20th Arrondissements

The romantic hilltop of Montmartre contrasts with the modernly reborn, happening La Villette; the multi-ethnic Belleville comes alive in colors, and the edgy Ménilmontant is a cornerstone of Paris’s counterculture movement.

Place du Tertre and Sacré Coeur, Montmartre

Too many, wandering through Montmartre’s (nicknamed "La Butte") cobblestone streets is as romantic as Paris gets. There is an undeniable charm hovering over this neighborhood, and as one walks hand-in-hand with its better half along Avenue Junot, from Square Suzanne Buisson to Square Joel Le Tac, romance is sure to kick in. The 18h arrondissement's major attraction is the neo-Byzantine-style basilica Sacré-Coeur, or “the Meringue,” as Parisians have baptized it after its resemblance with the dessert’s swirls. From the stairs of Sacré-Coeur and while enjoying a perfect view of Paris, lovers are spotted snacking or immortalizing their love in the form of selfies.

Walking westwards along Boulevard la Chapelle leads to the 19th arrondissement and La Villette, the district’s highlight. At the far end of Avenue de Flandre, encompassed by a large park, attractions like the City of Science and Industry, Cité de la Musique, Paris Philharmonic, Zenith Paris - La Villette, and Cabaret Sauvage justify a visit. The 19th is also home to one of Paris’s most beautiful public parks, the manicured Parc des Buttes-Chaumont.

The last of Paris’s arrondissements, formerly an industrial area, is often neglected despite its bohemian character. Still, the 20th has some interesting spots worth exploring, particularly around Belleville (Rue de Belleville and Parc de Belleville); and Menilmontant (Rue des Pyrénées). While in the area, if you feel like paying your respects to Jim Morrison, Édith Piaf, or Oscar Wilde, they all share the same address at Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Best luxury hotel with views: Manolita Paris

Best mid-range hotel with views: Terrass" Hotel

Most famous attractions: Sacré-Coeur, Musée de Montmartre, Centquatre cultural center

Also worth visiting: La Mascotte Montmartre brasserie, Le Coq & Fils - the Poultry House, Benoît Castel bakery, Aux Vins Vivants wine bar, Galerie Crèvecœur

“Paris, I believe, is a man in his twenties in love with an older woman.”

— John Berger

Where to stay in Paris, A wrap-up

Now that we’ve shared each arrondissement's highlights, including hotels, restaurants, and attractions, we wrap it up by interest:

Best Paris’s districts for families: 5th & 6th Arrondissements

Best Paris’s district for romance: 18th Arrondissement

Best Paris’s district for first-timers: 7th Arrondissement

Best Paris’s district for sightseeing: 1st & 2nd Arrondissements

Best Paris’s district for high-end shopping: 8th Arrondissement

Best Paris’s district for urban elegance: 16th Arrondissement

Where to Stay in Paris: A City Guide