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9 minutes readContents
- What to know about visiting Paris
- Best places to stay in Paris for families
- Where to stay in Paris for couples
- What areas to stay in Paris for solo travelers
- Best place to stay in Paris close to everything
- What area to stay in Paris for group trips
- Book travel packages to Paris with RateHawk
What to know about visiting Paris
If your client is looking for summer and year-round vacation ideas, Paris is one of the best cities in the world. It’s a great alternative to a tropical vacation for a short break or as a honeymoon destination.
Before we dive into our suggestions of which arrondissement to consider and our recommendations for places to stay, it’s worth recapping some essential information.
Paris is easy to navigate with its public transport options. There are more than 300 stations dotted throughout the city with 16 metro lines. Most tourists use the buses and trams to get around, although it is considered a walkable city with its cobblestone streets. It’s worth noting that only a few of Paris’ metro stations are considered accessible. Families with small children or travelers with accessibility concerns may prefer to get around by bus or tram.
Photo: Catarina Belova / Shutterstock.com
France’s capital has year-round appeal with events held almost every month. Its proximity to other cities, like London and Brussels, makes it a popular choice for multi-city breaks. Most tourists will stay in Paris for at least five days with most room pricing reflecting this. August is the most popular month for French tourists and Parisians to take their summer vacations with some smaller attractions being closed as a result.
Paris can feel overwhelming. Ask your clients what their ideal French itinerary would be and choose a neighborhood or arrondissement with a room close to these attractions. We’re sharing the best places to stay, with accommodation recommendations, for families, couples, solo travelers, groups, and clients who want to be close to everything.
Best places to stay in Paris for families
Where to stay: Hotel Park Lane Paris
An estimated 30 million tourists visit Paris annually with many of them being families. If you’re planning a vacation for a family, you’ll want to consider transportation options and the itinerary. Central Paris is only 40 minutes from Disneyland via the RER A train from Chatelet station with Marne-la-Vallée Chessy station being right at the gates of the theme park.
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We recommend the 8th arrondissement for families as it places clients at the heart of the action with most of the must-visit attractions being within walking distance. The larger streets make it easier to move around with kids or navigate a stroller. There are plenty of room options to choose as a base to go back to for a mid-day nap.
Hotel Park Lane Paris is family-friendly and offers babysitting and childcare services with fitness facilities, multilingual staff, and tour assistance from the concierge team. For a slightly cheaper alternative with a similar style, check out Hotel Litteraire le Swann, another child-friendly option in the 8th arrondissement.
Where to stay in Paris for couples
Where to stay: La Realis Montmartre
Paris is the city of lovers. Whether it’s for an anniversary, honeymoon, or birthday celebration, thousands of hotel rooms capture the city’s romantic nature. Montmartre feels like a genuine town with independent bars and restaurants spread out across its cobbled streets. This arrondissement is in the hills of Paris, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding streets. Montmartre even has its own vineyard.
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Le Relais Montmartre is right next to Moulin Rouge, in the heart of the theater district. It’s the best choice for a couple who wants to spend their evenings immersed in the streets of Paris and embrace the feeling of love. For longer stays, check out Montmartre Residence as an apartment alternative.
These hotels make it easy to access some of the city’s most romantic sites. You can book a 3-course dinner cruise on the Seine, advanced tickets for the Eiffel Tower, and tickets to the observation deck at Montparnasse Tower.
What areas to stay in Paris for solo travelers
Where to stay: Hotel Artus
Paris is somewhere that you’ll never feel alone. Its museums, theaters, and restaurant scenes mean there’s always something to do. While Paris can be an expensive place to explore solo, there are plenty of affordable options to be found close to the center.
While hostel rooms are often the best choice for younger travelers, older clients or those with a bigger budget may want to splurge during their vacation to the fashion capital.
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Saint-Germain-des-Pres is one of the chicest parts of Paris and offers an immersive experience for those who want to feel like a local. It’s somewhere to escape the hustle and bustle with its little cafes and postcard-worthy buildings. The Arc de Triomphe is nearby with this arrondissement being ideal for those who want an early start to get the most out of their time in Paris.
Hotel Artus gives you a stunning view of the Seine and is within walking distance of the Louvre, Notre Dame, and the Champs Elysees. Hotels in this arrondissement have a higher price tag due to their location at the heart of the French capital. More affordable hotel options can be found in the 9th and 18th arrondissements. Hotel Apolonia Pairs Montmartre costs slightly more than hostel rooms in the area and offers unique features like a library and to-go food options.
Best place to stay in Paris close to everything
Where to stay: Villa Saxe Eiffel
If your clients are visiting Paris for the first time, they’ll probably tell you they want to be “close to everything”. It’s a hard request to meet, especially for clients who want to visit Disneyland, Versailles, or other destinations outside the capital. Rue Cler and the 8th arrondissement offer a range of hotels with different room types for travelers who want to have their own “Emily in Paris” experience.
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8th Arrondissement
The Champs Elysees is one of the most famous streets in the world. It’s home to many of France’s most recognizable flagship shops, whether you want to head to Sephora or explore the country’s fashion history by calling into Louis Vuitton, Christian Louboutin, or Chanel. Although known for its luxury shopping, this place feels like the Paris most people would recognize.
Wake up with a view of the Eiffel Tower from Hotel Le Derby Alma by Inwood Hotels. It’s a great option for couples on their honeymoon or clients looking to splurge on a bucket list vacation. Our best recommendation is Villa Saxe Eiffel, close enough to the action without being in the hustle and bustle. There are three metro stations nearby with shuttle services and airport transport available.
Rue Cler
Rue Cler is not as recognizable for most tourists, but this upscale area serves up some of the best bars and restaurants. Even visitors who aren’t staying in the area will come here to sample its food options, from traditional French cuisine to more diverse European and Middle Eastern flavors. The perk of staying in Rue Cler is that it’s a central location but still relatively quiet for guests who want to relax in their hotel room at the end of the evening.
Photo: Catarina Belova/ Shutterstock.com
What area to stay in Paris for group trips
Where to stay: Hotel Sookie
Paris is an ideal option for a group getaway as it provides something for everyone, whether you want to spend the evening in a bar, front row at Moulin Rouge, or at a museum. The good news is that there are multiple neighborhoods with hotel rooms to suit every budget and room preference.
There are three main options to consider for groups:
1st Arrondissement
Most tourists plan to visit the Louvre at least once. The 1st Arrondissement is the closest you’ll find to a one-size-fits-all area within the French capital. It’s great for first-time visitors and those arriving for a return visit. It’s easy to tick off most of the major spots within just a few days, whether the group is planning to shop or indulge in the city’s cultural sights.
Photo by Gloria Villa on Unsplash
The Galleries Lafayette can be found in this arrondissement, though it’s worth emphasizing that a hotel stay in this arrondissement will be a little more expensive. Rue Saint-Honoré is full of medieval architecture, capturing the heart and soul of Paris.
The Tuileries Gardens make it feel like you’re stepping back in time, providing an escape from the crowded streets and queues to enter museums and galleries. If a group has a larger budget or is planning a milestone trip, point them in the direction of the Drawing Hotel on Rue Richelieu, next to the Palais Royal.
Le Marais
Le Marais captures everything Paris is famous for, from its museums to its signature medieval architecture and mouth watering food. This arrondissement is great for weekend breaks as most of the stores and tourist attractions stay open on Sundays, something that’s relatively unusual in France.
You’ll find some of the most popular restaurants in this area, making it ideal for groups who want to spend their evenings indulging in the city’s famous wines, cheese boards, and traditional cuisine. We recommend Le Marais for girls’ trips as it offers one of the largest assortments of vintage stores, along with the must-visit BHV Marais department store.
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Hotel Sookie is one of the top-rated hotels in Le Marais, close to the Picasso Museum and the National Archives. It’s just a few minutes from the city center and ideal for groups of all ages and family reunions with childcare options available, including a playroom.
Canal Saint-Martin
If you’re booking a trip for a group that wants to stay out all night, send them to Canal Saint-Martin. It’s one of the trendiest areas with a never-ending nightlife. There’s plenty to do during the day, including visiting the food stalls in Rue Saint-Marthe and exploring the Place de la Republique. The canal runs through this arrondissement with bars and cafes situated near the water.
Other must-visit places for nightlife, including Bastille and Marais, are easy to reach by metro or quick taxi ride. Canal Saint-Martin is an up-and-coming neighborhood and ideal for a bridesmaid trip or friends in their late 20s or 30s. Gare du Nord station is nearby, offering transport links to the UK and throughout Europe with the Eurostar network. You can jump on the train and head to Disneyland or make another stop in Nice, Brussels, Amsterdam, or almost anywhere in Europe.
Hotels and accommodation options tend to be more affordable in this arrondissement with apartments being a great choice for larger groups as an alternative to booking multiple hotel rooms. Hotel International Paris is an ideal option to book for a weekend break, with triple rooms available.
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Book travel packages to Paris with RateHawk
RateHawk gives travel agents access to over 2.6 million hotels from more than 260 international suppliers. Our user-friendly interface streamlines the booking process with an extensive inventory, exclusive rates, and 24/7 multi-lingual support. You can use our easy-to-navigate platform to book your client’s dream getaway to Europe, whether they’re going solo or taking all the family.
Explore accommodation options to suit every traveler’s taste and budget. Get started with RateHawk today to offer travel packages to Paris for 2024 and beyond as France basks in its post-Olympics popularity.
Cover: Photo by Chris Karidis on Unsplash
