Discover Paris: Insider Tips & Hidden Gems

Wondering where to stay in Paris? Local insider breaks down the best neighborhoods, arrondissements, and areas by vibe, budget, and travel style. Avoid tourist traps!

When you’re planning your trip to Paris, chances are you’re not prioritizing the 20e arrondissement - and we understand why. It’s out of the way, there aren’t many big tourist attractions… why bother? If you’re here for more than a few days, or you’ve been to Paris before, we’re here to tell you: It’s worth it. While there might not be massive churches or enticing museums, the 20e is where you can come to truly feel like a local. Relatively untouched by tourism so far, it feels the way the 11e once did. Young families hang out in the park, and side streets stay fairly quiet throughout the night. You can find incredible food, great nighttime vibes, and some of Paris’ most epic green spaces. It’s worth a visit (but perhaps grab an electric bike, if you choose to cycle up). Let’s get into it.

The 19e arrondissement of Paris. Maybe you’ve heard of it, and maybe you’ve been wondering if it’s worth a visit. To us, it absolutely is, and for many reasons. The 19e doesn’t try to be something it’s not, and it doesn’t apologize for what it is. It’s a multicultural, lived-in corner of Paris with a strong sense of community, and it boasts some of the city’s best green spaces, like Parc des Buttes-Chaumont and Parc de la Villette. It shares some traits with neighboring arrondissements, but each has its own flavor. The 10e and 11e, for example, have become hubs for hipster foodies and bar-hoppers, especially around Canal Saint-Martin and Oberkampf. The 20e, while similarly local in feel, has increasingly attracted more affluent young families, particularly near Gambetta and Père Lachaise. But the 19e remains refreshingly unpolished, while still boasting some great local joints.

When you think of the 18e, your mind might go straight to Montmartre - and you wouldn’t be wrong to think that. The hill of Montmartre takes up much of this arrondissement, but not all of it. Around Montmartre you have some seriously up-and-coming bar and restaurant areas where you can find quite a range of tasty treats. On the actual hill, there are tons of nooks and crannies to discover - from hidden parks to various surprise statues to tucked away coffee shops. We’re going to take you through some of our recommendations for Montmartre and the 18e in general.

Ahh the 17e arrondissement of Paris. Quelle mystère! Okay, maybe it’s not mysterious per-se, but it’s definitely a bit of a zone of not-too-much-going-on-so-we-don’t-really-hang-out-there. That said, the 17e still has plenty to offer for locals, and certain travelers. So we’re going to help you maximize your time in the 17e district of Paris.

Okay, if you’re reading this, perhaps you’re already staying in the 16e of Paris and want to know the best things to do there. Or, you’re thinking of staying there, and want to know the best things to do there. Or you’re thinking of spending the day there and… well you get it. Look, there’s not much going on in the 16e! We wouldn’t really recommend staying nor spending too much time here, but if you decide that that’s something you’d like to do - it is a beautiful neighborhood after all - here are our best recommendations for how to maximize the time you spend in the 16e arrondissement of Paris.

If it’s your first time in Paris then don’t make the 15e a priority - this city has a lot to offer and the 15e is very residential. But, if you’ve been here before, you might want to check it out because there’s some great stuff to see here and some excellent food hidden away.

Ah Paris 14e. The boring arrondissement. Home to a big old train station and a lot of corpses. There’s not much to eat, drink, or see here if we’re being honest. If you’re really looking to jam a full-day itinerary in, we’d recommend you stick to other arrondissements.

Did someone say ’The best arrondissement in Paris?’ The beating heart of Paris’ food scene has recently landed in a new district. The 11e has taken the crown from the Marais, is the spot for food, drinks and some of the best coffee in town. This arrondissement used to be known for its nightlife, and if you’re looking for a party you will definitely find one here, but lately the food scene has been taking over the streets north of Bastille. Not just for foodies though, you’ll find some great alternative arts and culture here, as well as a few places for some peace and quiet. The 11e really has it all.

We don’t expect you to be hanging out in the 13e district of Paris if you’re visiting the city for the first or even really the fourth time. It’s pretty out of the way - far from any monuments, most of the best food and drink, and even from much of the classic Haussmanion architecture. However, perhaps you’re here because you want to get out of central Paris for something new, or maybe this is where your hotel or Airbnb are located. There are some great places to check out while you’re in the 13e, regardless of why you’re here. So let’s get into it.

Paris’ 12e arrondissement is an Eastern residential haven for locals; it’s somewhere that feels less city-like, less like a bustling capital. The 12e has more quiet streets, access to the massive Bois de Vincennes, and stays well connected to the rest of Paris by metro. There isn’t much to see by way of museums or monuments here, so let’s jump straight into food and drink. While we wouldn’t really recommend coming to the 12e for anything specific, you might find yourself staying and looking for something to eat close to your hotel or Airbnb. The 12e might not be foodie, per se, but there are still a few options we’d recommend - and you’re close to the 11e, which will make up all the difference!

We love the 10e arrondissement of Paris and we know you’ll love it, too, once you get to know it! This neighborhood has so much to offer in the way of food and drink, while maintaining a bit of that local, residential energy in some areas and total party blocks in others. We’re not going to preface it with much - let’s dive right in.

Perhaps one of the most diverse arrondissements in all of Paris, in the 9e you can start the day with some luxury shopping and end it in the seedy belly of Paris’ red light district (if you so desire). Along the way are some of the best coffee shops in the city, amazing local bistros and the odd dive bar or two, of which we are particularly fond. Highlights include the Opera Garnier and the Rue des Martyrs (though we personally wouldn’t stay near the Opera house, just drop in for a visit.) There is plenty to do in the 9e. This blog will touch on a few recommendations, but if you’re interested in even more, be sure to grab our guide. You’ll get instant access to hundreds of recommendations across the city to ensure you have the best time possible in Paris.

Ah, the 8e arrondissement. The arrondissement that gets us into a fair bit of trouble for saying - why are you here? But we stand by that question. The 8e arrondissement is full of… not much of anything. A couple monuments, a sad and crowded shopping street, and a beautiful park. That’s about it. Sprinkle in truly next to no good food and coffee (except for wildly priced Michelin restaurants) and you’ve got yourself a wasted day.

When it comes to the 7e arrondissement of Paris, the important thing to keep in mind is that it’s mainly quiet streets between big attractions. You’ve got the Eiffel Tower, the Champs de Mars, Les Invalides, the Rodin Museum, the Orsay Museum, river views, and more. If you’re looking for a day filled with these things, this blog will help you to maximize your time in a neighborhood that has limited offerings for food, coffee, drinks, and instead fill it with general laid back vibes.

The 6e arrondissement is classic central Paris at its most elegant. The gem of the left bank, the 6e is a mix of literary history, cozy cafés, and art galleries. Home to the Luxembourg Gardens and Saint-Sulpice, this quartier is the Paris of daydreams. Our advice will always be this: Let yourself wander. This is a neighborhood best experienced at a relaxed pace, with detours through bookstores, long pauses in the sun, and stops in various galleries.

Welcome to the 5e arrondissement of Paris, where old-school Paris and student life collide. This neighborhood is lively, fun, and filled with bookstores.The 5e, which makes up the majority of the Latin Quarter (though it does spill over into the 6e!) is home to ancient Roman ruins, the Sorbonne, the Panthéon, and a museum full of dinosaur skeletons. And who doesn’t love dinosaurs?

The 4e arrondissement will plunge you into the heart of the Marais, known for being both the Jewish and Gay quarter of Paris. From rainbow-painted roads to kosher falafel, from the Centre Pompidou to Place des Vosges, this neighborhood has straight-up charm.

Paris 3e, otherwise known as the Haut Marais (the high Marais), used to be the beating heart of the culinary scene in Paris… then came the 11e, but we’ll get to that later. Because of this, you’ll likely feel overwhelmed with where to go in this district. Here are some of our top recommendations but, if you want all of them, be sure to grab our guide to Paris. You’ll get hundreds of incredible options, three full-day itineraries, several walking audio tours, and access for life. Never eat a bad meal in Paris again.

Paris’ 2e arrondissement is an often overlooked, charming, and elegant area of the city. It’s not well known for anything in particular, save for its covered passages, which we’ll get to in a bit, but it does a lot of things very well. We’ll set you up with some tasty coffee and nibbles, and otherwise we just encourage you to walk, walk, walk. This arrondissement has so much to give, but most of it is best stumbled upon.

If Paris were a board game, the 1er arrondissement would be the center square. Home to the Louvre, the Tuileries, and some of the postcard-esque places in the city, many people pass through this neighborhood for its big sights and sounds, but few take the time to really explore it well. It’s surprisingly calm in some parts, full to the brim with history, and worth some time spent lingering.

Discover the hidden foodie gems of Paris on Rue Rambuteau! From lobster rolls to pastries and coffee spots, this underrated street links the neighborhoods of Les Halles and Le Marais, offering some of the best eats near the Pompidou. Explore our ultimate foodie guide to uncover must-visit spots like Homer and Glace Bachir.