Best Places To Stay in Paris: A Budget Guide for All Travelers

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Best Places To Stay in Paris: A Budget Guide for All Travelers
A quick but comprehensive budget guide to the different neighborhoods you can stay in Paris!
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After reading up on all the things to do in Paris, you’ll want to find a place to stay in the city to make your trip official.

Finding the right place to stay in Paris might mean getting to visit more destinations and less getting stuck in Traffic. In order to do that, you might want to learn about the arrondissements of paris to find the best places to stay, cut down on travel time and soak in the Paris experience.

As a big city, this means that you'll have many options to consider for where to stay in Paris. To help narrow down the options a bit, read on!

(For more great destination guides outside of Paris, check out our other cool blog posts!)

Eiffel tower view at sunsetin Paris
Photo by Chris Karidis on Unsplash


What is the best area to stay in Paris?

Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements. They each have their own personality and appeal. That being said, they aren’t all tourist hot spots. Parisian sights are spread out all over the city, so no matter where you stay, you won’t be near everything. For that reason, be sure to find a place to stay that’s near a metro station to make transport easier!

The arrondissements start north of the Seine and swirl out clockwise, like a snail’s shell. The 1st through seventh arrondissements are the most centrally located, with the higher numbers favoring residential areas further away from centre ville. The more central you stay, the closer you are to the famous landmarks. These arrondissements are also the most walkable.

Different arrondissement of paris neighborhoods to consider staying in
Image Courtesy: Le Parisien Etudiant

In addition to arrondissements, there are Parisian neighborhoods (called quartiers in French), which also carry their own vibes. When looking for places to stay, you can filter by neighborhood or by arrondissement. To clarify what this means, here’s a list of some top rated neighborhoods in Paris where you can stay:

  • Le Marais: Spread across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, this neighborhood is well known for being home to the gay district in Paris, and for its shopping. It’s trendy and hip. You’ll also find several hopping bars and clubs to get your party on at night. Le Marais is also home to Place des Vosges, and the Musee Picasso. 
  • Montmartre: Home to Sacre Coeur, this is the neighborhood that reflects the ambiance so many envision when they think of Paris. With its steep hills, cobblestone streets, and picturesque views, you’ll find a romantic vibe that screams Paris. This is the perfect quartier to be slightly away from the action but to still have the picturesque sights. Montmartre is in the 18th arrondissement.
  • The Latin Quarter: Located on the Left bank of the Seine (in the 5th arrondissement), this centrally located neighborhood is home to Shakespeare & Co, as well as the Sorbonne University. As such, this is a great quartier for students and young travelers. It’s also one of the most central quartiers! 
  • Saint-Germain-des-Près: If you’re looking for luxury, look no further than the sixth arrondissement. It’s one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Paris to stay, but its luxury boutiques and five-star hotels explain it. Here you’ll find Cafe Flor (famous for more than just being in Emily in Paris), along with the Jardin Luxembourg.
  • Pigalle: On the border between the 9th and the 18th arrondissement, here you’ll find the quartier that houses the Moulin Rouge. This is the nightlife neighborhood, also dubbed as the Red Light District of Paris. 

Where should you avoid in Paris

While every neighborhood offers something different, if you’re wanting to be closer to the action, you should avoid staying in arrondissements with higher numbers. However, if you’re looking for affordability, you should avoid the 1st and 6th arrondissements.

As with anywhere you visit, some areas are harder to navigate at night. Key areas to avoid late at night, especially if you’re unfamiliar with them, is the Gare du Nord/Gare de l’Est, and around Chatelet les Halles. These are well-known evening pickpocketing hotspots.

To avoid pickpocketing (which is an issue in Paris), be aware of your valuables and surroundings at all times. This is especially relevant on the metro, and in crowded tourist destinations. Don’t stop to buy trinkets in front of the Eiffel Tower or Sacre-Coeur, either.  

Where should I stay in Paris for the first time?

If it’s your first time in Paris, you’ll want to stay somewhere central. While you can easily get anywhere on the metro, it’s sometimes nice to not have to fuss too much with different lines if you don’t have to. For the first time in Paris, any of the quartiers listed above would be perfect for sightseeing and enjoying the Parisian ambiance.

The two highest rated quartiers for first time visitors are Le Marais and the Latin Quarter. For sightseeing, you can’t go wrong staying in the 1st, or 4th arrondissement for a perfect combination of central location, and fun. For Eiffel Tower views, be sure to stay in the 7th arrondissement.

If none of the Parisian neighborhood vibes called out to you, though, fear not. Using the arrondissement system, we’ll outline which landmarks are located where so you can strategically plan your accommodation!

  • 1er arrondissement: Louvre, Jardin des Tuileries, 
  • 4eme arrondissement: Ile de la Cité, Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle
  • 5eme arrondissement: Pantheon, Jardin des Plantes
  • 6eme arrondissement: Saint Germain des Prés
  • 7eme arrondissement: Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, Les Invalides,
  • 8eme arrondissement: Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe
Chic and peaceful corner of paris to stay at
Photo by Johan Mouchet on Unsplash

Top rated hostels in Paris

While hotels in Paris can be luxurious, traveling on a budget means that hostels sometimes are the best option. Being such a large city, there are plenty of options, though! For cheaper budgets, you’ll be looking at hostels further out from central Paris, but with the metro, this isn’t a massive drawback.

The top rated hostel on hostelworld is Les Piaules. Located in Belleville (20th arrondissement), you’ll get a hip vintage vibe at this hostel. While this is a little further out than the most popular quartiers, its affordability and swankiness give it top marks.

If partying is more your style, head to the Gare du Nord area and stay at St. Christopher’s Inn. They’ve got a club that stays open until 5 am so you can party the night away after a day of sightseeing. For money-saving hostels, Le Village Montmartre is your place to stay. With free breakfast and a perfect location, you’ll be ready to take on a day in Paris. 

For more top hostel recommendations, check out Hostelworld!

Generator Hostel in Paris
Image Courtesy: Hostelworld

So ... Where Should I Stay In Paris?

Even though it might seem overwhelming, there’s really no bad place to stay in Paris. Whether you make your decision based on arrondissement or quartier, you’re sure to discover what makes Paris such a beloved city.

Once you’ve sorted your accommodation, head over to Pilot to start planning!

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Disclosure: Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

Miriam Jaffe Blog
Written by:
Miriam Jaffe
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