This post may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I could earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Narrowing down the best areas to stay in Paris for first timers should not be the step you get stuck on while planning your dream trip to the City of Lights. There are so many other fun things to plan for!
Looking for the right accommodation can feel like a Tetris game, though; you want to have a good location, especially as a first-time visitor, it has to be cost-effective, and ideally cute.
Fear not, all of this is possible.
After visiting Paris more than five times and recently living here for almost three months, I know the city well, and I understand what the priorities are when choosing a base for checking off your Paris bucket list.
This guide will introduce you to four neighborhoods I think are the top contenders for the best areas to stay in Paris for first-timers, each for different reasons.
From the charming Saint-Germain-des-Prés with its chic streets to the vibrant Latin Quarter, the trendy Le Marais, and my most recent discovery, the residential Ternes, these are all great areas that allow you to explore the best of Paris on different budgets.
So let’s get started!
✨ Essential reads for first-time travelers to Paris:
Best Areas to Stay in Paris for First Timers
I feel like we need to address the elephant in the room: the Eiffel Tower.
Every Paris visitor, first-timers or return visitors, has this picture-perfect image in their head of opening their balcony doors in the morning and looking right up at the Eiffel Tower.
And understandably so—it’s iconic!
However, in reality, staying around the Eiffel Tower is really not ideal for first-time visitors, or anyone really, as this puts you quite far from literally everything else you’ll want to see in Paris.
While you’ll want to explore all the distinctive neighborhoods of Paris, I think that as a first-time visitor, it’s important to be centrally located, or at least conveniently connected.
This way, you don’t waste too much time commuting, changing metro lines, or walking for too long to reach the main attractions that you want to see.
Based on this, these are some of the best places to stay in Paris for first-time visitors.
Bonus points if you find an accommodation close to a metro station for ultimate travel efficiency.
Quick Overview: Best neighborhood to stay in Paris for first-timers
| Area | Vibe | Best For | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latin Quarter | Lively, historic, student neighborhood | Budget stays, culture, nightlife | Sometimes noisy |
| Le Marais | Trendy, central, full of cafés & boutiques | Fashion & food lovers, local charm | Accommodation not always cheap |
| Saint-Germain-des-Prés | Classic Paris charm, elegant atmosphere | Art lovers, romance, cozy cafés | Slightly more expensive |
| Ternes / Around the Arc de Triomphe | Elegant, residential, quiet (if not on the main avenue) | Good-value hotels, local vibes, good connection to the city center | Slightly further away from many attractions |
Latin Quarter: Best area to stay in Paris to be in the heart of it all
The Latin Quarter is the perfect place to stay in Paris if you want to be in the center of it all, making it easy to reach main attractions, like Notre Dame, the Panthéon, the river Seine, and more.
One of my favorite perks of basing yourself in the Latin Quarter is that it’s so incredibly central that it makes it easy to return to your accommodation during the day, in case you want to take an afternoon nap or change outfits before dinner.
We did this on our Euro-trip with my mom and aunt, and it was so convenient to know that if we ever needed a break in the middle of the day, our home base was not too far away.
- Pros: One of the biggest perks of the Latin Quarter is its budget-friendly accommodations and its central location, which is great for first-time visitors wanting to make the most of their time.
If you stay relatively close to the river Seine, you’ll end up being a 15-minute walk away from most highlights: Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, Le Marais, and more.
Since the area is known as a student neighborhood, you’ll find some of the best cheap eats in Paris in these streets, cute bookshops, and lively bars. - Cons: Because of said lively bars, it can be a bit noisy at night, especially on the weekends.
It can also depend on where you’re staying in the Latin Quarter; the place we had there was on a quiet street, so we heard nothing. When in doubt, make sure to check the accommodation reviews.
Where to stay in the Latin Quarter, Paris:
- Budget: Hotel Cluny Square – Rooms are a little bit more old-school style, but still pretty good for the price and great, central location.
- Mid-range: Hôtel Henri IV Rive Gauche – Simple, comfortable rooms in an incredible location, just a stone’s throw away from Notre Dame Cathedral.
- Luxury: Hôtel Résidence Des Arts – Saint-Germain – Name says Saint-Germain, but this hotel is still within the Latin Quarter. Here you can find elegant, clean rooms with lots of natural light and those adorable Parisian windows.
Things to do in the Latin Quarter, Paris:
- Visit the iconic Shakespeare and Co. English book store
- Try the most delicious crepes in Paris at Breizh Cafe
- Slow down at the charming Square René Viviani
- Walk along the River Seine and browse the book seller stands
- Try an award-winning croissant at La Maison d’Isabelle
Le Marais: Best area to stay in Paris to experience local life without sacrificing convenience
While I didn’t visit Le Marais on my first trips to Paris, I now think it’s a great place to base yourself as a first-time visitor if you want to see a more local side of Paris without sacrificing convenience.
A little bit less central but still close enough to many attractions, Le Marais offers a slower pace of life, with quieter streets lined with some of the best coffee shops in Paris, modern wine bars, restaurants, and lots of great shopping.
This is the neighborhood locals go to on the weekends to grab lunch with friends and catch up in the evening over a bottle of wine.
- Pros: Staying in Le Marais gives you a better feel of the true Parisian life, with locals going about their day and visiting their regular spots. Staying here just makes you feel part of the city, and I love that!
While being a little bit further from attractions when compared to the Latin Quarter, this area is quieter and really convenient, as you’re surrounded by so many great restaurants, corner bars, cafes, and tons of boutique shops. - Cons: Le Marais is a little bit further away from some attractions, but if you stay close to a metro station, it’s easy to move around the city efficiently.
And since this is quite a trendy Parisian neighborhood, prices here can be higher than in other areas.
Where to stay in Le Marais, Paris:
- Budget: Paris Rivoli Notre-Dame Chambre d’Hôtes Studio Private – Clean, minimalist rooms with comfortable beds, according to happy reviewers. Reviewers also mentioned that the rooms are quite snug, but the location is great.
- Mid-range: 1er Etage Marais – Modern, cozy rooms in the heart of Le Marais, and only two blocks away from a convenient metro station.
- Luxury: Le Marais Saint Paul Cozy Apartment – For a lengthier trip, there’s nothing more luxurious than having space, especially in Paris, and this studio apartment looks so cozy and homey.
Things to do in Le Marais, Paris:
- Stroll through the charming Place des Vosges
- Try the iconic hot chocolate at Carette (this location has shorter lines)
- Browse all the incredible local shops, such as Merci, Sézane, and Caudalie
- Try delicious falafel from L’As du Falafel
- Go coffee shop hopping; there are so many good spots in the area
Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Best area to stay in Paris for chic Parisian charm
If you’re in Paris for a great time, not an affordable time, then you might want to look into the accommodations around Saint-Germain-des-Prés, because there are so many gorgeous ones!
Famous for its historic literary cafes and the neighborhood’s popularity among the Lost Generation artists, Saint-Germain-des-Prés is an iconic area full of Parisian charm.
Staying here will have you feeling like a writer in the 1920’s, strolling down the main boulevard on your way to Café de Flore for a café au lait and a table from which to finish your next novel.
- Pros: Saint-Germain-des-Prés’ upscale vibes mean beautiful boutique stays with serene courtyards and beautifully designed rooms. None of those student stays from the Latin Quarter.
This area is also packed with great restaurants (both upscale and casual), wine and cocktail bars, coffee shops, and lots of great shopping.
While being a little bit further away from some attractions, it’s still close to others, such as the Pantheón, Musée d’Orsay, Jardin du Luxembourg, and Jardin des Tuileries across the river. - Cons: Because of its chic, upscale vibes, accommodation in the area will be on the pricier side. So not ideal for first-time visitors on a budget.
Where to stay in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris:
- Budget: Hôtel Le Regent Paris – Snug but adorable rooms full of personality, on one of my favorite streets in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, packed with great restaurants, cafés, and bars.
- Mid-range: Hotel Verneuil Saint Germain – Beautiful and elegant rooms located on a quiet street, just a short walk from the historic cafés of Saint Germain. For a bigger space, book the Club Double Room.
- Luxury: Hotel Du Quai Voltaire – Elegant, light-flooded rooms with a beautiful view of the river Seine through iconic French windows.
Things to do in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris:
- Grab a coffee at Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots to feel like Hemingway
- Try the French classic steak frites at Le Relais de l’Entrecote
- Browse the many shops in the area, such as Bobbies, Maje, and Ba&sh
- Stock up on all your French skincare needs at the massive Citypharma
- Sip natural French wines at La Grande Crèmerie
Ternes: Best area to stay in Paris for more affordable stays without compromising comfort
You might not have heard of Ternes before, and honestly, neither did I, but this is where we lived for our almost three-month stay in Paris recently, and it was such a great base.
Basically, we were in Paris for work with our circus jobs, and work was outside of Paris, but we wanted to live in the city somewhere not too central (as it would be too far from work), but from where we could easily commute to the city center, and we found a place here.
While I would normally not recommend staying around the Arc de Triomphe, as it’s a bit far, the key—and what worked so well for us—is to stay close to an M1 line station, as this will quickly take you into the heart of Paris.
- Pros: One of the biggest perks of staying in the Ternes neighborhood is that it’s not as touristy, so accommodations are cheaper here while still offering great value and quality.
While being a residential area, you’ll find no lack of great restaurants (there’s the original Le Relais de l’Entrecote here), maybe fewer but still great options, as well as bakeries, coffee shops, and bars.
The area is quieter, so you’d normally never have to worry about not sleeping because of sound, and the vibe is very relaxed and local. - Cons: Staying here is quite far out compared to the other options on this list; however, as I mentioned, if you stay close to an M1 line station, like Argentine, you can reach the Louvre in 10 min with a direct metro.
Where to stay in Ternes, Paris:
- Budget: Hotel Archetype Etoile – Fun, colorful, contemporary rooms, a minute away from the Argentine Metro station, which connects you to the city center in 10 minutes.
- Mid-range: Miss Fuller – Beautiful, bold, creative bedrooms, only two blocks away from the Arc de Triomphe. Reviewers say the beds are super comfy.
- Luxury: Dadou Paris – Effortlessly cool, beautifully designed rooms just two blocks away from the Arc de Triomphe. For the ultimate Parisian experience, make sure to book the Very Bonne Chambre with Balcony.
Things to do in Ternes, Paris:
- Try the popular Le Relais de l’Entrecote with shorter lines than any other location in the city
- Visit the local French Bastards location for your morning croissant
- Walk towards the Eiffel Tower and get cute pictures of it between the buildings
- Admire the Arc de Triomphe on your daily commute into the city
- Walk along the Champs Élysées (bonus points if you sing the song)
Final thoughts on where to stay in Paris for first timers
Planning your first trip to Paris can seem like a huge undertaking, but it doesn’t have to be scary or a logistical nightmare.
While there are so many incredible things to see in Paris and neighborhoods to explore, the key to making the most of your first trip is to have a good base, so you don’t spend half a day trying to decipher the metro system.
For this, I think these four are the best areas to stay in Paris for first timers, keeping you within walking distance of all the action, or in the case of Ternes, close enough by a direct metro line.
And I would insist that if you’re somewhere central, don’t even worry about taking buses or Uber, just walk.
The city is made for walking, and walking around Paris is honestly the best thing to do to experience the city’s beauty.
I’d say if you visit Paris and don’t go inside Notre Dame and the Louvre, but you walk everywhere, you still did Paris justice.
So, in which one of these areas do you think you’ll stay for your trip to Paris? Let us know in the comments.