Best Arrondissement To Stay In Paris France
Paris. Ah, Paris. The city of lights, love, and ridiculously overpriced croissants. You're planning a trip, fantastic! Now comes the big question: where do you stay?
Everyone has their go-to. The Eiffel Tower lovers flock to the 7th Arrondissement. The trendy art buffs swear by the Marais, that's the 3rd and 4th. The chic shoppers? Definitely the 8th, with its glorious Champs-Élysées.
And then there's me. With my slightly quirky, perhaps even downright wrong, Paris accommodation opinion. Prepare yourselves. Deep breaths. My favorite place to sleep in Paris is… drumroll please… the 11th Arrondissement!
Wait, don't leave! I know what you're thinking. "The 11th? Isn't that a bit… industrial?" Or maybe, "Isn't that where all the young, slightly boisterous people hang out?" Yes. And yes. And that's precisely why I adore it.
Look, I'm not saying you shouldn't visit the iconic sights. Of course, you should! You absolutely must gaze up at the Eiffel Tower and pretend you're in a movie. You must get lost in the Louvre and wonder how many Mona Lisas they actually have hidden in storage. And you absolutely, positively, must try a macaron. Even if it costs you your firstborn child.
But when it comes to your home base? Your little Parisian sanctuary after a long day of dodging pigeons and deciphering menus? I say skip the tourist traps. Skip the places where the hotel staff speak exclusively in hushed tones and the breakfast buffet costs more than a small car.
The 11th is where Paris lives. It's a neighborhood buzzing with actual Parisians, not just people on a strict itinerary. You'll find tiny bistros serving up the most incredible steak frites you've ever tasted, for prices that won't make your wallet weep. You'll stumble upon wine bars where the owner might just pour you a glass of something amazing they discovered that morning. It’s that kind of place.
Think of it as the cool, slightly rebellious cousin of the more established arrondissements. It's got energy. It's got character. It's got a vibrant nightlife that doesn't involve being elbowed by a selfie stick every five seconds.
And the food! Oh, the food in the 11th. Forget those stuffy Michelin-starred places for a night. Wander down Oberkampf or explore the streets around Bastille. You'll find creperies that will make you question all your life choices up until that point. You'll find bakeries where the pain au chocolat is so flaky, it might just float away on a gentle breeze. Seriously flaky.
Plus, it’s surprisingly well-connected. Need to get to the Louvre? Hop on the metro. Want to see the Sacré-Cœur? Easy peasy. You're not exactly marooned in the Parisian wilderness. You're just… strategically located near all the action, but with a much more authentic, less frantic vibe.
I understand the allure of the classic Parisian experience. I do. The grand Haussmannian buildings, the romantic Seine strolls, the feeling of stepping back in time. But sometimes, the best way to experience a city is to see where its heart truly beats. And for me, that’s the 11th.
It's where you can grab a cheap and cheerful coffee in the morning and feel like a local. It's where you can find a quirky little boutique and discover a hidden gem. It's where you can have a fantastic, authentic Parisian meal without needing to remortgage your house.
So, next time you're booking your Parisian adventure, consider stepping a little off the beaten path. Consider the 11th Arrondissement. You might just discover that your "unpopular" opinion is actually the smartest one of all. And who knows, you might even find yourself agreeing with me. Just don't tell the Eiffel Tower lovers. They get a bit sensitive.
My personal recommendation? Find a cute Airbnb. They are plentiful and often more affordable in the 11th. You get a real feel for the neighborhood that way. Just try not to spill wine on the rug.
You'll thank me later. Or at least, you’ll thank yourself for not spending your entire travel budget on a tiny hotel room with a view of a brick wall. Paris is wonderful. The 11th is where you can enjoy Paris.