Finding where to stay in Paris is not an easy task and even more if we take into account that there are thousands of accommodation options and also many areas to choose from, all of them with their pluses and minuses.
Based on the different trips we have made to the city, during which we wrote this list of tips for traveling to Paris and this guide to Paris, we leave you a selection of places to stay in Paris and the best neighborhoods. Let’s start!
Neighborhoods where to stay in Paris
Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements or districts that start in District I, in the heart of the city, on the right bank of the Seine and continue ascending in number as they move away from the center, following a kind of spiral in a clockwise direction.
Although logically we will not talk about all of them in this post, we will talk about what are for us the best areas to stay in Paris and what are the pros and cons of each of them.
1. Downtown Paris, the best place to sleep in Paris
Although it is also the most expensive area, staying in Paris in the arrondissement I, one of the oldest districts of the city, located in the area of the right bank of the Seine, is a sure hit. Here you will find many of the city’s most tourist attractions, including the Louvre Museum and the Tuileries Palace, among many others. It is also a very well connected area of the city where most of the hotels are of high category.
The price of accommodation in the center of Paris (arrondissement I) is usually around 150-200 euros per night.
2. Le Marais, the best place to stay in Paris
After having traveled several times to the City of Light, our favorite place to sleep in Paris is undoubtedly Le Marais although it could also be extended to the surrounding area, which could be located in the 2,3,4 arrondissements, although the area of Le Marais is our favorite.
Besides being one of the most traditional neighborhoods of the city, it is also very central and is very well connected with the rest of the city and is very close to the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum or the Pompidou Center, all of them essential places to visit in Paris. If we add to that a wide range of restaurants and a unique atmosphere, both day and night, Le Marais is perfect to stay in Paris.
Although as we have said this whole area is our favorite, it is advisable to avoid the Beaubourg area, of which we have not read very good reviews, especially at night.
The price of accommodation in Le Marais is usually around 130-150 euros per night.
3. The Latin Quarter, another option to stay in Paris
In the 5th arrondissement we find the Latin Quarter of Paris, which is one of the areas of Paris with more atmosphere, especially at sunset, when hundreds of tourists and locals flock to the area to enjoy its trendy places to dine and then have a drink.
Besides the atmosphere, the Latin Quarter is a central area, is very close to the Pantheon, the Luxembourg Gardens, La Sorbonne and Notre Dame Cathedral and has cheaper accommodations than in other nearby areas such as Le Marais, so it is another alternative to stay in Paris if your budget is a little tighter.
The price of accommodation in the Latin Quarter is usually around 100 euros per night.
4. Montparnasse, a cheap option to stay in Paris
In the 14th arrondissement we find Montparnasse, one of the most famous neighborhoods of the city, although it is not always taken into account as a place to sleep in Paris because it is considered to be quite far from the central area. While this is true, Montparnasse is perfectly connected by public transport with the city center, you can get there in about 30 minutes, and also has a wide range of restaurants and cafes, so we believe that if your budget is tight, Montparnasse is perfect to stay in Paris.
The price of accommodation in Montparnasse is usually around 100 euros per night.
5. Eiffel Tower, a romantic place to sleep in Paris
Although it is the best known place in Paris, for us the Eiffel Tower area, in the 7th arrondissements, is not the best area to stay in Paris because it is a place where there is only the Eiffel Tower.
Despite that, the whole area is very well connected and a short walk away you can find some attractions such as the Orsay and Rodin museums.
Here you will find some of the most expensive hotels in Paris if you are looking to sleep overlooking the Eiffel Tower.
The price of accommodation at the Eiffel Tower is usually between 150-200 euros per night.
6. Champs Elysées, the most elegant area to stay in Paris
The 8th arrondissement is undoubtedly the most elegant area and also one of the most expensive to stay in Paris and we can not forget that this is where you will find the Champs Elysees, the main artery of the city and one of the most elegant, where you can find luxury brands, exclusive stores and all kinds of restaurants, hotels and cafes of prestige.
Although the entire avenue is perfectly connected to the rest of the city and you will be close to many of the main attractions, we believe that the prices are not justified unless you have no budget problems.
The price of accommodation in the Eiffel Tower is usually 300 euros per night although sometimes you can find offers below 150 euros.
7. Opera, another of the best areas to look for a hotel in Paris
In the 9th arrondissement we find Opera which is for us one of the best areas to find a hotel in Paris because you will be close to everything and at the same time you can enjoy a good atmosphere, both day and night.
In addition this area is also known for being one of the most commercial of the city, here are the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps shopping malls and have many dining options for all budgets.
The price of accommodation in Opera is usually between 100 and 130 euros.
8. Bastille
Although the Bastille area, in the 11th arrondissement, has become very fashionable in recent times as a good place to stay in Paris, it is important to note that the neighborhood is very large, so it is important if you stay here, to do so in an area that is well connected as those near the Place de la Bastille.
If you do so you will be in a place very close to Le Marais and the Latin Quarter, which in addition to being well connected with the rest of the city, has a wide range of restaurants and cafes.
Keep in mind that here most of the hotels that have a more economical price, are usually the ones that are farther away and have a slightly lower quality than the rest of the city. The selection that we include are the most central and with the best options, so the prices are closer to 100 euros.
The price of accommodation in Bastille is usually less than 100 euros.
Tips for finding cheap accommodation in Paris
Although we have already left you a selection of the best places to sleep in Paris and a list of hotels that meet a good quality/price ratio, we want to leave you some tips for your choice to be the most successful and you can enjoy and make the most of your stay in what they say is the most romantic city in the world.
- Paris is a huge city with many possibilities to choose accommodation. If the selection we have left you above does not fit with what you are looking for, we recommend you to check the hotels, but always looking for the choice where to stay in Paris has good communication with the rest of the city and preferably is in a central area.
- Another important thing to consider is that the hotel is located in an area with a good gastronomic offer, so as not to have to make unnecessary trips.
- If you are traveling to Paris in high season it is essential to book your accommodation in advance to have more options and find better prices.
- Remember that to avoid paying commissions and to always have the current exchange rate we recommend you to use the Revolut card and the N26 card, which are the ones we use, are free of charge and will save you a lot of money.
