Where to stay in Paris. A complete guide to all neighborhoods

Paris is in 20 administrative districts, and each district or arrondissement is like a separate city. The mayor is different, and the living conditions for tourists are different. Let’s talk about each district in terms of accommodation for tourists. Here is a map of Paris to understand what we are talking about, and at the end of the article, you will find a video with all the districts.

Too busy to read the whole article? No problem! Check out our latest podcast episode of ‘Stay & Stroll in Paris,’ where we share the audio version of this guide with tips on where to stay, which areas to avoid, and the must-see neighborhoods to explore with TouringBee audio guides. It’s the perfect way to plan your Paris trip on the go!

The first district

The 1st arrondissement is not only the center of Paris but also one of the richest areas. There are the Louvre and the Tuileries gardens, the Vendôme square with the most expensive boutiques and luxury hotels, and the huge shopping center, Les Halles. In general, the 1st district of Paris is a tourist and commercial center of the city.

Staying here is calm and pleasant. Everything is close and convenient. In the first district, you find a lot of hotels, many of them luxury, some are simpler. But you cannot find a cheap hotel here. You can view and book hotels in the first district of Paris here.

Pros: The center of Paris, you can reach all the main attractions on foot.

Cons: Expensive neighborhood.

Choose a hotel in the center of Paris

The second district

The 2nd arrondissement is small but has the historical Paris Stock Exchange (Palais Brongniart). It is the financial center of the city, also a quiet and comfortable area like the first arrondissement. There are a lot of hotels in this district, and they are all of good quality.

The second district is an area of the Parisian bourgeoisie where you will find many stores, cafes, and restaurants in this style. This district is conveniently between the Louvre and the Paris Grand Opera.

For the best hotels in the 2nd arrondissement, see this link.

Pros: The quiet center of Paris.

Cons: Expensive area, small rooms in historic buildings.

Book a hotel in the quiet center of Paris

The third district

The 3rd arrondissement is Parisian. The district occupies part of the historic Marais quarter. There are several interesting museums here: the Art and Metier Museum, the Cognacq-Jay, Picasso, Carnavalet. This area of Paris is quiet and safe, with narrow streets and fewer tourists.

However, it is the center of the city, and it is easy to get to other attractions from here. There are not many hotels in the third district, but they are cheaper than the previous ones. Accommodation there is better to be booked as far in advance as possible.

For the best hotel deals in the 3rd arrondissement, check it out.

Pros: In the center of Paris, convenient hotels with modest prices.

Cons: The rue Saint-Denis area and part of Boulevard Sevastopol are noisy and unsightly.

Book a hotel in the Marais quarter

» READ MORE – Walking in the Marais: route map

The fourth district

The 4th arrondissement is the historical and institutional center of Paris.  One of the main attractions of the district is the City Hall (Hotel-de-Ville). It is the oldest part of Paris. The medieval Marais quartier and Cite island have not suffered from the redevelopment.

It is also home to the Pompidou Center of Contemporary Art. The 4th arrondissement of Paris is probably one of the best places for tourists to live. Everything here breathes history.

By the way, we have an excellent audio guide around historic Paris. Download it!

You can find the best hotels in the fourth arrondissement of Paris here.

Pros: The historic center of Paris, close to Notre Dame de Paris.

Cons: Not cheap, small rooms in historical buildings.

Choose a hotel near the Notre Dame de Paris

The fifth district

The 5th arrondissement is the Latin Quarter. There are the Pantheon and the Sorbonne. Nice touristy neighborhood close to the center and convenient to get to. In terms of safety, location, and housing options, the fifth arrondissement is one of the best districts in Paris. The dream of any true Parisian is to live in the 5th or 6th arrondissement.

The recommended hotels in the 5th arrondissement in Paris are listed here.

Pros: Latin Quarter, historical center, Sorbonne.

Cons: Not a cheap place, small rooms in historic buildings.

Choose a hotel in Latin Quarter

» READ MORE – Where in Paris you can't drink wine

The sixth district

There are few world-famous attractions. But the 6th arrondissement is a favorite place of Parisians. It is the Saint-Germain-des-Prés quartier, one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of the city. Philosophers and writers once lived here but now simply the intellectuals of Paris. In the sixth district, the most Parisian park – the Luxembourg Garden – is located, a place for jogging and recreation of Parisians. There are many art galleries and exhibitions, and locals will offer you to stay in their designer apartments. The district is quiet and peaceful, and it is still the center of Paris.

For the best hotels and apartments in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, click here.

Pros: Cultural and intellectual center of Paris.

Cons: Small rooms in historica buildings.

Book a hotel on the Saint-Germain-de-Pres Boulevard

The seventh district

That is where happiness is! The Eiffel Tower is in the 7th arrondissement. Here you can find a hotel with a view of it. There is also the Hotel des Invalides and many museums, such as the Orsay and Rodin museum. And in the 7th district, there are numerous official structures – the parliament, various ministries, and embassies. So the area is safe, but there are a lot of tourists.

The best hotels in the seventh district of Paris are listed here.

Pros: Proximity to the Eiffel Tower.

Cons: Lots of tourists.

Choose a hotel near the Eiffel Tower

The eighth district

The main attraction of the 8th arrondissement is the famous avenue Champs-Elysées. Here you can find the oldest train station – Saint Lazare, and one of the symbols of France – the Arc de Triomphe. In the eighth district also lives the president of France. The Elysee Palace is on the Champs Elysees. Staying in this district is not cheap but prestigious!

Recommended hotels in the eighth arrondissement of Paris are at this link.

Pros: Champs-Elysées, city center.

Cons: Crowded and noisy place.

Book a hotel on Champs-Elysées

The ninth district

The 9th arrondissement is an area for shopping. The two main malls of France – Galeries Lafayette and Printemps are here. Around them is a huge concentration of small boutiques. But there is a cultural part of the area – the Opera Garnier. The 9th arrondissement is good to live in, but only if the hotel is not next to the noisy Montmartre.

The 9th arrondissement has probably the best price-quality ratio for hotels in Paris. There are many 3-star hotels at relatively reasonable prices.

You can find the best hotels in the 9th arrondissement of Paris here.

Pros: Good price-quality ratio, location between the center and Montmartre, lots of 3-star hotels

Cons: Avoid staying on the Pigalle boulevard.

Choose a hotel near the Paris Opera

The tenth district

We are slowly starting to move away from the center of Paris. The 10th arrondissement has two nearby train stations, Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est. However, these two stations are not the best place in Paris. There is a huge concentration of the poor and pickpockets. You can stay here, but be careful. The accommodation is much cheaper than in the previous districts, and there are many student hostels.

Recommended hotels in the 10th arrondissement of Paris are here.

Pros: Proximity to the city center, good transport connections.

Cons: Not safe at Gare du Nord and Gare d’Est.

Book a hotel near the Republique square

The eleventh district

The 11th arrondissement is the most densely populated and lively area of Paris. There are no tourist attractions here, so housing is cheaper, which suits the French; it is a district for students. Around Place de la Bastille an incredible amount of bars and nightclubs are located. The neighborhood is suitable for young travelers who do not mind partying.

However, be careful. Parties last until late at night, so the streets can be noisy and disturbing because of drunk people. This is a relatively dangerous neighborhood in Paris. Better not to choose hotels near Belleville or Couronnes stations. On the other hand, observing basic safety precautions, nothing will happen to you.

Here is a list of recommended hotels in the 11th district of Paris.

Pros: Close to the city center, cheap hotels.

Cons: No attractions, noisy streets.

Book a cheap and best room in 11th district

The twelfth district

The 12th arrondissement is a little away from the center, but nevertheless, it is a pleasant, quiet, peaceful, and safe district. And hotels are not expensive. In addition, there is the quarter of Bécy and the beautiful Gare de Lyon. Avoid staying near the Bastille square,  the center of youth life.

The best hotels in the 12th arrondissement of Paris are here.

Pros: Convenient in terms of transportation.

Cons: You need public transport to explore the city.

Choose a nice hotel in the 12th arrondissement

The thirteenth district

The 13th arrondissement is generally a quiet and nice area of the city. This district is also called the Chinatown of Paris. People from China, Vietnam, and Korea live near these metro stations: Maison Blanche, Tolbiac, Olympiades, Porte de Choisy, and Porte d’Ivry. In this district, you can find budget accommodation.

Here are the recommended hotels in the 13th arrondissement of Paris.

Pros: Cheap hotels, quite a nice neighborhood.

Cons: A bit far from Paris attractions, modern architecture.

Book a hotel near the Italy square

The fourteenth district

The 14th arrondissement is a pleasant Parisian district. Of attractions – the Montparnasse Tower and the Lafayette Gallery (that is another department store, only smaller than in the ninth). The neighboring quarter is Saint-Germain-de-Pres, so all sights of the 6th arrondissement are close. Staying in this area is convenient and safe, but the boundaries are relatively far from the center of Paris.

The best hotels in the 14th arrondissement of Paris are here.

Pros: Convenient transportation, safe neighborhood.

Cons: A bit far from the center.

Choose a hotel on the Monparnasse boulevard

The fifteenth district

The 15th arrondissement is a nice neighborhood, but you will not find any attractions except the André Citroën Park and its hot air balloon. Try to see the wonderful view from high up. By the way, it is close to the Eiffel Tower. It is a safe, quiet, peaceful neighborhood. And there are relatively inexpensive hotels.

For the best hotels in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, follow this link.

Pros: Safe family neighborhood. Close to the Eiffel Tower, convenient transportation.

Cons: A bit far from other sights.

Look for a hotel close to the Eiffel Tower

The sixteenth district

The 16th arrondissement is the wealthiest district of Paris! To stay here is convenient, comfortable, and prestigious! The dream of any Parisian is to move to the 16th arrondissement. It is by the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysees, and the Bois de Boulogne. And it is also home to the courts of the famous Roland Garros tennis tournament.

The best value hotels in the 16th arrondissement of Paris are here.

Pros: Neighborhood of Parisian elite. Calm and safe.

Cons: You need to notice if there is a metro station nearby to a hotel before you book.

Choose a hotel close to Balsac’s house or Trocadero square

The seventeenth district

It is a nice arrondissement, and there is not much more to say. It is a bit far from the center, but it is not a problem. The subway in the seventeenth arrondissement is developed. And it is quiet.

Recommended hotels in the seventeenth arrondissement of Paris are here.

Pros: There are cheap hotels.

Cons: Avoid the noisy northern borders of the district.

Book a hotel close to Monceau park or the Arc de Triomphe

The eighteenth district

The 18th arrondissement is Montmartre with its cafes, the Moulin Rouge cabaret and the Sacré-Coeur basilica. There are nice places to stay (on a hill), places where it is a bit noisy (near the Pigalle boulevard), and the Barbès – Rochechouart station of the Paris metro, where you definitely should not stay. There are also quiet and pleasant hotels here, with views of both Montmartre and the Eiffel Tower.

Recommended hotels in the 18th arrondissement of Paris are here.

Pros: Montmartre is the most romantic area of Paris. Modest prices in hotels and hostels.

Cons: Noisy in the red light district, lots of stairways because it is a hill.

Book a hotel in Montmartre

The nineteenth district

In the past, the 19th arrondissement was considered disadvantaged. But now it is a nice, modern district of Paris. Along the canal Saint-Martin, there are gardens and modern houses. Bohemians and the bourgeoisie live there, play petanque, go boating and enjoy life. You could try it with them, but avoid hotels near the Gare de l’Est or bordering the 20th arrondissement (along Belleville Boulevard).

Recommended hotels in the 19th arrondissement of Paris are here.

Pros: There are pleasant areas to stay, the district is popular with hipsters.

Cons: Far from the center of the city, better not to walk late at night.

Choose a hotel on the Saint-Martin canal

The twentieth district

The 20th arrondissement is the immigrant neighborhood of Paris. Life here is colorful and interesting, and inexpensive as well. More Parisian youths choose this district. The main attraction here is the famous cemetery of Père-Lachaise. Stopping at the intersection of rue Ménilmontant and Belleville may not be quiet. But we can’t miss to tell you about the cheapest district in Paris.

Pros: Cheap hotels.

Cons: The neighborhood is not safe.

Choose a hotel in the twentieth district

One more tip. Now you know which districts of Paris are worth staying in, and where you should not choose a hotel. Before you book a hotel, check its index. It consists of five numbers. For example, 75011. “75” indicates that the hotel is in Paris. The last two digits indicate the number of the city district. In this case, it is the 11th arrondissement. Pay attention to them.

And remember, all of these districts have a subway, and you will be in the center in half an hour at most. If you are curious about the suburbs, read our article  “Lodging in Paris suburbs: a tourist tip”.

We are not responsible for the quality of the hotels. Tourists and visitors recommend these hotels. Read all offers carefully.

Stay happily in Paris!

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