7 Top Arrondissements to Stay in Paris for First Time Visitors
You’ve just booked your flight for your trip to Paris – congratulations! You are going to love the City of Lights. But where to stay in Paris on your first time to France? There are a lot of options! But don’t worry, I’m here to help you out.
I’ve visited Paris 7 times, including a 3-month stint where I lived in the city. I’ve thoroughly explored the neighborhoods of Paris and what they offer.
Before we get into the best arrondissements, hotels, and best areas to stay in Paris for first-time visitors, there are a few good things to know.
My Criteria for Choosing Best Neighborhoods
Generally, I would recommend staying in the inner circle of arrondissements when visiting Paris for the first time (or even on a subsequent visit!), and not going with the outlying neighborhoods.
While there’s nothing inherently wrong with staying in these neighborhoods of Paris, I just think that it’s worth staying closer to most points of interest.
Also, I personally enjoy being within walking distance of at least a few things to see in Paris, and being on a convenient metro line that will easily take me to other areas around Paris.
If you stay farther out, you aren’t within easy walking distance to anything and you will spend a lot more time on the metro.
It’s worth considering where you want to go and what you want to see in Paris when deciding what arrondissement to stay in. (For example, if you really want to spend a lot of time in the village of Montmartre, then staying in Montmartre makes a lot of sense, etc).
My Top 3 Picks For Where to Stay in Paris
In a hurry and no time to read? Not a problem! Here are my top 3 picks for best hotels in the best locations in Paris:
✔️Hotel Regina Louvre: A luxurious hotel oozing Parisian elegance right by the Louvre
✔️Terrass Hotel: A beautiful hotel in Montmartre with great views over the city (and of the Eiffel Tower)
✔️Hotel Clément: A good budget-friendly choice in the trendy Latin Quarter
The Arrondissement System
If you’re not familiar with the arrondissement system in Paris, the gist is that an arrondissement is a neighborhood or district of Paris. There are 20 of them in the city.
The first arrondissement starts in the middle of the city, and the arrondissements extend out in a spiral around the city, with the 12-20th lining the perimeter of the city.
Each arrondissement has a different feel and a different vibe. Some of the arrondissements even have their own names, such as Le Marais, the Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain, or Montmartre.
While none of the 20 arrondissements are bad options, there are some definite advantages to staying in each one.
Best Arrondissements to Stay in Paris For First-Time Visitors
Let’s get into some arrondissements and hotel recommendations!
To start, here’s a handy map of the different areas in Paris that we’ll discuss below, with the locations of my recommended hotels noted:
1. The 1st Arrondissement
The first arrondissement is right in the center of Paris, with attractions like the Louvre, the Jardin de Tuileries, Palais Royale, and Place Vendome.
This is a fantastic, centrally located arrondissement (you really can’t get any more central than this!), right next to some main attractions of Paris you’ll definitely be visiting on your Paris itinerary.
It’s a really beautiful area, with some of the most gorgeous buildings and hotels in Paris.
This is also one of the most convenient areas to be on as far as metro access goes. Metro line 1 runs from the Arc de Triomphe straight through this arrondissement and beyond (essentially following the line of the river) – hitting many main tourist attractions and providing some really easy and convenient transfer points to other areas of the city.
Of course, being in a central and popular location does come at a cost – generally hotels are a bit more expensive in this arrondissement, and this area does see a lot of tourism.
Best Hotels in the 1st Arrondissement:
Hotel Madame Reve
- Madame Reve is well-known for its spectacular views of Paris
- Rooms feature contemporary décor with a vintage feel, some rooms also have balconies
- There are 3 on-site restaurants, including a beautiful rooftop restaurant that features panoramic views of the city
- Just a 10-minute walk from the Louvre
- Check rates and availability here
Hotel Regina Louvre
- Hotel Regina Louvre is a luxury hotel, originally built in 1900
- Rooms combine modern comforts with Parisian elegance, + some rooms have views of the Louvre Museum
- Enjoy a drink in the cozy ambiance of the hotel’s English bar or relax in the fresh air of the garden terrace
- It’s just across from the Tuileries Gardens
- Check rates and availability here
Hotel Louvre Sainte Anne
- The Hotel Louvre Sainte Anne is just a 10-minute walk from the Louvre, with cozy, clean, and quiet rooms
- Perfect for families as baby cots are available on request
- Hotel staff are particularly friendly and welcoming
- This is a great budget option for central Paris
- Check rates and availability here
2. Le Marais (The 3rd+4th Arrondissement)
The area of Le Marais includes the 4th arrondissements, the two islands of Paris (Ile de la Cité and Ile Saint Louis), and part of the 3rd arrondissement.
Notable attractions in the Marais include Hotel de Ville (city hall), the Centre Pompidou, Notre Dame, Sainte Chappelle, the Marché aux Fleurs, Place de la Bastille, and Place des Vosges.
The Marais is well-known for being the gay district in Paris, and for being a young, hip, and trendy area of Paris, with contemporary art galleries, up and coming boutiques, cobblestoned streets, and a bohemian vibe. You can also find a lot of thrift stores in the Marais.
Like the 1st arrondissement, metro line 1 cuts through the middle of the 4th arrondissement, making it a convenient access point to many main attractions.
The 3rd + 4th are popular arrondissements if you want a particularly LGBTQ+ friendly area, or if you want to stay in an area that is very central and trendy, while not being right smack dab in the middle of the biggest tourist attractions.
Best Hotels in the Marais
If this sounds like the spot for you, check out these hotel recommendations for the Marais:
Hotel Saint-Louis en L’Isle
- This hotel is situated on the smaller of Paris’s two islands: Isle Saint-Louis!
- This island is a super charming and quaint little area of Paris, and quite literally in the heart of Paris.
- The wooden beams add character and the river is just steps from the hotel.
- Check rates and availability here
Goralska Résidences Hôtel Paris Bastille
- This hotel offers spacious suites (including a little kitchen and living area), as well as a fitness center
- Rooms are clean, modern, and have beautiful views of the Seine
- A short walk to the Bastille metro, where you can easily get around Paris.
- Check rates and availability here
Hotel Bastille Speria
- The hotel rooms are extremely nice and comfortable.
- Right by Bastille – and is by several metro lines, making it easy to get around Paris
- Within walking distance of the Place des Vosges and one of my favorite markets in Paris – Marché d’Aligre.
- Check rates and availability here
3. The Latin Quarter (aka The 5th Arrondissement)
The 5th arrondissement is known as the Latin Quarter, and is a very well-known and sought after arrondissement in Paris. This neighborhood is the oldest in Paris, and even has some ruins from Roman times!
The Latin Quarter got its name from the high concentration of universities and research centers in the area. (University students commonly spoke in Latin back in the day.)
In this area, you’ll find the Pantheon, the Jardin des Plantes, the Sorbonne University and the University of Paris, and the famous Boulevard Saint Michel and Boulevard Saint Germain.
This is the best arrondissement to stay in Paris if you want to explore narrow, historic, winding streets and be in the trendy left-bank neighborhood.
Best Hotels in the 5th Arrondissement:
Hôtel Henri IV Rive Gauche
- This boutique hotel is in a lively area of the 5th arrondissement, near the main Latin Quarter boulevards and the river.
- Some rooms have views overlooking the church or view of the top of the Eiffel Tower
- Rooms are clean, updated, and have a minibar, and staff is very helpful.
- Check rates and availability here
Residence Henri IV
- Located just around the corner from the Pantheon, this hotel is located in a historic building with charming historic details and artful room layouts.
- I particularly love the four poster beds, the frame molding on the walls, and the decorations on the ceiling!
- Check rates and availability here
Hôtel du College de France
- A charming hotel in a quaint area of Paris, located just off of Blvd Saint-Germain, a main street in the Latin Quarter.
- 10 minute walk to the Seine, Notre Dame, or Jardin de Luxembourg
- Check rates and availability here
4. Saint Germain (The 6th Arrondissement)
The 6th arrondissement (also known as Saint Germain) is particularly known for being a hotspot for intellectuals. It is home to the famous Cafe de Flore and Les Deux Magots cafes, where philosophers, writers, and artists such as Picasso, Hemingway, Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir hung out and discussed ideas.
You’ll also find the Jardin de Luxembourg, one of the most beautiful gardens in Paris, as well as a whole host of churches, such as Saint-Germain-des-Pres and Saint-Sulpice in the 6th arrondissement. This is just a great left bank district and one of the most well-known arrondissements to stay in Paris.
Best Places to Stay in the 6th Arrondissement:
Hotel d’Angleterre
- Once the site of the 18th-century British Embassy, this hotel has housed many famous guests – including Ernest Hemingway
- Rooms feature charming traditional decor, each with a different design
- Lovely interior garden
- One of the few hotels in Paris that offers free breakfast
- Just a 13-minute walk to the Louvre
- Check rates and availability here
Hotel Saint Paul Rive Gauche
- This hotel has charming rooms, stone walls (typical of old buildings in Paris), and a cozy feel
- The hotel is really close to an RER B stop (which takes you directly to the CDG airport)
- You are just around the corner from the Jardin de Luxembourg!
- Check rates and availability here
Hotel Clément
- This hotel has clean, comfortable rooms with unique decorations and wallpaper, and the option for breakfast in your room.
- It’s <10 minute walk to the Seine or the Jardin de Luxembourg
- Overall a great value hotel in Paris
- Check rates and availability here
5. The 7th Arrondissement (plus a tiny part of the 16th)
The 7th arrondissement is home to a hidden gem of Paris – a small monument known as the Eiffel Tower. Ok, all kidding aside, this neighborhood is a beautiful area of Paris, but can also be a tourist-heavy one. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stay here, though. It really is a beautiful area and you are conveniently located to several other great locations.
Other notable attractions in this area include the Musée d’Orsay, the Hotel des Invalides, the Pont Alexandre III, the Musée Rodin, and the Champs de Mars.
The Seine runs right next to the Eiffel Tower, and the opposite side of the river is the 16th arrondissement. The part of the 16th closer to the Eiffel Tower is also a good area to stay, as it shares many of the same advantages of the 7th.
This is the best arrondissement to stay in Paris if you want to have easy access to the most famous monument in the world (it’s easy to pop over and watch the lights at night if you’re just next door!)
Best Hotels in the 7th Arrondissement:
Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
- This 4-star hotel is right next to the Eiffel Tower and has incredible, close views from some of the room balconies
- Rooms are designed in upscale, contemporary-modern style
- Very nice hotel restaurant
- Check rates and availability here
Hôtel Le Walt
- This upscale hotel is located kitty-corner from the Champ de Mars, the greenspace that leads up to the Eiffel Tower.
- If you are interested in close access to the Iron Lady, this is a perfect hotel for you.
- Additionally, some rooms have Eiffel Tower views, and the room decor is lovely.
- Check rates and availability here
Elysées Union
- This hotel is set right between the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, making it an easy 10-15 minute walk to reach both of these iconic Parisian landmarks.
- Some rooms give you Eiffel Tower views from the balconies
- There’s a 2-bedroom apartment room option – great for families
- Check rates and availability here
6. The 8th Arrondissement
Truth be told, this is one of my very favorite arrondissements to stay in or visit in Paris. The 8th and 17th are really nice, upscale neighborhoods, with gorgeous Haussmanian architecture and some lovely parks.
The 8th arrondissement includes the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysées, the Place de la Concorde, and Parc Monceau.
Metro line 1 cuts through the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysees, and the Saint Lazare train station is also in the 8th arrondissement, which all provide easy access to other spots in Paris and beyond.
This is a great Parisian arrondissement if you want to stay in neighborhoods with beautiful architecture, still have easy access to the city center, but be a bit more away from highly touristy areas (once you get off of the Champs Elysees line). Many parts of the 8th have a more residential feel.
Best Hotels to Stay in the 8th Arrondissement:
Splendid Etoile
- The Splendid Etoile is just two blocks away from the Arc de Triomphe
- Beautiful views from some rooms to the Arc, and some rooms even have Eiffel Tower views
- Rooms have an old-world vibe and the marble bathrooms are lovely.
- Check rates and availability here
New Orient Hotel
- Located in an upscale, non-touristy area of Paris, not far from Parc Monceau and Montmartre.
- Well-designed rooms
- Owners and staff are particularly welcoming
- Close to many restaurants, cafes, and shops
- Check rates and availability here
Hôtel Lancaster Paris Champs-Elysées
- The hotel has so many classic French architectural details, including fireplaces, hardwood floors, and ceiling medallions.
- It’s located right off the upscale Champs Elysees, a fashionable avenue for shopping and people-watching
- This is a very central and convenient location for getting around
- Check rates and availability here
7. Montmartre (The 18th Arrondissement)
This arrondissement encompasses the “village” of Montmartre. This charming neighborhood includes Sacre Coeur, the Moulin Rouge, the Wall of I Love You, and other sites (e.g. Place du Tertres, the stairs of Montmartre, etc).
Montmartre has quite a big fan club, as the neighborhood does have a distinct feel and a very bohemian history. There are a lot of cute, romantic spots to explore in Montmartre and a lot of charming and delicious cafes and restaurants in the area.
Note that the southern border of the 18th is Boulevard de Clichy, and many bars, clubs, and sex shops are located on the Boulevard. It’s not an unsafe area per se, but if these types of establishments aren’t your jam, avoid walking on Boulevard de Clichy.
Montmartre is a great option if you like that village feel within a big city, and an area with lots of cute shops and cafes.
Best Places to Stay in the 18th Arrondissement:
Terrass Hotel
- The Terrass Hotel makes great use of being on the hill of Montmartre, as the views over Paris from the guest rooms and the rooftop terrace are truly spectacular.
- Some rooms even have an Eiffel Tower view!
- The hotel is designed in a trendy, modern style
- Great location just off of Rue Lepic, one of my favorite streets in Montmartre, and a 10-minute walk from Sacré Coeur.
- Check rates and availability here
Hôtel Monsieur Aristide
- The Aristide is a newer boutique hotel, and they really show attention to detail with the furnishings around the property.
- The garden terrace is gorgeous
- The streets right by the hotel are filled with cafes, bakeries, and chocolate shops, making it a great place to hang out.
- Check rates and availability here
Timhotel Montmartre
- The basic rooms are a good budget option in Paris, but some of the fancier rooms have an incredible Eiffel Tower view from the balcony
- Other rooms have a view over the rooftops, or a Sacré Coeur view
- The hotel sits right on Place Emile Goudeau, an adorable, tree-lined square in the heart of Montmartre where Picasso once lived
- Check rates and availability here
Other Important Things to Know When Considering Where to Stay in Paris
When to Book Your Hotel for Paris
Paris is, of course, a popular destination, and so I would highly recommend you book your accommodations as soon as possible. Hotels really can get booked up many months in advance, particularly if you are traveling between April through October, or December.
Book early so you can get your top choice for where you want to stay in Paris!
A Few Important Notes About Hotels in Paris
- Generally speaking, hotel rooms in France are much smaller (we’ll just call it cozier) than hotel rooms in the United States. Because these are old buildings, the rooms are just a bit tighter and there is definitely less floorspace. This is just something to be aware of!
- Expect elevators to also be very tiny – and not all places have elevators. I actually really love the teeny tiny elevators in France – they’re such a novelty!
- On the same note, almost no hotels offer free breakfast. Almost every hotel will offer breakfast, but it costs extra. We rarely pay for the hotel breakfast, preferring instead to grab some pastries from the closest boulangerie as we start our day.
The Seine
The river Seine cuts through Paris, dividing it pretty neatly in half. Sometimes different areas of Paris will be referred to as the right bank or the left bank of Paris – referring to what side of the river you are on. The left bank is south of the river, and the right bank is north of the river.
What is the Safest Arrondissement to Stay in Paris?
All of these arrondissements are very safe and you can definitely stay in them without concern. As I mentioned in the Montmartre section, the Red Light district starts in Montmartre, but it’s really just a few blocks along Boulevard de Clichy that would be places to avoid if you don’t want to be around nightclubs and bars.
Metro System in Paris
Paris has an exceptionally well-designed metro system – no matter where you stay, you are only minutes from a metro stop, which you can take to get around the city.
Final Thoughts on the Best Arrondissements to Stay in Paris
That’s a wrap on what I consider to be the best neighborhoods in Paris to stay in! If you are going to Paris for the first time, you are really in for a treat, and staying in one of these recommended hotels in one of these recommended arrondissements will only enhance your experience. Bon voyage!
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