By Rachel Diebel
To get the most out of your Paris experience, put some serious thought into where you would like to stay. The city is divided into arrondissements, or neighborhoods, all labeled in a spiral, with the first arrondissement being the location of the Louvre. These most central of these 20 neighborhoods are the best places to make your home base while you are exploring the city, but they all have different moods and atmospheres, so choose wisely! Securing a central home base means you won’t spend too much time on the Metro or in taxis, but also that you get the best deal.
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The Marais
If you are looking for great location, look no further than the Marais neighborhood. Like much of Paris, there are plenty of cafes, restaurants and magnificent architecture. There are also dozens of luxury shopping stores, as well as independent boutiques where you can purchase one-of-a-kind fashion for yourself and your family. Historically, the Marais was home to some of Paris’ most marginalized communities (The LGBTQ and Jewish communities, for example), and so it has a rich mix of cultures and influences. It’s quiet and quaint, and yet walkable to key spots like Notre Dame.
St. Germain
St. Germain is a cool neighborhood with both an artsy and an upscale edge to it. Like its Latin Quarter neighbor, St. Germain has hosted its fair share of artists and great minds over the years, including Monet, Renoir, Camus and Sartre. St. Germain boasts many famous (and cozy) cafes where the greats once sat writing and sipping espresso. A bit touristy due to its proximity to the Jardin du Luxembourg and Musee d’Orsay, St. Germain is nonetheless an exciting location to make your home base in.
Montmartre
Montmartre, though a bit out of the way, can be the perfect place to stay for those who have been to Paris a few times before. Rue Lepic and its side streets are lovely places to stroll and go shopping on a sunny day, and the area is a quaint mix of historic village and modern Paris. Be sure to check the location of your lodging though; while most of Montmartre is charming and safe, there are a few seedier streets to the east and you won’t find anything quaint or cute on most of Boulevard de Clichy.
The Latin Quarter
The Latin Quarter of Paris is part of both the 5th and 6th arrondissements on the left bank of the river Seine. It is lovely and picturesque. Despite a definitely touristy vibe, its the perfect place to stay for first timers in the city. This area of Paris is known for the many academic institutions that are located there, including the famous Sorbonne. The student presence gives the area a lively and unique feel, and the architecture is gorgeous, with plenty of narrow lanes filled with shops and curly black iron railings. Notre Dame is a short walk away and there are plenty of other things to see nearby too, from Musee Cluny to Sainte Chappelle.
The 9th Arrondissement
If you are looking for a place as tourist free as it can get in central Paris, then the 9th arrondissement is for you. A residential neighborhood located right next to Montmartre, the 9th doesn’t have many famous tourist hotspots, and thus has much fewer tourists than the more popular places. However, it makes a great base for exploring Paris. It’s closer to the attractions than Montmartre, easily within walking distance of the river Seine. It boasts many delicious restaurants and bars, and none of them cater to the tourist crowd.
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Photo credits:
Marais-Place de Vosges: Greg Dunlap via Flickr
Jardin du Luxembourg: HarshLight via Flickr
Sacre Coeur: Anyul Rivas via Flickr
La Sorbonne: patrick janicek via Flickr
Palais Garnier: Rog01 via Flickr