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Paris is the most popular tourist destination in France thanks to its vibrant art scene, incredible food, thriving nightlife, and romantic atmosphere. The city is packed full of historic and cultural sights to explore, and it’s also home to some of the very best luxury hotels and gourmet restaurants in Europe.
If you’re planning a trip to the French capital, you might be wondering which area of Paris to stay in. We’ve created a travel guide for first-time visitors to help you get better acquainted with the best neighborhoods in Paris and decide which area to call home during your visit.
How is Paris Structured?
Paris is split by the Seine River into two key areas — the Right Bank on the north of the river and the Left Bank on the south of the river. It’s then further divided into 20 arrondissements, with the 1st arrondissement being the most central part of the city. The remaining arrondissements are spiraled clockwise around the center like a wheel.
Each arrondissement has its own unique charm and atmosphere. Those closest to the city center are the busiest and highly populated with the city’s most important attractions, such as Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower. Below, we’ve highlighted the best areas for visitors to stay in.
Louvre in the 1st Arrondissement
Best for: Art, history, and shopping
Key sights:
- The Louvre Museum
- Sainte Chapelle
- Palais Royal Garden
- Tuileries Garden
- Le Marché des Enfants Rouges
The 1st Arrondissement is also often known as ‘Le Premier,’ which means ‘the first.’ It’s home to the Louvre Museum, one of the world’s most famous art museums, and home of several iconic artworks, including the Mona Lisa.
This is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris and it is rich in history. It was once home to France’s kings and queens and retains its regal atmosphere today. You’ll find no end of luxury boutiques and jewelers along the renowned Rue Saint Honoré, Place Vendôme, and Galerie Vero Dodat. This is a very convenient area to stay in for sightseeing, shopping, and eating. Its biggest downside is that accommodation here is very expensive.
Les Halles in the 1st & 2nd Arrondissement
Best for: Food and drink
Key sights:
- Bourse de Commerce
- Westfield Forum des Halles
- Saint Eustache Church
Les Halles is the foodie center of Paris. It occupies the northeast part of the 1st Arrondissement and part of the 2nd Arrondissement. The area was a huge food marketplace up until the 15th century, and it continues to be an important hub for grocery shopping and dining.
A big shopping center and a train station are at the heart of Les Halles, and nearby is a pedestrianized market street where you’ll find patisseries, cheese shops, and cafes. There are several cookware stores in the area, and you’ll find many world-renowned restaurants serving classic French dishes.
Rue Montorgueil in the 2nd Arrondissement
Best for: Shopping and nightlife
Key sights:
- National Library of France
- Passage des Panoramas
- Palais Brongniart
- Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens
The 2nd Arrondissement offers all the practicalities of the 1st with a slightly more affordable price tag and a more authentically Parisian atmosphere. It’s easy to walk to the majority of central tourist attractions from here. Plus, the area has two metro lines for reaching the likes of the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower, which are a little too far to walk to.
Another big benefit of the 2nd Arrondissement is its nightlife, particularly on Rue Montorgueil. This long street is home to a wide array of bars, cafes, restaurants, and bakeries. It’s a common place to grab a coffee or meet with friends during the day; at night, it comes alive with a vibrant, youthful atmosphere.
Le Marais in the 3rd & 4th Arrondissements
Best for: Nightlife
Key sights:
- Place des Vosges
- Musee Picasso
- Pompidou Centre
Le Marais is a trendy district set in historic Paris. It has beautiful architecture and charming winding medieval streets. It has long been known as one of the city’s most fashionable areas and incredibly progressive and diverse. It has a large Jewish population and is home to a thriving LGBTQ+ community.
Le Marais is a great choice if you want to stay somewhere with a cool, contemporary atmosphere. It has plenty of restaurants and bars to keep you entertained, as well as art galleries and eccentric boutique stores. It also offers convenient access to other areas of Paris either by foot or by metro.
Île de la Cité & Île Saint Louis in the 4th Arrondissement
Best for: History and architecture
Key sights:
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- Sainte-Chapelle
- La Conciergerie
- Maison Berthillon
Île de la Cité and Île Saint Louis in the 4th Arrondissement are two small islands in the middle of the River Seine. The first, Île de la Cité, is the largest of the two. It’s home to Notre Dame Cathedral, Sainte-Chapelle, and La Conciergerie, three of the city’s best-known attractions. It’s a busy area with incredible Gothic architecture.
The second island, Île Saint Louis, is much smaller and quieter. It’s predominantly a residential area, with a few boutique hotels that are booked up many months in advance. If you want a taste of authentic Paris while being in a central location, Île Saint Louis is the place to stay.
Latin Quarter in the 5th Arrondissement
Best for: Budget accommodation
Key sights:
- The Panthéon
- Eglise Saint-Séverin Saint-Nicolas
- Cluny Museum
- Jardin des Plantes
- National Museum of Natural History
- Grande Mosquée de Paris
The Latin Quarter in the 5th Arrondissement has been known as the city’s student hangout for more than 800 years, and it has a laid-back atmosphere in keeping with its youthful demographic. This is one of the best parts of Paris for affordable hotels. Plus, it’s not too far away from the city’s biggest attractions, so it’s a great compromise for people visiting Paris on a budget.
It’s not just accommodation that’s affordable here, but food and drink too. Head to the market street of Rue Mouffetard to find plenty of wallet-friendly wine bars, cafes, and restaurants. For a break from the busy city streets, head to the Jardin des Plantes, a huge and beautiful park with an impressive collection of plant species.
Saint-Germain-Des-Prés in the 6th Arrondissement
Best for: Culture
Key sights:
- Luxembourg Gardens
- Luxembourg Palace
- National Museum of Eugene Delacroix
Saint-Germain is known as the intellectual and literary hub of Paris, having been home to the likes of Diderot and d’Alembert, Simon de Beauvoir, Satre, and Jacques Prevert. The area has authentic Parisian beauty, with many 17th-century buildings that have been well-preserved.
During the day, take a stroll or enjoy a picnic in Jardin du Luxembourg, or simply explore the winding streets to discover book shops, independent boutiques, and cafes. At night, explore the district’s jazz bars, clubs, and restaurants.
The Eiffel Tower in the 7th Arrondissement
Best for: Sightseeing
Key sights:
- Eiffel Tower
- Champ de Mars
- Napoleon’s Tomb
- Musée Rodin
- Musée d’Orsay
- Musée du Quai Branly
- Hôtel des Invalides
If you’re looking for Paris hotels that offer quick access to the Eiffel Tower, your best bet is the 7th Arrondissement. The city’s most famous tourist attraction sits within a beautiful residential area with plenty of luxurious hotels to choose from, but you can expect to pay top dollar for a view of the tower from your window.
The 7th Arrondissement is an incredibly busy neighborhood during the day, but at night it’s fairly quiet. There’s plenty of historic architecture in the Invalides area, which is the burial site of Napoleon I.
Champs-Elysées in the 8th Arrondissement
Best for: Luxury shopping
Key sights:
- Arc de Triomphe
- Grand Palais
- Parc Monceau
Champs-Elysées in the 8th Arrondissement is considered the beating heart of Paris thanks to its busy atmosphere. The avenue is 1.2 miles long and runs between Place de la Concorde and Place de L’Etoile. There’s a huge array of flagship stores from iconic designers along the way, including Cartier, Guerlain, and Louis Vuitton.
The 8th Arrondissement has a metro line to give you easy access to the center of Paris. Accommodation here tends to be more luxurious, with some hotels offering spectacular views across the city.
Opéra in the 9th Arrondissement
Best for: Shopping and theater
Key sights:
- Galeries Lafayette
- Au Printemps
- Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House)
Two huge department stores, Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, are situated in the 9th Arrondissement. This district is renowned as the shopping hub of Paris. You’ll find a huge array of brands here, from luxury designers to affordable French labels.
The 9th Arrondissement is also home to several theaters and auditoriums, including the renowned Palais Garnier. If you want to be surrounded by the arts, the 9th Arrondissement is a good place to stay. Plus, it’s close to the 1st Arrondissement for easy access to the city center.
South Pigalle in the 9th Arrondissement
Best for: Nightlife
Key sights:
- Moulin Rouge
- Musée de la Vie Romantique
South Pigalle, or ‘So-Pi’ as it is known locally, is an incredibly trendy area in the 9th Arrondissement. It was once the city’s red light district, and it sits close to the Moulin Rouge. Today, it is renowned for its nightlife and boasts an array of cool cocktail bars and cafes.
If you’re looking for parties and expect to be up all night long, So-Pi is a great place to stay. There are plenty of mid-range hotels here, which makes it more affordable than many other Paris neighborhoods.
Canal Saint-Martin in the 10th Arrondissement
Best for: Quiet atmosphere
Key sights:
- Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
Canal Saint-Martin is a lively area filled with stylish cafes and bars. Its quaint cobblestone streets create a laid-back atmosphere, and locals enjoy a slower pace of life here than in many other districts in Paris.
The 10th Arrondissement is a peaceful area to stay in, but there are few sights within its boundaries. Luckily, Gare Du Nord, the city’s biggest transport hub, is situated here, so you have easy access to transport all over the city.
Bastille in the 11th Arrondissement
Best for: Live music and art
Key sights:
- Colonne de Juillet
- Place de la Bastille
- Place de la Nation
- Atelier des Lumières
Bastille is an affordable district known for its artistic atmosphere. It’s a lively area with many fashionable bars and restaurants, and you can find excellent nightlife here. This is the place to be for live musical performances.
There’s lots of street art to see in Bastille, and the area has several galleries. If you want to stay in a stylish part of Paris that doesn’t cost a fortune, the 11th Arrondissement is a great option.
Montparnasse in the 14th Arrondissement
Best for: Culture
Key sights:
- Tour Montparnasse
- Catacombs
Montparnasse, on the Left Bank of the Seine, offers the lifestyle of a local with easy access to many of the city’s main sights. The attractive area is close to many museums and art galleries so you have plenty to do if you don’t want to venture too far.
There are several theatres within the 14th Arrondissement and plenty of cinemas and bars. To get incredible views of the city, visit the impressive rooftop bar and terrace of Tour Montparnasse, the only skyscraper in Paris.
Passy in the 16th Arrondissement
Best for: Luxury
Key sights:
- Palais de Tokyo
- Foundation Louis Vuitton
- Torcedaro
The 16th Arrondissement is home to some of the most wealthy people in France, so if you have a generous budget and want a luxurious taste of Paris, book accommodation here. It sits close to the Eiffel Tower and is within walking distance of the Seine.
Passy is a hilly area populated with high-end private residences. The Trocadero is a complex of buildings, a central plaza, and a viewing platform that offers spectacular views across the river. Both are popular areas for tourists to stay in.
Batignolles in the 17th Arrondissement
Best for: Village atmosphere
Key sights:
- Square des Batignolles
- Martin Luther King Park
- Musée Jean-Jacques Henner
Batignolles offers a small village feel for those who want to experience a quaint, quiet version of Paris. The area has been home to many poets, artists, and performers over the years, and it remains a hub for bourgeois, bohemian types.
The 17th Arrondissement has a vast array of charming boutiques, bakeries, cafes, and food stores. The area feels quintessentially Parisian, and it’s much quieter than many of the more central areas of the city, but there are multiple metro stations to help you reach the key sights.
Montmartre in the 18th Arrondissement
Best for: Authentic Parisian culture
Key sights:
- Sacré-Coeur Basilica
- The Wall of Love
- Montemarte Museum
Montmartre is one of Paris’s most popular outer districts, and it’s perhaps best known as the setting of the famed French film Amélie. It was a village officially separate from Paris until the 19th century, and it retains its small-town charm today. Imagine narrow cobblestone streets and ivy-clad multicolored houses.
Since Montmartre is one of the outermost regions of Paris, it’s a little cheaper than many of the more central districts. It’s difficult to walk to the center from here, but it is very well connected by the metro so you shouldn’t have trouble reaching the city’s main sights.
Book Your Stay in the City of Love
Now you know more about the most popular neighborhoods of Paris; you can decide which area is right for your stay and get started planning your Parisian adventure.
