Choosing where to stay in Paris is not always easy if you do not know the city. I have put together all our tips and a few addresses here, because I am often asked: “Where should we stay in Paris?” and “Which neighbourhood is best for a family trip to Paris?” I am a Parisian and I love my city — the place where I was born and lived for many years.
Since we moved to England, we have become visitors to Paris ourselves and have tried different places to stay: apartment rentals and hotels. We have even done a home exchange.
Of course, every Parisian has their favourite spots, so my choice of Paris neighbourhoods and my views on each of them are very personal. These are the areas I find convenient for sightseeing and well suited to a family stay. I hope they give you some ideas!
1 – Stay in Le Marais
Le Marais is old Paris at its most charming, with cobbled streets and a lively neighbourhood full of cafés, restaurants and museums.
Why stay in Le Marais?
- It is beautiful and central, on the Right Bank of the Seine. Do not miss the magnificent Place des Vosges!
- Le Marais is made for long walks, and you can easily catch métro line 1 to explore the rest of Paris.
- There is plenty going on, even on Sundays, with lots of independent designer shops.
- Wonderful museums include the Musée Picasso, the Musée Carnavalet (the history of Paris) and the Maison de Victor Hugo.
- For families: there are plenty of little squares and not much car traffic. Children will particularly enjoy the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature (see my selection of 20 things to do in Paris with children).
Approximate journey times:
- To the Eiffel Tower: about 30 minutes by métro.
- To the Louvre: about 10 minutes by métro or 25 minutes on foot.
- To Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur: about 40 minutes by métro.
- To Orly Airport: about 40 minutes by métro; to Charles de Gaulle Airport: about 50 minutes.
Where to stay in Le Marais
This duplex for five has a lovely view and an ideal location. Be aware that it has a spiral staircase, so I would avoid it with very young children.
This large apartment for six is another excellent option, with typically Parisian décor. It is more expensive, of course, so sharing the cost between six makes sense — perhaps with the grandparents, as we sometimes do.
2 – Stay in the Latin Quarter
The Latin Quarter is the capital’s student and intellectual heartland.
Why stay in the Latin Quarter?
- It is another very central neighbourhood, this time on the Left Bank of the Seine.
- Enjoy walks towards Saint-Germain-des-Prés or the two nearby islands: Île de la Cité (home to Notre-Dame Cathedral) and the charming Île Saint-Louis.
- For families: the elegant Jardin du Luxembourg is close by and gives children plenty of room to run around.
Approximate journey times:
- To the Eiffel Tower: about 30 minutes by métro.
- To the Louvre: about 20 minutes by métro or 20 minutes on foot.
- To Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur: about 35 minutes by métro.
- To Orly Airport: about 40 minutes by métro; to Charles de Gaulle Airport: about 50 minutes.
Where to stay in the Latin Quarter
This Latin Quarter apartment is ideally located, a 15-minute walk from Notre-Dame. It has a double bed and a sofa bed.
If your budget stretches further, Hôtel des Grandes Écoles is a charming, elegant hotel with family rooms.
3 – Stay near the Eiffel Tower
The Iron Lady needs no introduction! She is fascinating, and I understand why some visitors want to stay right at her feet. It is often more expensive than elsewhere, though.
Why stay near the Eiffel Tower?
- The pleasure of seeing the Eiffel Tower! If you want to go up, book your tickets in advance (see my article on 20 unmissable things to do in Paris).
- Excellent museums nearby include the Musée d’Art Moderne, the Musée de l’Homme and the Musée Guimet (Asian art).
- For families: take that classic souvenir photo at the Trocadéro, with the Eiffel Tower behind you!
Approximate journey times:
- To the Louvre: about 30 minutes by métro.
- To Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur: about 40 minutes by métro.
- To Orly Airport: about 50 minutes by métro; to Charles de Gaulle Airport: about 1 hour 10 minutes.
Where to stay near the Eiffel Tower
At the higher end, Hôtel La Bourdonnais is a lovely hotel about a five-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower (some rooms have a tower view). Papa Voyage and I spent a night there as a couple, but it also has a junior suite for families.
4 – Stay in the 17th arrondissement: Monceau, Batignolles and Ternes
The 17th is a large arrondissement in western Paris. The parts I recommend are:
- Around the beautiful Parc Monceau, for a smart, family-friendly area.
- Batignolles, with its village-like, slightly bohemian atmosphere.
- Around Place des Ternes, particularly the market on Rue Poncelet.
I would avoid the area north of Avenue de Clichy: it is further from the centre and, to my mind, less suited to a family stay.
Why stay in the 17th?
- It is a very family-friendly part of Paris with several different atmospheres.
- The most useful métro lines for exploring Paris from here are lines 3 and 2. Bus 92 is handy too, taking you through some of Paris’s more elegant neighbourhoods.
- For families: Parc Monceau is wonderful. I particularly recommend it with young children.
Approximate journey times:
- To the Eiffel Tower: about 20 minutes by métro or bus.
- To the Louvre: about 20 minutes by métro, depending on where you start in the 17th.
- To Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur: about 25 minutes by métro.
- To Orly Airport: about 50 minutes by métro; to Charles de Gaulle Airport: about 1 hour.
Where to stay in the 17th
Just a ten-minute walk from the Arc de Triomphe, this Haussmann-style Parisian apartment for four is a good family option.
Very close to Parc Monceau, this junior suite with a kitchenette is a reliable aparthotel choice.
5 – Stay in the 15th arrondissement
I worked in this neighbourhood for three years, and my father had an Italian restaurant here, so I visited often. I think it is a very good choice for families. Why?
Why stay in the 15th?
- It is a residential, family-friendly area.
- This is south-west Paris, so the Eiffel Tower is never too far away. I recommend staying near métro line 6 so you are not too far from the centre.
- For families: you will enjoy the relaxed neighbourhood feel. Show your children Paris’s Statue of Liberty, too (on the Seine near Pont de Grenelle).
Approximate journey times:
- To the Eiffel Tower: about 15 minutes by métro, or 20–30 minutes on foot.
- To the Louvre: about 30 minutes by public transport.
- To Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur: about 45 minutes by métro.
- To Orly Airport: about 1 hour by public transport; to Charles de Gaulle Airport: about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Where to stay in the 15th
YOOMA Urban Lodge Tour Eiffel is a modern, family-friendly hotel.
6 – Stay in La Butte aux Cailles
La Butte aux Cailles is where I was born and lived for many years. It is in Paris’s 13th arrondissement, near Place d’Italie, on a slightly hidden hill that gives it a village atmosphere. We also lived here when our son Ticoeur was a baby. I cannot claim to be impartial, but I love it!
Why stay in La Butte aux Cailles?
- It is a picturesque, lively neighbourhood, off the beaten track yet unmistakably Parisian.
- Although it is not in the heart of Paris, three métro lines serve nearby Place d’Italie (lines 5, 6 and 7), making it easy to get around the city.
- For families: teenagers will enjoy all the street art.
Approximate journey times:
- To the Eiffel Tower: about 30 minutes, directly on métro line 6, with lovely views on its above-ground sections.
- To the Louvre: about 25 minutes, directly on métro line 7.
- To Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur: about 45 minutes by métro.
- To Orly Airport: about 40 minutes by métro; to Charles de Gaulle Airport: about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Where to stay in La Butte aux Cailles (13th arrondissement)
- The Beauquartier – Butte aux Cailles studio is a practical family-friendly aparthotel-style option, with a kitchen and good value for money.
- Hôtel B55 has comfortable, classic family rooms.
7 – Stay around Nation, Picpus and Bercy
Now to the 12th arrondissement in south-east Paris. It is mainly residential and family-friendly, especially south of Place de la Nation around Picpus.
Why stay near Nation?
- It is further from the centre but very well connected: RER line A gets you to Auber, near the Opéra and department stores, in about 10 minutes. Métro lines 1, 6, 8 and 9 also serve many sights.
- For families: I recommend walking along the Coulée verte towards Bastille, following an elevated planted walkway on a former railway line.
Approximate journey times:
- To the Eiffel Tower: about 40 minutes, directly on métro line 6, with some scenic above-ground sections.
- To the Louvre: about 15 minutes, directly on métro line 1.
- To Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur: about 30 minutes by métro (directly on line 2).
- To Orly Airport: about 40 minutes by métro; to Charles de Gaulle Airport: about 1 hour.
Where to stay around Nation, Picpus and Bercy (12th arrondissement)
One option is Adagio Paris-Nation aparthotel, with a double bed, sofa, kitchenette and living area.
A little further away, between Nation and Bercy, I spotted The People Paris Bercy hostel. It also has private family rooms with bathrooms and a large shared roof terrace. We have often stayed in hostels as a family: they can be a good, more affordable compromise.
***
Our tips for booking a family stay in Paris
- Book early for the widest choice and the best prices.
- Avoid the busiest periods, when hotels fill up and rates rise: Fashion Week in late September and early October, New Year, and May–June during major trade fairs and Roland-Garros. August prices are often attractive as business travellers and many Parisians leave the capital. The autumn half-term and February school holidays can also be good times.
- Check how far your accommodation is from the métro. That said, you can cover a lot on foot: Paris is not as large as London, for example.
- Apartment or hotel? I have suggested several apartments because having a kitchen helps keep restaurant costs down. At a hotel, there is no need to pay extra for breakfast: Paris has plenty of delicious bakeries and welcoming cafés!
- Home exchange: we have tried HomeExchange in Paris and had an excellent experience. If you are interested, I can refer you so we both earn points. My HomeExchange referral code is christine-f9777.
- What about the suburbs? Yes, they can help you find cheaper accommodation or a larger apartment. For me, the key is having a métro station nearby. My two favourite places for a family stay are Neuilly-sur-Seine (line 1: Les Sablons or Pont de Neuilly) and Levallois-Perret (line 3: Louise Michel, Anatole France or Pont de Levallois). Both are quiet, family-friendly suburbs, and lines 1 and 3 are among the best for crossing Paris and seeing the main sights.
***
So, who is coming to Paris soon?
Also worth reading
Visit Paris as a family: 20 ideas to discover the Capital with children.What to visit during a stay in Paris with children? Here is a list of our favourites museums, strolls, gardens and museums...
You read this blog — which means you value quality content grounded in real experiences. With Google Preferred Sources, tell Google which publishers you trust. Add us and other sources you love, and Google will surface them more in your future search results.