best Arrondissement for paris

There is nowhere that will put you within walking distance of everything you might to see. Nearer the centre (arr 1- 6) will put you closer to most things.

Here's a couple of guides to the arrondissements:
http://www.parislogue.com/paris-neighborhoods
http://www.parisnet.com/parismap.html

and here's the public transport map:
http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/

Lots of people prefer to be in areas where there are things to do AFTER sightseeing. Restaurants, shops, neighbourhoods with bakeries, etc.

The 6th is probably the most popular on Fodors.

.. might want to see...

NOT the Arc--it is 'way out there, and the neighborhood about as sterile as it gets.

Louvre and Arc area would not be my first choice for a first trip.

4th/5th/6th would be a good choice. You will walk, you will use the Metro no matter where you pick.

The other good reason for the 6th, amongst others, is that there is an RER station at St Michel (by Notre Dame) that goes directly to the airport (CDG).

Arc area would be WAY down on my list (never stayed there in more than 100 trips to Paris and never would). Same with the Louvre area. I agree with the person who said that what you do AFTER your day of sightseeing should be more relevant to your hotel pick than being close to the sights (which of course are spread all over anyway). Look in the 4th/5th/6th/7th - or even farther out if you're adventurous and want to save money. You'll be using public transportation, which is wonderful in Paris, anyway.

4th through 7th would be my choice as well. I'm partial to the 5th, but thats just me.

I'll repeat what others have stated - don't stay near the Arch or Louvre - for many reasons. I think the St Germain des Pres area is the best for first-timers.

Stu Dudley

so for the parisian experience...and safe, 4-7th is ideal? i also love photography so did want to catch some evening shots of the local sites without having to venture to far on the metro to capture, but possibly just walk. does this matter?

"Ideal" depends on the person traveling. For a first visit to Paris, I would suggest somewhere close to the river and the islands. That usually means somewhere in the 4th-7th (especially the 6th) and as close to the river/islands as budget allows.

If you can tell us your budget along with any particular requiremts (private bath, elevator, etc.), we can make some specific recommendations.

budget looking around $100-$160 at most per nite. i did look in to an apartment, that's bout 700Meters from the louvre, but for 1st time, seems everyone is suggesting the left of the river.

we are staying in the 7th this summer, we found a great little apartment for 95e nightly-so just under $130 american... which is much less expensive than some hotels(with a washer/dryer). www.vrbo.com is a great site for finding apartments and you can inquire w/the owner as to markets/attractions/neighborhood close by!

There is nothing at all wrong with right of the river, really, if you have an apt you like sort of near the Louvre, is it a very convenioent location. Lots of people stay on the Right Bank, you are worrying about minor things too much and individual opinions. YOu can easily walk and see a lot of things within a couple miles of that point, sure, it is very central.

700 meters isn't exactly right next to the Louvre, though, where exactly is this apt? It could be on the Left Bank with that distance.

I think you need to get hold of, and immerse yourself in, a detailed map of Paris. Among other things, a map would show you what's nearby the places you're contemplating staying in, and what might be nearby to photograph (though that's the least of your concerns - it's not as though you have to venture more than 10 steps to find something worthy of photographing in Paris).

christina, the 700m is north of the louvre, towards the opera area. yeh, i guess i'm easily swayed by everyone's advice. thing is, everyone has valid points and i'm getting all confused. i know ultimately we'll have a good time, just trying to get a solid location is hard.
true stcirq, i imagine even the roads are more picturesque in paris than america, haha. i guess i need to layout our priorities and then use a pro and con chart.

greyhavns; I second the suggestion of looking on www.vrbo.com We rented a studio apartment in the 1st ard. from Laurent this past October and really liked it. The studio had plenty of room from my husband and I and we were able to walk to the Louvre and Galleries Layfette in a short amount of time. There was a great bakery and Italian restaurant across the street. We stayed in a B&B right on the 6th&7th ard. border in 2009 and that was a good area also, but it had more businesses near by than the 1st. Look up lodgings with vrbo.com and view the pictures of what is around them and I am sure you will find something you like. Have a great trip.

yeh. while i don't mind VRBO, i found i like reading reviews. the bad ones. i guess i gotta outweigh overall what everyone is suggesting and then ultimately just going with our gut. homeaway.com has sorta been my goto for looking at apartments, but will take another gander at vrbo. i gotta say, it's so awesome fodors and the community of those willing to respond to traveler's qusetions. thanks everyone!

To give you an idea, on our first trip we stayed in the 14th. Since then we have stayed in the 7th and twice in the 1st. This summer we will be back in the 14th. We have not been disappointed in any of our locations, FWIW. The apt we had last time in the 1st was near the Louvre and we loved the location. So easy to get to so many places from there. So basically I am saying if you like the apt you found, then go for it.

"Best arrondissement" -- the concept makes me laugh. For some people, it is the closest one to the Eiffel Tower, for others it is the closest to the Champs Elysées or the Louvre. Some people want the most elegant arrondissement, some want the most picturesque and some even want the cheapest. You can find anything you want in Paris, just as you can spend from 20€ to 5000€ a night for a hotel.

Our first time in Paris, we stayed in the 18th arrondissement.
The metro took us everywhere and at nite we went to the Sacre Coeur.

thanks mms. appreciate hearing that. yeh, as much as it sounds like everyone has their own preference. i guess nothing like experiencing, then learning. ultimately, as long as we are near a metro, it'll be just fine to get where we need to get to.

Here are a few hotel ideas (though I too like the apt. option):

http://www.hoteldenesleparis.com/ Within budget - excellent locagtion, right across the river from the Louvre.

http://www.saintpierre-hotel.com/uk/index.html
Within budget - good location midway between St. Sulpice metro and Luxembourg Gardens.

http://www.hotelgrandsbalcons.com/
Within budget - good location midway between Odéon metro and Luxembourg Gardens.

greyhavns--So true, as long as you are near a metro you will be fine. On our first trip our children were ages 7 and 10, and even staying in the 14th we didn't feel like it was too far out or too much of a hassle. The great thing about wherever you stay is that you will find restaurants etc that you love and will go back to again and again. We found a gem on that first trip and I have never mentioned it here as it is a locals place. I am very much looking forward to being near it again. Just remember, read all the threads and then when you are there, don't worry too much about it. You may or may not hit places mentioned here, but you will pave your own path

bardo1, your recommendation for hotel grands balcons was just too good to pass up. breakfast INCLUDED?!?!! we booked this evening. please await our review, hehe. here we come paris!

shucks. breakfast not included. still cheaper at least per night.

My theory...when offered breakfast at a hotel, I turn it down. I can do better by going to a nearby cafe.

I remember one morning seeing the hotel staff of my hotel coming back from the nearby cafe with a bag of croissants and the like, for serving to their guests...and wondering what kind of mark up they would charge for something I could just as easily do.

I couldn't agree more with Michel_Paris about breakfast! 9 times out of 10 your hotel breakfast will be in the 'cave'... which is the basement of the building!

I cannot imagine eating breakfast in Paris in a cellar when I could be sitting outside in a cafe with all of Paris passing by for me to watch! ;^)

very true. i thought though it was included, so the price was so attractive. but granted now that i know it's optional, we definitely will be visiting the local cafe for our breakfast. any favorites on a budget nearby the odeon?

I agree...the hotel breakfast is one to skip.

We stayed right by the Odeon stop a few months ago...we walked to Gerard Mulot for pastries every morning. There are several great little places around for breakfast that have good food. Try les editeurs, Le Danton or Le Comptoir. They are all right there. I think two pain au chocolat at Gerard Mulot were 3 or 3.5 euros. There is a small grocery store down the street from Mulot that has fruit and bottled drinks (or you can do what my husband did and get coffee at Starbucks...I couldn't stop him..he's an addict). Starbucks is right across from the Odeon stop on St Germain.

just bookmarked all those cafes. we will try them all. thanks denisea. um, do you remember any great affordable restaurants in the same area?

There isn’t a ‘best’ arrondissement, it is personal. I think I am most sympatico with the replies of Michael_Paris, St. Cirq and Kerouac. It seems that you have decided on the Hotel Grandes Balcons, a good area, a good price. I would have breakfast in the hotel (since it’s included), but then have coffee at a café, much, much more enjoyable!

My favorites in the immediate area, (breakfast, lunch or dinner), modest budget:

1. Cafe le Conti, Café le Conti, 1 rue de Buci, Paris 6th, http://untourist.net/2010/02/18/food-in-france-le-conti/
The 6th was not at all my preferred area, but it was only a half hours walk from my studio. One day I arrived mid day, starving, and enjoyed their generous house salad, warm goat cheese with apple and greens, and bread. It was delicious and inexpensive, 9E. The location of the café is exceptional, at the crossroads of several streets, rue Dauphine, rue Mazarine, and rue de Buci…each worth an individual walk and exploration….all led to the Seine. I returned there often and one of my favorite walks was along rue Dauphine, with a very good bookshop, Le Couleur du Temps. There is a sociable ‘cafe dog’ who became friends with all of us, and draped himself carelessly over the sidewalk onto the street…all cars took note of him and veered considerately.


2. Café des Editeurs, http://www.lesediteurs.fr/

3. Les Trois Mailletz, http://www.lestroismailletz.fr/

4. The boat, Paris 5th. It was moored at Quai de la Tournelle, on the west side of the Seine and facing Ile de la Cite and Ile Saint Louis. They offered coffee, drinks and the 3 meals of the day. Their prices were surprisingly low. I loved to have breakfast here, or, a late night drink, and watch the boats passing by, loving the flow of the river, and looking at the two islands. Very special.





4. The two cafes on the Ile Saint Louis, looking at the back of Notre Dame.

Great thread - noting this for next year,

greyhavens, we stayed there and loved it. I agree optional breakfast is the best way to go. However I thought the breakfast buffet there was very good with a wide choice and it is in a nice little room on the ground floor NOT in a basement. We ate there a couple of times but most days we chose to eat at nearby cheaper cafes ( can't remember the names unfortunately). I think you will enjoy the hotel and the area. Have fun!

Stay in the 6th close to the river or to the Luxembourg Gardens.

Meant to say at the north side of the gardens, St. Sulpice area.

greyhavens...les editeurs does have good food , a good mix of local favorites or a few classics that are probably meant for tourists like onion soup or croque monsieur but are delicious, Le Comptoir (if you can get in) has terrific food; the food at Le Danton always looked good, but we only had drinks or coffee there; Marco Polo is good if you are up for Italian; the little place next to Le Comptoir (L'Avant Comptoir) is also good for a huge crepe or appetizers.

Check my T/R...Christmas in Paris was Fantastic (links to food photos to see)...might help you

greyhavns, you made a good choice for a first time visitor. We stayed in the same hotel years ago on our 3rd or 4th trip to Paris. You'll enjoy its' proximity to the Luxembourg Gardens, St. Sulpice and all the evening fun of the 6th and 5th arrondisements!! Have a great trip. Deborah

There are a couple of cafe/brasseries on Ile St Louis. The Brasserie de L'Ile St Louis was a place I had seen often and wanted to try. It is located just across the bridge from Ile de la Cite. An outdoor table gave me views of the back of Notre daem, the bridge and the people (and musicians if any playing) and the top of the Pantheon in the distance. I had a faux-fillet, mineral water, glass of wine, ice cream desert. Spent of leisurely couple of hours there. the other brasserie is just across the street.


When we stayed at the Hotel Notre Dame (Quai St Michel, top floor 3 person room, views of Notre Dame) we used to cross the bridge to Ile de la Cite and eat breakfast at the Cafe that is located in front of the entrance to the Palais de Justice, as you walk towards Notre Dame. Patio eating.

I like 4, 5 and 6 and also 11. I find the 7th too sedate.

Lots of good restaurants n walking distance. My new favorite is Caveau d'Isle on Ile St Louis. Chez Frenand , Le Christine and Rotisserie d'un Face all one Rue Christine are excellent. Le Bouquinistre on the Quai is excellent. Del Pappa on Rue de Seine is good Italian if you get tired of French! Le vaganade on Blve StGermain has good food and a brilliant interior

if you are staying for a week, have you considered renting a small apartment instead of staying at a hotel? last year we rented on rue des sts. peres right off st. germain blvd and it was an amazing week. each morning we took a walk to discover the best pain au chocolat, which was a pressure-packed search we untook with great enthusiasm. in the afternoon we would go to the neighborhood markets to buy wonderful ingredients for dinner. we enjoyed lunch at the many bistros and restaurants in the area or near where we were for the day. it could not have been more enjoyable. it has always been difficult to walk past the markets unable to buy the beautiful produce, etc, so having the kitchen was a huge plus for us. also, lunches are much less expensive then dinners, though the food is often comparable, so we saved money that way too. and if we were too tired to shop and cook, we always had the fallback option of going out like every other tourist and parisian in our neighborhood. in only a week we developed little relationships with the venders. it was wonderful. we are going to do the same thing in rome in october.

well, now that i read the entire post, i see that you have booked a hotel. great neighborhood. our all-time favorite restaurant is walking distance if you like to walk : L'Epi Dupin at 11 rue Dupin, near the sevres-babylone metro. best to make a reservation, lunch or dinner, as they are generally packed. such a great deal for the fixed-price menu. we also love les bouquinistes, already mentioned, near the river, but that can be very pricey at dinner, especially if your guest orders champagne for the table, which ours did, but does not pay for it... c'est la guerre! have a wonderful time.

When I'm traveling with my kids, I love the hotels with breakfast if they are the buffet style and not the continental breakfast type (which would be likt you could get at a cafe and probably preferable there). We stayed at Hotel Claude Bernard and the breakfast was great - eggs, pastries, cereals, hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and more. The breakfast room was on the first floor so we could see out. We got our money's worth with the kids alone.

So don't rule out a hotel breakfast, just ask the right qauestions!

I'd say Montmartre (XVIII), Ile-St-Louis (IV) or Marais (III).
If you want to save money, think of the out-lying XIV and XV.

I'd be interested in hearing people's experience about how many hotels serve buffets style. I could see the 'marquis' ones (George V,etc..), but how many of the 2 star/3 star.

What was the cost of the Claude Bernard one? I've often considered staying there, due to location and seeing it while out and about.

We were there in 2006 so I'm sure the prices have changed, but as I recall, a double room was just over 100 E at the time. They had some great special running. It was definitely a good price for what we got with the free breakfast. I would check the website as well as writing - sometimes I got different prices through email.

We also will book a breakfast package if it's a buffet as teenagers need filling. Mine think nothing of guzzling 3 or 4 pastries before breakfast!

We stayed at the Novotel les Halles in Nov 2010 (4 star according to website) and paid $169 a night inc. breakfast for 3.
The breakfast was the best part as it included smoothies, fresh fruit and all the usual hot and cold fare.

Michel--The Britannique has a nice buffet breakfast. I normally do not opt for hotel breakfasts either, but this one was good and we ate there twice during our stay.

You will enjoy the Grand Hotel des Balcons. I stayed there a week last April and was able to spend some time everyday at Jardin du Luxembourg. The hotel staff is great and helped me master using the bus system (best kept secret in Paris) which gave me a completely different experience because I could see so much more of this amazing city. Be sure to try Restaurant Polidor, it's close to the hotel, very reasonable, and all tables are shared. Bon voyage.

yeh, from what i could tell, generally across the board, those breakfast buffets were bout 13 euros per person and for 26 euros, that just seemed outrageous compared to a small croissant and cafe nearby.

There is nothing wrong with staying near the Arc. I stayed near there when i visited Paris, and it was just fine. It was 2 blocks from the Metro and 1 block from the shuttle buses to the airport!!

Hotel breakfasts are often 10-15 euro in Paris, and it is rather expensive, they make a lot of money off them. But frankly, you cannot buy a real breakfast very cheaply at cafes in Paris. 13 euro may not compare to a small croissant in a cafe nearby, but a small croissant isn't a full breakfast. Coffee in a cafe will run you 3-5 euro and it won't be the kind you may like for breakfast (it isn't for me as I don't like coffee with milk in it). Hotels will serve regular good coffee, not only espresso or cafe creme, which is all most cafes seem to sell even in the morning. If you buy a pastry and coffee from some take-out shop (like Paul's or Brioche Doree, whatever), it will be cheaper but you often don't have anywhere to sit.

I would guess that not many hotels would have a fresh fruit, bacon and eggs, french toast, etc...style of breakfast. More croissant, coffee and juice.