Where To Stay In Paris: Arrondissement Guide

Want to know the best area to stay in Paris with your family?

If you’re visiting Paris for the first time, you might be wondering where is the best area to stay in Paris?

As with most large cities in the world, there are good areas and not-so-good areas. When choosing where to stay in Paris with kids, it’s a good idea to know which are the bad neighborhoods in Paris and which are safe and family-friendly.

The following Paris Arrondissement Guide explains the different neighborhoods and quarters within Paris, and what you can find in each arrondissement.

This will help you choose the best area to stay in Paris for your family.

Note: This post was originally published in September 2016, but was updated in February 2021. 

 

Paris Arrondissement Guide: The best area to stay in Paris 2021

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Where to stay in Paris

Paris ArrondissementMain AttractionsAccommodation
1st Quarter
Louvre/Palais Royal

The Louvre;
Palais Royal;
Jardin des Tuileries
Click Here For Hotels
2nd Quarter
Bourse
Primarily a business district and home of the stock market (the Bourse).Click Here For Hotels
3rd Quarter
Le Marais
Trendy and popular with tourists. Picasso Museum; Musee Carnavalet.Click Here For Hotels
4th Quarter
Le Marais/Hotel de Ville
Islands of Ile de Louis and Ile de la Cite; Notre Dame Cathedral.Click Here For Hotels
5th Quarter
Latin Quarter
Popular with students.
The Odeon; Pantheon; Rue Mouffetard food market; Jardin du Luxembourg.
Click Here For Hotels
6th Quarter
St Germain des Pres
Designer clothing; Cafe de Flore; Les Deux Magots; Jardin du Luxembourg; St Sulpice Church.Click Here For Hotels
7th Quarter
Faubourg
The Eiffel Tower; Musee Rodin; Musee d'Orsay;
Les Invalides.
Click Here For Hotels
8th Quarter
Champs-Elysees
Champs Elysees; Arc de Triomphe; Place de la Concorde.Click Here For Hotels
9th Quarter
Opera/Pigalle
Galeries Lafayette department store (worth visiting at Christmas!).Click Here For Hotels
10th Quarter
Canal St Martin
Home of Gare du Nord and Gare d'lest train stations. Ethnically diverse neighborhood referred to as Little Turkey. Popular with young people.Click Here For Hotels
11th Quarter
Bastille
Oberkampf area is popular for nightlife. Lots of markets and parks. Lively community.Click Here For Hotels
12th Quarter
Bercy
Bois de Vincennes public park with 4 lakes, a zoo and botanical garden.Click Here For Hotels
13th Quarter
Place d'Italie
Home of Paris' Chinatown.Click Here For Hotels
14th Quarter
Montparnasse
Montparnasse skyscraper; The Catacombs. Was once the haunt for famous writers incl. Hemingway & Fitzgerald.Click Here For Hotels
15th Quarter
Vaugirard
Residential area, with the Montparnasse Tower bordering the 14th & 15th quarters.Click Here For Hotels
16th Quarter
Trocadero
Place de Trocadero for excellent views of the Eiffel Tower. Wealthy neighborhood.Click Here For Hotels
17th Quarter
Batignolles/ Monceau
Mixture of upmarket and hipsters. No tourist attractions but see life in the real Paris!Click Here For Hotels
18th Quarter
Montmartre
Popular with artists and con-artists! Home to Sacre Couer and Place de Tetre. Click Here For Hotels
19th Quarter
Parc de la Villette
Parc de Butte Chaumont; Cite des Sciences; Cite des Enfants.Click Here For Hotels
20th Quarter
Belleville/ Pere Lachaise
Famous cemetery Pere Lachaise, resting place of Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde.Click Here For Hotels

 

 

Paris is divided in half by the river Seine, with the area north of the Seine known as the right bank, and the area south of the Seine known as the left bank.

Paris is organised into 20 administrative neighborhood districts known as “Arrondissement”, or quarters. Each quarter has its own distinct character that makes it unique and also handy for tourists trying to find where to stay in Paris.

The quarters begin in the central part along the Seine, and move in a clockwise direction until they reach the outside quarters of the city.

 

Often, travelers want to know what arrondissement the Eiffel Tower is located in, while others want to know what arrondissement is the Latin Quarter in Paris.

I have compiled an easy-to-read Paris arrondissement guide for you to find out about each of the quarters and work out where to stay in Paris.

I also point out where the main tourist sights and attractions are. This is important to know before you book your family’s accommodation.

 

best area to stay in paris

1st Arrondissement (1e) Louvre/ Palais Royal

The 1st arrondissement is the geographical center of Paris and is located on the right bank (Rive Droit), north of the Seine.It is busy with tourists visiting the Louvre Museum, Jardin des Tuileries, Place Vendome, Les Halles and Palais Royal.

Hotels in the 1st arrondissement tend to be quite expensive, but the advantage of staying in the 1st is that you are only a stone’s throw from some of Paris’ major tourist attractions. This is great if you are only staying in Paris for a short time and plan to walk everywhere, or if you’re visiting Paris for the first time and don’t want to get yourself lost.

The 1st arrondissement is generally one of the safest areas to stay in Paris.

Click here for hotels in the 1st arrondissement.

2nd Arrondissement (2e) Bourse

The second quarter, also located on the Right Bank is primarily a business district. The Paris Stock Market (the Bourse) is located within this quarter.



The eastern neighborhood is traditionally a garment manufacturing district, also known as Sentier. But nowadays, it is home of many start-up companies, and is jokingly referred to as Silicon Sentier.

Although there isn’t much in the 2nd arrondissement for tourists, it is generally a safe and quiet neighborhood and there are a great selection of hotels here.

Click here for hotels in the 2nd arrondissement.

3rd Arrondissement (3e) Le Marais

Looking at the Paris arrondissement map, you can see that the trendy and very touristy Le Marais (which translates into English as The Marsh) comprises both the 3rd and 4th quarters.

Here, you will find the Picasso Museum and Musee Carnavalet, as well as many excellent restaurants and shops particularly in the Jewish quarter. The Marais is also gay-friendly, and the northern section of the district is home to a Chinese Community.

Le Marais has also had its fair share of famous residents, including Victor Hugo, John Galliano and Jim Morrison.

As the Marais is popular with tourists, and if you are looking for the best family hotel in Paris, it’s worth looking for a hotel in this quarter. You could easily find some of the best Paris hotels in the Marais district, as it’s a safe and popular area.

Click here for hotels in the 3rd arrondissement.

best area to stay in Paris

4th Arrondissement (4e) Le Marais/ Hotel de Ville

If you’re a history buff, then you may want to stay in a hotel in the Medieval quarter of Paris, the 4th arrondissement.



In this quarter, you will find the two islands of Paris: Ile de Louis and Ile de la Cite which are the two oldest parts of Paris. The Ile de la Cite was the birthplace of Paris over 2000 years ago and here you will find the Notre Dame Cathedral. Most people visit the Ile de Louis for an ice-cream from Berthillon, the most famous ice-cream retailer in Paris.

The two islands still contain a small number of medieval homes and buildings. Such a contrast to the rest of Paris!In the 4th, you will also find the Centre Pompidou, St Chapelle, Place des Vosges as well as the Hotel de Ville (the town hall).

Click here for hotels in the 4th arrondissement.

Best arrondissement to stay in Paris

5th Arrondissement (5e) Latin Quarter

The Latin quarter is known as the student district. The Latin quarter is home to one of the first universities in the world, the Sorbonne, which was built circa 1150. The university makes this area popular with students.

You will also find the Pantheon, Odeon and the Jardin du Luxembourg. Not far from here is the National Museum of Natural History in the Jardin des Plantes- this is a very popular attraction for families. If you love food and markets, the Saturday food market on Rue Mouffetard is a must-see.

This quarter is lovely to walk through- its cobble stoned streets still have a few medieval buildings mixed together with takeaway and souvenir shops. Closer to the Seine near St Michel, you will find many takeaway shops and souvenir shops.

The St Michel area of the Latin Quarter is packed with tourists, so it’s busy and loud- be careful of pick pockets! To keep your valuables safe while exploring the streets of Paris, I highly recommend the Travelon Anti-Theft Messenger Bag which we used last time we visited Paris.

When deciding where to stay in Paris, you will have no trouble finding the best family hotel and accommodation options in this quarter.

Click here for hotels in the 5th arrondissement.

best area to stay in Paris

6th Arrondissement (6e) St Germain-des-Pres

The fashionable 6th quarter is home to many designer brands: Prada, Emporio Armani, Swarovski, Louis Vuitton and Longchamp.

The 6th quarter is one of the best areas to stay in Paris if you want to do some serious people watching. Almost every street corner has a cafe or bistro, with people sitting out on the street, watching Parisian life go by.

The world-famous Cafe de Flore and Les Deux Magots can be found in the 6th. This is where people go to see and be seen, and has been the haunt of many famous people over the years: Ernest Hemingway, Brigitte Bardot, Sharon Stone, Robert de Niro, Yves Saint Laurent. Lots of tourists come here as well.



Other notable tourist attractions in the 6th quarter are the Luxembourg Gardens and St Sulpice Catholic Church, which was mentioned in the novel The Da Vinci Code (however, permission to film the movie here was declined).

There are some lovely hotels in this quarter.

Click here for hotels in the 6th arrondissement.

best Arrondissement to stay in Paris

7th Arrondissement (7e) Faubourg

If you’re visiting Paris for the first time, you’re probably wondering what arrondissement the Eiffel Tower is located in. The 7th quarter is home to the Eiffel Tower, and many tourists look for places to stay near the Eiffel Tower, especially families with young children.

The wealthy 7th quarter is home to foreign embassies and important international visitors. Traditionally, France nobility lived in this quarter, and it is sometimes referred to as the Faubourg neighborhood.

The main attractions in this quarter are of course, the Eiffel Tower, as well as the Musee Rodin (famous for the sculpture “The Thinker”), Les Invalides (home of Napoleon’s tomb) and the excellent Musee d’Orsay along the Seine.

The Musee d’Orsay is an unused railway station that has been converted into a grand museum. Its collection features paintings and sculptures by Monet, Manet, Degas, Cezanne and Van Gogh. Well worth a visit, especially with older children with some knowledge of art. It is also the location that the kids’ movie Hugo is set in.

If you are looking for the best family hotel in the 7th quarter, expect the accommodation prices in this area to be in the upper range.


For everything you need to know about visiting the Eiffel Tower, please read HERE.

Click here for hotels in the 7th arrondissement.

8th Arrondissement (8e) Champs-Elysees

One of the most famous roads in the world, the Champs-Elysees is the finishing point of the Tour de France held annually in July. The 8th quarter is a mixture of wealthy Parisians and tourists, and is also the largest business district in Paris. There are plenty of excellent hotels to find in this quarter.

Other sights worth seeing are the Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde and the Elysees Palace, which is the French President’s home.

Click here for hotels in the 8th arrondissement.

where to stay in Paris

9th Arrondissement (9e) Opera/Pigalle

The 9th arrondissement, located on the right bank, is a diverse neighbourhood- at one end is the opulent Palais Garnier, while at the other end is Pigalle (translates to Pig Alley), which is on the border of the 9th and 18th arrondissement: home to Moulin Rouge and Paris’ red light district.

When looking for the best family hotel to stay in, try to avoid Pigalle which tends to be unsafe. This is one of the bad neighborhoods in Paris.

Notable tourist attractions include Boulevard Haussmann (a must-see for architecture enthusiasts) and the large department stores Galeries Lafayette (worth visiting at Christmas) and Printemps.

Click here for hotels in the 9th arrondissement.

10th Arrondissement (10e)- Canal St Martin

If you are arriving in Paris by train, you will most likely begin your Paris journey in the 10th quarter which is the home of two of Paris’ major train stations: Gare de l’est and Gare du Nord. The 10th quarter is situated on the right bank.


Along the canals (which are reminiscent of Amsterdam) are many cafes and restaurants. The 10th quarter is an ethnically diverse neighborhood- there is a Turkish minority in this neighborhood, so Parisians often refer to this area as “La Petite Turquie” (Little Turkey).

In recent years, it has become a very trendy neighborhood. On the weekends, the streets along the canal are car-free to make room for cyclists and rollerbladers. Lots of young people hang out here!

Click here for hotels in the 10th arrondissement.

11th Arrondissement (11e) Bastille

The 11th quarter is largely a residential area- in fact it is one of the most densely populated cities in Europe. It is a quarter with varied neighborhoods- to the east, there are many large markets and children’s parks. The Oberkampf area is popular for its nightlife. In recent years, the areas around Boulevard Voltaire and the Avenue Parmentier have become one of the trendiest areas in Paris.

Unfortunately, the 11th arrondissement was where the November 2015 terrorist attacks occurred. Tourists now ask whether the 11th arrondissement is safe, which is a shame because the quarter has a very lively, community feel to it.

Click here for hotels in the 11th arrondissement.

12th Arrondissement (12e) Bercy

Bercy is a large residential neighbourhood, best known for the Bois de Vincennes, the largest public park in Paris. Its features include four lakes, a zoo, a botanical garden, a velodrome for bicycle races and a horse-racing track.

Click here for hotels in the 12th arrondissement.

13th Arrondissement (13e) Place d’Italie

This quarter was part of a large urban renewal project- it is a mixture of modernized buildings on cobblestone streets, with numerous cafes and restaurants. It is also home to Paris’ Chinatown and is a very multicultural neighbourhood.

Click here for hotels in the 13th arrondissement.

14th Arrondissement (14e) Montparnasse

The 14th quarter is also largely residential and has numerous cafes that were once visited by writers and artists such as Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Picasso. It is now known for its controversial skyscraping tower (Montparnasse) which offers great views of Paris, as well as the morbid but fascinating Paris Catacombs (recommended for teens!).

Click here for hotels in the 14th arrondissement.

15th Arrondissement (15e) Vaugirard

The 15th quarter is the most populated arrondissement. The Montparnasse tower is located on the border of the 15th and 14th arrondissement. There are a few lovely hotels to stay in this quarter.

Click here for hotels in the 15th arrondissement.



16th Arrondissement (16e) Trocadero

The 16th is a very wealthy neighborhood although not as wealthy as the 7th. Go to the Place de Trocadero for excellent views of the Eiffel Tower.

Click here for hotels in the 16th arrondissement.

17th Arrondissement (17e) Batignolles/Monceau

The area near the Arc de Triomphe and Parc Monceau is very upmarket, while the Batignolles neighborhood is more bohemian (hipsters hang out here). There are no tourist attractions here, but if you want to see what the real Paris is like, it’s a great place to stay. You can find my top pick for the best hotel in this neighborhood here.

Click here for hotels in the 17th arrondissement.

18th Arrondissement (18e) Montmartre

A residential neighborhood set high on a hill overlooking Paris, Monmartre is a very popular area for tourists wanting to visit Sacre Couer and Place de Tetre. Its also popular with artists and con-artists/pickpockets- the steps leading up to Sacre Couer is one of the most pick pocketed areas in Paris.

If you are looking for the best family hotel on a small budget, you are bound to find a few options in this quarter!

Click here for hotels in the 18th arrondissement.

19th Arrondissement (19e) Parc de la Villette

Home of Parc de Butte Chaumont, one of the largest parks in Paris complete with a temple and an artificial lake. The 19th quarter is an ethically diverse residential neighbourhood that also features the Cite des Sciences and Cite des Enfants (popular with families).

Click here for hotels in the 19th arrondissement.

20th Arrondissement (20e) Belleville/ Pere Lachaise

 

Paris Arrondissement Guide

Oscar Wilde’s Tomb. Photo: Mamma Loves Travel

 

Traditionally, the 20th arrondissement was the place where migrants would live. Now there are neighbourhoods within the quarter that are very cosmopolitan.


The most well-known attraction in this quarter is the cemetery Pere Lachaise, resting place of many famous people including Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf and Jim Morrison.

Click here for hotels in the 20th arrondissement.

Where To Stay In Paris

When deciding where to stay in Paris, consider the following:

Which sights and attractions do you plan on visiting during your time?

Here are some suggestions on what to do in Paris with kids. Work out which areas of Paris you will spend the  most time in and try to find somewhere to stay in these areas.

How long will you be in Paris?

Are you wondering how many days to stay in Paris? This all depends on what you want to see and do. Knowing how long you will be spending in Paris will be helpful when booking your accommodation. A short visit means you are better off closer to the main attractions or you will waste time and money on the Metro.

What is your budget?

Generally, the closer you are to the main tourist areas, the  more you will have to spend on accommodation. The further out of Paris you stay, the more you will have to spend on Metro tickets.


What amenities are important to you? Markets, supermarkets, ATM machines, restaurants, cafes?

Do you prefer a quiet neighborhood or one that is lively?

 

Personally, I would recommend staying close to the major attractions if you are only in Paris for a short time. If you are there for a weekend or a few days, then staying somewhere in the 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th quarters would probably be ideal.

If you are staying a bit longer, then you could stay a bit further out if you wanted to find cheaper accommodation.

Safest arrondissements in Paris (and neighborhoods to avoid)

This is only my personal opinion, but here are the Paris Neighborhoods I would avoid.

For families, I would avoid parts of Montmartre or the Pigalle area of the 9th quarter.

If you prefer a quieter neighborhood, I would avoid the 5th quarter particularly around St Michel as this area is overrun with tourists and is very lively at night, as is the Marais district. For 20-somethings, this would be perfect!

We stayed in the 6th quarter near St Sulpice and Jardin du Luxembourg.  We loved being in this quarter! We had all the amenities we needed- supermarket, cafes, boulangerie, pharmacy and we were across the road from the Metro. The kids loved the playground at Jardin du Luxembourg. It was not very touristy and we were able to walk to places such as the Louvre, Notre Dame and Musee d’Orsay. It was quiet at night and is also one of the safest arrondissements in Paris. Highly recommended!

For those who want something a little different, here are some quirky hotels in Paris you could check out!

I hope that my guide and advice is useful to helps you decide where to stay in Paris the next time you visit.



 

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best paris neighborhood for families

 

Has your family been to Paris and if so, which quarter did you stay in? What did you think of the neighborhood you were in? Please share your thoughts- you could be helping another reader!

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25 thoughts on “Where To Stay In Paris: Arrondissement Guide”

  1. I’ve stayed in Marais,5th and 6th. I’d stay as close to Jardins de Luxembourg if there with little kids, tho if we go again,we’d stay on the island, as we spent a lot of time roaming and eating there, on our way from Marais to JdeL. Bercy is fun, and would be cheaper to stay in. But extra time on the Metro to the main sights – but at night, all very easy and cute.

    Reply
  2. You’ve put together a useful list here especially for 1st timers to Paris. Families coming back for subsequent or longer visits I would recommend staying near one of the 2 big parks on the west and east (Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes) as they have heaps of great stuff for children (jardin d’acclimatation, parc floral, zoo etc). (I lived in Paris for 10 years at the beginning as a 20 something without kids and by the end a 30 something with 2 children!) I run a monthly linky #AllAboutFrance (which is on now over on my blog) which you might like to link up to (this &/or any others on France). Found you through #MondayEscapes

    Reply
  3. This is excellent advice. We have only visited once and although our apartment was ok, the area was devoid of any restaurants, so we always had to travel elsewhere for dinner. I shall make a note of this post for when we visit again, thanks.
    #mondayescapes

    Reply
  4. This is a great guide – I often stayed somewhere around the Left Bank pre children (and once near the Champs Elysees at a quite cheap hotel but took ages to get everywhere). Last time with my daughter, we stayed by the Canal St Martin which was actually great with a toddler and easy to get around. #MondayEscapes

    Reply
  5. I agree with all of your arrondissement descriptions. I’ve never actually had to rent an apartment in Paris since I’ve always had accommodation in the Banlieue/suburbs, but I’ve seen areas that look better than others every time I’ve gone into the city! Great post and it should be very helpful for visitors!

    Reply
    • Thanks Christy! I guess places change too- some areas that were once not so nice can change and become the next popular place for visitors. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  6. What a great guide! I’m a bit biased since I lived in the 3eme arrondissement for three years and just love the Marais – but I can see why you love the 6eme as well! And it really depends where you are in the 3rd – my street was so quiet (actually the same street as the Picasso museum), but it was easily accessible to the more lively action at night, so I felt like it was the best of both worlds. I also love the 11th and would consider renting an apartment there on vacation – so many of my favorite restaurants are over there, plus outdoor markets I love!

    Reply
    • I’m looking forward to returning to Paris and spending time exploring a different quarter- most likely the Marais as everyone keeps raving about it 🙂

      Reply

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