Where to stay in Paris: the best areas for your trip

In short: for a first visit, stay in the Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés or the Latin Quarter. With kids, aim for Opéra or the 15th near the Eiffel Tower. On a budget: the 11th, Canal Saint-Martin or Montmartre. Whatever you choose, book a place a few minutes from a metro station: that matters more than anything else in Paris.

Understanding Paris in two minutes

Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements that spiral out from the centre (the 1st arrondissement, home to the Louvre). The lower the number, the closer you are to the historic heart. The Seine separates the Right Bank (north: the Marais, Opéra, Montmartre) from the Left Bank (south: Saint-Germain, the Latin Quarter, the Eiffel Tower).

The metro network is dense: almost all of Paris is less than a ten-minute walk from a station. A slightly outlying place on a direct line to the sights you want to see is often better than a central address with poor connections.

The right area for your trip

First visit: the Marais, Saint-Germain, the Latin Quarter

• The Marais (3rd and 4th): old lanes, grand mansions, boutiques and restaurants. Notre-Dame, the Centre Pompidou and the Louvre are all within walking distance. The area is lively at night: ask for a room facing the courtyard if you are a light sleeper.
• Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th): the Paris of literary cafés and galleries, a short walk from the Luxembourg Gardens and the Musée d’Orsay. Elegant and quiet in the evening, though often more expensive.
• The Latin Quarter (5th): lively and student-filled, around the Sorbonne and the Panthéon, with plenty of small hotels. Perfectly placed to explore the Île de la Cité on foot.

As a couple: Saint-Germain, Île Saint-Louis, Montmartre

For a romantic stay, Saint-Germain and the Seine quays offer the loveliest evening walks. Île Saint-Louis, in the middle of the city, is one of the quietest addresses in the centre, with only a handful of hotels: book early. Montmartre has the charm of a village on its hill, with views over the whole city.

With kids: Opéra, the 15th, Bastille and Bercy

• Opéra and the Grands Boulevards (2nd and 9th): very well served by metro and RER, handy for getting around and for reaching Disneyland Paris on the RER A from Auber.
• The 15th arrondissement: residential and quiet, close to the Eiffel Tower and the Champ-de-Mars, with more family-sized apartments.
• Bastille and Bercy (11th and 12th): Bercy Park and the Coulée Verte elevated walkway are pleasant with children, and Gare de Lyon (RER A and D) is right nearby.

On a budget: République, Canal Saint-Martin, Belleville

The 10th and 11th (République, Canal Saint-Martin, Oberkampf) are lively and more local, with lots of bars and restaurants. Further east, Belleville (19th and 20th) and the northern side of Montmartre (18th) offer more choice on a tight budget. These areas are still only a few metro stops from the centre.

Nightlife: Oberkampf, Pigalle, the Marais

Oberkampf and Bastille (11th) are packed with bars and music venues. The southern side of Pigalle (9th) has become a trendy area for cocktails and restaurants. The Marais stays lively late, especially at weekends.

Peace and comfort: the 7th, the 16th, Batignolles

The 7th (Eiffel Tower, Invalides, Musée d’Orsay) is upscale and quiet at night. The residential 16th suits travellers looking for calm, at the cost of slightly longer journeys. Batignolles (17th) has a real neighbourhood feel, with a large park and markets.

Near train stations and airports

• Trains to the south-east (Lyon, Marseille, Nice, the Alps): the Gare de Lyon area (12th).
• Trains to London (Eurostar), Brussels or the north: Gare du Nord (10th) is handy for an early departure, but its immediate surroundings are less pleasant at night; pick a street slightly away from the station.
• Trains to the west (Brittany, Bordeaux): the Montparnasse area (14th and 15th).
• Very early flight or late arrival: a hotel at Charles de Gaulle or Orly airport saves you a night-time journey. To get into the centre, see our guide Paris airport to city centre.
• Disneyland Paris: hotels in the Val d’Europe and Marne-la-Vallée area are right next to the parks.

Hotel or apartment?

• A hotel is the easiest option for a short stay: a front desk, flexible check-in, somewhere to leave your bags. Parisian rooms are often small and lifts in older buildings are narrow: check the room size if you travel with large suitcases.
• An apartment makes sense for families or stays of more than a few nights, thanks to the kitchen and extra space. In Paris, a furnished tourist rental must display a registration number in its listing: a good sign of a legitimate host. Also check cleaning fees and how keys are handed over.
• Hostels exist in several areas (10th, 11th, 18th, 19th) and often offer private rooms as well as dorms.

Our booking tips

1. Look at the nearest metro station and the line serving it before the name of the area.
2. Book early in high season, during French school holidays and during major trade fairs or events: availability shrinks fast.
3. Choose free cancellation when it is offered, to stay flexible.
4. Read recent reviews about noise, air conditioning (useful during heatwaves) and the street around the building.
5. Allow for the tourist tax: it is charged per person per night, depends on the type of accommodation, and is usually shown when you book.

Once you’re there

To fill your days, see our guide Things to do in Paris. All the areas, practical information and useful services (transfers, tours, luggage storage) are on our Paris page.