Paris is a large city, which should go without saying. Massive in every way. Accommodations in Paris That’s a million-euro question, but we’re going to examine the nicest sections of the city for your benefit, so maybe that’s overreacting.
It’s impossible to deny that certain neighborhoods in Paris are better than others when it comes to restaurants, nightlife, shopping, history, and all the other things that make a city great.
South Pigalle
In Paris, South Pigalle is like London’s Dalston or Peckham: uber-trendy. This is where you can explore the newest nightlife trends, from fusion restaurants (Buvette) to concept hotels (Le Pigalle) to clandestine cocktail bars (Lulu White’s), all only a few blocks away from the Moulin Rouge and sex stores of Pigalle.
On a Sunday morning, the Rue des Martyrs is a foodie’s paradise with hundreds of boulangeries, chocolateries, and stylish cafes where you can have breakfast and people-watch while sipping on your favorite beverage. Get some retail therapy at Pigalle, a Parisian streetwear shop, after strolling around the beautiful gardens of the Musée de la Vie Romantique, one of Paris’s few free museums.
So-Pi is well-known for its vibrant nightlife, which offers a wide variety of venues to let free once the sun goes down.
While the tiki-themed Dirty Dick offers rum, posh Le Carmen provides drinks in a luxurious Parisian atmosphere. If you like basketball, check out Pigalle Duperré, a neon-colored court nestled between two skyscraping apartment buildings, which is more trendy than historic.
The Marais
If you’re searching for a little bit of Parisian romanticism, the Marais is the place to go. Beautifully manicured squares, lush parks with hidden fountains, classic bistros, and little fashion stores — the Marais has it all. This neighborhood is noted for having a big LGBTQ+ population as well as a diversified mix of independent art galleries and specialty shops hidden among aristocratic estates.
Sure, most new pubs and clubs are appearing in the more inexpensive, more spacious east of Paris, but the Marais will always remain one of the greatest areas to stay in Paris. Its opulently large hôtels particuliers and old-fashioned boulangeries evoke the spirit of Paris.
It is at a very convenient location. The Marais is located on the right side of the Seine, across from Notre Dame, and spans the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. The Louvre, the Tuileries, and the Hôtel de Ville are to your west, while the busy bars of Bastille is to your east.
The Centre Pompidou is also not far distant. The majestic Place des the Vosges and the newly renovated Musée Picasso are both located in the Marais. If you’re hungry, go to Breizh Café for delectable crêpes and galettes, or Derrière for a contemporary take on French cuisine served in a luxurious apartment.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Saint-Germain-des-Prés is the place to go if you want a five-star Parisian experience. From existentialism to jazz, this was the Paris of the 20th century, where Godard, Giacometti, Sartre, and de Beauvoir all congregated in cafés and bookstores. Authentic café culture can be found in Saint-numerous Germain’s small shops and boutiques, and it’s hard to surpass.
During the day, you may relax in the neighboring Jardin du Luxembourg’s lakes and palm trees, while at night, the Latin Quarter surrounding the Sorbonne comes alive with pubs, restaurants, and clubs crowded with students.
Saint-Germain is known for its high-end boutiques, including Cartier and Sonia Rykiel. If you want to eat at a reputable establishment where you know you’ll get excellent cuisine, choose Le Procope, Paris’s oldest restaurant, or Fish La Boissonnerie in the Marais district of Paris.
Champs-Élysées
The Champs-Elysees region, which is home to the Grand Palais, the Arc de Triomphe, and France’s most renowned retail boulevard, may not be your first choice when looking for a hotel in Paris. This affluent area, on the other hand, is an excellent starting point for exploring the city on foot or a bike.
Art lovers will be pleased to know that the Musée Galliera, Palais de Tokyo, and the Petit Palais are all within walking distance of one another. For those with a sweet craving, Pierre Hermé and Ladurée have late-opening locations in the Marché Président Wilson, which is a must-visit market full of fresh flowers and organic products.
Parc Monceau, one of Paris’s smaller but more beautiful parks, can be found just north of the 8th arrondissement. It’s full of sculptures and neoclassical follies. Take a Bateaux-Mouches tour to view Paris from the river, or stroll down the banks of the Seine and stop at one of the numerous pop-up bars.
Avoid the tourist traps of the Champs-Elysees (save for Le Drugstore) and go down a side street for a real Parisian experience.
Belleville
After a few days of touring Paris’s more upscale neighborhoods, the bustle of Chinatown with its graffiti-splattered alleyways and small canteens might be a bit of a shock. A lot of things are happening here. If you’re looking for a taste of China in the French capital, go to the Rue de Belleville for some of the city’s best Chinese cuisine.
Restaurants like Le Grand Bain and Ravioli Chinois Nord-Est (a two-minute walk from the popular Belleville metro intersection) specialize in huge sharing meals that are ideal for large gatherings.
La Bellevilloise, an all-day playground, and Le Lapin Blanc, a wine bar, are located south of Ménilmontant. The Buttes-Chaumont and Canal Saint-Martin are only a short distance away, while Père-Lachaise, the legendary celebrity cemetery, is close south.
Montmartre
Montmartre is what most people think of when they think of Paris. It has streets lined with vintage cafes, ivy-clad apartment buildings, and the magnificent white domes of the Sacré-Coeur.
So what’s the harm in having a little fun? The steep hills, multi-colored buildings, and modest old-world stores of this northern neighborhood have preserved the village ambiance of this area.
Visit the Cimetière Montmartre to see the last resting places of Degas and Zola and the 17th-century Musée de Montmartre to see the romantic rose gardens. Check out Il Brigante, Soul Kitchen, or Le Coq Rico instead of the tourist traps. The Terrass Hotel’s rooftop bar, the Moulin Rouge’s Bar à Bulles, or Le Très Particulier are all great places to get a drink.
Canal Saint-Martin
In recent years, this tiny, cobblestoned part of town snaking from République to Stalingrad has gone from being a hidden gem to a must-see attraction. The bike-friendly Canal Saint-Martin has become a gastronomic favorite owing to its many organic wine and cheese stores, specialty coffee shops, and canal-side restaurants offering internationally influenced cuisine, all of which have a much slower pace of life than elsewhere in Paris.
This is the neighborhood for you if you like eating. The neighboring Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, with its waterfalls, grottoes, and Italian-style Temple de la Sybille, is a terrific spot to take a walk and burn off some of those calories.
You may hire a Vélib bike and pedal all the way up to La Villette and beyond if you’re feeling very energetic. Must-sees include Ten Belles, Bob’s Bake Shop, Chez Prune, Centre Commercial, and Holybelly.
Related content:
Is Paris a walkable city?
As the third most walkable city on Earth, Paris enjoys excellent access to car-free areas and close health and educational institutions.
Where should I stay in Paris to walk everywhere?
If you’re a first-time visitor to Paris, where would you suggest that they stay? Louvre and Bourse are the ideal neighborhoods for first-time visitors to Paris. All of them are in the heart of the city. There are several historic sites, boat trips, and restaurants within a few blocks of your hotel.
what is the city center of Paris called?
In historical Paris, the Seine divides the city into three distinct regions. At its heart lies the Île de la Cité, the nucleus of the historic city (the name cité connotes the city’s core).
Hotels in Paris That We Love
- 5-Star Hotel: Shangri-La
- Boutique Hotel: Relais Christine
- 4-Star Hotel: Westin
- 3-Star Hotel: Chopin
- Cheap Hotel: Welcome Paris
- Family Hotel: Fraser Suites
- Hotel Swimming Pool: Molitor
- Near Eiffel Tower: Mercure
- Champs-Elysees: fraser suites
- Louvre: Palais Royal
- Notre Dame: Saint Séverin
- Best New Hotel: Maison Villeroy
What is the safest part of Paris?
- The Latin Quarter.
- Champs Elysées.
- Le Marais.
- St Germain.
- Châtelet.
- Montmartre.
- So-Pi.
- Canal Saint-Martin.
How to Get Around in Paris: A Quick Guide
There are twenty distinct arrondissements in Paris, each with its own character and amenities to offer visitors. We’ve compiled a list of seven of them that we believe would be ideal as a starting point for your Paris vacation.
The Seine River divides the city into two distinct areas: the territory north of the river is referred to as the “Right Bank,” while the area south of the river is referred to as the “Left Bank.” Notre Dame Cathedral is regarded to be the heart of Paris, having most of the city’s most iconic landmarks within walking distance.
Starting with the cathedral, the 20 arrondissements are laid out in a clockwise spiral, with the first on the Right Bank.
It’s less costly and less crowded to live further away from the river.
Look at the final two numbers in its postal code and you’ll be able to determine the arrondissement an accommodation is located in, with the first three 750 followed by the neighborhood’s name. For example, 75001 is the most central, with the higher numerals farther distant. Central Paris is defined as the area bounded by postal codes 75001 to 75009.
Paris is a fascinating metropolis with a plethora of charming enclaves, each with its own distinct character. For a quiet retreat or to enjoy the frenzy of Parisian life, there is a neighborhood for you.