Paris is one of the best city breaks in Europe – but planning a trip to the French capital can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to discovering the best areas to stay in Paris. So which are the best neighbourhoods to base yourself in? It all depends on the type of trip you're hoping for. Luckily, the best hotels in Paris are scattered across the city's arrondissements, as are the top restaurants in Paris. The good news, then, is that you've got options – this a city where you could take to a different neighbourhood each time you stay and have a different experience. Here, we break down our favourite arrondissements to call home for a weekend – for everything from shopping to nightlife to seeing the classic sights and things to do in Paris.
Here, we answer some of your questions about staying in Paris – and share our favourite neighbourhoods in town for those who don't know the city well.
Which area of Paris is best for tourists to stay in?
As we said above, it all depends on what you're looking for from a trip to Paris. The 7th arrondissement (more on these below) is where some of the most iconic attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and lots of the museums sit, while the area around Pigalle is where you'll find nightlife (including the Moulin Rouge). Montmartre is one of our favourite areas – it's touristy, but the steep hilly streets and sweet street markets offer a postcard-pretty take on the city.
What does arrondissement mean in Paris?
An arrondissement is just a district – much like London's boroughs or New York's neighbourhoods. There are 20 in Paris, and they are numbered in a clockwise spiral, starting in the city centre and sprawling outwards.
Where is the best area to stay in Paris for the first time?
If it's your first time in Paris, we'd recommend booking a hotel or Airbnb in one of the central neighbourhoods – that way, you're able to visit a lot of the city on foot (walking is one of the best ways to explore here) or jump on a metro. The Marais is near Notre Dame and the Louvre, with streets that fringe the Seine and lots of places to eat and drink within the neighbourhood. Or splash out on a stay in the 8th arrondissement, which is near the Arc de Triomphe and puts you right in the thick of it.
What is the prettiest area of Paris?
Much of Paris is very beautiful. But we'd argue that Montmartre is the prettiest area of them all. Set on a hill in the 18th arrondissement, there are views across the entire city from the grounds of Sacré-Cœur, the white-domed church. Streets are narrow and filled with restaurants, cafés and shops that seem to have been dropped in from a French arthouse movie. There's an artists' market for perusing, too.
Is Paris very walkable?
Yes, in some ways. Other than Montmartre, it's a fairly flat city and lots of the landmarks are clustered together. You can walk from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower in under 30 minutes, for example, while a stroll from the Louvre to Notre Dame should take less than 20 minutes. Plan to spend some time in each area, grouping the neighbourhoods that are close together into one day – you can always catch the metro if you're less mobile or get tired. Much of the metro is wheelchair accessible, but you can also get buses or taxis to move about the city.
Here's a rundown of our 5 favourite areas to stay in Paris
Montmartre
We said it before, and we meant it: Montmartre might just be the most handsome neighbourhood in Paris. It's not off-the-beaten-track or under the radar, but it's a classic for a reason. We love the photo opportunities in the side streets (make sure to stop by La Maison Rose and Lamarck-Caulaincourt metro station) and the weekend artist market. Tip: visit in October, when the area's vineyard (yes, really) opens to the public for the only time all year as part of an arrondissement-wide festival.
Where to stay: Hotel HoY might technically sit in the 9th, but you're less than 10 minutes walk to Sacré-Cœur from this wellness-focussed, light-filled stay.
Pigalle
Jutting up against Montmartre, Pigalle's grand 19th-century streets were once better known as the red district – this is where the Moulin Rouge sits, after all. That icon is still here, and years ago this is where artists would settle in the city. Now, it's soared past up-and-coming to become firmly on the map; with smart tables to book (we like Bouillon Pigalle) and hotels to stay at.
Where to stay: Art Deco Hôtel Rochechouart embodies the Roaring Twenties – but remains surprisingly affordable.
Le Marais
The leafy Marais district, in the 4th arrondissement (just across the river from Notre Dame), is a fairly peaceful part of the city, all cobblestone alleys and courtyards and tree-flanked streets. This is a shopping sweet spot and is home to a 17th-century market Marché des Enfants Rouge.
Where to stay: Sinner Paris is one of the sexiest and most opulent Parisian stays: perfect for a romantic weekend.
St-Germain-des-Prés
This is a ritzy corner of the French capital – filled with grand-dame hotels and smart shops (Ladurée pit-stop, anyone?). Lots of the old-school Parisian cafés are in this neck of the woods (such as Cafe de Flore, which has a mixed reputation with locals but is worth a stride-by, if nothing else).
Where to stay: check into Hotel Lutetia for epic views.
The 7th arrondissement
You're not about to win any awards for a niche trip to Paris by staying here. But don't let that put you off. Wanting to be within touching distance of the main attractions is not to be sneered at – especially if you're only in Paris for a limited time. The 7th arrondissement is where the Eiffel Tower sits, there are tons of churches, and it's the spot for visits to Musée d’Orsay (where you'll find Monets, Manets and Renoirs).
Where to stay: this is a touristy district, so offset that by living like a local in an Airbnb – we like this colourful apartment.