Where to Stay in Paris (and Where To Avoid!) 🇫🇷

As Paris experts, we’re often asked: “What’s the best arrondissement to stay in?”

Whether it's your first visit or your fifth, choosing the right neighborhood can make a huge difference in how you experience the city!

In this article, local Paris guide Lola shares her top recommendations for where to stay in Paris, for every type of budget, and every type of traveller.

In this post, you'll find:

 ✅ Our top areas to stay in
✅ Budget-friendly tips
✅ Local favourites
✅ Where to avoid
✅ Bonus: How to read the Paris arrondissement map

Let’s dive in!

Prefer to watch instead of read? No problem - check out our video so you can follow along visually as we walk you through our favorite neighborhoods, insider tips, and where to avoid.

🗺️ Getting Oriented: The Paris Map

Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements (neighborhood districts), arranged in a spiral shape starting at the very center. Think of it like a snail 🐌—you begin in the 1st arrondissement (home to the Louvre) and wind your way outward clockwise.

The lower the number, the more central you are. The higher the number, the more local and residential it becomes.

🏛️ The Golden Triangle (1st Arrondissement – Louvre, Opera, Palais Royal)

If it’s your first time in Paris, this is the classic choice. The 1st arrondissement—also known as the “Golden Triangle”—places you near iconic sights like:

• The Louvre Museum
• Place Vendôme
• Palais Royal
• Rue de Rivoli and other famous boulevards

Pros:
✔️ Walk to major attractions
✔️ Chic hotels and 5-star stays
✔️ Great for luxury and sightseeing

✔️ On major metro line for easy transport (line 1)

Cons:
❌ Pricey
❌ Can feel touristy

🎓 The Latin Quarter (5th Arrondissement)

Just across the river from the Louvre is the Latin Quarter, a charming and historic area filled with:

• The Sorbonne University (est. 1257!)
• The Pantheon
• Luxembourg Gardens
• Bookshops, jazz bars, and student cafés

Why we love it: It has a lively, intellectual vibe—perfect for culture lovers, solo travellers, and anyone wanting a more local Paris feel. Great mix of boutique hotels and rental apartments.

🛍️ Le Marais (3rd & 4th Arrondissements)

One of our all-time favorite areas is the Marais—a stylish, historic neighborhood with:

• Narrow medieval streets
• Boutique hotels + gorgeous Airbnbs
• Hidden cafés, vintage shops, galleries
• The oldest square in Paris: Place des Vosges

Pro tip: Stay in the 3rd arrondissement for a slightly quieter, more residential vibe. The 4th is closer to Notre-Dame and slightly more touristic.

🍷 South Pigalle & the 9th Arrondissement

Just north of the Louvre and Opera, you’ll find the 9th arrondissement—home to:

• Galeries Lafayette & Printemps
• Trendy food scene (try Frenchie Pigalle, Le Pantruche  or Les Canailles)
• Cocktail bars and hidden bistros
• Great transport links

Locals call these areas “SoPi” (South Pigalle) & Saint Georges and it's a favorite for foodies, couples, and anyone wanting to stay central without breaking the bank.

🎨 Canal Saint-Martin (10th & 11th Arrondissements)

Want a more authentic, creative Paris experience? Head to the Canal Saint-Martin, one of the city’s most beloved local hangouts. You’ll find:

• Picturesque footbridges and tree-lined canals
• Wine bars, independent cafés, vintage shops
• A boho-chic vibe ("bobo" = bohemian-bourgeois)

Perfect for: Couples, artists, cool-seekers. The 10th and 11th arrondissements are full of character and more affordable than central Paris.

💶 Budget-Friendly Paris: Local Gems We Love

Looking for affordable places to stay? These three areas offer value without compromising charm:

🌳 1. Avenue des Pyrénées - Hilltop of Belleville (20th Arrondissement)

• Artsy and diverse
• Great views from Parc de Belleville & Parc des Buttes Chaumont
• Local markets, artisan boutiques, and relaxed cafés
• Metro stops: Pyrénées, Jourdain, Gambetta – though beloved amongst locals, we don’t recommend staying near Metro Belleville for first time visitors.

🧺 2. 12th Arrondissement (Near Avenue Daumesnil)

• Quiet and family-friendly
• Close to Parc de Vincennes and la Coulée Verte (Paris’s version of the High Line)
• Budget hotels and local bakeries galore

🏡 3. La Butte-aux-Cailles (13th Arrondissement)

• Feels like a small village within the city
• Cobblestone streets, street art, and secret wine bars
• Close to Place d’Italie and the southern Latin Quarter

🚫 Where Not to Stay in Paris

Paris is generally very safe, but like any major city, there are a few areas that are better to avoid at night or for solo travellers, especially if you're unfamiliar with the city.

🚫 Avoid:

• The area north of Gare du Nord, especially around La Chapelle, Stalingrad, and Barbès-Rochechouart
• Some sections near Porte de la Chapelle and the 18th past Montmartre

These aren’t dangerous, but they can feel less welcoming, especially late at night.

🧭 Bonus Tips: How to Navigate Paris

1. Learn the snail 🐌! Remember, Paris arrondissements spiral outwards from the center.
2. Stay near a metro station. Paris’s public transport is excellent.
3. Don’t overthink the district. Sometimes, a charming apartment in a lesser-known area is better than a cramped hotel in the 1st.

🎥 Watch our full video on how to navigate Paris by metro, bus, and rental bikes — coming soon!

👋 Want a Local to Show You Around?

Want to go beyond the guidebooks? Come explore Paris, Versailles, or Giverny with us!  If you'd like a friendly, knowledgeable guide to walk you through the real Paris, book a tour with me or one of our amazing Boutique Tours team members. 

Join Us on a Tour of Paris, Versailles or Giverny

Whether you're wandering through the opulent halls of the Château de Versailles, discovering Monet’s magical gardens in Giverny, or strolling through the heart of Paris with a passionate local, our Boutique Tours are designed to give you an unforgettable experience.

 We keep our groups small, our storytelling personal, and our insights authentic—because this city (and its surroundings!) deserve more than just a checklist. Book a tour with one of our friendly, knowledgeable guides and see Paris through local eyes.

📩 Questions? Drop them in the comments or DM us anytime.
💌 Subscribe to our YouTube for more tips, travel inspiration, and Paris insider secrets!