Where is the best place to stay in Paris if you are visiting the city for the first time? That’s an important question to consider before you book your weekend getaway. However, the answer to this question depends entirely on what you are looking for. Do you have a list of must-see sights that you want to easily visit or do you want to stay away from the tourist hotspots and fully immerse yourself in the local Parisian experience? In this blog we provide useful tips for the best neighborhoods, sights and tips that will complete your first stay in Paris.
Top 5 places to stay during your first stay in Paris
Although there is plenty to see and experience in every district or district, there are a few that we can recommend as best. Because of the location, the special sights or the budget. Here are our top 5 places to stay during your first time in Paris.
#1 Montmartre
District: 18
Budget: €€
Sights: Sacre-Coeur, Moulin Rouge
Immerse yourself in the old Parisian atmosphere and discover why many artists stayed here to gain inspiration. The romantic Montmartre district is located in the 18th arrondissement and feels more like a small village from a fairy tale than a district in a large, busy city. Montmartre is further away from the center of Paris, but is well connected by metro and you are close to the Sacré-Coeur, one of the highlights of your first time in Paris. You can find there some of the best value hotels in Paris.
#2 Le Marais
District: 3 and 4
Budget: €€€
Sights: Musée Picasso, Notre-Dame de Paris, Centre Georges Pompidou
Le Marais is divided between the 3rd and 4th arrondissements of Paris. In this historic heart of Paris you will find the ultimate combination of history, conviviality and French atmosphere. You won’t be bored for a moment here, because this lively district is known for art and gastronomy and connects multiple cultures.
#3 Opéra
District: 8
Budget: €€
Sights: Palais Garnier, Place de l’Opéra, Galeries Lafayette
The Opéra district in Paris is the perfect stay at a budget-friendly price in a central location. In every street you will find nice places to eat and drink, and there are many nice boutique hotels. In terms of sights, there isn’t much besides the Opera itself, but it is well connected to other highlights thanks to the metro stations. All in all, this is a nice base for your first time in Paris if you don’t have a super high budget, but still want to be centrally located.
#4 Palais-Bourbon / Eiffel Tower
District: 7
Budget: €€€€
Sights: Eiffel Tower, Quartier Latin, Pont des Arts
The Eiffel Tower is probably number 1 on your Parisian bucket list that you don’t want to miss. A stay in the 7th arrondissement of Palais-Bourbon ensures that you can enjoy a view of this highlight at breakfast. However, being so close to the city’s flagship also means that the prices of hotels and B&Bs here are very high. There are elegant and luxurious hotels where you can simply have a view of the Eiffel Tower from your room. However, due to its central location and the Eiffel Tower, this district should not be missing from our list.
#5 Luxembourg / Saint-German-des-Près
District: 6
Budget: €€€
Sights: Eiffel Tower, Quartier Latin, Pont des Arts
In the 6th arrondissement you will find the Saint-Germain-des-Près district, a suitable place to stay if you enjoy local culture. It has a sophisticated and intellectual atmosphere and a rich history of writers and artists who enjoyed staying here, such as Ernest Hemingway and Pablo Picasso. You can fill your time here with the authentic cafes, cute streets, beautiful architecture and art galleries.
Which neighborhood of Paris is best for your first time visit?
Paris consists of 20 different arrondissements. The first one is centrally located in the middle of the city, and the rest spreads further outwards. Below is a list of all districts of Paris and their sights.
| Arrondissement | Sights | Description | Budget |
| 1. Louvre | Louvre museum Tuileries Garden Palais Royal Musée des Arts Décoratifs | Right in the center, lively, aimed at tourists | €€€€ |
| 2. Bourse | Galerie Vivienne Passage Choiseul Théâtre-Musée des Capucines | Centrally located, but fewer sights than the 1st arrondissement | €€€ |
| 3. Temple | Musée Picasso Le Marais | History, nightlife and art | €€€ |
| 4. Hôtel-de-Ville | Le Marais Notre-Dame de Paris Hôtel de Ville Centre Georges Pompidou | Lots of art, nice shops and places to eat | €€€ |
| 5. Panthéon | Quartier Latin Pantheon Musée Cluny Arab World Institute | Student district with French, Mediterranean and Asian influences | €€ |
| 6. Luxembourg | Quartier Latin Pont des Arts Jardin du Luxembourg Musée Edouard Branly | Historic district, charming appearance | €€€ |
| 7. Palais-Bourbon | Eiffel Tower Hôtel des Invalides Musée d’Orsay Musée Rodin | Good base for famous sights. Charming and sophisticated appearance | €€€ |
| 8. Élysée | Champs-Élysées Arc de Triomphe Place de la Concorde | Most beautiful street in Paris (Champs-Élysées), restaurant and nightlife | €€€€ |
| 9. Opéra | Palais Garnier Place de l’Opéra Galeries Lafayette | Many sights in the field of culture, history and architecture. Luxury shopping district | €€ |
| 10. Entrepôt | Canal Saint-Martin Gare du Nord Saint Vincent de Paul | Nice nightlife, romantic setting with Canal Saint-Martin | €€ |
| 11. Popincourt | Cirque d’hiver Musée Édith Piaf Église Saint-Ambroise | Cozy arrondissement with many bars and cafes | €€ |
| 12. Reuilly | Place de la Bastille Opéra Bastille Paris Zoological Park | Lots of history and historic buildings, but also green parks and nature | €€ |
| 13. Gobelins | Quartier Asiatique Parc Kellermann Place d’Italie | Modernly furnished district with nice restaurants and cafes. Nice walking tours along street art and Chinatown | €€ |
| 14. Observatoire | Montparnasse Paris Observatory Paris Catacombs museum Musée Lenine | Many restaurants, cafes and cinemas | €€ |
| 15. Vaugirard | Musée Bourdelle Rue de Commerce Grenelle Markt | Less touristy, lots of local visitors | €€ |
| 16. Passy | Champs de Mars tuinen Palais de Chaillot Trocadero | Charming neighborhood without the hustle and bustle of the center. Lots of architecture | €€ |
| 17. Batignolles-Monceau | Arc de Triomphe Cité des Fleurs Place de Clichy | Beautiful residential area with park and mansions. Immerse yourself in Parisian life | € |
| 18. Butte-Montmartre | Sacre-Couer Abbesses square Lapin Agile Musée de Montmartre Moulin Rouge | Friendly atmosphere, rich history in art | €€ |
| 19. Buttes-Chaumont | Parc de la Villette Parc des Buttes Chaumont | Less tourism, more local lifestyle. Beautiful parks to relax | €€ |
| 20. Ménilmontant | Parc de Belleville Père Lachaise cemetery Saint-Germain de Charonne | Less tourism, more local lifestyle. Nice view of Eiffel Tower | €€ |
Have a look on Paris Neighborhoods map
Our best tips for your first visit to Paris
- Do you want to visit a lot of sights and move around the city? Then choose a location near a metro station. In particular, Metro Line 1 passes the city’s main attractions, such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Tuileries Garden and more.
- Although a hotel outside the city may be cheaper, you need to take into account the time and money it will cost you to get into the city each time. Sometimes it is more interesting to choose to stay in the center.
- Think in advance which sights you want to combine. If you stay within one arrondissement, you can often do a walking tour that takes you past several sights. Very nice in spring or summer!
- The 1st, 2nd and 8th arrondissements are the most expensive in terms of budget, but you are in the middle of all the must-sees. If you don’t want to spend too much money on your stay, move to one of the other arrondissements, such as Opera (9th arrondissement). It is centrally located for a great budget and also has a nice nightlife.
- Looking for romance in the city? Then choose the Montmartre district with typical narrow streets and nice views of Paris. There is also a nice nightlife here and you will find many cozy restaurants and cafes.