Once you've selected the dates and booked your flights to come to Paris, the next thing you need to do is decide where to stay in Paris. However, deciding where to stay in Paris is not as easy as you might think. The reason is that there are many considerations for choosing accommodation. For example, if you're visiting Paris for the first time, you might be wondering which neighborhoods are close to "bucket list" attractions like the Eiffel Tower, the Opera, and the Louvre.
So, how to find a good place to stay in Paris? There are only two choices to note. First, you can choose the area closest to what you want to see and do, then choose accommodations that fit your budget.
To help you easily choose the best place to stay in Paris, the O'Bon Paris team has put together information about the Paris district that is relevant to your travel objectives and interests (atmosphere, safety, etc.) and a selection of hotels to choose from in that district. We have also divided hotels by price to give you a wide selection(Luxury : 1000~1500€ / Mid -Range : 300~500€ / Budget : 100~300€).
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The 1st arrondissement, where the Louvre Museum and the Tuileries Garden are located, was the former palace of the French kings and queens. Because of this, it is also called "Royal Paris". In the 1st arrondissement, you can visit Paris' attractions such as the Louvre Museum, Sainte Chapelle, and Tuileries Garden in the closest proximity.
Also, since the 1st arrondissement is located in the very center of Paris, you can walk or take a short metro ride to other Paris attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Musee d'Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysées and Montmartre.
The 1st arrondissement is also home to many great restaurants. From casual bakeries/cafés to romantic bistros, Michelin-starred restaurants, and Asian restaurants, this is a great place to eat.
Security in the 1st arrondissement of Paris is good because it is located in the center of Paris, but you should not relax because there are always pickpockets in areas with many tourists.
Luxury
Mandarin Oriental Paris - A courtyard garden, Eiffel Tower views from some windows, and serene decor make this 177 guestroom oasis a center of tranquility and luxury on a haute couture-filled block on Rue Saint-Honoré near Place Vendôme.
Mid-Range
Hotel Molière - Highly rated 4-star Hotel Moliere features an ideal location on a quiet side street just 5-minutes from the Louvre, super-comfortable beds, an elegance ambiance, and superb staff who will make you feel welcome.
Budget
Hotel Paris Louvre Opera - This upscale 3-star hotel with air conditioning occupies a wonderful 17th century building on a quiet street near chic cafes and great boutiques.
American author Ernest Hemingway described Paris as a "moving feast". As he puts it, Paris is indeed the world's best city for foodies. If your purpose in Paris is to explore the famous market streets, taste fine cuisine, or shop for the finest French cuisine, then Les Halles, located in the 1st and 2nd arrondissements in the heart of Paris, is the perfect place for you to stay.
The huge market of Les Halles, where Parisians were fed from the 15th century, disappeared for 50 years, but now it is the largest shopping center in Paris with many shops and restaurants.
Les Halles area, like the Louvre and Tuileries, offers easy access to Paris' top tourist attractions, but is rather quiet and far less touristy.
It is also right next door to the Marais district, where you can find some fantastic bistros and bars, making Les Halles the perfect place for foodies in Paris.
Les Halles is located in the heart of Paris, so security is decent, but since it's a shopping mall, beware of wallet pickpockets.
Luxury
The Hoxton - Luxurious 172-room hotel with super-comfy beds, high ceilings, and gorgeous windows in an elegant 18th century mansion.
Mid-Range
Novotel Paris Les Halles - With 285 guestrooms, this 4-star hotel delivers the signature comfort of the Novotel brand in a wonderful location next to the glitzy Forum des Halles shopping mall.
Budget
Hotel Le Relais des Halles - 19-room 3-star boutique hotel offering chic Parisian decor and excellent value in a 17th century building near the Louvre, Les Halles, and the Marais neighborhood
The Marais district is one of the hottest places in Paris, with many characters in one area. Amazing architecture, Jewish and homosexual communities, wonderful parks such as the Place des Vosges, important museums and fascinating churches make the Marais district a special part of Paris.
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But what makes the Marais district such a great place to stay is the shops and restaurants located within it. With unique boutiques, numerous galleries showcasing the work of established and emerging artists, fantastic bistros and exciting nightclubs and bars, the Marais district makes for a fantastic day and night.
The Marais district is one of the safest, but at night you are advised to beware of drunks.
Luxury
Le Pavilion de la Reine & Spa - This family-run 5-star hotel in a 17th century building across from Place des Vosges features a beautiful private garden and 56 exquisite rooms and suites - you'll feel like you're staying in a super-luxurious, super-comfortable private home with an onsite spa, fitness room, and restaurant
Mid-Range
Charles V - 4-star hotel with 22 rooms beautifully decorated in Swedish rococo style in the quiet Village Saint Paul (historic artisan village) area
Budget
Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais - This small (18 rooms) 3-star boutique hotel with air conditioning and an elevator offers nice decor and a convenient location near Rue de Rivoli
If the purpose of coming to Paris, the city of fashion, is shopping, we strongly recommend staying here. The Opera is Paris' flagship shopping district, and you'll find all the Parisian luxury brands.
It is thanks to the following two legendary department stores that the Opera has become one of Paris' iconic shopping destinations. These are “Galeries Lafayette” and “Printemps”. The two huge department stores are divided into women's, men’s, and food halls. Also, inside the department store, there is a wide range of choices from casual brands to luxury brands, making it a great place to shop.
In addition, department stores have many benefits. If you spend a certain amount, you can receive various gifts and use the VIP lounge. You can also receive tax refund benefits right inside the department store.
Both department stores have rooftops where we can see the view of Paris. The rooftop has become one of the tourist attractions in Paris because everyone can use it for free. On the rooftop, you can see representative buildings of Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Pantheon. However, there is one building that looks the best among them. That is the Paris Opera House (Palais Garnier). A masterpiece of the Baroque style, the magnificence of this building can be felt even more realistically when viewed up close.
You can continue shopping even after leaving the department store. In addition to the department store, the Opera shopping area has many types of shops.
Another reason why this is an ideal shopping destination is that it caters to our food needs. The food halls of Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department store have a variety of restaurants to satisfy our hunger, from French to Asian food. In addition, there are many kinds of restaurants in the small alleys near the department stores, so it won't be difficult to satisfy your hunger while shopping.
Opera is a safe area. There are always security guards inside department stores and stores, but nonetheless, as with any other shopping area, always watch your wallet.
Luxury
InterContinental Paris Le Grand - Spectacular historic 5-star hotel with 470 guestrooms 1 block from Palais Garnier; the outdoor terrace of onsite Cafe de la Paix is an ideal people-watching spot
Mid-Range
Hotel Edouard VII - Elegant 4-star boutique hotel with 69 guestrooms - request one with a balcony for superb views of Palais Garnier, about a 3-minute walk away
Budget
Best Western Plus Hotel Sydney Opéra - Lovely 3-star boutique hotel with 36 guest rooms and air conditioning near Galerie Lafayette and Au Printemps - great value for the money so book fast
If your dream is to see as much of the Eiffel Tower as possible during your visit to Paris, consider lodging near the river Seine in the 7th arrondissement's Champs de Mars. Of course, the Eiffel Tower can be seen from many places throughout the city of Paris, but from the 7th arrondissement, you can see its soaring spire up close.
But the 7th Arrondissement is not only close to the Eiffel Tower. If you choose a hotel in the 7th arrondissement, you can easily visit the Rodin Museum, the Military Museum, the Invalides where Napoleon's tomb is located, the Quai Branly Museum where you can see non-European art, and the Orsay Museum where you can see impressionist works.
The 7th Arrondissement is very safe, but watch out for pickpockets in the touristic Eiffel Tower.
Luxury
J.K. Place Paris - Sumptuous fabrics, custom Italian furniture, and one-of-a-kind antiques and art make this 29-guestroom hotel an opulent 5-star retreat - plus you'll love the serene indoor swimming pool, fully-equipped gym, and Sisley spa
Mid-Range
Hotel du Cadran - 4-star hotel with 53 guestrooms just off of Rue Cler and about a 7-minute walk to the Eiffel Tower; rooms are small but nicely furnished with contemporary decor
Budget
Cler Hotel - This 26-room 3-star boutique hotel is designed to look like a Paris apartment with chic contemporary furnishings and classic touches such as the antique marble fireplace in the lobby; air conditioning, elevator, and a wonderful Rue Cler location
The 5th Arrondissement houses Paris' universities, university libraries and higher education facilities. At that time, students gathered from all over Europe to study at the Sorbonne University in Paris. From then on, it became the center of Parisian intellectual life, and since the common language of the students who gathered at this time was Latin, the 5th arrondissement is sometimes called the Latin Quarter. Even now, the 5th arrondissement of Paris is a student district. Because of this, it is not difficult to find cheap restaurants for students here.
The 5th arrondissement is where French history and learning coexist. First, the Pantheon is located in the center of the 5th arrondissement of Paris. The Pantheon is a national cemetery where French great figures such as the Curies and Victor Hugo are buried. With the Pantheon at the center, the Sorbonne University is located on the right, and the City Hall of the 5th arrondissement of Paris is located on the left. And if you go all the way forward, you will see the Luxembourg Gardens. If you go all the way down the Seine River from the Sorbonne University, you will find « Shakespeare and Company », a famous bookstore in Paris.
If you are in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, it is also recommended to visit the Paris Botanical Garden. In addition to the park, there are four galleries within the Botanic Garden: Evolution, Comparative Anatomy and Paleontology, Minerals and Geology, and Botanical Galleries. Right in front of the Paris Botanical Gardens is the largest mosque in Paris. Inside, there is not only a chapel, but also a restaurant, cafe, beautiful garden, and sauna.
The 5th arrondissement is very safe as it is a student area in Paris.
Luxury
Hotel La Lanterne - Chic 4-star boutique hotel featuring antiques contrasted with creative modern design with a Parisian street lamp theme, 27 guest rooms, indoor pool and spa; popular for romantic getaways
Mid-Range
Hotel les Dames du Panthéon - Located directly across from the Pantheon (which mostly honors French men), this 4-star boutique hotel pays tribute to famous French and Francophone African women in the vibrant decor of its 35 rooms and suites
Budget
Hotel du College de France - Another highly recommended family-run 3-star affordable boutique hotel with 29 guestrooms, comfortable beds, and nice contemporary decor
Do you dream of staying in the village-like Paris shown in movies like Amélie where you'll stroll along narrow cobblestone lanes, relax over a café crème or glass of wine, and buy warm-from-the-oven croissants, French cheeses, and perfectly ripe strawberries from friendly shopkeepers on your way back to your hotel room or flat with spectacular views of the city from your balcony ?
Then Montmartre is the perfect area to decide where to stay in Paris. Montmartre still retains all the charm and authenticity that has attracted artists over the past few centuries. When you go up to Montmartre, you can easily see artists painting on the streets and small museums and art galleries. And at the top of Montmartre's highest hill sits the sparkling white Sacre Coeur Basilica. From here, you can overlook the city of Paris. Also below Montmartre is the legendary Moulin Rouge, which hosts cabaret shows.
If you want to experience Parisian life and art, start your morning in Montmartre!
Montmartre is a representative tourist destination in Paris, so be careful of pickpockets, and be particularly careful of scams from street vendors.
Luxury
Terrass Hotel - Best known for its rooftop terrace bar offering spectacular Paris views, this 4-star hotel offers chic 92 rooms and suites in the Abbesses area about a 10 minute walk from Sacre Coeur
Mid-Range
Hotel des Arts Montmartre - Recently renovated, this high-rated 4-star hotel features vibrant yet soothing decor in its 50 guest rooms and a wonderful location
Budget
Hotel Audran - Another basic 2-star hotel with small rooms and bargain rates in an excellent location. Also no a/c, and the elevator does not go up to the top floor, but there is an in-room safe
So far, we have learned to the representative travel areas of Paris and the hotels located in the area. Paris is a world -class tourist city, so there are many types of tourists. Among them, there are many backpackers, which can be a bit burdensome for them to stay in a hotel in Paris. Fortunately, there are many kinds of Airbnb or homestay in Paris. The advantage of Airbnb or Homestay is that it is relatively cheaper than the hotel and has the advantage of living like a local, but the disadvantage is that it is worse than the hotel and there is an inconvenience in common life.
There are many kinds of accommodations in Paris, from hotels to Airbnb. Select your accommodation according to your own budget and take a comfortable and fun trip!
Author : Juhyun
Photo : O'bon Paris team