The Ultimate List for Where to Stay in Paris for Couples—Ranked

Fall asleep to views of the Eiffel Tower or cozy up in a suite along the Seine.

Photo: pidjoe | Getty

Updated Jan 03, 2024

When planning a trip, deciding where to stay in Paris is the perfect starting point. You'll find plenty of things to do in Paris no matter which neighborhood you call home during your trip, but each area caters to a different crowd—and some are more conveniently located than others. While the well-heeled 16th arrondissement is home to the Fondation Louis Vuitton and Trocadéro gardens, it's better to add these sights to your itinerary than stay here. Same goes for Batignolles in the 17th arrondissement, near Parc Monceau, which is on the more residential side (and home to high-end office buildings as opposed to trendy restaurants).

We combed through neighborhoods around all 20 arrondissements to narrow down six of the best for everyone from first-timers to couples looking to explore the city's buzzy nightlife and cabaret culture. From the top overall neighborhood in Paris to the best spots to book during the Paris Olympics, here is our list for where to stay in Paris on your next trip to the capital of romance.

The Knot's List for Where to Stay in Paris

Best Overall Neighborhood in Paris: Le Marais

Where to stay in Paris the First Time: Champs-Élysées

Where to stay for the Paris Olympics: Louvre and Tuileries

Best Place to Stay in Paris for a Romantic Trip: Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Best for Paris Restaurants and Nightlife: Pigalle

Most Affordable Hotels and Eateries: Bastille

Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Saint-Germain-des-Prés, in the 6th arrondissement, is chock-full of fantastic restaurants, wine bars, galleries, and museums, making it one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Paris. Sip cocktails at whimsical, multi-floor bar Cravan, people-watch from the terrace of Café de Flore, or sample an array of tapas and wine in the market at L'Avant Comptoir du Marché. In a neighborhood that helped popularize the term flâneur, the best way to see Saint-Germain-des-Prés is simply getting lost strolling the winding cobbled streets.

Best Hotels in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris

The literary sixth arrondissement hasn't lost its bohemian feel—large resorts aren't common, and there's only one luxury Palace hotel, Lutetia. Instead, you'll find intimate, art-filled boutique hotels and former private mansions redesigned with rooms that are the definition of quiet luxury.

Hôtel des Grands Voyageurs: Placed smack-dab in the heart of the sixth arrondissement, a short jaunt from the designer boutiques and cafes on bustling Boulevard Saint-Germain, this romantic hotel in the well-heeled area of Saint-Placide is designed to feel like you're stepping into the home of a Parisian art collector—and it captures the spirit perfectly. With nods to the private residences of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, Milan-born designer Fabrizio Casiraghi pays homage to the Golden Age of Travel (the inspiration behind the name Hôtel des Grands Voyageurs) throughout the 138-room property, which is outfitted in curated antiques from around the globe.

Hôtel Dame des Arts: Closer to the vibrant Saint-Michel neighborhood in the historic Latin Quarter, the design-driven beauty feels like it's long been a mainstay in the area despite being a recent addition. Couples looking for a hotel that has the air of a private pied-à-terre will feel right at home in the 1950s building swathed in stone, terrazzo, and wood. Decorated with more than 70 pieces from artists all linked to Saint-Germain, your room will be as expertly curated as the surrounding galleries.

Villa-des-Prés: If it's your first time in Paris and you want to be in the heart of the action in this iconic neighborhood, the newly opened Villa-des-Prés on Rue de Buci is your place. With just 34 rooms, the boutique spot embraces the neighborhood's intimate feel, but it still has stunning amenities you'd expect from a larger hotel (think a half-moon sauna and subterranean marble-clad pool). The best spot to soak up the city's charm? From the top floor apartment, which shows off silhouettes of the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, and hints of the Louvre.

Louvre and Tuileries

The Paris 2024 Olympics will convert landmarks into sporting arenas, with venues scattered around the city everywhere from Trocadéro to the Grand Palais and Hôtel de Ville, which makes staying in the 1st arrondissement, near the Louvre and Tuileries, a convenient location. If you're wondering where to stay in Paris for the first time, this is as central as you can get. From Châtelet, you can hop on the métro or RER train to venues in and around the city, while still being within walking distance of Paris hotspots and landmarks like the Tuileries Garden, Musée de l'Orangerie, and Place Vendôme.

Best Hotels near the Louvre and Tuileries, Paris

Since the first arrondissement is one of the most-frequented in Paris, hotels are the most popular option for accommodations (there's everything from budget-friendly to super-luxe). Coveted Airbnbs near the Louvre might be trickier to find here (they fill fast), but you'll come across affordable options on Vrbo.

Madame Rêve: The modern, five-star hotel is housed in the Grande Poste de Paris building (there's still a post office downstairs) and feels much larger than it is. The 82 rooms and suites show off panoramic views of Paris, the Eiffel Tower, and Montmartre, but the true highlight is the rooftop bar—one of the few in the center of Paris.

Le Meurice: The Palace hotel borders the Tuileries Garden—the oldest in Paris—and offers guests views of both the Louvre and Montmartre. The 18th-century landmark received a modern makeover à la Philippe Starck, who drew inspiration for the playful design from one of Le Meurice's famous residents—Salvador Dalí.

Cheval Blanc Paris: A newcomer on the city's luxury hotel scene, Cheval Blanc Paris quickly established itself as one of the premier places in town for everything from wellness and beauty (a trip to the Dior Spa Cheval Blanc Paris is a must) to cuisine, with three Michelin-starred Plénitude, Italian fine-dining eatery Langosteria, and brasserie Le Tout-Paris, which offers one of the best views of the city's skyline.

Le Marais

The centrally located quartier in the center of Paris is a great landing point for couples who want to be within walking distance of landmarks like the Louvre, galleries and museums like the Centre Pompidou, and the city's best boutiques. Start with a crêpe at Breizh Café before popping into the nearby Picasso Museum or lounging in the square in Place des Vosges. In the evenings, the neighborhood is one of the liveliest in Paris thanks to its LGBTQ+-friendly bars and nightlife, plus world-renowned cocktails at spots like Little Red Door and speakeasy-style Candelaria.

Best Hotels in Le Marais, Paris

Once home to private townhouses, or hôtels particuliers, from the 17th century, these historic buildings have been converted into intimate hotels that nod to the former famous inhabitants (which include royalty). For something slightly lower in price, look into the many Airbnb options in and around the Marais.

Hôtel Le Grand Mazarin: The newest addition to the neighborhood, Maisons Pariente (behind luxe locales like Hôtel Crillon le Brave Provence and Le Coucou Méribel) worked with Swedish designer Martin Brudnizki on the fantastical décor inspired by the idea of an old-fashioned salon. In the 61 rooms, canopied beds with storybook-like scenes feel as if you're sleeping in your very own fairytale. The over-the-top design matches the five-star service—everything you need can be taken care of by butlers (and this includes beauty products that can be delivered within 30 minutes from nearby partner shop Oh My Cream). If you think the rooms are whimsical, wait until you see the ceiling of Cocteau-inspired frescos shielding the indoor pool.

Maison Proust: The sister hotel to Maison Souquet, voted "Most Romantic Hotel in the World," Maison Proust is just as sumptuous a spot with its gilded frescoes and luxurious, fabric-lined rooms (you can choose which décor you'd like when booking your stay). Each floor is inspired by Marcel Proust and themed around the writer's characters or his own apartments. With an interior designer like Jacques Garcia at the helm, you know you're in for something truly glamorous.

Les Bains: Once private thermal baths in the 1800s (thus the name Les Bains), the 39-room hotel is still a wellness haven with a vitality pool and steam rooms—which helps if you need to sweat out everything from the night before at onsite Roxo Bar and Le Club, a revival of the iconic nightclub from the '80s.

Champs-Élysées

Parisians may turn up their nose at the Champs-Élysées in the same way New Yorkers treat Times Square, but for first-timers in the city, this is as romantic as it gets. Picture waking up with breakfast in bed and a view of the Eiffel Tower standing proudly over Paris. The Triangle d'Or ("Golden Triangle") formed by avenues Montaigne, George V, and des Champs-Élysées is a glamorous base for exploring quintessential Paris: the designer boutiques and couture showrooms, the Crazy Horse Paris cabaret, landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe.

Best Hotels around the Champs-Élysées, Paris

Despite being home to the majority of the city's most luxurious hotels, like La Réserve and Hôtel Plaza Athénée, you'll also find larger brands you can book with points and more boutique, five-star hotels with plush amenities but at price points that won't break the bank.

Hôtel Norman: The five-story boutique hotel features just 37 rooms, so you're guaranteed plenty of space—especially if you book a top-floor suite with a wraparound balcony looking out at the Eiffel Tower (and hard-to-miss Louis Vuitton flagship store). Décor is inspired by 1960s Paris with retro-chic patterns and plush fabrics, making it feel more like a private penthouse than a traditional hotel.

Château des Fleurs: Taking its name from the former dancing and nightlife spot that once sat in the same place before the current neo-Art Nouveau building was constructed in the early 1900s, the elegant, 37-room hotel sits near the top of the Champs-Élysées, near the Arc de Triomphe. You'll be able to soak up spectacular views of quintessential Parisian architecture from all of the rooms (the best vistas, however, are from the corner junior suite standing tub). Cocktails are just as worthy of a photo, especially the signature, blueberry flower-sprinkled spritz.

Le Bristol: For a milestone birthday, anniversary, or proposal, Le Bristol is one of the top hotels in the city and has been an icon since opening in 1925. It's a splurge, but every moment of your stay at what's considered one of the most romantic hotels in Paris will be filled with luxury, so go all-out with a stunning suite showing off Eiffel Tower views that's outfitted with designer-picked custom touches by the likes of Loro Piana and Manuel Canovas.

Shangri-La Paris: You've likely seen this property while scrolling through Instagram. Located a stone's throw away from the Champs-Élysées, the Shangri-La is also home to one of the prettiest terraces in the city with untainted views of the Eiffel Tower off to the distance before manicured Parisian streets.

Pigalle

Pigalle is a mix of the best of Paris. The former red-light district knows how to keep things spicy with its cabarets and clubs (French drag Madame Arthur is a must!), but you'll also find a neighborhood rich in history and culture—just look at the Art Deco buildings lining the winding streets and squares. A vibrant nightlife and dining hub, this part of the city is one you could spend days exploring, with its many concept shops, fromageries, and artisanal boulangeries lining the busy Rue des Martyrs and sultry late-night cocktail bars and lounges like Le Carmen.

Best Hotels in Pigalle, Paris

Dotted with more affordable boutique hotels—plus France's first outpost of members' club Soho House Paris—Pigalle offers plenty of accommodation options for couples, including hip Airbnbs and holiday rentals.

Hôtel Rochechouart: The 1920s stunner at the foot of the Montmartre hill and its defining Sacré-Cœur basilica may look retro with its gorgeous restored Art Deco façade and Belle Époque-style restaurant, but rooms overlooking Paris's rooftops are a modern take on Parisian style.

Le Pigalle: Sitting in the heart of the hip Nouvelles Athènes area of Pigalle, the 40-room boutique hotel looks Parisian thanks to its neoclassical architecture, but rooms fit the feel of the neighborhood with their mix of second-hand furniture and selection of books and music.

La Fantaisie: Located near the series of covered arcades in Faubourg-Montmartre, the whimsical hotel is designed around its centerpiece garden, so expect hints of flora and fauna scattered throughout the pastel-slathered space. Don't miss signature restaurant Golden Poppy, a love letter to California by three Michelin-starred French chef Dominique Crenn, and the subterranean spa, with its multiple baths, saunas, and hammam.

Bastille

Less expensive than neighbors like the Marais, Bastille touches the 4th, 11th and 12th arrondissements. Nightlife is often the draw here (cheap bars attract a slightly younger crowd), but the neighborhood also has tons of cool restaurants and cafés that have made it a popular place for artists and bohemian Parisians. The Marché d'Aligre is one of Paris's best covered markets, and you'll be spoiled with choice in terms of cheese and gourmet food shops surrounding the many stalls. Around the area, you'll also eat well at hipster hotspots like Septime and Le Servan—and natural wine lovers will get their fix at one of the many dedicated bars, including longtime favorite Aux Deux Amis.

Best Hotels in Bastille, Paris

The working-class neighborhood features a number of larger hotel chains like Pullman and Novotel, as well smaller, independent options and more design-driven boutique hotels. Since this is a popular neighborhood to live in, you'll also be able to find larger apartments on Airbnb.

Maison Bréguet: At the 50-room boutique hotel, you'll find spacious suites like the little house deluxe, which spans across two floors and includes a garden and patio, plus junior suites with gorgeous soaking tubs perfect for a post-flight bath.

SO/ Paris: Near the Marais and Bastille, the art-centric hotel hovers over the Seine, meaning views of the water and picturesque buildings from the 162 rooms and suites—plus sweeping shots from the glass-encased rooftop club and restaurant, Bonnie.

Le Pavillon de la Reine: While technically in the Marais, the luxurious hotel in Place des Vosges is on the edge of Bastille. Originally the residence of Anne of Austria, Queen of France, the 56-room charmer feels every bit as ready for royalty now—especially the Queen's Suite, lined with 17th-century Versailles parquet flooring and gold paint-accented walls.