As the capital of France, but above all thanks to its 143 museums and 2,230 historic monuments, Paris is THE world’s leading tourist destination. However, with its many districts and arrondissements, it’s essential to select the right accommodation where to stay in Paris to optimize your stay.
In this guide, we’ll provide you with all the essential information to help you select your accommodation. For each area, we’ll look at its general atmosphere, the activities it offers, its location and its services. We’ll also suggest a number of accommodations classified by price, whether hotels or other types.
Main information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting your accommodation in Paris, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view. This should give you a better idea of Paris and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Paris:
- $ this inn, one of the cheapest you’ll find in the center of the capital
- $$ this hotel is located 500 meters from the Louvre museum
- $$$ this luxury establishment, 2 steps from the Champs-Élysées, is one of the best places to stay in Paris
Map of Paris neighborhoods to stay in
To give you a quick overview of the different places we recommend to stay in Paris, you’ll find on the map below all the Paris accommodation recommendations we’ll be sharing in this guide. You can also use it to locate the different areas we’ll be detailing.
The essentials for choosing where to stay in Paris
Where to stay in Paris
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Paris.
Stay close to the Louvre, in the heart of Paris
The Louvre is one of the oldest and most central areas of Paris. It is located in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. To stay here is to immerse yourself in Parisian history and culture.
Lodging near the Louvre is the perfect place for art and history lovers. Indeed, the Louvre Museum, renowned for housing works such as the Mona Lisa, is the centerpiece of this district. You can also explore the Palais Royal, Jardins des Tuileries, Place Vendôme and the Seine in the immediate vicinity. You'll find plenty of shopping with the Châtelet-les-Halles shopping area just a ten-minute walk away.
There are plenty of accommodation alternatives around the Louvre. Of course, staying in the heart of central Paris is often expensive. You'll have no trouble finding very prestigious establishments. However, it's possible to find a few more affordable establishments, especially if you book early enough.
To get around, the Louvre area is well served by public transport. It's home to the capital's largest metro station, where you'll find lines 1, 4, 7 and 14.
It's the perfect place to stay in Paris, for those who want to discover the main attractions on foot.
€€
Stay just 400 meters from the Louvre, in the heart of Paris. It offers a 24-hour reception. A wide range of restaurants, cafés and boutiques are less than 5 minutes' walk away.
€€
This 4-star hotel is ideally located, just 500 meters from the Louvre Museum. It offers an excellent buffet breakfast. The Louvre-Rivoli metro stop is just a few steps away.
€€€
This luxury hotel is just a stone's throw from Place Vendôme. Rooms are elegantly decorated and up to 230m² in size. You'll also find the Pur' gourmet restaurant run by Michelin-starred chef Jean-François Rouquette.
Staying in luxury on the Champs-Élysées
The Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous districts in Paris. To stay here, in the 8ᵉ arrondissement, is to immerse yourself in the world of Parisian luxury, shopping and elegance.
Indeed, the famous Champs-Élysées avenue, known as " the most beautiful avenue in the world ", is surrounded by designer stores, restaurants and theaters. The tree-lined avenue offers the chance to stroll, gaze at the Arc de Triomphe and attractions such as the Lido or the Théâtre Marigny. You'll find top-of-the-range clothes, accessories and luxury goods at Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Guerlain and many other brands.
You'll also be close to famous monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, Pont Alexandre III, the Grand Palais and Petit Palais, and Place de la Concorde. The Champs-Élysées is well served by public transport, whether by bike, bus or metro. Metro lines 1, 2, 9 and 13 run through the area. The Saint-Lazare station is not far away.
The only drawback, of course, is the price. As you can see, if you're on a budget, staying at the Champs-Élysées is an excellent option, both for its central location and for the luxury it offers. However, if you're looking for a place to stay in Paris on a budget, you're likely to overlook this area...
€€
Ideally located, the apartment hotel is just 200 meters from the Champs-Élysées and 400 meters from Franklin D. Roosevelt metro station. You'll have direct access to the Louvre Museum and the Eiffel Tower. All apartments feature a fully equipped kitchenette.
€€
This 4-star hotel is located in the center of Paris, 600 meters from the Arc de Triomphe. The hotel features a wellness center with hammam and gym. Rooms are pleasantly decorated and spacious.
€€€
This luxury hotel in the heart of Paris is just a stone's throw from the Champs-Élysées. Some rooms have balconies and unobstructed views of the city. This 5-star hotel also offers a spa and wellness center.
Stay close to the Eiffel Tower: Trocadéro & Faubourg Saint-Germain
If you want to stay as close as possible to the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadéro and Faubourg Saint-Germain represent the ideal location.
Located in the 16ᵉ arrondissement, the Trocadéro is surely one of the city's most touristy spots. Here you'll find the famous Trocadéro esplanade and the Palais de Chaillot. This esplanade offers an unobstructed view of the emblematic Eiffel Tower. By staying at Trocadéro, you'll find yourself at the center of all Paris's major tourist attractions.
As for Faubourg Saint-Germain, this is one of the most elegant areas in Paris. Here you'll have the opportunity to discover the Eiffel Tower and the Champ-de-Mars. Located in the 7ᵉ arrondissement, it's packed with monuments and heritage buildings. In addition to the Eiffel Tower, you can admire major government buildings such as the Palais Bourbon, home to the National Assembly, Matignon and the Grand Chancellery of the Legion of Honor. It's also the ideal location for a host of cultural visits, including the Quai Branly Museum, the Rodin Museum, the Musée d'Orsay and the Hôtel des Invalides.
If you're looking for a central place to stay in Paris close to the Eiffel Tower, Faubourg Saint-Germain and Trocadéro could be perfect. You'll need to budget quite a bit, as this area is one of the most exclusive in the capital. However, you'll be perfectly situated for exploring the city on foot.
€€
This 4* hotel is ideally located, just a few steps from the Champs-Élysées and the Eiffel Tower. Some rooms and suites offer a direct view of the Tower. You'll also find plenty of restaurants, shops and cafés nearby.
€€
The hotel is ideally located in central Paris, just a 15-minute walk from the Seine and the Eiffel Tower. All rooms feature modern decor, and some even have a private terrace or balcony with a view of the Eiffel Tower.
€€€
This palace is perfectly situated opposite the Seine and the Eiffel Tower. It boasts 2 restaurants, including 1 Michelin-starred. There's also a spa and indoor pool. Some rooms and suites offer a unique view of the Eiffel Tower.
The Latin Quarter: a must-see in Paris
Located on the left bank of the Seine, between the 5ᵉ and 6ᵉ arrondissement, the Latin Quarter is one of the most pleasant in Paris. In particular, it is one of the oldest and richest in terms of historical heritage.
Today, it's home to many prestigious academic institutions, including the Sorbonne, an internationally renowned university. One of the best-known attractions to visit is the Panthéon, an imposing monument housing the tombs of leading figures in French history. Rue Mouffetard and its lively market offer an exceptional gastronomic and cultural experience, while the Jardins du Luxembourg provide a peaceful green space to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of Paris. You're also just a stone's throw from Notre-Dame-de-Paris Cathedral.
You'll still find a few lively streets with numerous bars, cafés and restaurants.
You'll have no trouble finding where to stay in the Latin Quarter, as you'll find mostly mid-priced accommodation. As a result, it offers an ideal balance between Parisian authenticity and proximity to the main tourist attractions.
€€
This 3-star hotel offers a country air right in the heart of the capital. It is located in the Vᵉ arrondissement of Paris, around 900 meters from Notre-Dame Cathedral. It's also not far from the Pantheon.
€€
Located in the Latin Quarter, this 4* accommodation is just 500 meters from Notre-Dame Cathedral. All rooms feature elegant decor and period furnishings. Some feature a private terrace. Saint-Michel metro station is just 3 minutes away.
€€€
This 5* luxury hotel is located on a quiet street in the Latin Quarter. You're just 500 meters from Notre-Dame Cathedral , and a few minutes' walk from Ile de la Cité and Paris City Hall.
Lodging in the Marais near the Seine
Located on part of the 3ᵉ and 4ᵉ arrondissement, the Marais is a great option where to stay to make the most of your stay in Paris.
The Marais features many tourist attractions, such as the Place des Vosges (the oldest square in Paris), the Picasso Museum, Paris City Hall and the House of Victor Hugo. It's also a lively place, with bars, restaurants, cafés and nightclubs to party the night away! If you're a museum buff, you won't be disappointed: the Marais is packed with them.
Located on the right bank of the Seine, the Marais is close to many of Paris' historic sites, including the Ile de la Cité, Ile Saint-Louis, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Centre Pompidou and Place de la Bastille. Although most of these sites are within walking distance, the district is well served by public transport. Metro lines 1, 3, 8 and 11 run right through it, as do buses. Le Marais is also very close to the major Paris train stations. The Gare de l'Est and Gare du Nord are both within easy reach, making it a very convenient location.
As for accommodation, given its location, prices will be a little high. However, there are a number of youth hostels and hotels where you can stay.
€€
This youth hostel is ideally located on the edge of the Marais district. You can choose between dormitories and rooms. You'll also have access to a shared lounge, terrace, restaurant and bar.
€€
It is located in the heart of the Marais district, less than 2 minutes' walk from the Saint-Paul metro station and 5 minutes from the banks of the Seine. It offers rooms and suites with a unique decor.
€€€
This 5-star hotel is located in the heart of the Marais district, overlooking the Place des Vosges. Rooms are spacious, ranging from 24 to 41 m². An à la carte breakfast is available. The establishment also offers a wellness center and spa.
Montmartre: stay in the romantic district
Montmartre is probably the most famous arrondissement in Paris worldwide. If you're looking for a place to stay in Paris, Montmartre offers you the chance to stay in a "village" in the heart of the capital.
It's truly a timeless little town right in the center of the city, where the cobbled streets are filled with terraces of cafés much loved by tourists. At the top of the Montmartre hill stands the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, a historic Paris landmark. This site offers a panoramic view of the City of Light.
You'll also find the Clos Montmartre, a vineyard in the heart of Paris, the Place des Abbesses, the Place du Tertre and the Jardin Sauvage Saint-Vincent. In the evenings, you can visit the best-known Parisian cabarets just down the hill, such as the Moulin Rouge.
Montmartre's only drawback is its location. If you want to discover Paris on foot, you won' t be in the heart of the city. So you'll either have to walk a lot, or use public transport. To reach Montmartre by metro, take line 12 and get off at Abbesses.
Montmartre is certainly one of the cheapest places to stay in Paris. You'll find youth hostels as well as charming little establishments.
€
This youth hostel is a 10-minute walk from theSacré-Coeur Basilica. It offers mixed or women's dormitories as well as private rooms. The Anvers metro station, with direct access to the Arc de Triomphe, is just 200 metres away.
€€
This 4* boutique hotel is ideally located 400 meters from Sacré-Cœur and 950 meters from the Moulin Rouge. Each room is uniquely decorated. It's also a 10-minute walk from Gare du Nord station.
€€€
Take advantage of this 5* aparthotel ideally located just a stone's throw fromSacré-Coeur and Place du Tertre. The apartments and suites offer breathtaking views of the basilica. Some apartments can accommodate up to 6 guests.
Other areas in Paris: staying in Montparnasse
Montparnasse is in the 14ᵉ arrondissement of the capital, which means it's not located in the heart of the city. Nevertheless, it has no shortage ofattractions and tourist sites.
It is best known for the Montparnasse Tower, the Paris Catacombs and the Paris Observatory, which is the oldest in the world. It's also popular for its flower-filled streets, local markets and traditional cafés, offering a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist trade. You're also not far from the Jardin du Luxembourg.
Although Montparnasse is a little more out of the way than the others, you'll have no trouble getting there. It's well served by public transport, notably metro lines 4 and 6. It is also served by the Montparnasse train station.
Where to stay in Montparnasse offers a wide range of accommodation options, often cheaper than in more central areas. That's why the Montparnasse area is particularly recommended for families. It can also be a delight for travelers looking for more peace and quiet, as well as those wishing to explore a more authentic Paris.
€€
It's located in the heart of Montparnasse, just 30 metres from the Raspail metro station. The Jardin du Luxembourg is less than a 20-minute walk away. A continental breakfast is served every morning.
€€
This accommodation is 400 meters from the Montparnasse Tower and 600 meters from the Luxembourg Gardens. It's also close to the rue de la Gaîté and its theaters. Enjoy the buffet breakfast.
€€
This 4-star accommodation is a 5-minute walk from the Luxembourg Gardens and Notre-Dame-des-Champs metro station. Rooms are tastefully decorated. There's a spa and wellness center, and a buffet breakfast.
Summary
As a rule, Paris is a destination in its own right. The city is easily accessible, whether by plane or train, and usually takes at least 3 days to reach. However, you can easily extend your stay to a week. There are plenty of museums, tourist sites and activities to do, making for a rich program.
Although travel is frequent, we advise you to choose a single accommodation for the duration of your stay. Your decision should be based primarily on location. It should be ideally located in the center of town, or at least close to a metro station. As mentioned above, it’s a good idea to stay in or near the Louvre district, mainly because of its central location. Of course, you’ll also need to take into account your budget, which, as you’ll have noticed from looking at accommodation rates, is very important in the capital!
Paris is a popular European tourist destination for much of the year. Finding the right accommodation where to stay in Paris can quickly become difficult, due to price, availability and location. That’s why we recommend booking your accommodation as far in advance as possible. This will give you more options and help you stay within your budget.