Where to stay in Paris: an expert guide to the best areas for 2025

Best for: those who buy more books than they read

Beautiful, chic and New Wave at heart, Saint-Germain-des-Prés has recently acquired a new charm: the beating heart of the 6th arrondissement has become cool – all without losing its bourgeois nature. Some highly popular new spots have opened there with great fanfare, such as the giant Cravan cocktail bar, the festive Grain(s) wine bar, the literary coffee shop Maison Fleuret or the Pamela Club, which brings a bit of madness to this sometimes overly polite corner. Of course, the area still has its classic institutions too; Le Bon Marché, the Luxembourg Gardens, the bookshops and the must-visit cafés.

Stay here: When it comes to hotels, there are plenty to choose from. Take a look at the Hôtel des Académies et des Arts, the Hôtel des Grands Voyageurs or the chic Villa-des-Prés. 

Best for: late nights and seeing Paris after dark

No one really sleeps in Oberkampf. You pretend to. You book a room just to drop your bags, grab a shower and find your first bar to head to. Here, bars spill over, terraces are packed and gigs echo from basements. But it’s also – surprise – a brilliant base for exploring. République is just round the corner, and from there you can hop on a ghost train to Belleville, Bastille, Canal Saint-Martin, or anywhere else in the east of Paris that thinks the night’s still young. 

Stay here: There are a few cool hostels, a couple of artsy hotels, maybe a sleek hideaway or two. If you’re looking to go upmarket, there’s the very posh Renaissance Republique. 

Best for: romantics (and the Paris you’ve always dreamed of)

Streets lined with retro cafés, ivy-clad apartment buildings and the dazzling white domes of the Sacré-Cœur: Montmartre is most people’s idea of what Paris is really like. So why not live that fantasy? This northern neighbourhood has retained its enchanting village feel thanks to its steep hills, charming multi-coloured houses and tiny old-world shops. Wander around spotting locations from ‘Amélie’, visit the final resting places of Degas and Zola in the Cimetière Montmartre, and take in the dreamy rose gardens of the 17th-century Musée de Montmartre. There are plenty of quality restaurants (Sushi Shunei, A.Léa, Chez Eugène), all within easy reach of the wild nightlife of the indefatigable Pigalle. 

Stay here: Our favourite place to sleep is undoubtedly the Hôtel Particulier Montmartre (if you’re not staying there, at least drop by the Très Particulier, its secret bar), but the Ballu is a must for those on a tighter budget.

Best for: discreet lovers, daydreaming writers and anyone who’s finally had enough of Paris’s craziness

If you’re after Eiffel Tower views from your window and a bakery on every corner, you might want to look elsewhere. There are no Ladurée macarons here, no beret vendors, no Paris-in-a-box clichés wrapped in cellophane. Instead, this neighbourhood is a haven for those craving greenery, space and quiet, with the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont as its crown. At its feet, early 20th-century apartment blocks, tiny bars and plenty of local restaurants. Come evening, the vibe is more local than touristy. No Berlin-style warehouse clubs or wild shot bars here – just relaxed drinks at Pavillon Puebla or Rosa Bonheur, mellow playlists, and the soft hum of craft beer chatter.

Stay here: Forget luxury hotels here – think stylish Airbnbs, understated boutique spots, and perfect little hideaways. Or just trot five minutes down the road to Babel Belleville for the night. 

Best for: an urban art scene and some serious views

Belleville is on top, both literally (it’s up on a hill) and metaphorically (it made our list of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods for 2024). You’re a long way from the picture-postcard image of Paris, and yet, at the junction of two of the area’s main streets, you’ll find one of the most surprising and picturesque views of the capital (even the name Belleville refers to these impressive vistas). Here you’ll find Chinatown, with its many bouis-bouis (hole-in-the-wall restaurants, like the fabulous Mian Guan) and karaoke bars, not to mention a host of top-notch bars (locals flock to the area when they’re in need of a drink) and eateries, such as the galloping Cheval d’Or, and bistros that are part traditional, part trendy (think Café des Délices and Paloma). Imagine if Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris had been given an edgier touch by Gaspar Noé, perhaps using the excellent bars Combat and Kissproof as locations, and you’ll start to understand the area’s vibe. 

Stay here: As a bonus, accommodation options are nice and cheap in Belleville – we'd recommend Hotel Babel.

Best for: cool kids with deep pockets

Here, you're in the centre of Paris, a paradise of galleries, thrift shops, designer boutiques and trendy cafés. A cultural hub, the Marais is home to some of the most cutting-edge institutions, from the Lafayette Anticipations contemporary art centre to the MEP (Maison Européenne de la Photographie). Good restaurants abound, too, from the cheeky Marché des Enfants-Rouges to the hype of Carboni’s and the gourmet flair of Datil (which we named restaurant of the year at the Time Out Food & Drink Awards). You’ll even find two of our favourite bistros and brasseries: the Bistrot des Tournelles and the Grande Brasserie. Of course, all this comes at a price, and quality hotels in the area are a little more expensive than elsewhere. 

Stay here: If you have the budget, nothing beats the stately serenity of the Cour des Vosges, on the square of the same name. For something a little more under the radar, try Sinner. 

Best for: those who work odd hours

Pigalle is so cool that every other district in Paris probably hates it. He’s your mate who goes out until late (in his defence, there’s literally only one step from the terrace of the Mansart to the door of the club le Carmen) but stays cool for a cinematic day out at the Musée de la Vie Romantique or the Musée Gustave Moreau. He’ll tell you that you can find everything you need in his long Rue des Martyrs, and he’ll be right. But we recommend that you go shopping in the surrounding streets, which are full of crazy bakeries (Norma, Léonie, Babka Zana, Mamiche...), florists that look like museums (Debeaulieu) and second-hand clothes shops (Mamie Blue).

Stay here: If you’re more into yoga than hangovers, head to HOY Paris.

Best for: foodies ready to eat (and eat, and eat)

There are so many dining options in the area that we could probably launch a whole new site called Time Out Charonne. Leading the way is chef Adrien Cachot’s Vaisseau, but he’s surrounded by a whole host of timeless spots; Clamato, Septime, Bistrot Paul Bert... And if you fancy cooking for yourself, you’re close to two of the best markets in Paris: the one on Place de la Bastille and the one on Place d’Aligre (both make for a great stroll come Sunday, too). To extend your walk, head to the Père Lachaise cemetery, which is nearby. 

Stay here: Look no further than Maison Bréguet in Place de la Bastille or Hôtel Paradiso in Place de la Nation. 

Best for: big budgets and big occasions

If you’re Bella Hadid and you’re spending three days in Paris, Tuileries is the place. Head down to the Place de la Concorde, off the Rue de Rivoli and the Jardin des Tuileries – much more chic than the Champs-Élysées if you’ve got money to spend. Even more expensive, Place Vendôme and its luxury boutiques are just a stone’s throw away, while at the end of the garden, the Bourse de Commerce and its blockbuster exhibitions are sure to make the neighbouring Louvre jealous. When it comes to eating, you’ll be well served by the city’s best Japanese restaurants, from Kodawari and Echizen Ramen to Toraya’s goldsmith bentos and pastries.

Stay here: The hotels here are like palaces: from the single-storey Crillon on Place de la Concorde to Le Meurice a little further along under the arcades, luxury hotels line up along the Tuileries like pearls on a necklace along the Tuileries.

Best for: playing it like a trendy Parisian

If you want to play it like an insider, move to SSD. You’ve been warned: if you choose this district, it’s more for its Turkish restaurants, bars and cafés than for its monuments and museums (which are almost non-existent). But this is where youth is made, and where you’ll have the best chance of meeting new people. Here, you can choose between the rockers at Chez Tony or the hip crowd at La Chope des Artistes. For after-dinner drinks, you can count on the burgers at Dogma or Dumbo, or the unmissable dürüms at Urfa. And if by any chance you feel the need for a bit of culture, the Porte Saint-Martin theatre has one of the best programmes in the capital! 

Stay here: Sleeping is cheating in this buzzy neighbourhood, but the Grand Amour is a hotel unlike any other, and its hidden Book Bar is a must-visit too.