Where to Stay in Paris for the First Time
Are you wondering where to stay in Paris for the first time?
These are my favorite neighborhoods and hotels that I would recommend to first-time visitors, as someone who used to live in Paris and has visited the city countless times over the years.
Paris is a large city divided up into 20 arrondissements, or neighborhoods.
Although Paris is big, it’s easy to get around thanks to convenient public transportation. The Metro and the RER (regional trains) are the two forms of public transportation you’ll use the most.
I also love how walkable Paris is! One of my top recommendations is to stay in a very central part of Paris for your first trip because you can get to many places on foot. All but one of the neighborhoods I’m going to talk about below are very central and therefore perfect for your first trip to Paris.
Let’s get into where to stay on your first trip to Paris!
Best Neighborhoods in Paris
When I lived in Paris, I was in the 6th arrondissement (Saint-Germain-des-Prés) very close to the 5th arrondissement (the Latin Quarter) and I absolutely LOVED this area. I came back to Paris years later and spent a month living in the 5th arrondissement right by Notre Dame Cathedral.
The 5th and 6th area is still my favorite part of Paris and the top place I recommend staying!
Here’s a quick overview of the best neighborhoods for first-time visitors.
- 6th arrondissement: This neighborhood on the Left Bank of the Seine is very centrally located and perfect for your first trip to Paris. The area is filled with gorgeous streets and famous cafes, and it’s a short walk to Luxembourg Garden, the Louvre, and more. Highly recommend staying here!
- 5th arrondissement: Known as the Latin Quarter, this arrondissement is also on the Left Bank. It’s known for being home to many universities in Paris, giving it a lively atmosphere. The 5th arrondissement is also a slightly more affordable area to stay in, while still being in a great location.
- 4th arrondissement: This arrondissement is part of the Marais, an always-stylish neighborhood filled with great restaurants, cafes, museums, historic streets, and incredible shopping.
- 1st arrondissement: If you want to be in the middle of everything, the 1st arrondissement is a great area to stay. This is where you’ll find the Louvre, Tuileries Gardens, and luxury shopping.
- 18th arrondissement: The neighborhood of Montmartre is a great place to stay in Paris if you are looking for a more local feel, while still being close to tourist attractions like Sacré-Coeur and Moulin Rouge. There are plenty of things to do in Montmartre, and it’s also known for being more affordable.
- 7th arrondissement: If you dream of staying near the Eiffel Tower (or perhaps having a view of it from your hotel window), this is the place to stay! It’s also a good location near other tourist sites.
And here are more details, plus my top picks for where to stay in each neighborhood!
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6th Arrondissement
As I mentioned above, the 6th arrondissement is one of my top recommendations for where to stay. This is an extremely central location that will have you close to many popular tourist attractions.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés is an upscale neighborhood filled with famous cafes, chic boutiques, and art galleries. Boulevard Saint-Germain is one of the main thoroughfares in this neighborhood. My favorite place to hang out in the 6th arrondissement is the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg.
Where to Stay: Hôtel D’Aubusson
This incredible boutique hotel is located in Saint-Germain-des-Prés just a couple of streets over from the Latin Quarter and steps away from the Seine River. It’s situated in an elegant 17th-century mansion and features amenities like an indoor swimming pool, a lovely private garden, and a spa.
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Other hotels in the 6th arrondissement:
- Hôtel Le Relais Saint-Germain: I used to live on the same street as this luxury boutique hotel!
- L’Hôtel: Gorgeous luxury hotel with an indoor swimming pool and balcony rooms.
5th Arrondissement
Another great area is the Latin Quarter, which is in the 5th arrondissement. This has historically been the student district of Paris (the most prominent university here is the famous Sorbonne) and it has a very lively atmosphere. I recently spent one month in the Latin Quarter and it was a great place to stay!
This neighborhood borders the 6th arrondissement and it’s very close to the Cathedral of Notre Dame. You’ll find amazing restaurants, lively bars, charming streets, used bookstores, historic churches, and more here. Some other highlights of the Latin Quarter include the Panthéon and the Musée de Cluny.
Where to Stay: Hôtel Jardin de Cluny
Located in the heart of the Latin Quarter, Hôtel Jardin de Cluny is a charming boutique hotel in an amazing location. You’re extremely close to Notre Dame, the Seine, Jardin du Luxembourg, the Panthéon, and more. The rooms at this hotel have a lovely eclectic style with plenty of luxurious touches.
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Other hotels in the 5th arrondissement:
- Les Jardins Du Luxembourg: An amazing hotel across the street from Jardin du Luxembourg!
- Hôtel Les Dames du Panthéon: Character-filled hotel overlooking the Panthéon.
4th Arrondissement
Next up, I would recommend staying in the Marais if you want to be in a trendy, stylish neighborhood with lots of great restaurants, bars, boutiques, and museums all around you. Along with the two neighborhoods mentioned above, the Marais is another one of my favorite neighborhoods in Paris.
The Marais is on the Right Bank (northern side of the Seine) across from the Latin Quarter. The oldest parts of the city, Île de la Cité (where Notre Dame is) and Île Saint-Louis are part of this arrondissement.
Where to Stay: Le Pavillon de la Reine & Spa
One of the most exclusive boutique hotels in Paris is Le Pavillon de la Reine & Spa. Located just off the famous Place des Vosges park, this five-star hotel offers elegant rooms and a gorgeous private terrace and garden. Amenities include a hot tub, a fitness center, and free private parking, a rarity at Paris hotels.
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Other hotels in the 4th arrondissement:
- Le Grand Mazarin: A chic luxury hotel in the heart of the Marais.
- Cour des Vosges: This is a fabulous hotel in Place des Vosges with incredible period details.
1st Arrondissement
The 1st arrondissement is super central and close to many popular tourist attractions like the Louvre, Jardin des Tuileries, and more. It’s a very ritzy area and this is where you’ll find some of the top luxury hotels in Paris. However, this neighborhood doesn’t feel as charming or lived-in to me.
But you can’t beat the central location, which is why I still think it’s a good base for exploring the rest of Paris. This is also a great place to stay if you love to shop, with many luxury stores nearby!
Where to Stay: Hôtel du Louvre
This elegant airy five-star hotel is the perfect place to stay in the 1st arrondissement. It’s an absolutely gorgeous hotel that is very centrally-located close to many tourist attractions. It’s right across the street from the Louvre and the Jardin des Tuileries, and close to tons of the best luxury shopping in Paris.
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Other hotels in the 1st arrondissement:
- Le Meurice: If you want to splurge (and I mean really splurge) this is the place to do it.
- Hôtel Brighton: Another great hotel opposite the Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries.
18th Arrondissement
Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement is a great place to stay if you are looking for a more budget-friendly neighborhood that is still full of classic Parisian charm. Although it’s located further north in the city so it’s not quite as central, Montmartre still makes an excellent base for a trip to Paris.
You can walk to the famous Sacré-Cœur cathedral and take in breathtaking views over Paris. Just be prepared, this neighborhood is very hilly, so you’ll definitely get some exercise walking around! Montmartre has historically been one of the most artistic neighborhoods in Paris and you can still feel that.
Where to Stay: Hôtel Monsieur Aristide
Hôtel Monsieur Aristide captures the charming and free-spirited artist nature of Montmartre. This stylish hotel is the perfect place to stay in the 18th arrondissement, within walking distance of tourist attractions like Sacré-Coeur and Moulin Rouge, as well as plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars in Montmartre.
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Other hotels in the 18th arrondissement:
- Hôtel des Arts Montmartre: A highly rated and affordable (for Paris) hotel in Montmartre.
- Le Relais Montmartre: A cozy and quaint hotel in the heart of Montmartre.
7th Arrondissement
Finally, the 7th arrondissement is a great neighborhood to stay in if you want to be close to the Eiffel Tower! This is also where you’ll find many hotels that have Eiffel Tower views. This neighborhood is relatively central to many popular tourist attractions in Paris, which also makes it a good option.
It’s a large arrondissement that is known for being very upscale and residential. Some of the most iconic places to check out in this neighborhood include the Musée d’Orsay and the Champ de Mars, which is the giant park in front of the Eiffel Tower that is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a picnic at sunset.
Where to Stay: Le Narcisse Blanc
Le Narcisse Blanc is one of the best luxury boutique hotels in Paris. Located in the 7th arrondissement, this hotel is close to the Seine and within walking distance of the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, and the Eiffel Tower. It offers amenities like an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a fitness center, and a spa.
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Other hotels in the 7th arrondissement:
- J.K. Place Paris: An amazing boutique hotel with an indoor swimming pool and balcony rooms.
- Résidence Charles Floquet: This hotel has incredible views of the Eiffel Tower!
Where to Stay in Paris for the First Time
This guide showed you where to stay in Paris, France for the first time.
To recap, my top picks for where to stay are:
- 5th arrondissement: Hôtel D’Aubusson
- 6th arrondissement: Hôtel Jardin de Cluny
- 4th arrondissement: Le Pavillon de la Reine & Spa
- 1st arrondissement: Hôtel du Louvre
- 18th arrondissement: Hôtel Monsieur Aristide
- 7th arrondissement: Le Narcisse Blanc
Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in Paris!
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