Best area to stay in Paris for first time visitors

All the clichés about Paris are true – stylish, romantic, glamorous and utterly compelling. Yet it retains surprises that continue to delight even the most seasoned visitors. The landscape of the city changes as you cross from quartier to quartier. From historic St-Germain to the vibrant Marais, Paris is abuzz with bars and cafés. But where should you base yourself when you visit? Whatever kind of trip you’re planning, this guide will help you pick the best area to stay in Paris.

What is the best area to stay in Paris?

We'll delve into greater detail below, but for a quick summary:

• Champs-Elysées: A central, luxurious area with world-famous landmarks and high-end shopping, but crowded and expensive.
• Marais: A charming historic district with trendy boutiques and vibrant nightlife, though it can be noisy and crowded.
• Quartier Latin: A budget-friendly area with a rich history and student atmosphere, offering affordable dining options but some parts can feel touristy.
• St-Germain: An upscale neighbourhood known for its intellectual history and charming cafés, but can be expensive and crowded.
• Montmartre: A romantic, artistic quarter with stunning city views, though its hilly terrain can be challenging to navigate.
• Canal St-Martin and La Villette: A trendy area with a local feel, featuring picturesque canals and hip cafés, but further from main tourist attractions.
• Belleville and Ménilmontant: A diverse, vibrant area with an authentic local atmosphere and great street art, though it can feel rough around the edges.
• Le Louvre: Home to the world-famous museum and close to major attractions, but very touristy and extremely crowded.
• South Pigalle: A hip area with trendy bars and restaurants offering an authentic Parisian feel, but with limited major tourist attractions nearby.

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Best for shopping and dining: around the Champs-Elysées

• My recommendation: Chalgrin Boutique Hotel
• Location: Central Paris, 8th arrondissement 
• Pros: World-famous landmarks, luxury shopping, and fine dining 
• Cons: Crowded with tourists and expensive

You’ll find some of the city’s most famous landmarks around the Champs-Elysées, including the Place de la Concorde, Tuileries Gardens and the Arc de Triomphe. It’s also one of the most exclusive parts of Paris, home to an array of luxury hotels and high-fashion shops.  The avenue itself stretches for 1.9 kilometres (1.2 miles) and is lined with horse-chestnut trees.

At the lower end of the ChampsElysées is the Grand Palais — a grandiose Neoclassical building with a fine glass and ironwork cupola. It was created for the 1900 Exposition Universelle. The cupola forms the centrepiece of the nef (nave) — a huge, impressive exhibition space, used for large-scale installations, fashion shows and trade fairs.

Nearby, you'll find the Petit Palais, which houses the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts. For music lovers, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées offers a rich program of classical music, opera, and dance performances.

Why I love it: "At night, the Champs-Elysées comes alive with illuminated storefronts and the twinkling lights of passing cars. It really feels like the 'City of Lights' when I'm here."

Where to stay in this area

• For a boutique stay: Chalgrin Boutique Hotel. This elegant hotel offers a perfect blend of Parisian charm and modern comfort, steps away from the iconic avenue. 
• For luxury: Tilsitt Etoile Paris. This opulent hotel provides a lavish experience with stunning views of the Arc de Triomphe. 
• For convenience: Marceau Champs-Elysées. Located in the heart of the Golden Triangle, this hotel offers easy access to the area's best shopping and attractions.

Or browse hundreds of accommodation near the Champs-Elysées at any budget.

The best area in Paris to stay for a central area: Marais

• My recommendation:  Hotel Meslay Republique
• Location: Right bank of the Seine, spanning parts of the 3rd and 4th arrondissements 
• Pros: Charming historic architecture, trendy boutiques, and vibrant nightlife 
• Cons: Can be crowded and noisy, especially on weekends

Full of splendid old mansions, narrow lanes, designer boutiques and buzzing bars and restaurants, the Marais is one of Paris’s more striking quartiers. This chic district also holds a slew of sleek galleries, and the old Jewish quarter centred on rue des Rosiers. You'll also find here a number of excellent museums, not least the splendid Musée Picasso.

The Centre Pompidou’s radical “inside-out” architecture looks just as ground-breaking as it did when it first opened in the 1970s, and its modern art museum is a knockout.

The opening of the Centre Pompidou gave rise to some violent reactions. Since then, however, it has won over critics and the public alike. Architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers freed up maximum space inside by placing all infrastructure outside.

The transparent escalator on the front of the building, giving access to the Musée National d’Art Moderne, affords superb views over the city.

Why I love it: My favourite part of Marais is the Place des Vosges, at the eastern end of rue des Francs-Bourgeois. It is a masterpiece of aristocratic elegance. I just love the symmetrical pink brick and stone mansions built over arcades.

Where to stay in this area

• Best for couples: Hotel Meslay Republique. This intimate hotel offers cosy rooms and a romantic atmosphere perfect for a Parisian getaway. 
• Best for history buffs: Hôtel De Nice. Housed in a 17th-century building, this hotel captures the essence of old-world Paris with modern amenities. 
• Best for art lovers: Hotel Rivoli. Surrounded by galleries and museums, this stylish hotel is ideal for those looking to immerse themselves in the Marais art scene.

Or browse hundreds of accommodations in Marais at any budget.

Best for budget-friendly: Quartier Latin

• My recommendation:  Grand Hôtel de Clermont
• Location: 5th and parts of the 6th arrondissement, on the left bank of the Seine 
• Pros: Rich in history, student-friendly atmosphere, and affordable dining options 
• Con: Some areas can feel touristy and lack the luxury of other Parisian districts

The Quartier Latin has been associated with students ever since the Sorbonne was established in the thirteenth century. Many colleges remain in the area to this day, along with some fascinating vestiges of the medieval city.

Some of the quarter’s student chic may have worn thin in recent years as rents have risen, but this is still one of the most relaxed areas of Paris.

Just off “La Mouff” — the city’s famed rue Mouffetard market has now mostly given over to classy food shops. This authentic market is set around the pretty Monge fountain and sells fabulous, pricey produce. Organic stalls on Sundays.

The Latin Quarter's budget-friendly reputation extends to its many affordable bookshops, including the famous Shakespeare and Company. This historic English-language bookstore has been a haven for writers and book lovers since 1951.

Why I love it: "My favourite part of the Quartier Latin is the botanical garden — Jardin des Plantes. It started in 1626 as a royal garden of medicinal plants, it now includes a small zoo, greenhouses, and the Natural History Museum."

Where to stay in this area

• Best for a boutique stay: Grand Hôtel de Clermont. This charming hotel offers a quintessential Parisian experience in the heart of the Latin Quarter. 
• Best for budget travellers: Hôtel du Mont Blanc. Offering comfortable accommodations at reasonable prices, this hotel is perfect for those looking to save on lodging. 
• Best for spa lovers: Hotel Les Bulles De Paris. This unique hotel features a champagne-themed spa, offering a luxurious twist to your Latin Quarter stay.

Or browse hundreds of accommodations near Quartier Latin at any budget.

Best for a bohemian atmosphere: St-Germain

• My recommendation: L’Hôtel
• Location: 6th arrondissement, on the left bank of the Seine 
• Pros: Intellectual history, charming cafés, and upscale shopping 
• Cons: Can be expensive and crowded with tourists

St-Germain, the westernmost section of Paris’s Left Bank, has long been famous as the haunt of bohemians and intellectuals. A few famous cafés preserve a strong flavour of the old times, but the dominant spirit these days is elegant, relaxed and seriously upmarket.

Fronting onto rue de Vaugirard, the Jardin du Luxembourg is the chief green space of the Left Bank. At the centre, the round pond and immaculate floral parterres are overlooked by the haughty Palais du Luxembourg, the seat of the French Senate.

The Rue de Seine and Rue Jacob are particularly known for their high-end art dealers and galleries. For a taste of the area's intellectual history, visit the famous Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots, once frequented by philosophers and writers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir.

Why I love it: "To me, I prefer to go to St-Germain to see the local up-and-coming artists. École des Beaux-Arts is here and is one of the most influential art schools in France. Its beautiful courtyard is open to the public and often hosts exhibitions of student work."

Where to stay in this area

• Best for a quirky boutique: L’Hôtel. This hotel epitomizes louche Left Bank opulence, with twenty sumptuous rooms. Located in the historical district of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, this 5-star hotel features a hammam and an indoor swimming pool. 
• Best for luxury: Hotel De Seine. This upscale hotel offers sophisticated accommodations in one of Paris's most fashionable neighbourhoods. 
• Best for families: Villa Des Princes. With spacious rooms and a welcoming atmosphere, this hotel is ideal for families exploring the Left Bank.

Or browse hundreds of accommodations near St-Germain at any budget.

The best area in Paris to stay for couples: Montmartre

• My recommendation: Hotel Boronali.
• Location: 18th arrondissement, on a hill in northern Paris 
• Pros: Romantic atmosphere, stunning city views, and artistic heritage 
• Cons: Hilly terrain can be challenging to navigate, especially for those with mobility issues

One of Paris’s most romantic quarters, Montmartre is famed for its association with artists like Renoir, Degas, Picasso and Toulouse-Lautrec. It long existed as a hilltop village outside the city walls, and today the steep streets around the Butte Montmartre, Paris’s highest point, preserve an attractively village-like atmosphere.

Though The Moulin Rouge's environs have lost the glamour they once had, you can’t help but be drawn towards the tatty red windmill. Its windows are filled with photos of beaming showgirls.

When Toulouse-Lautrec immortalized the Moulin Rouge in his paintings, it was one of many such bawdy, populist cabarets in the area. Nowadays, it survives on its reputation, offering expensive Vegas-style dinner-and-show deals.

Why I love it: "I love taking a stroll around Musée de Montmartre. The museum's gardens offer stunning views of the only vineyard left in Paris, the Clos Montmartre."

Where to stay in this area

• Best for a boutique stay: Hotel Boronali. This stylish hotel offers contemporary design with a nod to Montmartre's artistic heritage. 
• Best for views: Hotel Luxia. Perched on the hill of Montmartre, this hotel offers breathtaking panoramas of Paris. 
• Best for romance: Hôtel des Arts Montmartre. With its cosy rooms and artistic flair, this hotel captures the romantic essence of Montmartre.

Or browse hundreds of accommodations near Montmarte at any budget.

Best for a hip vibe: Canal St-Martin and La Villette

• My recommendation: Aparthotel Adagio Access Paris La Villette. 
• Location: Northeastern Paris, spanning parts of the 10th and 19th arrondissements 
• Pros: Trendy cafés, picturesque canal, and a more local feel 
• Cons: Further from main tourist attractions and can feel less polished than central areas

La Villette and the Canal St-Martin, in the northeast of the city, were for generations the centre of a densely populated working-class district. Since then, they have undergone extensive renovation.

Today the quais have been made more appealing to cyclists, rollerbladers and pedestrians and the area is peppered with trendy cafés and bars. For those who like an up-and-coming vibe, this a where to stay in Paris.

The Canal St-Martin area is known for its iron footbridges and tree-lined quays, perfect for picnics or evening strolls. On Sundays, the roads along the canal are closed to cars.

Why I love it: "This area is also home to some of Paris's best street art, particularly around Rue de l'Ourcq."

Where to stay in this area

• Best for a boutique stay: ibis Paris La Villette Cité des Sciences 19ème. This modern hotel offers comfortable rooms and easy access to the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie. 
• Best for long stays: Aparthotel Adagio Access Paris La Villette. These well-equipped apartments are perfect for extended stays in this trendy area. 
• Best for canal views: Hôtel du Quai de Seine. This charming hotel offers picturesque views of the Canal Saint-Martin.

Or browse hundreds of accommodation near Canal St-Martin at any budget.

Paris' best cosmopolitan area: Belleville and Ménilmontant 

• My recommendation: Hotel Scarlett
• Location: Eastern Paris, primarily in the 20th arrondissement 
• Pros: Diverse culture, authentic local atmosphere, and great street art 
• Cons: Less touristy amenities and can feel rough around the edges in some parts

Northeastern Paris, comprising the Canal St-Martin, Belleville, Ménilmontant and La Villette, is one of the most diverse and vibrant parts of the city. It is home to sizeable ethnic populations, as well as students and artists.

You won't want to miss Père-Lachaise cemetery, the final resting place of numerous famous artists and writers. Or worth seeing is the leafy Canal St-Martin, with its trendy cafés and bars.

Some of the city’s best nightlife is concentrated on rues Oberkampf and Jean-Pierre Timbaud. While two attractive parks, the Buttes-Chaumont and Parc de Belleville, reward visitors with fine views over the city.

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Why I love it: "This is where you'll find my favourite panoramic view of Paris. If you climb to the top of Parc de Belleville, it's a less crowded alternative to the Sacré-Cœur viewpoint."

Where to stay in this area

• Best for a boutique stay: Hotel Scarlett. This design-forward hotel captures the creative spirit of the neighbourhood. 
• Best for budget travellers: Hotel des Pyrénées. This no-frills hotel offers clean, comfortable rooms at affordable prices. 
• Best for business travellers: Novotel Paris 20 Belleville. With its modern amenities and business facilities, this hotel caters well to those travelling for work.

Or browse hundreds of accommodation in Belleville at any budget.

Best for luxury: Le Louvre

• My recommendation: Villa-des-Prés
• Location: 1st arrondissement, central Paris 
• Pros: Home to world-famous museum and close to many major attractions 
• Cons: Very touristy and can be extremely crowded, especially during peak seasons

The Louvre is one of the world’s truly great museums. Opened in 1793, during the Revolution, it soon acquired the largest art collection on earth, thanks to Napoleon’s conquests.

Today, it houses paintings, sculptures and precious art objects, from Ancient Egyptian jewellery to the beginnings of Impressionism. Separate from the Louvre proper, but within the palace, is the museum Les Arts Décoratifs.

The largest of the museum’s collections is its paintings. The early Italians are perhaps the most interesting, among them Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. If you want to get near her, go during one of the evening openings, or first thing in the day. Other highlights of the Italian collection include two Botticelli frescoes and Fra Angelico’s Coronation of the Virgin.

Why I love it: "This area is great for shopping. Rue Saint-Honoré and Place Vendôme are my picks for the best high-end jewellery stores and fashion boutiques in Paris."

Where to stay in this area

• Best for a boutique stay: Villa-des-Prés. This elegant hotel offers a tranquil retreat just steps away from the bustling Louvre area. 
• Best for history lovers: Hôtel du Cygne Paris. Housed in a 17th-century building, this hotel offers a taste of Parisian history. 
• Best for art enthusiasts: Hôtel de Lille. This stylish hotel features art-inspired decor, perfectly complementing its proximity to world-class museums.

Or browse hundreds of accommodation near the Louvre at any budget.

Best area in Paris to stay for a local vibe: South Pigalle

• My recommendation: Sonder Le Frochot
• Location: 9th arrondissement, just south of Montmartre 
• Pros: Hip bars, trendy restaurants, and a more authentic Parisian feel 
• Cons: Limited major tourist attractions in the immediate area

South Pigalle, or "SoPi," has transformed from a red-light district to one of Paris's trendiest neighborhoods. It's known for its excellent cocktail bars, like Dirty Dick and Glass, which are at the forefront of Paris's craft cocktail scene.

Rues de Douai, Victor-Massé and Houdon sport a large number of electric guitar and hi-fi shops. Rue des Martyrs is one of Paris’s most enjoyable gastro-streets.

Music lovers should visit the Musée de la Vie Romantique, a charming museum dedicated to the Romantic era, with a particular focus on George Sand. The museum's tearoom in the garden is a hidden gem. For a taste of old Pigalle, visit the Musée de l'Érotisme, which offers a unique perspective on the area's risqué history.

Why I love it: "South Pigalle's charm lies in its architecture. I recommend you take a stroll down Rue Victor Massé to admire the ornate façades and wrought-iron balconies."

Where to stay in this area

• Best for a boutique stay: Sonder Le Frochot. This trendy hotel captures the hip vibe of South Pigalle with its modern design and amenities. 
• Best for nightlife: Le Pigalle. This vibrant hotel is at the heart of the neighbourhood's bustling bar and restaurant scene. 
• Best for budget travellers: Grand Hôtel de Clermont. This charming budget hotel offers a taste of local Parisian life without breaking the bank.

Or browse hundreds of accommodation in South Pigalle at any budget.

Where to stay in Paris with kids

Big cities tend to have a good variety of cheap establishments. In small towns and rural areas, you may not be so lucky, particularly as the cheaper, family-run hotels find it increasingly hard to survive.

Swanky resorts, particularly those on the Côte d’Azur, have very high prices in July and August, but even these are still cheaper than Paris. If you’re staying for more than three nights in a hotel it’s sometimes possible to negotiate a lower price, particularly out of season.

Note that many family-run hotels close for two or three weeks a year in the low season. In smaller towns and villages they may also close for one or two nights a week, usually Sunday or Monday. Details are given where relevant in the text, but dates change from year to year; the best precaution is to phone ahead to be sure.

• Hôtel de Roubaix. This family-run budget hotel has been around for years (and started to look like it), but it's been given a complete lift with a bright new refurb. Vintage furniture and chandeliers are still dotted about the 53 small rooms, but the overall look is contemporary with a quirky touch lent by comic-book art on the walls. The staff are very welcoming and the location is pretty quiet, yet close to all the Marais action and the Pompidou Centre.
• Hôtel De La Porte Dorée. A welcoming, family-friendly hotel tastefully refurbished by an American–French family. Preserves period features such as ceiling mouldings and fireplaces, and many of the furnishings are antique, but all rooms have private shower or bath, TV and comfy beds.
• Hôtel Saint-Charles. Located in the Butte-aux-Cailles quarter of Paris, just 1 km from Parc Montsouris, this hotel offers air-conditioned rooms and a bar with a terrace. The hotel’s reception desk is open 24 hours a day. Additional facilities available at the Saint-Charles include luggage storage and free newspapers.

For inspiration, also have a read of our 30 best places to visit with children.

Ready for your trip to Paris? Check out the snapshot Pocket Rough Guide to Paris or the Rough Guides to France. 

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Rough Guides tip: Find out which season is best for your Paris trip in our guide to the best time to travel to France.

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