Where to Stay in Paris - Local Guide to Paris Neighbourhoods

Le Marais

Le Marais is a must on any Paris neighborhood guide and one of the best areas to stay in Paris especially for those with sightseeing on the agenda, or visitors seeking the Parisian romance of leafy suburbs and old mansions. On the right bank of the Seine across from the Notre Dame Cathedral, Le Marais is ideally situated.

In fact of all the Paris neighborhoods to stay in, Le Marais is probably the most central of all, with several famous attractions such as the Centre Pompidou, Place des Vosges and the Picasso National Museum in its midst, as well as the hip suburb of Bastille to the right and a wealth of art history to the left.

With stunningly pretty architecture housing some wonderful little bistros and cafeś, the suburb also offers shopping which can only be described as superb. Between independently owned boutiques oozing french chic you will find luxury labels and little markets. The area has a wonderfully diverse cultural mix so that anyone will feel right at home.

Montmartre

It really doesn’t get more French than Montmartre, or “Old Paris”; all the charm of a small village, but with the added grit of the seedier areas around Pigalle. If your Parisian imaginings look like something out of Amélie, this is the right place for you because it happens to be where the movie was shot.

The streets of Montmartre offer a slightly offbeat experience, with tiny retro stores nestled between apartment buildings covered in ivy and multi-colored houses. The hilly terrain of the area lends a charming feel to the place, with an exceptional view from the highest point; the Sacré-Cœur Basilica which perches atop the highest hill and offers a breathtaking view of the city.

Shopping opportunities include some interesting textile shops, as well as a few touristy spots near the Basilica and of course the sex shops of the red-light district.

That’s right if the enchantment of the hilly, village-like suburb wears off and begins to feel a bit vanilla for you, there are always the streets near Pigalle to keep you on edge. Perhaps a bit rough around the edges, here you can hope to experience authentic French cabaret at Au Lapin Agile where, unlike the Moulin Rouge with its touristy can-can dancers, you are more likely to be graced by folk music and poetry.

Canal Saint-Martin

Charming with its little cafeś and cobbled streets, rich historical and cultural diversity, the city of love is simply swoon-worthy to the romantics of the world, but along with this depth of old-world magic, the city is also in possession of a distinctly trendy and cosmopolitan edge. In the neighborhood of Canal Saint-Martin, this cosmopolitan flair is vibrantly discernable.

With a hipster, artsy vibe the area is appealing to a slightly younger, more hip crowd wanting to stay somewhere where there are lots of things to do at night. From République up to Stalingrad, the neighborhood of Canal Saint-Martin is a foodie jackpot with wine and cheese stores, cafeś toting craft coffee and a plethora of little eateries offering both French and global cuisine.

A neo-bohemian dream, the canal itself provides an attraction by day and night, with many of these eateries along its length as well as a few options for a summery beer that can easily take you well into the evening. For some delightful evening exploits here’s a guide to the nightlife revelry Paris has to offer.