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A guide to Paris‘ arrondissements: how to choose the right Parisian neighbourhood

Credit: Rachael Thompson

Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
Discover which district to make your home base in the City of Lights.

Paris has no shortage of brilliant areas to explore, so much so that it can be overwhelming to know where to begin or which neighbourhoods to focus on. The city is divided into the Left Bank and Right Bank of the Seine River, with the Right generally considered more desirable to visit as it is larger, more densely populated and boasts most tourist attractions. It is also divided into arrondissements numbered 1st through 20th. These administrative districts spiral clockwise from the centre on the Right Bank, each featuring its own unique look and feel.

I’d encourage anyone visiting Paris to explore as many areas as possible, but this guide will help you decide which arrondissement to base yourself in and some of the other must-visit areas.

1st

the Louvre Museum in Paris
The world’s largest museum sits on the Right Bank of the Seine River in the heart of Paris’s 1st arrondissement. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

Best for: History lovers and first-timers

The 1st arrondissement lies in the heart of Paris on the Right Bank, with a buzzy, tourist-heavy vibe and grandiose appearance. Located on the Right Bank right by the Seine, it’s home to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Here, you’ll find the Louvre, the world’s largest art museum housing the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo; the Tuileries Garden, a lush landscape sandwiched between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde conceived by Catherine de’ Medici; Palais Royal, a historic complex with a sculpture garden, restaurants, theatre spaces, government offices and luxury stores; and Place Vendôme, a famous square with 17th-century architecture and the Vendôme Column erected by Napoleon.

Where to stay: Chateau Voltaire

Where to eat/drink: LOTTA, La Renommée

3rd and 4th

Hôtel Le Grand Mazarin, 4th Paris arrondissement
The five-star Hôtel Le Grand Mazarin is a drawcard in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

Best for: Design-savvy travellers and shopping

A favourite area for design and fashion lovers, and a hub for the city’s Jewish and LGBTQ+ communities, the 3rd and 4th arrondissements sit in central Paris on the Right Bank. Preserved 17th-century buildings with charming boutiques, galleries, restaurants and hotels line the cobblestone streets, giving it a lively, village-like feel. Le Marais, which translates to “the marsh", is spread across both arrondissements, a name which calls back to when it was swampy land during the medieval period. It now stands as one of Paris’s most covetable, stylish addresses and a popular spot for vintage shopping. Other highlights include Notre Dame and Shakespeare and Company in the 3rd and  Île Saint-Louis in the 4th.

Where to stay: Le Grand Mazarin

Where to eat/drink: Bistrot Des Tournelles, Les Amoureuses, La Patate Douce Bar & Radio, Parcelles, Terra à Bar à Vins, Bar Nouveau

7th

a gallery space at the Musée Rodin
See the famous works of French sculptor Auguste Rodin in the historic Hôtel Biron. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

Best for: A classic Parisian adventure

The affluent 7th is defined by tree-lined avenues, world-famous landmarks and sophisticated residential buildings in central Paris on the Left Bank. There’s no shortage of classic Parisian charm here, so those looking for a classic French rendezvous won’t be disappointed by basing themselves or spending a large portion of time here. The Eiffel Tower anchors the district, while popular attractions include Musée d’Orsay, which houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces; Invalides, the site of Napoleon’s tomb; Le Bon Marché, the city’s oldest department store; and Musée Rodin, a gallery dedicated to the French sculptor’s works.

Where to stay: Miiro Le Grand Hôtel Cayré

Where to eat/drink: Kozy Bosquet

8th

Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées
The Arc de Triomphe stands 50 metres tall at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

Best for: Luxury travellers

Another well-to-do area, the 8th is located in the western part of the city on the Right Bank, characterised by Michelin-starred restaurants, designer boutiques and luxury hotels. The crown jewel of the area is the Champs-Élysées, a sprawling avenue of shops with the Arc de Triomphe on one end and the Place de la Concorde on the other. The famous and upscale shopping street, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, with Chanel and Hermès, also stretches through this district.

Another must-visit is the Grand Palais, a dramatic glass-ceilinged exhibition hall which hosts temporary exhibitions, as well as restaurants and bookstores.

Where to stay: Rosewood Hôtel de Crillon

Where to eat/drink: Le Gabriel – La Réserve Paris, Épicure, Bar Les Ambassadeurs

9th

Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann Art Nouveau glass dome
Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann is renowned for its massive Art Nouveau glass dome. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

Best for: Shopping and architecture enthusiasts

Another of Paris’s most striking areas, the 9th is brimming with Haussmannian architecture and world-class shopping on the Right Bank. Here, you’ll find Palais Garnier, an opulent 19th-century opera house dressed in Napoleon III style. Keen shoppers should make a beeline for Galeries Lafayette, with its dramatic Art Nouveau stained-glass dome and high-end brands, as well as neighbouring Printemps Haussmann.

Where to stay: La Fantaisie

Where to eat/drink: Classique, Le Bon Georges

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10th

the Canal Saint-Martin, 10th Paris arrondissement
Cool off at the Canal Saint-Martin. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

Best for: Local, less-touristy feel

The 10th arrondissement has historically not been a district highly frequented by tourists, but its vibrant, multicultural food scene and genuine local vibe make it worth visiting. The area is best known for being the home of the Canal Saint-Martin, a 4.6-kilometre artificial waterway that’s a popular summer swimming spot and has tree-lined walkways, as well as the Gare du Nord, Europe’s busiest railway station. The area also has two covered markets – Marché Saint-Quentin and Marché Saint-Martin – within 19th-century industrial buildings filled with fresh produce and flowers, and international bites.

 Where to stay: Hôtel Whistler Paris 10e

Where to eat/drink: Le Syndicat, Billili, Vertueux

18th

La Maison Rose, Montmartre
The charming pastel restaurant, La Maison Rose, is tucked into a picturesque street in the Montmartre district. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

Best for: Art lovers and nightlife

Occupying the northern part of Paris on the Right Bank, the 18th is home to the hilly area of Montmartre. Once a village of its own until it was annexed by Paris in 1860, it has become one of the city’s most famous neighbourhoods, showcasing sweeping vistas of the skyline and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, a monumental white church that sits at the highest point of the city. The area has retained its village-like charm and is abundant with busy cafes and the Place du Tertre, an artists’ square where local painters create and sell their work. A historic nightlife hub, Pigalle is also found in the 18th and booking a show at the legendary Moulin Rouge is a must.

Where to stay: Hôtel Particulier Montmartre

Where to eat/drink: AU TOUR DU VIN

Planning a trip to Paris? Check out more of our recommendations here…

How to spend 72 hours in Paris | Best places to stay in Paris | Best restaurants in Paris | Best things to do in Paris | Best secret bars in Paris

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Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is a freelance travel journalist, editor and hotel addict based in the UK. She was formerly International Traveller's Evergreen Editor and was responsible for the foundational content ahead of its website relaunch, as well as managing and growing the brand’s destination guides. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to creating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love and Bed Threads. Next on her travel wish list is Malta.
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5 things every hotel needs for a more restorative stay

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

    The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

    1. Easy access to good food

    meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20
    Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

    One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

    In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

    In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

    Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

    At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

    While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

    It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

    2. Better sleep options

    Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room
    Sleep deeply with Novotel.

    There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

    For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

    The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

    3. More ways to move

    woman hiking around queenstown new zealand
    Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

    Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

    At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

    Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

    4. Better connections

    Novotel Sharm El Sheikh
    Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

    One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

    Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

    A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

    5. Location is everything

    Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld
    Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

    Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

    All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

    Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.