Picking the best neighborhoods to stay in Paris is just as hard as choosing a favorite museum to visit.
Paris is divided into 20 administrative districts, or arrondissements, spiraling out from the city center. Most Parisians you speak to will refer to a district by its number, but you may also hear Paris neighborhoods referred to as quartiers, like the Latin Quarter.
Your travels will most likely take you through the 1st through 8th, but where should you lay your head under the Parisian moonlight? Here are a few of the best neighborhoods to stay in Paris, France.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari. Image Location: Canal Saint-Martin, 10th Arrondissement, Paris, France
Choosing where to stay in Paris
Shining a light on where to stay in the City of Light.
Does Paris have a subway or metro system?
Yes, Paris has a web of métro lines running throughout the city. The métro is your best bet for discovering every corner of Paris, as well as connecting with the major train stations like Gare du Nord, Gare Montparnasse, and Gare de Lyon.
What are the best neighborhoods in Paris?
The 20 arrondissements are in no way a ranking system of the best neighborhoods in Paris. Yes, the 1st arrondissement is pretty baller since it has the Louvre and Palais Royal, but locals will add a one to that number and champion the hip 11th arrondissement’s famous squares and party vibes in the Oberkampf district.
What is the best neighborhood to stay in Paris?
Let’s be completely cliché for all the right reasons: the 7th arrondissement is the best neighborhood in Paris because it hoists up the Eiffel Tower. We won’t say it’s the best for foodies, museum hoppers, or boutique shoppers, but we doubt anyone would disapprove of waking up next to the Iron Lady.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari. Image Location: Tour Saint-Jacques, Rue Nicolas Flamel, 4th Arrondissement, Paris, France
The best neighborhoods to stay in Paris
The best neighborhoods in Paris by the (arrondissement) numbers.
Best neighborhoods to stay in Paris for first time
Staying close to the most popular sites in Paris.
7th Arrondissement
The 7th arrondissement is why you’ve come to Paris: to get as close to the Eiffel Tower as possible. Obviously, you should head to the top of the Iron Lady and take oodles of photos around the Champ de Mars. This arrondissement is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Paris for first time visitors, particularly thanks to its hotels with Eiffel Tower views.
8th Arrondissement
Just across the Alexander III bridge from the 7th arrondissement, this chic neighborhood is bookended by the Arc de Triomphe in the west and Place de la Concorde to the east. Snag a ritzy hotel just off of the Avenue de Champs-Élysées, such as the Hôtel Grand Powers.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Bruno de Hogues. Image Location: Avenue de Champs Élysées, 8th Arondissement, Paris, France
Best neighborhoods to stay in Paris for families
A good place for the oui little ones to lay their heads.
10th Arrondissement
The 10th arrondissement is a little more laid back than those districts across the Seine. Removed from the heavier tourist centers, the 10th still has kid-friendly hallmarks like children’s tours at the Choco-Story Paris, a wonderful playground at the Jardin Villemin, and easy access to Gare du Nord for a surprise visit to Disneyland Paris.
12th Arrondissement
We’ll concede that the sprawling 12th arrondissement doesn’t exactly narrow it down enough, but that’s one reason why it’s ideal for a family-friendly Paris itinerary. Bois de Vincennes is firmly within its borders, which means endless greenspaces to roam and instant access to the zoo. On the opposite end near the city center, the 12th puts you one bridge away from the National Museum of Natural History, an incredible collection of dinosaur fossils, and a riverside botanical garden with yet another zoo.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Christophe Lehenaff. Image Location: Bois de Vincennes, 12th Arondissement, Paris, France
Best neighborhoods to stay in Paris for foodies and film buffs
A chance to relive your favorite movie moments filmed in Paris and savor an unforgettable meal.
4th Arrondissement
So many Paris-based films show off the Notre-Dame Cathedral and Île Saint-Louis, which is why it’s both one of the best neighborhoods in Paris but also one of the most exclusive in terms of accommodations. Only a few hotels sit on the Seine, but if you can claim a room, you won’t regret blissfully wandering these two islands when the sun goes down.
17th Arrondissement
West of the Arc de Triomphe, the 17th is where foodies can find Le Relais de Venise - son entrecôte, one of the most popular restaurants in Paris. The single-menu of steak, fries, and a salad are impressively affordable. The 17th also serves up amazing French dishes at Maison Rostang, Restaurant Frédéric Simonin, and La Scène Thélème.
See all 20 arrondissements by train
Between the métro and the train stations connecting Charles de Gaulle airport to the city center, you can explore all of Paris along the railways. Download the Trainline app today and scoop up a cheap train ticket to Paris.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari. Image Location: Eiffel Tower, 7th Arondissement, Paris, France