Finding the Right Paris Neighborhood for You

Each Paris neighborhood has its own personality and pace. When you're looking for a Paris apartment or Paris hotel, it's important to find the Paris neighborhood where you will feel the most comfortable. Here's a guide to Paris neighborhoods for your vacation or move to Paris. Discover which Paris quartier is right for you.

St. Michel, Odeon and St. Germain

St. Michel is a very lively and very crowded neighborhood on the left bank. In the heart of the Latin Quarter and near the universities, this is a good place for young people to establish a base, as they won’t mind the noise, there are lots of bars nearby, and it will be safe walking around at night with all the people out and about. Proximity to the river and Ile de la Cite is a plus. A major drawback to this area is that it's on Line 4 of the Metro -- a notoriously crowded line, because it serves 3 of Paris' 6 regional and TGV train stations and 2 RER lines, and it also intersects every single Paris Metro line at some point. Be prepared for lots of shoulder-to-shoulder, standing room only Metro rides. (5th and 6th arrondissements)

Odeon and St. Germain are the slightly quieter, more intellectual cousins of St. Michel. They're on the same Metro line and in the same part of town, but a little farther from the hustle and bustle of the Latin Quarter and Place St. Michel. You'll find lots of students, but a calmer crowd. This area is highly sought after, so you'll find higher demand for apartments here, and you might pay a premium. (5th and 6th arrondissements, farther south)

6th & 7th Arrondissements

Sevres-Babylone and Rue de Bac (border neighborhood of 6th and 7th arrondissements, Left Bank) are quiet, down-to-earth neighborhoods close to all the action without being right in the mix. They're not museum districts, but have lots of great shopping right in the neighborhood. Sevres is the home of famous Le Bon Marche department store and its food hall, Le Grand Epicerie, and both neighborhoods are a hop, skip and a jump from Odeon and St. Germain.

The 7^th arrondissement reminds me of New York’s Upper West Side. It’s a little enclave, and tourists aren’t likely to stumble upon the residential areas on their way to the Eiffel Tower or the Hotel des Invalides, even though they’re also in the 7th. Here you’ll find chic townhomes, antique shops, and galleries, restaurants just for the locals and in-the-know crowd. It’s home to the American Church in Paris and the American University in Paris. This neighborhood is close to the river and is a central place from which to access lots of museums and the Tuileries gardens on the right bank. If you’re a Rick Steves fan, the 7^th is also the home of his beloved Rue Cler, a pedestrian street famous for its market and shops. This area doesn't have enough flavor for me personally, but it you want a quiet, central place to set up camp in Paris, this is it.

Montparnasse

Montparnasse is the Times Square of Paris, if that means anything to you. I find it tacky and too busy for my tastes. It's walking distance to some of the outskirts of the St. Germain area, but after Les Halles, it's my least favorite area of Paris. (14th arrondissement, Left Bank)

Marais

The Marais (3rd and 4th arrondissments, Right Bank) is the historic Jewish quarter of Paris and has increasingly become known as a gay enclave as well. It's centrally located and close to the river. It's a highly sought after area where you might have to pay more for an apartment.

Beaubourg and Montorgueil

Beaubourg is to Paris as the Lower East Side is to New York. It's an edgy neighborhood humming with energy where you'll find street artists, skaters, the gay crowd, creative types -- a harmonious intersection of various subcultures. Beaubourg is home to Centre Pompidou (modern art museum) and a lively nightlife scene. Nearby you will also find the hip Montorgueil neighborhood and its namesake pedestrian street full of cafes, bars and pastry shops.

Montmartre

If you want bohemian Paris charm at affordable prices, Montmartre is your place. This is where you'll find many of the cheapest apartments with central Paris. I think it's partly due to the location - it's at the outer edge of central Paris, but still a quick Metro ride to all the sites. The drawback is you may feel a bit like you're leaving the heart of Paris to go back to your neighborhood. I prefer neighborhoods that border the Seine, so I can hang out there at the end of the day and saunter back home at night. That's just my preference, Montmartre charm notwithstanding. (18th arrondissement, Right Bank)

So now you have a little info about Paris neighbourhoods where you might feel most comfortable.