When visiting a new city, figuring out where exactly to stay is one of the most important questions. When visiting Paris, choosing a hotel in the right neighbourhood should definitely be a priority. The first time I traveled to Paris, we stayed at an Air BNB in the 12th arrondissement and regretted it deeply. While the neighbourhood itself was lively and full of local flavour, it was located far from most of the sights we had planned to see in the city. In the end, I felt like we waisted much of our trip in the underground subway tubes instead of sightseeing.
On our most recent trip to Paris, we knew we didn’t want to make the same mistake we did the fist time. This time we decided to stay at the Trinite Hausman in the Pigalle neighbourhood. Although we originally thought we wanted to stay in the more luxurious 8th arrondissement, we absolutely loved staying in 9th. There were so many wonderful bakeries and restaurants in the area that we frequented daily during our trip and getting around the city from our hotel was quick and easy.
Today, I wanted to share my favourite neighbourhoods in Paris and my recommendations on where to stay during your next trip to Paris.
The best neighbourhoods to stay in Paris
Paris is divided into 20 different districts known as arrondissements. The 1st being located in the centre of the city, with the remaining arrondissements wrapping around it in a clockwise manner. Arrondissements 2-8 are the next closest to the city centre, with arrondissements 12-20 forming the outer ring of the city.
Here are a few arrondissements with popular attractions:
– Eiffel Tower: Arrondissement 7
– Notre Dame: Arrondissement 4
– Louvre: Arrondissement 1
– Arc de Triomphe: Arrondissement 8
As you can see, most of the popular tourist attractions are spread out within the first ring of arrondissements in the city. But what is the best area to stay in when visiting? The three neighbourhoods I would recommend to stay in are the 6th, 8th and 9th
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Pigalle: the 9th arrondissement
Pigalle is a neighbourhood that is overflowing with authentic Parisian charm. From our hotel we were within walking distance of the Sacre Cour, the bustling nightlight of Montmartre as well as plenty of shops and boutiques. We stopped by Boulangerie Cyprien on our first day exploring the neighbourhood and were very impressed by the quality of their baked goods. We ended up stopping in nearly every day during our trip to pick up bread, croissants and pastries to snack on.
Classically styled boutique hotel in Pigalle Trinite HausmanAddress: 41 Rue Jean-Baptiste Pigalle |
Champs-Elysées: the 8th arrondissement
The 8th arrondissement is one of the most luxurious areas of the city. The bustling Champs-Elysées runs through the neighbourhood leading to the Arc du Triomphe. Nearby you can find plenty of luxury boutiques such as Dior, Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Also located in the 8th arrondissement is the stunning Grand Palais along with the many beautiful gardens surrounding it.
Ritz ParisLuxury hotel for the ultimate Parisian experience |
Hôtel San RégisGlamorous boutique hotel in great area |
St Germain: the 6th arrondissement
St. Germain is one of the prettiest neighbourhoods in Paris. It is home to the stunning Jardin du Luxembourg along with plenty of delicious restaurants, and lovely boutiques.
If you are looking for a modern boutique hotel in the area, I recommend staying at Le Lapin Blanc. I love the way their rooms are decorated in pretty pastel colours with modern shapes. If you are looking for a hotel to splurge on, Hotel Lutetia is one of the best options in the St. Germain area. While their standard rooms are lovely, opt for a room with a balcony for a stunning view of the city and the Eiffel tower.
Le Lapin BlancModern boutique hotel in St Germain |
Hotel LutetiaLuxury hotel with amazing views |