Paris which area to stay

The Hop on Hop off buses are a great way to get a quick overview of the city and actually cover a decent amount of ground. They do not limit your time at each location however — you just get off at say, the Champs Elysees, spend as much time as you want — and then pick up another bus to continue on to the Eiffel Tower.

The only limit is that your ticket is valid for 1 day but there are lots of variations. In the touristy areas, like in most other cities, watch out for your valuables.

One of the most common scams is for someone to come up and ask to sign a petition. And in the metro, which is the easiest way to get around, pickpockets are fairly common.

We will be staying in an apartment in Marais. Any restaurants you recommend? Food tours? Best macaroons, baguettes, crepes, cheese and wine. Plan on doing the must see museums and sites. We have tickets to the Eiffel Tower on the 21st for our 35th wedding anniversary. Love music and biking. Thank you for your time. For baguettes and croissants, you definitely have to go to Tout Autour du Pain. They won the best croissant in Paris award as well as placed in the top ten for their baguettes.

After them, a reliable standby is Eric Kayser. Even though it can feel like a chain because he has at least a few bakeries in every arrondissement, the quality is excellent. The best crepes are also in the Marais at Cafe Breizh.

On Saturdays, check out the Marche des Enfants Rouges which is a fun cross between a farmers market and a variety of food stalls. Or on Tuesdays and Fridays check out the Marche Popincourt. This is one of the best arrondissements for the way Parisians eat now — casual vibe, small plates, and natural wines.

For a more local version try Aux Deux Amis which is favored by Parisians but has a more hip, fashionista vibe. Both have tasting menus at 80 euros and 75 euros respectively which is considered great value for Michelin caliber food.

If you want more classic French, then definitely go to Bistrot Paul Bert. The Marais is also known for its bars and two you should try are Candelaria a taco joint with a hidden speakeasy and Mary Celeste a hip cocktail bar with oysters and small plates. For macarons go to Pierre Herme and get their signature flavor called Ispahan rosewater, raspberry, and lychee.

The best cheese shop is Laurent Dubois. And for food tours, take one with Paris by Mouth. They have a Marais food tour but all of their neighborhood tours are great. They also have a website with their top Paris restaurants and other practical information. Hi, I am planning to stay in Paris for 5 nights in August. I plan on seeing some of the typical sites Louvre, Notre Dame, etc but I also want some of the local vibes- great local restaurants, cafes, boutiques, etc.

If not can you please make a recommendation for a different neighborhood something budget friendly? As in, it would be wrong to leave Paris without having experienced this food. The only tricky thing about visiting in August is that the city partially shuts down for most of the month, with even many of the big name restaurants taking a few weeks off.

So double check that these places are open. Both are cheap places to pick up cheese and charcuterie for a simple lunch. Otherwise, the other great place to go is Bistrot Paul Bert. Excellent French classics like steak frites with bearnaise.

That street has become a foodie destination with a nice wine shop, pastry shop and chocolate store. The place to go for chocolate around there is Alain Ducasse. The large arches of the railroad bridge have been converted to beautiful boutiques with 30m high ceilings and showcase a range of French craftsmen. We have 3 nights to spend here and definitely would want to see all the highlights if time permits.

Or could we just do it on our own? Do you have any recommendation for Paris bookstores that I could visit? I love to collect some local books whenever I travel. Yes, it is absolutely worth it to take the Hop on Hop Off buses.

Another great way to see the city is to take one of the boat tours along the Seine. And do it at night if you can, the buildings are particularly pretty with the way they are lit. For bookstores, the most famous one is Shakespeare and Company right off the Seine. It is a bit touristy though, so if you find it too crowded you can try the Librairie Galignani, the first English language bookshop in continental Europe.

Or for something different, you can always try La Belle Hortense, a great bookshop and wine bar. I am looking at hotels in the Clichy section, how safe is that area? Would you recommend it. Also, is there an age limit on staying in Hostels in Paris? The area around Clichy is pretty mixed. The closer you can be to South Pigalle, the nicer the neighborhood. Regarding hostel age limits, there are some such as the Auberge International des Jeunes that do have restrictions.

You need to be But all hostels vary. Hi Dave Thanks for the info its very helpful. What are some good shopping areas or stores? Not looking for famous designers clothing or anything fancy. A solid area with lots of price points and options is the area around Galeries Lafayette and Printemps.

Not only will you have lots of budget friendly options, the stores themselves are beautiful and practically historic landmarks. Or another option is BHV, which is the department store most Parisians go to. If you wanted to go off the beaten track a bit, you might enjoy the old passages such as Passage des Panoramas.

And if you did want to see more of the luxury side of Parisian shopping, check out Le Bon Marche or any of the shops along Avenue Montaigne. My husband and I and his brother and girlfriend will be visiting Paris in the next few weeks but we will only be in Paris for 1. We will be driving in and therefore want to stay just outside of Paris but with public transport into the city.

Where do you suggest? Also, we will need to do laundry, what do you suggest for that? There are lots of places to stay outside the peripherique, the official border between Paris proper and the suburbs, and defined by a large ring road that encircles the city. The best place would be outside the 17th arrondissement. A very safe, quiet and residential part of the city, the immediate suburbs like Levallois-Perret and Neuilly-sur-Seine are really nice while being close to the Arc de Triomphe and other major sites.

Neuilly which will be more residential. Neuilly is also considered one of the poshest suburbs. For laundry, there are laundromats throughout Paris.

Instructions will most likely be in French though. What area of Paris is best for first timer? Prefer to be able to walk everywhere. The hotels near the Louvre Museum are specially researched because it is a lively historical neighborhood close to everywhere.

Given this is the most central area in Paris, do expect to pay more for hotels than you would in the nearby arrondissements. You may find cheaper places to stay around Les Halles. Click here to book your hotel in Paris 1. Located on a small island in the middle of the Seine, this area was the center of religious and civil life in Paris during medieval times, and as such, there are many interesting sights here to explore.

The most famous landmark here is Notre Dame temporarily closed , but other popular tourist attractions include Sainte Chapelle and the Flowers Market. For those visitors wanting to stay by the River Seine and being close to some of the most popular attractions in Paris, the Seine islands are nice areas to stay in Paris. One of the nice places to stay in Paris for a weekend of romance is Montmartre , a historical area of Paris which is in the 18th Arrondissement.

Here you can spend hours with your loved one wandering the narrow laneways, lined with ivy-clad buildings, stunning multi-colored buildings, and trendy little cafes. Climb the stairs to the church for romantic views across Paris, where you can even see the Eiffel Tower in the far distance.

Nearby you can also see the world-famous cabaret, the Moulin Rouge. For couples looking for the best district in Paris to stay for a romantic weekend in Paris, Montmartre is a great choice! Click here for great romantic hotels in Montmartre. While a hotel with a view of the Eiffel Tower or an apartment with an Eiffel Tower view would be fantastic if you stay in the area, no matter where you go, you will see this romantic attraction.

Other wonderful things to do on a weekend away with your loved one include a relaxing dinner cruise down the Seine or a more casual picnic at Champs de Mars. Nearby why not enjoy the stunning views from the top of the Arc de Triomphe at sunset or go shopping at the Golden Triangle on the other side of the Seine.

Click here to book your romantic hotel near the Eiffel Tower. Here you will find charming narrow streets filled with beautiful architecture, fancy art galleries, luxury boutiques, and first-class restaurants and hotels.

Click here to book a fabulous hotel in Saint-Germain. Montmarte is known as being the center of the flourishing artist community from through During this time and in later years, artists, including Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec, Dali, and others, lived and worked here.

Still today you can visit Place du Tertre , where the local artists can be found. Stop by and have one of these talented artists paint your portrait or simply purchase one of their paintings as a great souvenir from your trip. One of the best things to do in Montmarte is just to spend hours exploring the narrow laneways. The streets are lovely, lined with ivy-clad buildings, stunning multi-colored buildings, and trendy little cafes. Other things to do include seeing the stairs of Montmartre , visiting Montmartre cemetery , the vineyards of Montmartre, and seeing little cabarets such as Au Lapin Agile.

Just be warned that there are many stairs in Montmartre and lesser metro stations so this may be an issue for the elderly or people with physical health problems. Click here to book a fabulous hotel in Montmartre. The area of Canal Saint-Martin is one of the coolest districts in the city. You can even take a canal cruise or hire a bike to explore the area along the canal. It is one of the safest due to its proximity to tourist areas.

It contains some of the most famous monuments and buildings in the city, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum or the Tuileries Gardens, on the banks of the Seine River.

It is one of the best places to stay in Paris, however, it can turn out to be somewhat expensive, due to its privileged location. The hotels located in this district have easy access to public transport services and tourist attractions, as well as places like Parisian cafes and restaurants, which are distributed in the surrounding area. There are also plenty of fashion clothing stores and art galleries.

The entire central area that encompasses the Les Marais neighbourhood and its surroundings is ideal for those wishing to visit the most interesting places in Paris, with little to no effort in terms of transport, and also for those who want to enjoy lively commercial areas. Les Marais is also the gay neighbourhood par excellence in Paris. Bastille De Launay is located in the Marais district of Paris. The property is meters from Place des Vosges and Place de la Bastille.

Free WiFi access is available. It offers a hour reception and budget accommodation with satellite TV and free Wi-Fi. It offers modern rooms with a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi. Hotel du Petit Moulin , located in the Parisian district of Marais, it is a boutique hotel completely decorated by Christian Lacroix.

It is meters from the Picasso Museum and 1. It is characterized for being a bohemian and university place, where the Museum of Natural History and the University of Paris are located. Room prices here are much cheaper compared to the previous area, despite being a very central location, with several transport options. This is one of the most beautiful areas of Paris, architecturally speaking, having the Luxembourg Gardens and The Palace as part of it.

Hotel prices are affordable and modest prices can be found. Both neighborhoods have access to public transport facilities such as metro and urban buses, as well as attractions, museums and places of tourist interest. Hotel Cujas Pantheon is located in an 18th century building, in the Latin Quarter of Paris, just 5 minutes walk from the Luxembourg Gardens.

It offers air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi. Notre Dame Cathedral is a minute walk from the hotel. The property offers soundproofed rooms with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. It offers modern rooms with free Wi-Fi. Most notably the Centre George Pompidou.

The Pompidou Centre spans several blocks showing the latest in contemporary art. The Parisians are great at integrating art into their architecture. What I love about this area is the neighbourhood feel in the middle of the city.

Pair that with the wonderful restaurant selection and cool markets and you will understand why this is one of the best areas to stay in Paris. One of our favorite things to do is to visit Place des Vosges to people watch, which is one of the oldest squares in Paris. Especially if you have kids. With plenty of busy shops, cool boutiques, and cafes, its lively atmosphere will keep children interested and thrill older travelers as well.

This is definitely a popular tourist and student area. It has been the student hangout for years. It makes for a good central place to stay in Paris at a reasonable price. There are some great wine bars and restaurants and you will want to spend a bit of time on the market street of Rue Moffetard. The charm of this area is just getting lost in the streets. It is also full of really diverse architecture.

From Roman ruins to gothic spires. Located on the Right Bank of the River Seine this is one of the oldest neighborhoods making it one of the best places to stay in Paris. It is definitely central and conveniently located, but be aware that all that convenience comes at a price.

The 1st arrondissement is probably one of the most expensive districts in the city. That also means that some of the most luxurious hotels in Paris are located in the 1st Arrondissement. Most people who are visiting for the first time and looking for where to stay in Paris end up booking here because it is so central. Montmartre is the 18th arrondissement and was the neighborhood in Paris we based ourselves on our first trip to Paris. It is also one of the best places to stay in Paris if you are on a budget.

It has a fantastic bohemian vibe. Montmartre is full of affordable accommodation and has a certain charm that brings us back to old Paris. There is something magical about sitting in a cafe, enjoying a coffee and croissant while watching the street performers ply their trade up and down the streets.

Pair that with the art district, which features artists like Dali and Picasso, the beauty of Sacre Coeur, the famous Moulin Rouge as well as some of the best views of Paris and you will never want to leave. I imagine this is where we would live if we ever moved to Paris. Montmartre is home to the Moulin Rouge Cabaret. Book a Moulin Rouge with Champagne evening to watch the world-famous cabaret as you sip on a half bottle of champagne per person.

Highlights of the neighborhood include Place du Tertre, Place du Calvaire, the Montmartre vineyard and the windmills of Montmartre.

Montmartre is also the best area to stay in Paris if you are looking for some real Parisian culture. It is the Paris neighborhood that has it all in our opinion.

If shopping and dining are at the top of your list then one of the best places to stay in Paris is in the 8th Arrondissement. A day can be spent walking along this street, peeking into boutiques, dining on fine French cuisine and even catching the latest Hollywood movie.

We highly recommend going up the Arc de Triomphe at night. Get front-of-the-line access to the Arc de Triomphe rooftop for a panoramic view with the Arc de Triomphe Skip the Line ticket. Make sure to purchase a Paris Museum Pass. Paris is known for its museums. Get the museum pass for the front of the line entrance to 60 museums.

Montparnasse was the second place we stayed in Paris. On that trip to Paris, we booked a cheap room at an Ibis Hotel and had three glorious days in Paris. We loved our time in the city and found this to be an excellent neighborhood to stay in Paris. We just hopped on the metro each day and made our way to all the Paris attractions.

I get the feeling this is where the residents of Paris live. It feels like a modern liveable part of the city. After all, it is the district where Jean-Paul Sartre discussed existentialism. This Paris neighborhood is home to one of the best views of Paris from the Tour Montparnasse as well as one of the coolest attractions n the city, the Catacombs.

If you want to stay in the best neighborhood in Paris to feel like a modern-day local, this is the spot. One of the up and coming places to stay in Paris is South Pigalle in the 9th Arrondissement.

Located walking distance from Montmartre, this area used to be the red light district of Paris, but in recent years it has started to emerge as the Williamsburg of Paris. With new boutique hotels popping up constantly, it is more geared towards the frequent visitor to Paris rather than the first time visitor. There are bar and eateries for every type of interest and the atmosphere is both intimate and relaxed.

There are great restaurants, cafes and bakeries and it is the perfect place to stay if you want to meld into the Paris lifestyle. The best hotels in the area are a mix of boutique and mid range. When people dream of Paris this is probably the area that they think of the most. This area of Paris is very versatile and is good for both a romantic getaway or a family vacation. By far one of best places to stay in Paris if you want some great nightlife.