Looking for the best arrondissements to stay in in Paris? Let me start off by saying that you can’t really go that wrong anywhere in this incredible city. The combination of how easy it is to get around as well as how there’s seemingly something to explore in every area means that this decision shouldn’t cause you that much stress.
That being said, the area you stay in will impact your experience, and if you want to guarantee a great one, I’m going to list for you the six best arrondissements for you to stay in in Paris.
What are Arrondissements?
Parisian aficionados may skip this section, but if it’s your first time in Paris it will help you to know a little about the organization of the city.
The main inner city of Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements, or districts. They’re arranged in a clockwise spiral from the center, often likened to a snail shell. Because French. Check out the map below, I figure a visual will be better than me trying to explain it.
Generally speaking, the better areas to stay are in the more centrally located arrondissements. Namely, one through seven.
The problem, as you may have surmised, is that this is where everyone wants to be. Which often means higher prices and overly touristy areas. However, a select few of the central arrondissements– in my view- have both the benefits of location and less of these issues.
There are also some less central arrondissements that make up for their distance with their respective charm, character, and price. We’ll cover two examples of each of these, which are the four best arrondissements to stay in in Paris.
So without further ado, in descending order, here are the best arrondissements to stay in in Paris!
6- The 19th Arrondissement
Why the 19th?
Most people won’t even visit this district on their trips to Paris. And here I am recommending you stay in it. I mean, the 19th? But the fact of the matter is that the 19th arrondissement is chock-full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
The 19th arrondissement is best to stay in in the summer months, for a few reasons. First and foremost, summer is the busiest season in Paris, so staying in the 19th will save you from the sky-high prices in the central districts.
Second, it’s when the best parts of this district shine.
The 19th arrondissement is home to the Bassin de la Villette, an artificial lake that is essentially an extension of the Canal St. Martin to its south. Over the last few years, Paris has turned the waterfront here into a truly incredible area, offering water activities like swimming and boating and just generally a nice, social atmosphere. Read more about it here.
If you walk further north, the lake will turn back into a canal and you’ll reach the Parc de la Villette, the largest park in Paris. It’s an interesting place well worth visiting, and the areas along the canal are particularly nice.
Even nicer is the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, one of my favorite parks in all of Paris, with its undulating hills and dramatic cliffs.
There’s plenty of reasons to stay in this underrated district. The only disclaimer I’ll give is that you may not want to pick this option if your stay in Paris is very short. The metro is great, but you’ll still be a little far from attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.
If you have a week or more, preferably in the summer, this is a fantastic option.
Pros: Not many tourists, low prices, beautiful waterways and parks
Cons: A long way out from the center of the city
Where to Stay
If you’re the hostel type, the easy choice here is St. Christophers. They have a location right on the canal and offer one of the lowest rates in the entire city. You can press here to book (it’s cheapest to book directly through the hostel).
If that’s not your thing, there are plenty of hotel and Airbnb options. I’d just recommend finding one close to the canal or lake. Click on these links to view options for Airbnbs and from Booking.com.
Tied 5- The 3rd/4th Arrondissements
Why the 3rd/4th?
The 3rd and 4th arrondissements span what is better known as the Marais district in Paris, undoubtedly one of the best areas in the entire city.
When I lived in Paris, I spent the first few months living in this area, and I can’t say I ever grew bored of it. The feel of this area is just unique- the architecture, the vibe… it’s a little hard to describe it in words, so you’ll just have to check it out for yourself 😉.
It’s an area famous for its cuisine, shopping, and history.
A few highlights: the long Rue de Rivoli, one of the most famous shopping streets in all of Paris; the Jewish quarter, with its history of having had the largest Jewish community before the Holocaust; and the best falafel of your life, which you can find in the Jewish quarter at L’As du Falafel.
The only downside here comes from its central location, meaning higher prices and more tourists. However, nearby hostel options- which I’ll go into below- can help this issue.
Keep in mind, and this goes for every district that I’m listing, that even if you don’t stay in these areas you should still visit them.
Pros: Centrally located, chock-full of history, great cuisine, shopping, charming parks and cobbled streets
Cons: Airbnbs and other rentals can get quite expensive
Where to Stay
Airbnbs and rentals tend to run quite expensive in the Marais, but you never know when you may catch a good deal so check it out here.
When I lived in Paris I spent my first couple of months at The People The Marais, a hostel at the edge of the Marais situated on the right bank of the Seine. The location is perfect, easy enough to access the Marais and also close to the center islands of Paris, which are also incredible areas to explore.
The prices run higher than your typical hostel, but are often quite affordable. Click here to check it out.
3- The 11th Arrondissement
Why the 11th?
The 11th is another arrondissement that’s often less frequented by travelers. Meaning you get the same benefits as the 19th- less tourists, more authenticity, and lower prices (although not to the same extent for that last one).
It’s located just south of the 19th, and is a locals district to the core. Historically working class, the 11th district is one of the most densely populated areas in Paris (and even Europe!)
It is home to the Place de la Bastille, one of the most famous squares in Paris that has great historical significance dating back to the French Revolution in the late 18th century.
The square also has my favorite outdoor market in Paris, the Marché Bastille, which is open from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm on Sundays and Thursdays.
The 11th is also a haven for foodies and partygoers.
In terms of the cuisine, the 11th has been up and coming for years now and is now widely recognized for having one of the most diverse- and delicious- food scenes in the city.
The 11th is also widely known for its nightlife, particularly in the Bastille and Oberkampf neighborhoods.
Other benefits include being right next to the Marais district and the Canal St. Martin, an incredible place to stroll around and relax.
Pros: Incredible food scene, lively nightlife, relatively low prices and close to popular areas like the Marais and Canal St. Martin
Cons: Could be more centrally located, lack of good hostel options
Where to Stay
Since this district is so densely populated, there’s very rarely a shortage of Airbnbs and this would be my recommendation. Click here to see your options.
There aren’t many great hostels in the area, so if that’s something you prefer you should consider one of the above options. The People Paris Marais is situated very close by in the 4th, and is a great choice.
Tied 1- The 2nd/Lower 9th Arrondissements
Why the 2nd/Lower 9th?
This is the best area to stay in in Paris. It was why I decided to live here when I was living in Paris, and my opinion didn’t change after the fact.
If you look back up at the map, the 2nd and 9th are actually neighbors based on how the arrondissements are arranged.
The 2nd is about as central as you can get. You’re minutes away from the river, the Louvre, and the Opera house. And for whatever reason, it’s often the cheapest of all the central arrondissements.
It also happens to be one of the most underrated arrondissements in all of Paris.
The Rue Montorgueil is one of my favorite streets in all of Paris, a long, cobbled pedestrian road full of fresh food markets, pastry shops, and restaurants. If you can stay on or near this road, don’t hesitate.
The 2nd is also known for its secret covered passages, which you can read more about here.
The 9th arrondissement is a little less central, but makes up for it due to its proximity to Montmartre, a beautiful village atop the tallest hill in Paris that has a whole different vibe from the rest of the city.
It’s also home to the Rue de Martyrs, a road well-known for its eateries and stores (and a nearby bakery named Mamiche that makes some of the best croissants in Paris, would highly recommend).
I’d recommend staying in the southern half of the 9th district. And for the sake of simplicity, I wrote the 9th, but the section of the 10th arrondissement bordering the 9th and 2nd has similar benefits.
Pros: Perfectly central location, relatively low prices, vastly underrated area
Cons: Lack of hostel options
Where to Stay
The only issue with this area is once again the lack of hostel options. However, you should often be able to find availabilities on Airbnb and Booking.com.
Again, if you can’t find anything in the 2nd, the lower half of the 9th and 10th arrondissements are equally incredible.
Based on a combination of location, price, and vibe, these are the best six arrondissements to stay in in Paris. Now it’s up to you to choose which one!
Also feel free to check out my ultimate guide for first-time visitors in Paris!
