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The best places to stay in Paris: the cutest neighbourhoods from the cobbled streets of lower Marais to up-and-coming Pigalle
Which is the best neighbourhood to stay in Paris for first-time visitors?
If it’s your first time in Paris, we’d recommend booking a hotel or Airbnb in one of the central neighbourhoods – that way, you’re able to visit a lot of the city on foot. The Marais is one of the best-preserved areas in central Paris, with narrow streets teeming with art galleries, vintage shops, and loads of former aristocratic mansions that have since been transformed into quaint museums.
Just across the river, the Latin Quarter is abuzz with Sorbonne students and tourists clamouring to visit Notre-Dame on the central Ile de la Cité. Here, too, the cobbled streets evoke a younger, medieval Paris that couldn’t be more picturesque.
If museums are a must on your visit, consider staying in the central 1st or 8th arrondissements, near the Louvre, Orangerie, Champs-Elysées, and Arc de Triomphe. While most hotels here are of the luxe variety, there are a few under-the-radar gems that won’t break the bank.
What is the prettiest area of Paris?
Each of Paris’ neighbourhoods has its own distinct personality and feel, so the truest answer to this question is… “It depends!” Montmartre is an Instagrammer’s dream: a well-preserved village set on a hilltop in the 18th arrondissement with some of the most exceptional views of the city below. But the narrow streets teem with tourists, which can be off-putting when you’re looking for calm and rest at the end of the day. The lower Marais, with its cobbled streets, pocket parks, and proximity to the Seine, is nearly as pretty and not quite as overrun with visitors, while the grandeur of the 1st, with its wide Haussmannien boulevards, cannot be denied.
Is Paris very walkable?
Yes, in some ways. With the exception of outlying hills like Montmartre and Buttes Chaumont, Paris is a fairly flat city and lots of the landmarks are clustered together. You can walk from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower in under 30 minutes, while a stroll from the Louvre to Notre Dame should take less than 20 minutes. Plan to spend some time in each area, grouping the neighbourhoods that are close together into one day – you can always catch the metro if you’re less mobile or get tired. Much of the metro is wheelchair accessible, but you can also get buses or taxis to move about the city.
What are the safest neighbourhoods in Paris?
Paris is a big, bustling capital city – so while most travel here goes smoothly, it’s always worth being aware of your surroundings. As with lots of big cities, crimes such as thefts and pickpocketing do happen. Apply common sense: in busy areas, ensure that bags are well-fastened; don’t keep all your valuables (passport, credit cards, phone) in one place; and stay vigilant in crowded tourist areas and on the metro.
