To help you decide between the different areas in Paris, you will find a list of some of the top neighbourhoods and places to stay below. We have described six of the best areas we believe that you as a visitor (also first-time) can pick – your choice will depend on whether you want to be in the heart of Paris or close to the iconic attractions, seek a local Parisian vibe or new inspiration, are on a tight budget or maybe have a wish to explore the less touristy sides of the French capital.

 
Before immersing yourself in Paris’s districts, you should get acquainted with the ‘numbering system’ of the arrondissements. Paris is subdivided into 20 so-called arrondissements, which are districts starting in the heart of Paris, just north of the Seine at the Right Bank (Rive Droite), and then spiralling clockwise outwards. Notably, the most central arrondissements are the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th, and the higher numbers continue further out, only bounded by the ring road, the Boulevard Périphérique.

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If you want to experience the real Latin Quarter vibe in Paris, the best place to stay is, of course, right inside this area / neighbourhood. Located on the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) in the 5th arrondissement, it is Paris’s ancient Roman village, at the time known as the village of Lutetia. Today, it is the students’ neighbourhood in Paris with the Sorbonne University just around the corner, affordable student restaurants and a great young vibe blended with an artist and intellectual scene – it is Paris at its best! Together with the bohemian way of life, it makes the Latin Quarter a fantastic place, exuding a unique ambience.

No visit to Paris without exploring the Latin Quarter, which – together with the adjoining quarter Saint-Germain-des-Prés – has existed for two thousand years. It was named after the language spoken in the area – Latin!

You will soon realise that the busy main roads intersecting the Latin Quarter, the broad Boulevard Saint-Germain and Boulevard Saint-Michel, are popular and vibrant key boulevards in the area – full of curious shops, designer brands and Parisian cafés.

On the gastronomic side, you must visit the Rue Mouffetard for a traditional Parisian lunch or dinner. It is one of the oldest streets in Paris and a fantastic street of reasonably priced student restaurants, grocery shops, restaurants and bars. Afterwards, head for the charming Place de la Contrescarpe, the perfect place for coffee and people-watching!

Moreover, the neighbourhood features the famous Sorbonne University, founded in 1257 as a college for theology students by Robert de Sorbon and several other academic institutions – all contributing to the great vibe here. In recent times, Sorbonne became known worldwide as the site of the student uprising in May 1968.

When speaking about the Roman background, do not miss the ancient Roman arena, the Arénes de Lutèce, dating from the 1st century AD, a genuine Roman amphitheatre in Rue Monge. At the time, it was with its 15,000 spectators the scene of terrifying gladiatorial combats. Today, absolutely opposed to its original purpose, it serves as the site where Parisians meet and come to play the traditional French boules sport pétanque.

The Musée de Cluny and the Institut du Monde Arabe also deserve a visit!

Finally, stroll along the scenic Bouquinistes along the Seine. The traditional booksellers have been there since the 16th century, offering a wide range of antiquarian books, fine art prints, and remarkable posters.

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If you want to stay in a cool area full of surprising art galleries and some of the best options for trendy restaurants, hip cafés, and remarkable nightlife in Paris, you should consider a place in the neighbourhood Le Marais. The district spans the 3rd and the 4th arrondissements and is, at the same time, a beautiful historic Parisian neighbourhood featuring an abundance of aristocratic and architecturally interesting buildings.

The multi-faceted historic aristocratic district is on the Right Bank of the Seine River. It is one of the Parisian districts significantly shaped by history. You will experience the area best on foot, where you easily can cover all corners of the historic neighbourhood.

One of the most beautiful squares in Paris is in Le Marais. Under King Henri IV’s reign, architectural masterpieces such as the ‘hôtels’ flanking the lovely Renaissance square, Place des Vosges, saw the light of day. They were the 17th-century nobles’ mansions, and those still adorn the plaza. Several of these former ‘hôtels’ have today been converted into outstanding museums such as the Picasso Museum and the Musée des Archives Nationales. The Place des Vosges is Paris’s oldest square.

Centre Pompidou from 1977 is, with its industrial-looking façade another remarkable art construction at Le Marais, although a completely different architectural style! Especially spectacular are the exterior escalators and the colourful oversized tubes attached to the building. The structure is worthy of a visit – enter the escalator tube and take it up to the public library or the Musée National d’Art Moderne.

When you have done the museum visits, it is time for the Marais nightlife! Since the 1980s, Marais has also been famous as Paris’s best gay-friendly area, and it is a great and lively neighbourhood for a night out in the French capital.

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Montmartre is world-famous for the Romano-Byzantine Sacré-Coeur Basilica, picturesquely situated on a hilltop above the city. With its cobbled streets, vineyards, local artists and village-like atmosphere, the 18th-arrondissement neighbourhood is a welcome break from the surrounding busier streets. Up here, you may well forget for a moment that you are right inside Paris! If you want to stay in a romantic and charming area in Paris, one of your best choices will be the Montmartre neighbourhood. Moreover, you can enjoy panoramic views of Paris from the top of the hill.

The magnificent Sacré-Coeur appears stunningly white towards the blue sky. It is the centrepiece of an idyllic cobbled village with lovely bistros, small gardens, a bohemian atmosphere, and a thriving cultural life with painters and artists inviting you inside their small galleries. You can reach the eye-catching construction by funicular – in case you find the steps too demanding!

Inside the Basilica, you will find the largest mosaic in France, covering an area of 480 square metres!

The only remains from that time are the vineyards belonging to the former abbey! You can visit the Vignes du Clos on the sloping hillside of Montmartre.

Of course, you will have to know that Montmartre is not the most budget-friendly area in Paris to stay in – but it offers a unique artistic ambience, scenic views, and an outstanding rural vibe, making up for the price level!

At the foot of the hill, you will notice the old merry-go-round, also a landmark of Montmartre.

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Why not stay close to the magnificent Jardin du Luxembourg in the 6th arrondissement on the Left Bank? It is a welcome refuge in the heart of the city, covering centuries of history and Italian Baroque design, represented by its many statues. At the same time, you will be right in the centre of well-established French educational institutions and impressive constructions such as the glorious Panthéon.

One of the main attractions in the Luxembourg Quarter is the Jardin du Luxembourg, designed in the 1600s. That is a picture-postcard garden in Italian Baroque style, created for Marie de Medici who became Queen of France. Using her home city, Florence, and the Boboli Garden as a model, she designed this Parisian oasis in the 6th arrondissement. It is a lovely garden featuring dozens of sculptures, harmonic flower beds, immaculate and tempting lawns, the stunning Medici Fountain, and the beloved octagonal pond where children and adults enjoy playing with small boats.

The Luxembourg neighbourhood hosts a wide range of the best educational institutions in Paris, such as the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales and the Académie Française. Moreover, you will also find the seat of the French Senate here.

Other buildings of interest include the Roman Catholic St. Sulpice Church and the spectacular Greek-Roman neoclassical Panthéon constructed towards the end of the 1700s under King Louis XV. The cupola was intended even more impressive than the Church of Saint Peter in Rome! Inside Panthéon, you will find tombs of great French personalities such as Rousseau, Voltaire, Emile Zola, Victor Hugo and Marie Curie.

Famous cafés such as Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots, once a favourite intellectual meeting place of Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre, are also must-sees at Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

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‘Where to Stay in Paris – Best Area, Place & Neighbourhood’

Icon and landmark of Paris – the Eiffel Tower is unarguably world-famous and one of the most impressive constructions in the French capital – a result of the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris. Stay here in the 7th arrondissement on the Left Bank if you want to be conveniently located in an upscale neighbourhood near some of the best Parisian attractions. In addition to the Eiffel Tower, the district offers fabulous art museums, the Hôtel des Invalides and, not least, a lovely place and refuge in Paris, namely the Champ de Mars area.

Here, you can enjoy Parisian life, a morning or an afternoon stroll, or plan a traditional picnic in Paris on the urban green spaces at Champ de Mars – it is the best place to stay for a few hours to explore the Eiffel Tower surroundings.

Few other places in the Boulevard Périphérique will you find such extensive public green spaces as the Champ de Mars. It is Paris’s retreat in the city where you can chill out after a day of intense sightseeing. French families have come here for generations to enjoy life – and it is the perfect place in Paris to stay an hour or two for people-watching.

This Paris neighbourhood has been home to the French aristocracy and upper class for centuries. Its ancient 17th-century name, le Faubourg, is now used as a synonym for the French nobility. Today, the arrondissement is also home to several foreign embassies and is still considered an upscale neighbourhood of Paris.

The 7th arrondissement also features world-class museums such as the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée Rodin. Another must-see is the Hôtel des Invalides – Napoleon’s resting place!

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‘Where to Stay in Paris – Best Area, Place & Neighbourhood’

Best place to stay in Paris: The two natural islands in the middle of the Seine in the 4th arrondissement are the epitome of historic Paris and centrally located to most other sights in the surrounding arrondissements. You may choose to stay in a place in this area if you want to be in the heart of Paris and love being at a visitor hotspot with the best chance of experiencing some of the most significant Parisian attractions all close!

Île de la Cité features the world-famous Notre-Dame de Paris, the Sainte-Chapelle, as well as the Conciergerie. Île Saint-Louis is slightly more tranquil and home to Paris’s high-end residents.

Notre-Dame de Paris is the majestic landmark and symbol of Paris. The construction of the French Gothic cathedral was initiated in the 1100s, a process which took about 300 years! Over the years, it has suffered serious damage on several occasions but has every time been thoroughly restored. One of the earlier incidents was during the French Revolution, and the most recent case occurred in 2019, where a devastating fire ravaged the roof of Notre-Dame. Afterwards, restoration works were carried out to rebuild Notre-Dame, completed in 2024.

Finally, notice the Conciergerie, the former prison to which Marie Antoinette was sent, before being brought to the guillotine!

The two islands link the Right Bank to the Left Bank by numerous bridges. One of the most famous bridges is Ponf Neuf, now the oldest bridge across the River Seine.

Do you need an itinerary for Paris? Check here what you can cover in 3 days: Paris Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and Louvre in 3 Days

Read next: Explore Medieval Aigues-Mortes, Camargue and Things to Do – Barcelona in 5 Days

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