With around 20 arrondissements, it can be hard to decide which one is the best location to stay in the city. I ended up at Hotel du Cadran (not an affiliate link; just for your information) only a short distance from the Eiffel Tower in the 7th arrondissement. While the hotel was lovely, the location was not ideal. The 7th arrondissement ended up being a tourist trap. It was hard to find reasonable places to eat, things were more expensive and everywhere we wanted to visit was quite the trek. If I were to go again here are the locations I’d consider:
1st arrondissement
A lot of first time travelers end up in the 1st arrondissement. It’s what is considered to be the heart of Paris and is close to the Louvre Museum, the Jardin des Tuileries and Jardin du Palais Royal. A lot of the places we ended up visiting during our trip were in this area and it would have been more convenient to stay in this location.
5th arrondissement
Looking to travel on a tight budget? You’ll find some of the best prices in the 5th arrondissement. This is where a lot of the younger crowd tends to stay due to the night life here and the reasonable prices. It had a great vibe when we visited and was one of the more livelier corners of Paris. It is also home to the Shakespeare & Company bookstore, which is a must see for all book lovers. Even if you don’t stay in this area it’s definitely a location to visit with its great prices and even better food.
4th arrondissement
When I travel I’m always looking for quaint coffee shops and bookstores to spend my mornings at. The 4th arrondissement offers both and is a cute and charming neighborhood. While it’s not near any of the main attractions, besides the Notre Dame Cathedral, it offers a quieter side of Paris to explore. I think it’s the closest you can get to feeling like you’re living like a local.
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