Map of Paris Arrondissements
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Before you book a hotel in Paris, it’s helpful to know a little bit about the neighborhoods. Paris’ arrondissement numbers start in the center of Paris and spiral around like a snail, so the lower numbered arrondissements are in the city center, and the higher numbered arrondissements are farther away from the center. The main tourist attractions are located in the 1st (the Louvre), the 3rd (Picasso Musuem) 4th (Notre Dame, Ile St. Louis, Centre Pompidou), the 6th (St. Germain, Luxembourg Gardens), the 7th (Eiffel Tower, Orsay Museum, Les Invalides), and the 8th (Place de la Concorde, Champs Elysées, Arc de Triomphe).
The city is also split by the Seine River into the Right Bank (Rive Droite) and Left Bank (Rive Gauche). There’s no one side that’s better than the other. It just depends on what you like and what attractions you want to be nearby. Paris is very safe for a large city. Pickpockets and gypsies are an issue (and tourists are a target WHEREVER they go), but if you stick to central Paris, you don’t really have to worry about unsafe neighborhoods. Here’s a guide to the tourist areas of Paris, tips on what to expect, and recommendations for top hotels in the most popular areas. Right Bank1st Arrondissement: The Louvre, Place VendomeIf you want to stay in the very center of Paris, and don’t mind paying for the privilege, then this is the neighborhood for you. Walk to the Louvre from your hotel. Shop the exclusive boutiques on Rue Saint-Honoré and at Place Vendome, and the budget-friendly shops on Rue de Rivoli. Take a footbridge across the Seine River for quick access to the Orsay Museum (in the 7th arrondisement). Hotel du Louvre
3rd & 4th Arrondissements: Marais and BeaubourgLooking for hip and trendy Paris? You’ll find it in the Marais. The historic Jewish quarter has taken on a new identity as a hub for boutique hotels, hot restaurants, vintage boutiques, niche museums, and art galleries. A peaceful, low-key residential neighborhood by day (and night, too, for the most part), a corner of the Marais is the hub of Paris’ gay social scene. You’ll pay boutique hotel rates for the buzzed about hotel properties in this neighborhood. Bordering the Marais, Beaubourg is an edgy neighborhood humming with energy, where you’ll find street artists, skaters, clubgoers, and creative types — a harmonious intersection of various subcultures. Beaubourg is also the location of Centre Pompidou (modern art museum). Left Bank6th Arrondisement: Latin Quarter, St. Germain, LuxembourgThe Latin Quarter and is a good location for younger travelers who will be looking for nightlife and won’t mind the nighttime noise and crowds. Place St. Michel is a popular gathering place for students — many of whom attend the nearby Sorbonne. The hangout spots and lively bars and restaurants make for a safe environment to walk around (or back to your hotel room) at night, so women traveling alone might want to consider this area for that reason. Proximity to the river and Ile de la Cite (Notre Dame) is a big plus. The area is served by Metro Line 4 which intersects every single Paris Metro line, and the St. Michel station has and RER (regional train) service as well. You can’t get any closer to the action than a cheap hotel room right on Rue de la Huchette, but be sure to get a room facing away from the street. Hotel du Mont Blanc, (Read my review) St. Germain is a popular for its famous cafes and boutiques. Expect a quiet, safe hotel stay in this neighborhood, with lots of hip places to shop and eat close by. Rue de Sevres is the home of famous Le Bon Marche department store and its food hall, Le Grand Epicerie. Hotel Lutetia While not a sightseeing district, the neighborhood near Luxembourg Gardens has lots of quality hotels in a quiet, safe area.
7th Arrondissements: Eiffel Tower, Musee d’Orsay, Les InvalidesIf you’ve got your heart set on a hotel room with an Eiffel Tower view, then this is where you need to look. But there’s much more to the largest of the central Paris arrondissements than the Iron Lady. In this district, you’ll find the Orsay Museum, the Rodin Museum, the Quai Branly Museum, Les Invalides (Napoleon’s Tomb), antique shops, and top restaurants. If you’re a Rick Steves fan, you should know the 7th is also the home of his beloved Rue Cler, a pedestrian market street. It’s home to the American Church in Paris and the American University in Paris. Most hotels here are tucked away on side streets, so you can look forward to a quiet stay. A hotel on the eastern side 7th will put you in a central location from which to access lots of museums, but if you stay too close to the Eiffel Tower (near where the 7th borders the 15th), and it will put you far away from everything else. Hotel Jardins d’Eiffel |
What to Expect at Paris Hotels
The front desk staff at many Paris hotels speak English, but not always. Double rooms are small, especially compared to hotel rooms in the U.S. You should specifically check that the hotel has air conditioning if traveling in warmer months. A/C is not a given in Europe.
You should also be prepared for tiny, antique elevators with manual doors, claustrophobic bathrooms that aren’t big enough to turn around in, and weird showers with no tubs to catch the water, no shower curtains, etc. Not every Paris hotel has these quirks, but I’m just trying to prepare you for some of the “charms” you might encounter.
A hotel’s higher floors will offer city vistas and views of the Eiffel Tower if available. If a hotel is located on a busy street, then request a courtyard view.
Skip the Line: Eiffel Tower Tickets and Small-Group Tour