Are you planning a trip to Paris for the first time and. wondering what are the best districts to stay?
When planning a break in Paris, choosing where to stay in the city is likely to be one of your most difficult tasks – especially if you’ve never visited the French capital before.
Find out more about some of Paris’s top places to stay with my guide.
The first thing you need to decide before you begin your search for hotels in Paris is what you most want to see during your time in the city. That way, you can make sure you won’t have far to travel to reach the sights at the top of your must-see list.
When you start looking for accommodation, you’ll notice the city is separated into 20 districts – known as arrondissements – which are identified by number, with one starting in the centre and spiralling out from there.
So, the higher the number, the further into the suburbs you’ll be (although that may not be a bad thing depending on what you hope to see during your trip).
These are the best areas to stay in Paris.
1. Le Marais
If you want to explore the main sights in Paris without having far to go, choosing accommodation in the area known as Le Marais is a good move. This encompasses parts of the third and fourth arrondissements and is within easy reach of Notre Dame, the Louvre and Palais Royal, while the Eiffel Tower can be seen on the other side of the River Seine.
2. St Germain
St Germain covers the fifth and sixth arrondissements and is on the southern side of the River Seine. Nearby you will find the Eiffel Tower and Musee d’Orsay, while within St Germain itself are attractions such as the Museum of Natural History, Sorbonne University and the Latin Quarter – which is renowned for its eclectic mix of cafes, bars and restaurants, as well as a host of quirky shops.
3. Montmartre
In the 18th arrondissement in the north of Paris is Montmartre, which is built on a hill and is the highest point in the city.
The most famous monument here is the Sacre Coeur, from where you can enjoy wonderful views across the French capital. The neighbourhood tends to offer affordable accommodation and even though it’s a bit further out of the centre, the public transport links mean you won’t have long to travel if you want to reach places like the Louvre or Eiffel Tower.
There are also plenty of bars and restaurants in the area, so you can easily find somewhere to have an evening out.
4. Champs Elysees
If you’re a shopaholic, you’ll want to wander down the world-renowned Champs Elysees, admiring the host of designer stores as you go.
Of course, the Arc de Triomphe at the end of the wide avenue is a sight to behold and if you book a hotel in the eighth arrondissement – where this district is located – you’ll be close to the city’s best-known shopping area.
As well as the huge flagship stores run by brands such as Cartier, Swarovski, Louis Vuitton and Gucci, there are numerous restaurants, bars and clubs to keep you busy once the sun goes down.
Champs Elysee isn’t only about the shopping, though. There are also several famous sights in the district, including le Palais de l’Elysee, the Grand Palais and Petit Palais and the impressive Eglise de la Madeline – a church that looks more like a Greek temple thanks to its design.
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you’ll have noticed that I absolutely love this city, I even wrote this super helpful Paris travel guide which you might want check out.
