Find a neighborhood (arrondissement) that suits your vibe, get a lay of the land, and discover Paris' most sustainable hotels!
You're coming to Paris... wahou ! (As the French would say.) Now you need to book somewhere to stay... which means a general lay of the land would be helpful!
Once you know generally where you want to stay, and with a plethora of hotels to choose from, let sustainability be a contributing factor!
My commentary provides practical insight to help you maximize your time here. What’s in this guide is literally what I would tell a close friend or family member asking my opinion about where to stay.
My opinions are based on me, a foreigner, who has lived here since 2016 and explored the city pretty thoroughly. Just don’t forget, they’re still opinions 🙃
This guide includes:
🐌 An overview of how Paris is organized *and why!*
📍 FULL Paris neighborhood guide with my take on each one’s overall vibe.
💚 Classic sites in each neighborhood to orient you.
🏩 7+ Eco-friendly hotels. These are based on my research and supplemented by sustainable stays my past clients have found.
SAVE this guide to access all future updates!
💙 This guide is FREE. I'd be so grateful if you shared this guide with a friend, left a review, or contributed a small tip. 🙏🏼
Did somebody say "escargot"? If you look closely, the map of Paris is laid out in a swirling snail shape. Starting with the 1st arrondissement in the center, the neighborhood numbering circles clockwise.
This means that the 2nd (2ème, or 2è for short), borders not only the 1st and 3rd but also the 9è and 10è.
Why Paris was Built Like a Snail
Let's get nerdy for a minute...or 20. This wonderful YouTube video with over 175K views (!), goes into detail about the history behind how Paris got the shape it has today.
If you watch even just the first 5 minutes, you'll see a friendly face (Hi! It's me!) featured as the on-the-ground correspondent :)
People who live in Paris are generally either firmly of a left bank (rive gauche) or right bank (rive droit) mentality. Both are great, for different reasons.
The left bank vibe is: generally older, more classic, wider streets, slower-paced, and quieter.
The left bank is actually south of the Seine River, and the right bank is north. They’re called left and right banks though because of the direction of the Seine’s water flow.
In case you’re wondering, I’m strictly a right bank gal 😏!
East vs. West
There’s also another way to slice Paris, which is East to West. The East side is generally the cheaper side, and the sweat side is generally the more expensive side.
As with ALL generalizations, please don’t take these as the word of God, they’re just to help you have a basic feel of the city.
Inner & Outer Rings
I think this is just a “me” thing, but I refer to the “inner” ring of Paris as all the neighborhoods that make up the first escargot circle: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. You can consider this central Paris, or the most “downtown” you can get.
I refer to the “outer ring” as all the neighborhoods that touch the périphérique (the circular highway that separates Paris proper from the suburbs, i.e. the banlieue): 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.
What about the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th? These are squeezed in between the inner and outer rings, with all by the 7th being on the right bank.
Paris Center
1st Arrondissement
The 1st is as central as you can get, and close to several main tourist attractions. It won't have a very cute neighborhood vibe, but will have plenty of nice hotels.
Absolutely massive, do not expect to see it all! My personal museum tolérance level is about 2 hours, but plan your own visit according to your energy. I recommend buying tickets in advance, and then accessing the Louvre from UNDER the pyramids (Carrousel du Louvre) to skip the line. Free coat and bag check inside! Get a map and pick a section to visit. I really love the sculptures and the ancient Egyptian section (find the mummy). Don’t miss Napoleon’s Apartments!
This is Paris's smallest arrondissement and still very centrally located. It's well situated for getting to other parts of Paris by foot or by metro. In this pocket of Paris, you'll find the adorable French street rue Montorgueil near Sentier, plenty of great Asian food on rue Sainte Anne, and some of Paris' famed covered passageways lined with shops.
One of my personal favorites! I've seen two special exhibits here and they've both been fantastic. The building itself it worth going to see, I think it's stunning. Bourse means market, and this building used to be used for the financial stock exchange.
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3rd Arrondissement
Home to myriad shops, the quintessential French market (Marché des Enfant Rouge), and the Jewish District, the Marais is a lively, gay-friendly neighborhood very popular with visitors & locals alike.
The only Parisian neighborhood with a presence on both sides of the river, the bustling 4th district is very well situated close to many attractions and to metro lines to explore the rest of the city.
The oldest planned square in Paris, known for its beautiful architecture.
A serene, enclosed outdoor space surrounded by beautiful buildings. Enjoy a picnic, window shop, or have an (expensive) hot chocolate at La Carette. Place des Vosges is also where you'll find Victor Hugo's apartment (free access, closed on Mondays).
Still not reopened to the public after the April 2019 fire, there is stadium seating set up out front where you can at least sit and admire the view! There's also a nice wrap-around exhibit about the fire and the repairs being done.
Scheduled to open on Dec. 7, 2024!
A stunning, must-visit in my opinion! A small church famed for its stained glass, it's especially spectacular in the sunlight. A quick stop as there's not much to see other than admire the wonderful stained glass. Buy timed tickets in advance, if possible!
Open every day.
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5th Arrondissement
One of Paris's oldest districts, this left-bank neighborhood will feel quiet and residential in some parts, with student energy from La Sorbonne in other parts.
This is a free, massive botanical garden that doesn’t have the hype of the (beautiful!) Jardin de Luxembourg, but is so lovely to visit! It that has tons to do within its realm (many are kid-friendly)! Aside from a free library to visit, there are several paid activities:
- Museum of Natural History
- The Menagerie (the Zoo) - NOT the same as the Zoological park!
- The Grand Gallery of Evolution
- The Gallery of Paleontology & Anatomy
- Grandes Serres, it looks like a giant greenhouse and you can learn about plant evolution inside
Family passes (2 adults, 2 kids) linked below.
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6th Arrondissement
A classic left-bank neighborhood always thrumming with visitors and locals, this very popular district is ideal for visitors seeking a classic Parisian experience.
Beautiful place to go for a run, or for a walk, or to sit in lounge chairs by the fountain and watch kids sail colorful little boats. You'll be in great company whether you have a picnic in the grass or are looking for a beautiful place to jog!
Kids will love: Renting a sailboat on the little lake, going for a pony ride, or watching a marionette show at the theater in the park.
Classic Parisian must-sees will draw you to this neighborhood. The 7th will feel open and broad, dotted with main attractions and government buildings. This expensive neighborhood may feel particularly quiet in the evenings, and is a little bit farther away from the other sites throughout the city.
I recommend buying tickets to go up to the top in advance as these do sell out! If you don’t care about going to the top, visiting the Eiffel Tower can be a quick fly by, or you can sit on the lawn of the Champs des Mars for hours and enjoy the view.
Pro Tip: "Kids aged 4 and under go free at the Eiffel Tower, but they must be in possession of a free ticket, available when buying tickets online or at the Tower. Their accompanying persons have to pay the adult or youth 12/24 rate. Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult."
WATCH FOR PICKPOCKETS AND SCAMS.
FREE the first Sunday of the month. Closed on Mondays. I love the d’Orsay because it’s much smaller and more manageable than the Louvre, so it feels less overwhelming. I’d budget 2-3 hours to visit and recommend buying tickets in advance as the entrance line can be quite long. The gorgeous building used to be a train station and you can see the names of the cities it used to serve engraved on the outside. Don’t miss the Van Goghs here, the sculptures on the top floor, or the outdoor patio with great panoramic views of Paris.
Closed on Mondays.
FREE the first Sunday of the month. One of my personal favorite museums in Paris (I know - there are an overwhelming number of museums here!) Rodin focuses on sculptures. Half the museum is outside, so definitely go when it's nice out. From the outdoor garden part of the museum, you have a nice view of the Eiffel Tower. Overall, this museum is also quite small which makes it nice and manageable.
Closed on Mondays.
It can be quite warm inside the museum. I’m a little slow at museums and the inside part took me 40 min.
Tix are 14€ for adults, 25€ of you combine it with a ticket for the d’Orsay.
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8th Arrondissement
If you're looking for the fancy hotels and designer shops, this is the district for you! High end tourists, wealthy locals, and a plethora of things to see make the 8th a great location if you're looking to splurge. Expect beautiful architecture, strolls along the world's most famous boulevard, and enjoy easy access to central Paris.
FREE all the time. CLOSED Mondays.
✨ Pro-tip: There is a beautiful courtyard inside! As this museum is free all the time, you can actually go to this courtyard anytime and sit and have a coffee, and it feels like a secret, hidden-gem oasis.
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Right Bank Gems
9th Arrondissement
The famed opera house, classic department stories, and a plethora of great restaurants and bars await. You'll find a blend of fancy and hipster in this eclectic neighborhood.
Open until 8:30 PM.
Highlight: Spectacular holiday window displays and grand Christmas tree inside.
Activity: Brief stop to admire the decorations and shop if desired
If you want a real taste of local life with a bohemian vibe, consider the 10th! Away from tourist sites, there is no shortage of great cafes, bars, and restaurants; plus the incredibly charming Canal St. Martin.
The Seine is great, but you'll probably find more locals laying around the Canal St. Martin on a nice day. Chill vibes, lots of restaurants lining both sides, and fun to watch boats pass by.
Kids love: Looking at the locks, especially if you can catch the bridges opening/closing and a boat going through!
Another diverse local gem, the 11th has been the up-and-coming neighborhood for several years. It's on the cheaper side and absolutely packed with cute shops, restaurants, and streets.
This is a very residential neighborhood not particularly close to main Paris sites, and lacking the buzzing energy of the 9th, 10th, and 11th. It may be cheaper to stay here and a great option if you want something a little quieter and don't mind commuting to attractions. One highlight: the Coulée verte René-Dumont is Paris' version of the Highline - it's a beautiful path for walking or running built on top of old railroad tracks.
The "Paris Highline". Great for walking or running and seeing the city from atop old railroad tracks. Note that this is technically a park, so it's only open during normal daytime hours.
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13th Arrondissement
Another quiet, residential neighborhood that will feel much less compact than the districs in the inner ring. Known for the city's largest Chinatown district, a huge library, and the Paris start up hub (Station F), there's not a whole lot to do here. One highlight: at Station F there is an incredible covered restaurant food court called La Felicita that is worth a visit if you're in the area!
Not a very lively neighborhood to base your trip from, but Montparnasse Tower is good to go to the top of (since it's the only view in Paris without this eyesore in the skyline!), and les Catacombes are up there as one of the weirdest, coolest things you can experience in Paris.
If you're into 'weird' stuff, this is for you; and if that's the case, this might already be on your Paris list. But, just in case it's not: it's well worth a visit! It's one of the most unique 'tourist' activities you can do in Paris. Go early, and/or on a weekday if you can. Lines are frequently long!
The best view of Paris is from the top of this tower, because you can't see the tower itself! Welcome to the most-hated building of the Paris skyline :)
From the observation deck on the 56th floor, you can enjoy sweeping, 360-degree panoramic views of Paris!
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15th Arrondissement
This is a very residential neighborhood not particularly close to main Paris sites. It may be cheaper to stay here and a great option if you want something a little quieter and don't mind commuting to attractions. One highlight: the massive Parc André Citroën has a hot air balloon that you can go up in on nice days.
Hot air balloon over Paris! This park is pretty far out there, BUT the hot air balloon runs on days when there is good weather and not too much wind. A spectacular way to view Paris from above.
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16th Arrondissement
An expensive area home to embassies, museums, and trendy fine-dining restaurants. One highlight: the large park, Bois de Boulogne, has an adorable island reachable by boat that can make you feel completely transported away from Paris.
This outer ring neighborhood has the young, trendy, hip, boho vibe similar to the 9th, 10th, and 11th. The main downside is accessability to other parts of Paris, but otherwise it's a nice local neighborhood.
A very cute, unassuming neighborhood of Paris with some great restaurants, cafes, and a super local vibe.
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18th Arrondissement
A fun neighborhood with no shortage of things to do and see! Perfect for simply walking around, catching a show at famous Moulin Rouge, and soaking up the views from the iconic Sacré-Cœur basilica (pro tip: go to the top!). A great place to stay outside of central Paris.
WORTH IT! I love the Moulin Rouge. The outfits are incredible, the dancing and music will impress you, and it's just fun! There are two showings a night and the later showing is generally a little bit cheaper. Even with the late showing, you'll still be able to take the metro, catch a cab (there's a nearby Taxi line), or an Uber back to your accommodation.
Free to go inside, and also lovely to bring a picnic (or not) and sit on the steps outside watching entertainers and people. Be mindful of your belongings here, and also "friendship bracelet scammers"! They'll try to put bracelets on you and then charge you. Firmly reject any offers and walk away.
A family-friendly residential area in the north part of Paris along the Canal de l'Ourcq. Not a typical choice for visitors of Paris, though it is close to La Villette which is a large space with a science museum, a concert hall, an IMAX theatre, and more; as well as Parc des Buttes Chaumont which is great for walks, runs, and city views.
This outer ring neighborhood is young and a bit grungy, making it on the cheaper side of places to stay and eat. Even if you don't stay here, the cemetary is well worth a visit!
This cemetery is HUGE, and there are lots of beautiful, old sites to see.
Pro tips:
1. Wear comfortable shoes. It's mostly all cobblestone walkways. These can be slippery when wet!
2. Find a map at any of the entrances and pick a few specific tombs you'd like to see. This can give some purpose to your wanderings.
I like to joke that this is the cemetery of Paris metro stops, as many of the famous people that metro stops were named after are buried here. You'll also find many other icons:
- Augustus Parmentier (a personal fav of mine - see the attached video!)
- Oscar Wilde
- Edith Piaf
- Jim Morrison
- Chopin, Molière, Proust, and many, many more.
A charming boutique hotel in the 7th arrondissement with only five unique rooms. Close to the Eiffel Tower
and in a former monastery, this hotel utilizes special air filters and water faucets, as well as ecologically friendly flooring, carpets, and cleaning products.
This 'House of Yoga' hotel in the 9th arrondissement is a green building serving local, organic food, designed around the pillars of yoga and wellness. It provides organic, French-made beauty products, stretching bars, & reusable water bottles.
An eclectic, 40-room hotel in the 9th arrondissement decorated in a unique style, including usage of second hand furniture. The hotel proudly integrates with the local community, and helps with animal homelessness.
The first zero-carbon luxury eco-lodge in the heart of Paris! This hotel in the trendy 11th arrondissement uses cutting-edge eco-innovations in insulation, lighting, and air quality, as well as renewable solar and wood pellet energy sources.
The first hotel in Paris to achieve the label of "Solidarity Enterprise of Social Utility"! This hotel in the 12th arrondissement has both Green Key and Fair Tourism certifications. It emphasizes inclusive practices, the use of second-hand furniture, and more.
In the very hip Le Marais neighborhood, this accommodation is sort of a blend of a hostel and a hotel. It's in the 4th arrondissement, and it is a hostel, but like... a really nice hostel, with a beautiful lobby and bar. I've had multiple friends stay here and rave about it! There's also a location in Belleville.
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Hôtel 4 étoiles Parc Saint-Séverin Paris 5ème - Esprit de France
Hello et bonjour ! I'm (another) American in Paris.
I've lived in France since 2016 and I loooove sharing my Paris & France recs in hopes I can help others love this city and country as much as I do. I'm quite confident I've seen more of France than most French people, so no matter what you're looking for, I've (probably) done it!
✅ What I'm a great fit for: Mature travelers, couples, solo travelers, and families who enjoy soaking in authentic experiences, great food and wine, off-the-beaten-track gems, classic sites, and sustainable travel.
🌱 What's sustainable travel about? Traveling in a way that is kind to the environment, respectful of local culture, & supportive of the local economy. My trip-planning services are always through a sustainable lens.
❌ What I'm not a great fit for: Travelers focused on bars/clubbing or high-end shopping.
➡️ Follow me on TikTok, Instagram & Pinterest @hilaryinparis for Paris & France recommendations, tips, personal stories, and more.
🌍 PS: I'm on Thatch because I genuinely love sharing France with folks. My day job is running Yugen Earthside, a booking platform for responsible package trips primarily catering to groups of mature American travelers. My company's website is linked below.
