It’s common for first-time (or even returning) visitors to Paris to pick a hotel based on name recognition or proximity to a particular famous landmark. And of course, in a city of more than 2 million an ocean away, it can be hard to know the best arrondissements to stay in Paris.
I am a big proponent of not making accommodations an afterthought, because where you stay can have a huge impact on the quality of your trip. And just as with bigger cities in the US, Paris arrondissements have their own style, vibe, attractions, and perks.
With a custom-designed itinerary, I can help you define your criteria for your home-away-from-home, so you can choose a place to stay that will truly serve your travel needs and make the most of your time in this amazing place.
The city neighborhoods of Paris are roughly arranged in a spiral shape (see diagram above) and are numbered as well as named. Locals often just refer to a district by its number. So instead of saying, I’m going to the Latin Quarter, they’d say, I’m going to the 5th.
Here’s a rundown of some of the best arrondissements to stay in Paris – according to me, a Certified Paris Travel Expert & Itinerary Designer – along with quick-peek hotel suggestions (these represent only a few of the hotels I can recommend!).
And — if you want a glimpse into how I help clients discover their ideal neighborhood, check out: Insider Tips for Choosing Where to Stay in Paris
Disclosure: There are some Booking.com affiliate links below and I may receive compensation for hotels booked through them. This did not influence inclusion – these are all hotels that I’ve vetted and truly recommend.
6th ARRONDISSEMENT – SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS (6TH)
If you have in your mind an image of a classic old-world Parisian neighborhood from a movie, you might be imagining the charming streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Close to the Musée d’Orsay and Louvre (which is just across the river), this is where famous artists, writers, and philosophers hung out in the early 1900s. It’s brimming with warm-lit cafes, chic shops, and well-tended window boxes.
This is one of the best arrondissements to stay in Paris if you’re looking for iconic Parisian style and a luxurious splurge that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Where to stay in the 6th arrondissement
- Great family-friendly option: Hotel de Seine
- Perfect for grand-style honeymooners (and Oscar Wilde fans): L’Hotel, Paris
5th ARRONDISSEMENT – LATIN QUARTER (5TH)
Known for its fabulous restaurants and proximity to lots of attractions, the Latin Quarter is perfect if you’re looking for something centrally located, fresh, and slightly off the tourist track.
Paris’ oldest university, La Sorbonne, is located in this neighborhood, and you’ll feel the youthful energy that all the students bring.
Additionally, Paris is well-known for its gorgeous public gardens, and the Latin Quarter is home to two of the best: Jardin des Plantes and Luxembourg Gardens. Jardin des Plantes also has a zoo and tons of activities for kids of all ages.
Where to stay in the 5th arrondissement
- Bold, modern, lush rooms for your inner design geek: Hôtel Design Sorbonne
- Simple, centrally located, killer views of Notre Dame and the Seine: Les Rives De Notre-Dame Hôtel
3rd / 4th ARRONDISSEMENT – LE MARAIS
With its chic independent boutiques, fabulous food, buzzing nightlife, and LGBTQ-friendly environment, Le Marais is vibrant, diverse, and creative. It’s one of the best arrondissements to stay in Paris for the traveler who loves fine dining and art, but who is more interested in experiencing local flavor than global brands.
Because it straddles both the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, it’s close to major attractions like Notre Dame, and is within walking distance of the Louvre. Art enthusiasts will also appreciate the Picasso Museum and the Place des Vosges, the oldest (and one of the most beautiful) squares in Paris.
Where to say in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements
- Super luxe, 17th-Century opulence, incredible view of Place des Vosges: Cour des Vosges
- Minimalist elegance, great value, quiet: Hôtel du Haut Marais
1st ARRONDISSEMENT – LOUVRE
The first arrondissement sits right at the heart of Paris. It’s one of the smallest in population and area, and it’s also one of the oldest, with parts of the neighborhood dating back to the Middle Ages.
As its name suggests, this neighborhood is home to the Louvre museum, but that’s certainly not all! It also boasts other wonderful squares, gardens, palaces, and museums. And don’t miss the utterly jaw-dropping La Sainte-Chapelle, the Gothic cathedral with towering, ethereal stained-glass windows dating back to the 13th Century.
Where to stay in the 1st arrondissement
- A truly iconic hotel in grand Parisian style: Hotel Ritz, Paris
- Art Deco luxury, the only hotel on the Seine, with views of Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and Pont Neuf: Cheval Blanc Paris
7th ARRONDISSEMENT – EIFFEL TOWER / INVALIDES + RUE CLER
Home (of course) to the Eiffel Tower, this district also contains some of Paris’s richest history and is a place where you can experience Parisian life as it has been humming along for ages.
The Rue Cler is a long, shop-lined street that has been traffic-free since 1984. Here locals buy their daily groceries at tiny specialized stores, and the street makes a perfect morning or evening stroll, especially if you have a hankering to assemble the perfect Parisian picnic.
History buffs will not want to miss The Hôtel National des Invalides — an incredible historical complex that houses the tomb of Napoleon, the Army Museum, and two astonishing cathedrals.
Where to stay in the 7th arrondissement
- A B&B, great value, and practically next door (1,500 feet) from the Eiffel Tower: Relais 12bis
- Stunning views, 18th-Century glamor, inspired by the literary salon that was hosted in its building: Hotel La Comtesse
8th ARRONDISSEMENT – CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES
Often considered the gorgeous, storied backbone of Paris, this elegant and busy boulevard stretches for nearly two miles and is bookended by the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe.
With the Grand and Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux-Arts, and no shortage of high-end restaurants, shops, and 5-star hotels make this one of the best arrondissements to stay in Paris.
Where to stay in the 8th arrondissement
- Want to know what more than 5 stars feels like? That’s the Plaza Athénée, with its enviable Palace rating.
- A restored 19th-Century private mansion in Paris’s upper-crust Golden Triangle neighborhood: San Regis, Paris.
Cassie’s Tip: If you want a break from the bumper-to-bumper traffic, meander the Champs-Elysees on the first Sunday of every month, which the city government has designated as a traffic-free day on the famous boulevard.
9th ARRONDISSEMENT – OPERA
Anchored by the glamorous Garnier opera house, this district oozes 1900s Belle Epoque majesty and is the place if high-end shopping is on your list.
Explore the history and smells of French perfume in the Musée du Parfum Fragonard. Sample from over 1,000 varieties of chocolates and other delectables at Paris’s first sweet shop, À la Mère de Famille. And of course, don’t miss the endless gawking and spending you can do at the posh Galeries Lafayette and Au Printemps.
Where to stay in the 9th arrondissement
- Simple, charming, excellent value in the heart of an extravagant neighborhood: Hotel Chopin
- For the health-conscious, vegan (not easy to find in France!), yoga enthusiast: HOY Hotel
FIND THE BEST ARRONDISSEMENTS TO STAY IN PARIS — FOR YOU!
There are thousands of amazing places to stay in Paris, and there is one that is just right for you — for your needs, your schedule, the places you want to explore and enjoy.
And the best news is that you don’t have to guess or try to figure it out on your own. I’ve got a tried-and-true method of helping clients land on the perfect place to stay, and with a custom travel itinerary, I take care of all the reservations and transportation for you, so all you have to do is snuggle in.
Itinerary Designer
WHO AM I?
I’m Cassie Tetro, an Itinerary Designer and Certified Travel Expert for Paris, London, and Rome — my three favorite cities!
I help independent travelers like you save time and eliminate confusion with customized point-to-point itineraries crafted to your interests, preferences, travel pace, and style.
I take care of every aspect of your trip before you walk out your front door — tickets, reservations, tours, maps, transportation — so you can relax, soak in the magic, and enjoy a frustration-free vacation with a travel plan that’s as unique as you are.
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