Paris has so many diverse districts, it can be challenging to decide which one to call home. From the former bohemian haunts of Montparnasse and Montmartre to the hip 9th and 11th districts, here is a brief guide to the neighbourhoods of Paris where you might want to live, outlining their personalities, the approximate cost of rent and each one’s pros and cons.
Note: Paris is a very safe city. There are very few areas we would suggest you avoid completely. However, a section of the city which is a bit rough around the edges is the east side of 18th district and the west side of the 19th, from the Boulevard Barbès to the Canal de l’Ourcq, which is the area a few blocks on either side of the Gare du Nord train tracks.
Approximate Rent Guide
This is an estimated rent scale for a 18-22 sq m studio apartment or good flat share. There are also deals to be had and size plays a factor. There can be good deals to be had around the whole city, so these are just a general guideline! Great small flats under the rafters (called chambre de bonne) can be found even in the poshest districts!
- $ 600Є – 700Є
- $$ 700Є – 800Є
- $$$ 800Є – 900Є
- $$$$ 900Є – 1000Є
- $$$$$ 1000Є +
Close to our Paris Campus
Montparnasse (Left Bank: South 6th, 14th and East 15th Arrondissements)
Once working class, this area south of Saint Germain became popular with the Lost Generation writers and avant-garde artists of the first have of the 20th century. Although the district has lost some of its bohemian spirit, the area’s historic art studios and Art Deco cafés remain a testament to its golden age.
- Pros: Walking distance to our Paris campus, demographically mixed, safe and welcoming
- Cons: Not the bohemian neighbourhood it once was
- Rent: $-$$$
Latin Quarter (Left Bank: 5th Arrondissement)
This district south of Ile-de-la-Cité and Notre Dame is the traditional heart of academic Paris. Home to several campuses of the University of Paris and other academic institutions, in certain areas there is a young and lively vibe. That said, due to its central location, and attractive historic buildings, few students can actually afford to live here.
- Pros: Historic, student vibe, walking distance to our Paris campus
- Cons: Pricier, lacking local flavour in certain areas
- Rent: $$-$$$$
Saint Germain-Odéon (Left Bank: North 6th Arrondissement)
Popular with early 20th century writers and artists, this neighborhood has since become very posh. Penniless writers have been replaced with well-healed Parisians, art galleries and expensive cafés and restaurants. Residents have the advantage of the lovely Luxembourg Gardens and the banks of the Seine.
- Pros: Historic, chic, central, walking distance to our Paris campus
- Cons: Expensive, not such a young atmosphere
- Rent: $$$$$
Local & Hip Areas
SoPi and Canal St-Martin (Right Bank: 9th and 10th Arrondissements)
These two neighbourhoods in the centre-north of the city are good options for having a lively ambiance and being relatively affordable. Sopi (South Pigalle) has hip local hangouts, modern restaurants and small designer shops. These are also found over towards the Canal St-Martin which is somewhat edgier and has the plus of the pretty waterway to stroll or study alongside.
- Pros: Local, lively, good transit links, close to Gare du Nord and the Eurostar
- Cons: Would have to take the métro or bike to campus
- Rent: $$-$$$
Oberkampf-St-Maur (Right Bank: 11th Arrondissement)
Over the past two decades this hip and local neighbourhood has seen a boom in cool coffee shops, small designer shops and innovative restaurants. It’s a great base for feeling a part of today’s Paris, although you might enjoy it so much you won’t want to leave the neighborhood to explore other districts!
- Pros: Very local, great hangouts, cool residents
- Cons: Would have to take the métro or bike to campus and other Paris sites
- Rent: $$
Belleville and Père-Lachaise (Right Bank: 19th and 20th Arrondissements)
The hub of the city’s current bohemian community, these neighbourhoods in the northeast of the city offer affordable rents and a true local experience. Cheap shopping and dining, lively nightlife, a relaxed ambiance, art studios and lovely parks with views add to its appeal.
- Pros: Very local and current bohemian
- Cons: Would have to take the métro or bike most places
- Rent: $-$$
Montorgueil-Sentier-Les Halles (Right Bank: 1st and 2nd Arrondissements)
The heart of Paris, this very central zone of the city used to house Paris’s former fresh food market. Today it is home to the city’s largest transit hub at Chatelet-Les-Halles station, making it easy to get around either on public transportation or on foot. In recent times the area has seen a resurgence, especially around Rue Montorgueil and the Sentier district which is home to trendy eateries, bars and boutiques.
- Pros: Hip, convenient
- Cons: Can be a little “shady” around rue St-Denis, and a little “dead” closer to La Bourse
- Rent: $$$ – $$$$
Charming & Historic Areas
Montmartre (Right Bank: 18th Arrondissement)
A former village once on the outskirts of the city, this hilly neighborhood attracted Impressionist and early Modernist artists thanks to its cheap rents, cafés, cabarets and joie de vivre atmosphere. While it has lost some of its authenticity, if you drift away from Sacré-Coeur and its flocks of tourists, you’ll find the soul of the district, especially prevalent behind the hill and towards the arrondissement’s city hall, where rents are also more reasonable.
- Pros: Beautiful narrow streets, views of the city, charm, lively vibe, close to SoPi
- Cons: Some areas are pricy and touristy, would have to take the métro or bike to campus and other Paris sites
- Rent: $$-$$$$
Le Marais (Right Bank: 3rd and 4th Arrondissements)
One of the most historic districts of the city, this central neighborhood, north of Ile Saint-Louis and the Seine, has undergone a chic transformation over the last few decades (though its architecture is exceptionally pre-Haussmannian). It has charming squares, pretty parks, excellent museums (Picasso, Carnavalet) and a trendy section in the north part of the district. The city’s LGBTQ community revolves around rue du Temple and rue des Archives where you’ll find many bars and a vibrant atmosphere. This is also one of the historic homes of Paris’ Ashkenazi Jewish community (mostly centred around the rue des Rosiers). However, local residents are becoming few and far between and along with their disappearance were local food shops and bakeries, which you’ll have to walk a few blocks to find.
- Pros: Central, trendy, beautiful and historic. LGTBQ hub
- Cons: Increasingly expensive, losing its local personality and becoming a shopping/chic tourist district
- Rent: $$$$
Orsay-Les Invalides-la Tour Eiffel (Left Bank: 7th Arrondissement)
Although parts of the 7th district are very close to our Paris campus, this chic neighborhood is on the quiet side. Its streets are mostly filled with embassies, government buildings and museums (like the Orsay and Rodin). There are more vibrant areas, such as rue de Bac, which is a bit of a foodie street, rue de Sèvres and rue de l’Université (pictured above).
- Pros: Elegant, eastern part walking distance to our Paris campus
- Cons: Pricey, sleepy
- Rent: $$$$$
Other Areas of the City
The Louvre/Opera area is central, and home to lots of fabulous Asian eateries (grouped around la rue Sainte-Anne), but is quite business focused. The 12th, 13th and 15th are pleasant and charming neighbourhoods, however, they are a touch on the sleepier side. The Batignolles district of the 17th is trendy, though not very central. The 16th is known for being the most expensive, family-friendly arrondissement.
There are also many pleasant neighbourhoods just outside of the “périphérique” (the ring road around Paris) – though some have reputations for being less pleasant – so we recommend doing research before committing to something outside of the city.
Accommodation Websites and Rental Advice
Please see the accommodation section (starting on page 8) of our Getting Started Guide with detailed information and websites to help with your accommodation search.