Looking to visit the city of love but not sure where to spend your time? While it may be one of the world’s smaller capitals, spanning only 11 miles in width, there are plenty of charming pockets to explore when staying in one of our luxury holiday apartments in Paris. With options all over the city, you might be wondering which are the best neighbourhoods in Paris to stay or just visit during your holiday.
There are plenty of things to do in central Paris where the city’s main attractions, museums and galleries are, but in order to get a proper feel for the history and atmosphere that so many people love, we recommend that you take the time to explore all of the best areas of Paris. Whether you’re looking for the best places to eat out in the city, the trendiest neighbourhoods for nightlife or the most glamorous streets for high-end shopping, Paris delivers on all of these and more.
To help you plan your time in the city, we’ve broken down the best neighbourhoods in Paris to visit on your next trip, along with the key attractions to see in each one.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
If you’re looking for maximum charm with ample photo ops to boot, head to the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighbourhood on the left bank of the river. It’s home to Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés, which is the oldest church in Paris, as well as the iconic Café de Flore – previous diners of note include Ernest Hemingway and Simone de Beauvoir, but it was also featured in hit Netflix series Emily in Paris!
Saint-Germain-des-Prés is also one of the most expensive Paris neighbourhoods to stay in, so we suggest simply stopping by to take a leisurely stroll along the Seine. Then, head to the famous Pont des Arts love lock bridge at sunset – the ultimate romantic spot for couples visiting Paris.
Le Marais
While historically this was known as the Jewish quarter of Paris, today the trendy district is filled with museums and private mansions alike. The Picasso National Museum here makes this one of the best neighbourhoods in Paris for anyone with even a slight interest in art, while the Place des Vosges is another essential stop during summer – Its beautiful white stone facades and slate roofs were actually commissioned by King Henry IV back in the early 1600s.
This area is also home to the Breizh Café – one of Paris’ most popular crepe and galette cafes. No matter the time of day, you should definitely stop off here to enjoy a sweet treat to fuel the rest of your exploration around this Parisian neighbourhood.
Palais-Bourbon
No trip to Paris is complete without exploring its 7th arrondissement, the Palais-Bourbon. This is where you’ll find notable sights like the Hôtel des Invalides (the final resting place of Napoleon), the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, and, of course, the Eiffel Tower. It’s also home to the French upper class, so expect to see many beautiful townhouses and exclusive bistros as you wander its streets.
Be sure to visit during both the day and night, as it’s only after dark that the city’s most famous landmark truly comes to life, twinkling in a fabulous array of choreographed lights. Just don’t spend too long here – whilst it’s one of the best neighbourhoods in Paris, it won’t be kind to your pocket!
Latin Quarter
Narrow, winding streets wiggling away from the river define the iconic Latin Quarter of Paris. Managing to maintain a distinctly old-world mediaeval feel, the bustling area is alive with restaurants and jazz clubs that spill out onto the cobbled pathways.
The Latin Quarter is also home to several of France’s most prestigious universities, explaining the area’s name – students from around the world once came here and spoke Latin to each other, being their only common language. This is one of the best places to stay in Paris to bask in the lingering academic feel of the city by heading to Shakespeare & Company, perusing its literary-stacked walls before sipping on a cup of espresso at the attached café.
Want to soak up some history with a side of sunshine in the warmer months? The Arènes de Lutèce are among France’s most famous Roman remains, and once held up to 15,000 people. You’ll also find the Jardin du Luxembourg here – a great spot for a picnic.
Montmartre
The crown jewel of the hilly Montmartre area is undoubtedly the Sacre Coeur. This dome-like structure is impossible to miss, with doe-eyed couples flocking from far and wide to place their locks around its nearby fences.
Once you’ve soaked up the panoramic views, head to the nearby Artists’ Square to see painters day and night creating their latest masterpieces. Then, take some time to visit the former homes of Van Gogh and Picasso, before heading downhill to the Moulin Rouge come evening – there’s a reason this cabaret show is still the hottest ticket in town.
Champs-Élysées
Home to the Grand Palais, Arc de Triomphe, and the world’s most luxurious boutiques, this is the top destination in Paris for doing some (window) shopping. There are many quintessential cafes and restaurants here too, but keep in mind that their offerings will be far pricier than you’d find in many other neighbourhoods.
Prefer browsing markets to upscale stores? The Marché Président Wilson is brimming with fresh flowers and food to explore.
Pigalle
Many people describe Pigalle as one of the coolest areas of Paris, so if you’re looking for somewhere lively to spend an evening, this is a great place. Located right next to Montmartre, it was once known as the city’s red light district. But whilst it is still home to the famous Moulin Rouge, its reputation now also includes a thriving art scene, excellent nightlife and several culinary hotspots.
If cinema is your thing then the art deco Louxor is a great place to watch a film and then enjoy a drink on the theatre’s rooftop terrace, or if you’re looking for something more cultural than the nearby Folies Bergère is a famous music hall showcasing a range of different performances. South Pigalle, or ‘SoPi’ as the trendy locals call it, is home to a range of independent restaurants offering delicious dishes, and is also where you’ll find the best bars as the day draws to a close.
Oberkampf
Oberkampf is another of the best neighbourhoods in Paris for food and nightlife, nestled between Bastille and République. It’s actually considered a bit of a hidden gem amongst the areas of Paris, with an interesting collection of street art on display and a pioneering digital gallery space called L’Atelier des Lumières.
A highlight of Oberkampf is Le Marché des Enfants Rouges, the oldest covered market in Paris. Originally established in 1615, it’s still going strong as a fantastic place to try all kinds of food from all over the world, making it the perfect spot for lunch as you explore the neighbourhood.
Canal Saint-Martin
The Canal Saint-Martin district is named after the waterway which winds through the middle of it, making one of the best things to do in this Paris neighbourhood taking a barge trip through the area. If taking to the water isn’t your thing, the next best option is drinking and dining alongside it which you can do at a variety of canalside bars, cafes and restaurants.
Canal Saint-Martin is home to a slow-living atmosphere that many people appreciate in comparison to the busy nearby Place de la République. A cruise on the canal is a top recommendation for this charming neighbourhood in Paris, but if you’re looking for culture then Point Éphémère is an arts centre that’s always hosting interesting exhibitions and performances. On days when the weather is good, Canal Saint-Martin is one of the best areas in Paris to just enjoy wandering around, browsing the shops and enjoying the peace.
Belleville
If you’re seeking one of the best areas to stay in Paris for culture then Belleville should be on your list. Perched on the side of a hill in the east of the city and offering impressive views of the city below, it’s an authentic neighbourhood with a great arts scene, both in the galleries around the neighbourhood and the murals and designs adorning the walls and buildings.
Belleville has always had a diverse community and this is reflected in its culinary offering, making this one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Paris if you want to enjoy food from a different culture for every single meal. Visit the Parc de Belleville when the weather is nice or if you’re a music fan you can pay a visit to the birthplace of singer Edith Piaf, who is rumoured to have been born beneath a streetlamp in the neighbourhood.
What are the Best Neighbourhoods to Stay in Paris?
Now that we’ve run you through our top picks for the best neighbourhoods in Paris, you might be wondering where the best place to actually stay in the city is. Any of the Paris boroughs above make an excellent location to base yourself, so deciding where to stay really comes down to you and your travel preferences.
Consider whether you’d like to be in the centre of Paris closer to more of the city’s key attractions, or whether you’d prefer to stay somewhere quieter and further out. Also consider whether you need to be close to any public transport, and if you’re travelling with family then some neighbourhoods will be more suited to younger visitors than others.
So, there you have it – Oliver’s Travels‘ pick of the best neighbourhoods in Paris for your next visit. It can be easy just to fall into the typical tourist traps of the city, but when you look beyond this to all of the neighbourhoods in Paris you’ll uncover incredible culinary districts, thriving art scenes and historic streets that offer a full experience of this famous European destination.
Still need a little help deciding which of our luxury holiday apartments in Paris to stay in while you’re there? Our concierge team is happy to help answer any questions you may have.
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