Le Marais (3rd and 4th arrondissements)
Ideal for: couples, first visit, nightlife
Old lanes, shops, museums and lively evenings, very central. The busiest streets can be noisy at night: ask for a courtyard room if you are a light sleeper.
Paris
Museums, characterful neighbourhoods and local life: choosing where to stay changes everything.
Plan your stay in Paris
Best areas to stay in Paris
Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter (5th and 6th)
Ideal for: first visit, couples, seniors
Classic Paris of cafés, bookshops and gardens, close to the great museums and the Seine. Elegant, with charming hotels that are often pricier.
Montmartre (18th)
Ideal for: couples, budget
A village atmosphere on the hill with great city views. Streets are steep with many stairs: not ideal if you have difficulty walking.
Opéra and Grands Boulevards (2nd and 9th)
Ideal for: families, short stays, shopping
Excellent metro connections and close to the department stores, practical for getting everywhere. Less charming in the evening, but more hotel choice.
Canal Saint-Martin and République (10th and 11th)
Ideal for: solo, budget, local life
Lively, more local areas with plenty of bars and restaurants, well connected to the centre. The areas right around Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est are practical but less pleasant at night.
Practical info about Paris
Paris is best explored on foot and by metro: the location of your accommodation matters more than its size. For a first visit, aim for a central area (Le Marais, Saint-Germain, Opéra) close to a well-served metro station to limit changes.
The metro and RER cover the whole city and reach the airports. Fares and ticket options change regularly: check the official RATP or Île-de-France Mobilités website before your stay. A car is useless within Paris itself: only rent one to leave the city.
The major museums and landmarks are in high demand: book your time slots in advance, especially in high season and during French school holidays.
What to see in Paris
- The Eiffel Tower (book your climb) and the banks of the Seine;
- the Louvre, with a timed booking, and the Musée d’Orsay;
- Notre-Dame de Paris, reopened in December 2024 after its restoration, and the Île de la Cité;
- Montmartre and the Sacré-Cœur, the Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés;
- day trip: the Palace of Versailles.
Arriving in Paris
From Charles de Gaulle airport, the RER B serves the centre (Gare du Nord, Châtelet); from Orly, metro line 14 runs straight to the centre. All our tips in Travel in France.