What Are the Best Arrondissements (Districts) to Stay In Paris?

As you must know already, Paris is a very big city. You have the possibility to stay in districts, all of which being distinct from the others, but which one should you choose? A tourist district, a green one, a luxurious area, or a safe one? To help you make your decision, here are a few highlights about the 20 Parisian arrondissements.

paris arrondissement

 

Overview: The best arrondissement where to sleep in Paris

  • Most historical arrondissement: the 2nd arrondissement
  • Most artistic arrondissement: the 5th arrondissement
  • Most romantic arrondissement: the 18th arrondissement

 

map of the arrondissement of Paris
The mapping of the arrondissements of Paris (Hmaglione10, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

 

 

1st arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 3/5

Key strengths

  • central district
  • good transport nodes
  • greenery
  • a lot of restaurants and shops
  • right by the Seine

Weaknesses

  • high crime rate
  • high living cost

What to see / do in this district

Touristic places

The first arrondissement is a pretty touristic place: there is a lot to see! Among the unmissable spots are the Louvre museum, of course, but also the Tuileries Garden, the garden of the Palais Royal and the Buren columns, the Decorative Arts Museum, and the place Vendôme.

Do shopping

The First arrondissement is also a very good district for shopping lovers: if you go to les Halles or rue de Rivoli you will find every common brand such as H&M, Bershka, and Zara as well as more luxurious ones, like Chanel or Louis Vuitton. Most of these brands can be found around the place Vendôme.

louvre

My favorite hotels in the 1st arrondissement

 

2nd arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 2/5

Key strengths

  • calm district
  • a lot of restaurants
  • good transport links

Weaknesses

  • a bit expensive
  • high criminality rate
  • not very touristic

What to see / do in this district

Go for a walk

The second arrondissement is ideal to go for a walk. You can admire the iconic buildings of Parisian architecture, and wander through the sumptuous indoor passages that cross the district: passage des Panoramas, passage Colbert, passage Choiseul… above all, do not miss the Galerie Vivienne!

In this exquisitely decorated passage, you will mostly find high-end shops. But you can also just stop there and have a cup of tea at one of the terraces of the galerie.

Visit

In the second arrondissement are also located well-known institutions such as the Grand Rex in which you will also be able to discover the “behind the scenes” part if you visit the studios. The Bibliothèque Richelieu is also worth the visit, particularly for its indoor architecture, which is simply magnificent.

Galerie Vivienne
Galerie Vivienne – Credits: Fred Romero under Creative Commons 2.0

My favorite hotels in the 2nd arrondissement

 

3rd arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 4/5

Key strengths

  • a nice district to go out in
  • central, easily accessible
  • welcoming

Weaknesses

  • not very touristic

What to see / do in this district

The third arrondissement does not seem to be the most dynamic one; but when you do a bit of research, you find lots of things to see and do.

Museums

For example, there are some museums that, while not the most famous, are very interesting, such as the Picasso Museum, or the Musée des Arts et Métiers.

There are also some free museums, such as the Musée Cognacq-Jay (only for permanent exhibits) or the Musée Carnavalet, which recounts the history of Paris through different works of art.

The activities

If you decide to stay here, take a walk in the Carreau du Temple. This former covered market was converted into premises for associations which offer various sports classes and other collective activities such as drama, fitness or circus classes. It may be the occasion to meet new people!

Picasso Museum
Hôtel Salé – credits: LPLT / Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA

My favorite hotels in the 3rd arrondissement

 

4th arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 4/5

Key strengths

  • touristic
  • dynamic
  • lovely district
  • near the Seine

Weaknesses

  • average criminality rate

What to see / do in this district

In the fourth arrondissement, you will find the very famous Notre Dame Cathedral, one of the unmissable Parisian monuments. There is also the Centre Pompidou, a modern art museum, and the Place des Vosges which gives a green touch to the district.

If you have some time ahead of you, do not hesitate to explore the other interesting areas of this district: go up the Tour St Jacques to admire the view over the roofs of Paris; trod past the île St Louis to go for a lovely walk; the flower market to immerse yourself in the locals’ life and to take beautiful pictures is also a sight.

About photography: amateur and passionate photographers will be thrilled to be able to (re)discover the works of some small and big names in the Maison Européenne de la Photographie.

cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral

My favorite hotels in the 4th arrondissement

 

5th arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 5/5

Key strengths

  • includes the major part of the Latin Quarter
  • perfect to go out
  • perfect for tourism
  • safe

Weaknesses

  • if you want to avoid tourists, this district is not for you!

What to see / do in this district

The fifth arrondissement includes the major part of the Latin Quarter, the most touristic area of Paris.

Go for a walk

A stroll in the fifth arrondissement is a real delight. Take some time to discover the greenery and animal species in the Jardin des Plantes, relax in the Jardin Médiéval de Cluny, or just wander in the small streets of the Quartier Mouffetard.

Through history

The Latin Quarter is also a place steeped in history: the end of the antiquity with the arènes de Lutèce, big names for the history of France commemorated in the Panthéon, the history of biodiversity with the very famous Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle…

Travel further

Paris is also a multicultural city: you will find the Grand Mosque of Paris and live an exotic experience within its walls; learn more about the Arabic and Muslim cultures thanks to the Arab World Institute.

A small piece of advice: do not miss the stunning view of Paris from the rooftop of the institute!

Jardin des Plantes
Jardin des Plantes – credits: Ken and Nyetta / Wikimedia Commons under CC BY

My favorite hotels in the 5th arrondissement

 

6th arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 4/5

Key strengths

  • central district
  • quite calm
  • close to everything
  • low criminality rate

Weaknesses

  • expensive

What to see / do in this district

Visit the Jardin du Luxemboug

The Jardin du Luxembourg is among the most beautiful gardens in Paris: it is a perfect place to go for a walk because it mixes greenery, sculptures, flowers and architecture. Do not miss the beautiful Fontaine de Médicis or the statute of Anne de Bretagne!

You can also visit the Palais du Luxembourg, which is in the park: the inside is as lovely as the outside.

The museums

In the sixth arrondissement, you will find the Eugène Delacroix museum, entirely dedicated to his works, as well as the Musée Zadkine, which bears the name of a talented sculptor of the XXth century. The particularity of this museum is that it is halfway between a museum and a workshop: the works are displayed in the former workshop of the artist.

The Churches

Churches are important to French people because they are among the best-conserved testimonies of the past. In the 6th arrondissement, you will discover the St Germain des Prés abbey, the oldest church in Paris, and just a hundred meters away from it, you will discover the St Sulpice church, whose sophisticated architecture will definitely impress you.

Jardin du Luxembourg
Jardin du Luxembourg

My favorite hotels in the 6th arrondissement

 

7th arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 3/5

Key strengths

  • the central district with the lowest criminality rate
  • very touristic
  • near the Seine

Weaknesses

  • high cost of living
  • not very lively apart from the Eiffel Tower

What to see / do in this district

The must-see

The seventh arrondissement is known as the district of the unmissable Eiffel Tower. If you stay in this district, you will be really close to the Tower and the Champ de Mars, which will make your stay more Parisian than Parisian!

The 7th arrondissement also includes the Hôtel des Invalides, and its different structures which you can visit, such as Napoeleon’s tombstone, the Invalides Cathedral and its impressive golden dome, and finally the Army Museum.

The museums

You can also find some museums in the 7th arrondissement, such as the aforementioned Army Museum or the Musée d’Orsay (please remember to admire the view from the clock), the Musée du Quai Branly, and the Musée Rodin.

The activities

The 7th arrondissement is a very lively district, which enables you to practice various activities such as a screening at the famous cinema La Pagode, or a walk on the Seine quays, crossing the Gros Caillou port and the Jardins de l’Archipel.

eiffel tower
The Iron Lady

My favorite hotels in the 7th arrondissement

  • The hotel in front of the Eiffel Tower: Hôtel Eiffel Turenne ** – 20, avenue de Tourville (from €177)
  • The hotel with the best view of the Invalides: Hôtel de L’empereur *** – 2, Rue Chevert (from €266)
  • The most connected hotel: 7 Eiffel Hôtel **** – 17 bis, rue Amélie (from €185)

 

8th arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 4/5

Key strengths

  • dynamic
  • very touristic
  • luxurious

Weaknesses

  • high criminality rate
  • very expensive
  • important traffic

What to see / do in this district

The emblematic places

In the 8th arrondissement, you can find the Arc de Triomphe, even if it is actually situated on the limit between the 8th, 16th and 17th arrondissements. This monument is followed by the famous Avenue des Champs-Elysées.

The cultural activities

There is also the Palais de la Découverte, a must-see if you are an art lover. Less known but also very interesting, the Musée Jacquemart will enable you to admire many works from European artists made between the XVth and the XVIIIth centuries.

The religious buildings

Not very known by tourists, these churches are nonetheless interesting to visit. The Madeleine Church, for example, is part of a neoclassical style which looks more like a Greek temple than a church.

The Chapelle Expiatoire, which is even less known, is an architectural wonder hidden in the 8th arrondissement. Originally built as a tombstone for the bodies of Louis XIV and Marie-Antoinette, it hosts various cultural events and is open for visitors every Saturday at 15pm.

The other activities

You can also just relax while walking in the Parc Monceau or spend a fun night at the famous cabaret “Le Crazy Horse”.

arc-de-triomphe
Arc de Triomphe

My favorite hotels in the 8th arrondissement

 

9th arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 3/5

Key strengths

  • cost of living lower than in the neighboring districts
  • calm and residential district

Weaknesses

  • medium criminality rate
  • not very lively

What to see / do in this district

Even if it is not the most lively district in Paris, the 9th arrondissement holds the famous Opéra Garnier which you must absolutely check out: its spectacular architecture will make you speechless.

The Museums

The most notorious one must be the Musée de la vie Romantique, whose rooms on the ground floor are dedicated to the memories of the famous Georges Sand. The rest of the museum offers diverse exhibits on the theme of romance.

Another museum which we recommend you visit in this area is the Musée Gustave Moreau. The house of this 19th-century painter was transformed into a museum dedicated to the works of this symbolist artist.

Palais Garnier
Palais Garnier – credits: Peter Rivera / Wikimedia Commons under CC BY

My favorite hotels in the 9th arrondissement

 

10th arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 2/5

Key strengths

  • original activities
  • crossed by the Canal St Martin
  • near the train stations Gare de l’Est and Gare du Nord

Weaknesses

  • few tourist attractions
  • medium criminality rate
  • avoid the area around the Gare du Nord

What to see / do in this district

Go for a walk

There is nothing more pleasant than wandering across the Canal St Martin, during a sunny afternoon. You will realize it quickly because many Parisians come to enjoy some fresh air on the quays in the summer; this is because they are easier to access and more welcoming than the quays of the Seine.

The original activities

Even if there are no big tourist monuments in this arrondissement, you can still find some fun activities to try with your family or friends. There is for example the Manoir de Paris, a haunted mansion in which the dark legends of Paris will follow your visit.

For a lighter activity, we recommend you the Musée du Chocolat: you can create your own chocolate, admire some quirky masterpieces, try some sweets with the advice of an expert… a pleasant visit for chocolate lovers!

Finally, you can also go watch a play at the La Boussole Theater, which hosts shows of talented humorists as well as plays of all kinds.

Canal St Martin
Canal St Martin

My favorite hotels in the 10th arrondissement

 

11th arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 4/5

Key strengths

  • pleasant district
  • dynamic
  • reasonable cost of living

Weaknesses

  • loud district at night

What to see / do in this district

What you should not miss

Like the Arc de Triomphe, the Place de la Bastille is actually located between three arrondissements (11, 12 and 4). In its center, there is the famous Génie de la Bastille, but there is also a lot to see around the square, the Opera Bastille for example.

Go for a walk

You can find the Canal St Martin in this arrondissement too, but you can also choose to go for a walk around the Passage du Faubourg St Antoine, and its numerous hidden pathways.

Activities

Known by Parisians, and more and more popular among tourists, the Atelier des Lumières offers an innovative vision of art, based on digital techniques and projections. Do not hesitate to give it a look if you are staying in the neighborhood!

For animal lovers

Maybe your trip made you leave your four-legged friends? Do not worry, the Café des Chats will comfort you! The concept is simple: you can taste a hot drink and relax while cats are wandering in the room. Maybe they will give you the honor of jumping on your knees or allowing you to pet them…

Place de la Bastille
Place de la Bastille – credits: Tomsamy / Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA

My favorite hotels in the 11th arrondissement

 

12th arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 2/5

Key strengths

  • calm and safe district
  • good transport links
  • a lot of green spaces

Weaknesses

  • not very lively
  • avoid the area around Porte Dorée and Gare de Lyon at night

What to see / do in this district

The visits

Near the entrance of the Parc de Vincennes, you will be able to find the Palais de la Porte Dorée in which you can visit the Aquarium set in a room with an early XXth century style.

What to do

If you have some time available and you want to immerse yourself in the local life, nothing is better than a market! The Marché d’Aligre is well-known for its typical food products and its flowers.

To get some fresh air

You will have enough space to breathe in the Bois de Vincennes! Animal-lovers will also be able to visit the animals of the Zoo of Vincennes, which is administratively part of inner Paris, but actually extends beyond the ring of Paris’ peripheral road.

And if you are not tempted by the Bois de Vincennes, you can also go to the Parc de Bercy and enjoy the fresh air by the Seine.

Bois de Vincennes
Bois de Vincennes

My favorite hotels in the 12th arrondissement

 

13th arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 3/5

Key strengths

  • multicultural and cosmopolitan district
  • low criminality rate
  • a lot of restaurants

Weaknesses

  • residential district
  • few tourist attractions

What to see / do in this district

What you should not miss

For an exotic note, do not forget to go to the Chinese district of the Triangle de Choisy, the biggest Chinese district of Paris. In these streets, you will find a lot of typical Asian shops such as restaurants, knick-knacks shops, hairdressers and food shops including the two big Asian supermarkets Tang Frères and Paristore.

If you are lucky enough to be around at that period, on the Asian New Year’s Day there is a big parade which goes through the streets which are livened up by the dances of dragons and lions.

Go for a walk

The couples must go to the Butte aux Cailles. This real village on top of a small hill has a multitude of small paved streets filled with lovely restaurants and whose walls are decorated with hundreds of street-art works. For those looking for green spaces at the bottom of the Butte aux Cailles the Square René Le Gall you will discover a small garden full of flowers. Near the Chinese district, you can also go for a walk in the Parc Choisy.

The modern architecture of the 13th

If you are looking for modern architecture, the Cité de la Mode et du Design and the neighborhood of the Bibliothèque François Mitterrand will surely satisfy you.

Asian New Year
New Year in the Chinese District – credits: Rog01 under Creative Commons 2.0

My favorite hotels in the 13th arrondissement

 

14th arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 4 / 5

Key strengths

  • Montparnasse quarter is very lively
  • a lot of restaurants and cinemas
  • green spaces

Weaknesses

  • residential and not very touristic district

What to see / do in this district

Activities

For a quirky visit, go to the Catacombs of Paris. It contains more than 6 million human skeletons (around three times the population of Paris!) which are spread in a network of tunnels spanning over 300 km. The biggest ossuary of the world, and it gives a frightening glimpse of the past.

What to visit

If you are an art-lover, the Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain, a true exhibition and creation space for artists, is for you.

A stroll among the stalls

If you are a morning person, go for a stroll in the flea market of Porte de Vanves. In a pleasant and family-like atmosphere, you will walk around through the alleys, looking for something to catch your eye. Here, you can find anything and unearth any type of object at very small prices (1 / 5€).

Go for a walk

In the Quarter Montparnasse, you can go for a walk in the lively streets, and even go through the Montparnasse cemetery in which are buried many celebrities such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Serge Gainsbourg, Samuel Beckett…

If you want to go out for some fresh air, the Parc Montsouris is among the most pleasant green spaces of Paris.

Fondation Cartier pour l’Art contemporain – credits: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra under Creative Commons 2.0

My favorite hotels in the 14th arrondissement

  • The closest hotel to restaurants: Hotel Sophie Germain*** – 12 rue Sophie Germain (from €128)
  • The best hotel with a sauna: Le Fabe Hotel*** – 113 bis, rue de l’Ouest (from €149)

 

15th arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 2/5

Key strengths

  • not very expensive
  • safe
  • some museums and tourist activities

Weaknesses

  • residential district
  • few places to go out at night
  • far from the center

What to see / do in this district

What to see

The Balloon of Paris in the Parc André Citroën which is used as a tourist attraction is also a way to measure the air quality.

Do not hesitate to go through the Allée des Cygnes, a narrow artificial island (11m wide) in the middle of the Seine. You will be able to admire the most well-known replica of the Liberty Statue.

The museums

The Musée Bourdelle is an excellent alternative for art lovers (especially sculpture lovers) looking for peaceful places. You can visit the exhibitions of the sculptor Antoine Bourdelle for free, in the former house and workshop of said artist.

Otherwise, the Musée Pasteur, set inside the Institut Pasteur, allows you to learn about the extraordinary impact of his scientific discoveries throughout his career.

To get some air

In the XVth arrondissement, you will find a lot of parks and squares such as the square Georges Brassens. You can stretch your legs in the Petite Ceinture, a former railroad rearranged into a public garden.

petite ceinture
The Petite Ceinture – credits: Thomas Claveirole under Creative Commons 2.0

My favorite hotels in the 15th arrondissement

  • The most design hotel: Hôtel Clarisse ** – 159, boulevard Lefebvre (from €117)
  • The best hotel with a fitness room: Hôtel Eden *** – 110 Rue Blomet (from €196)

 

16th arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 3/5

Key strengths

  • safe district
  • one of the most pleasant arrondissements in the capital in terms of quality of life
  • touristic

Weaknesses

  • high cost of living
  • not very lively at night

What to see / do in this district

The cultural places

The XVIth arrondissement holds the largest number of museums in Paris. From the impressionist collections of the Musée Marmottant Monnet to the Paris Museum of Modern Art, and also the Asian art in the Musée Guimet, you will undoubtedly find something to satisfy your cultural appetite in one of the many museums of the arrondissement.

The gardens

You will also find a lot of parks and gardens; some of which are very original, such as the Jardin Japonais du Pavillon Bouddhique or the Parc de Bagatelle. The Bois de Boulogne is a must-see too.

Jardin Serres d'Auteuil
Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil – credits: GIRAUD Patrick / Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA

My favorite hotels in the 16th arrondissement

  • The most design hotel: Hôtel Eiffel Kennedy *** – 12, rue de Boulainvilliers (from €179)
  • The best hotel with a wellness area: Hotel Felicien **** – 21, rue Félicien David (from €176)
  • The most luxurious hotel: Hotel Keppler **** – 12, rue Keppler (from €351)

 

17th arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 4/5

Key strengths

  • formed out of three very different districts
  • The Batignolles district is as charming as a little village

Weaknesses

  • the metro line (13) is too crowded
  • bad reputation of some areas, like the Avenue de Clichy

What to see / do in this district

The monuments

The Arc de Triomphe -which is also part of the 8th and 16th arrondissements as you read earlier- is of course a must-see. The Cathedral of Saint Alexandre Nevsky is also worth it. This cathedral, built in 1861, is the first permanent place of worship for the Russian Orthodox community in Paris. It was classified by the French Historic Monument Association.

To go for a walk

Situated at the limit of the 18th arrondissement, the Batignolles district is one of the most pleasant “villages” of Paris. Both popular and calm at the same time, you can find a multitude of bars and restaurants. The square des Batignolles is also perfect for a nice green break.

batignolles district
Batignolles district – credits: Thomas sauzedde / Wikimedia Commons underCC BY</a

My favorite hotels in the 17th arrondissement

 

18th arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 5/5

Key strengths

  • the most romantic district in Paris
  • Montmartre looks like a lovely little village
  • a lot of possible activities

Weaknesses

  • insecurity in some areas (Boulevard de Clichy)

What to see / do in this district

A romantic walk

Just go for a walk in Montmartre! There are so many things to see; you will find the activities which will please you the most just by walking around. The Fontaine Miraculeuse de Montmartre or the Mur des Je t’aime are among the places you should definitely check in this romantic district.

Iconic places

We are sure you already know the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, something you must not miss during a stay in Paris.

On the Place des Abbesses, the touristic and cultural heart of Montmartre, you will also see one of the only Parisian churches in an Art Nouveau style: the Church of Saint-Jean-de-Montmartre.

The museums

If you want to know more about this emblematic district of the capital, do not hesitate to visit the Musée de Montmartre.

For art lovers, the Musée Dali offers both a permanent collection dedicated to him, and numerous temporary exhibits all year long.

Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Basilica of the Sacré Coeur

My favorite hotels in the 18th arrondissement

 

19th arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 3/5

Key strengths

  • a lot of cultural activities
  • dynamic district
  • very green (2 big parks)

Weaknesses

  • medium criminality rate

What to see / do in this district

Go for a walk

The parks in the 19th arrondissement are unmissable places of greenery and culture.

First of all, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is a beautiful garden from the XIXth century. In the parc de la Villette, you can find any type of activity which will satisfy anyone: go for a walk, a bike ride, take a nap, sports, leisure and cultural activities…

Cultural visits

In the La Villette complex, you will definitely find something to satisfy your cultural taste. For music lovers, the Citée de la Musique offers a musical stroll from the XVIIth century to nowadays with its large collection of musical instruments.

The Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie is a very fun place, in which you can learn and have fun at the same time, where you are both a spectator and an actor.

Parc des Buttes Chaumont
Parc des Buttes Chaumont – credits: PpPachy / Wikimedia Commons under CC BY

My favorite hotels in this 19th arrondissement

 

20th arrondissement

My opinion

Global rate: 3/5

Key strengths

  • calm district
  • low cost of living (for inner Paris)
  • hipster and affordable places to go out

Weaknesses

  • a bit far from the center
  • popular district

What to see / do in this district

A little bit of history…

The Père Lachaise cemetery is undoubtedly the most famous cemetery in Paris. Beautiful and surprising, it contains an astonishing quantity of celebrities from the whole world; but more than that: you will discover a huge number of vegetal species because the 5,000 trees spread on a surface of 44 hectares make it the biggest green space in Paris!

As to monuments, the Church of St. Jean Bosco is a religious building of a modern and surprising style.

To go for a walk

The Jardin Naturel, next to the Père Lachaise cemetery, is a piece of garden that was not designed by landscapers. Its purpose is just to let nature run its course.

You can also go for a walk in the “Campagne de Paris”, a district with the appearance of a small village, or admire the view from the Parc de Belleville.

Père Lachaise
Père Lachaise cemetery

My favorite hotels in the 20th arrondissement

  • The most colorful hotel: Mama Shelter** – 109, Rue De Bagnolet (from €193)
  • The best-connected hotel to public transport: The Nadaud Hôtel ** – 8 Rue de la Bidassoa (from €189)
  • The hotel with the best value for money: Hôtel de la Mare 20, rue de la Mare (from €117)

 

Conclusion: which arrondissement to stay in Paris?

Here is a small comparative chart to help you choose your arrondissement, to enjoy the best stay possible in the capital.

GoodNot that good
Affordable9, 11, 19, 201, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 16
Calm7, 14, 15, 16, 19, 201, 2, 5, 6, 10, 17, 18
Green1, 7, 13, 15, 16, 19, 202, 3, 10, 11
Touristic1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 1810, 11, 13, 15, 19, 20
Safe1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 1618, 19, 20
Good for visits (museums...)1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 182, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19, 20