Paris's twenty arrondissements spiral clockwise from the center, and choosing between them is the most important decision of a Paris trip. Here is our shortlist by trip type.
First-time trip, must see the monuments. Le Marais (3rd/4th). Central, walkable, fifteen minutes from every major site. Expensive, but justifiable.
Food-focused trip. The 11th arrondissement, particularly around Oberkampf and Rue Paul Bert. Best concentration of neo-bistros in the city.
Bohemian, artist-Paris fantasy trip. Montmartre (18th). Yes, it is touristy around Sacré-Cœur, but the quiet streets behind the basilica are the real thing.
Literary, Left Bank trip. Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th). Expensive, elegant, and walking distance from the Musée d'Orsay, Luxembourg Gardens, and the best bookshops in Europe.
Quiet, local Paris trip. Canal Saint-Martin (10th). The most 'neighborhood' feel of any central Paris district.
Budget-conscious, young Paris trip. Belleville (20th) or République (11th). Diverse, energetic, and noticeably cheaper than Paris proper.
Second-time Paris trip. The 11th or the 9th (SoPi/South Pigalle). Both are cool without being loud, with great food and genuine Parisian life.
Rule of thumb for all of them: Paris is at its best when you can walk out of your hotel and be at a café within two minutes. All of the above pass that test.
