1st Arrondissement of Paris: Best Hotels & Neighborhood Guide

👉 Jump to: Meet the 1st Arrondissement | Best 1st Arrondissement Hotels | Areas | Tips | FAQs

If you’re visiting Paris for the first time, chances are you’re thinking about staying in the 1st arrondissement (district). After all, this is where you’ll find tons of Paris’s most popular attractions, from the Tuileries Gardens to the Louvre Museum!

This area is also home to some of the most luxurious hotels in the city. At the Dorchester Collection’s Le Meurice, for example, you’ll find chandeliers and city views on the doorstep of the Tuileries Gardens. On the other end of the price spectrum, the Hôtel Mansart has gorgeous decor at lower prices—though prices are still generally high in this area.

So, is the 1st arrondissement right for you? I spent a summer living there, and now live in the adjoining 4th arrondissement. From the most luxurious streets to the places to avoid, here’s what you need to know about the 1st when you’re considering where to stay in Paris!

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Meet the 1st Arrondissement: Paris’s Most Central Neighborhood

❤️ Why We Love the 1st: The 1st arrondissement is packed full of the sites visitors want to see. You can see everything from Claude Monet’s Waterlilies to the hotel where Coco Chanel spent World War II (the Ritz, of course!). 

You might expect an area like this to be visually unappealing, but that’s not the case. Gardens like the Tuileries and the Palais-Royal provide lovely green space for the district. Meanwhile, the lawns and gardens outside the Louvre Museum offer the perfect place to picnic on a sunny day. 

Paris’s 20 arrondissements spiral out from the 1st like a snail, making the 1st the center of the city. It goes from the western edge of the Tuileries at Concorde to the west and ends after Les Halles market to the east. It’s bordered on the south by the Seine River and to the north at the end of the Palais Royal. 

The area isn’t just full of huge attractions, though. You can also find smaller streets and hole-in-the-wall bistros here. From the vaulted arcades of the Rue de Rivoli to the winding streets of Les Halles, there’s something here for everyone.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Who This Neighborhood Is For: If you’re visiting for a short time and don’t want to spend hours getting places, the 1st is the best place to stay in Paris! You’ll be able to see a ton of famous sites within the district, from Les Halles Mall to Angelina, the café famous for its hot chocolate. The Ritz, with its famous patrons and Bar Hemingway, is also here.

At the same time, there are a lot of important destinations right on your doorstep. The Place de la Concorde, with its revolutionary ties, is just at the end of the Tuileries Garden. The charming Marais neighborhood is a short walk away, as are the Champs-Élysées. And you can zoom almost anywhere in the city from the Châtlet Métro station.

Meanwhile, museum lovers will be delighted by everything they can find here! Most notably, the Louvre Museum is at the heart of the 1st arrondissement. But that’s far from the only museum in the area. At the other end of the Tuileries, you’ll find the contemporary art museum, Jeu de Paume. Across from it is the L’Orangerie Museum, with its impressive display of Claude Monet’s Waterlilies.

📍 Areas in the 1st: Like all of Paris’s districts, the 1st arrondissement is made up of four quarters. However, the energy of the area changes dramatically from one area to the next! From the northwest going clockwise, these are: 

• Place Vendôme
• Palais Royal
• Des Halles
• Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois

🚲 Getting Around the 1st: The 1st arrondissement is incredibly easy to get around walking or on Paris’s public transportation. You could walk from one end to the other in less than half an hour. In addition, you have incredible links to the rest of Paris. There are many Métro stations and bus stops throughout the arrondissement.

The district is fairly flat and has many paved sidewalks. If you have a disability that affects your mobility, this may be a great choice of neighborhood for your Paris stay.

Best Places to Stay in the 1st Arrondissement

If you’re short on time, these are my top picks: 

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel –  Le Meurice, Place Vendôme
• 📍 Best Location – Hôtel Brighton, Place Vendôme
• 💎 Best Luxury Hotel – Cheval Blanc Paris, Saint-Germain l”Auxerrois
• 👨‍👩‍👦 Best for Families – Hotel Regina Louvre, Saint-Germain l”Auxerrois
• 💻 Best for Business – Hôtel du Louvre, Palais Royal
• 🔔 Best Boutique – Hôtel Molière, Palais Royal
• 💆🏻‍♀️ Best Hotel with Spa – Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal, Palais Royal
• 🛏️ Best Budget – Hôtel Mansart, Place Vendôme

During your visit to Paris, you’ll notice that the city can change a lot from street to street. With that in mind, consider the different neighborhoods in the 1st before you pick where to stay in Paris. Here are the important quarters to know!

Areas to Stay in the 1st Arrondissement

Where should you stay in the 1st arrondissement? It depends on what you’re looking for from your trip! You’ll find everything from luxury to convenient travel links in different quarters of the 1st. Here’s what you should know about each quarter. 

Place Vendôme

👉 Best Area For Luxury  | ✨ Best Place Vendôme Hotels: Le Meurice • Ritz Paris • Hôtel Brighton • Hôtel Mansart

The Place Vendôme district runs along the length of the Tuileries Gardens. It ends at Concorde to the west and just before the Louvre to the east. On the western edge of the 1st arrondissement, it borders the fancy 8th. The luxury is extremely visible as you walk through the streets of the Quartier Place Vendôme!

“High-end” describes this quarter well. You’ll find shops including Dior and Cartier, as well as luxury macaron supplier Ladurée. Some of the most upscale hotels in the city are here, as well. The Place Vendôme plaza itself is home to the Paris Ritz. 

You’ll find my overall hotel pick for the 1st arrondissement, Le Meurice, in the Place Vendôme neighborhood. I love this hotel for its many amenities, ranging from a spa to a 2-star Michelin restaurant. Its 18th-century décor is stunning. Meanwhile, the rooftop gardens provide amazing views of Paris.

The Ritz Paris, on the actual Place Vendôme, is another incredible choice. Not only will you get excellent service, but the amenities are top notch. One of my favorite spas in the city, David Mallett, has a location here. And the Bar Hemingway is an excellent place for fans of Ernest Hemingway’s work!

Pros of Staying in the Place Vendôme Neighborhood:

• Centrally located
• High-end amenities
• Many sites in walking distance
• Charming streets
• Good transport links

Cons of Staying in the Place Vendôme Neighborhood:

• Accommodation and food are expensive
• Crowded in high seasons
• Larger streets can be noisy

Palais Royal

👉 Best Area For History | ✨ Best Palais Royal Hotels: Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal • Hôtel Molière • Hôtel du Louvre

The Palais Royal Quarter provides a great mixture of attractions, peace (in parts!), and history. In the center of the 1st, the garden from which it takes its name is a former royal palace. Open to the public, you can wander through the shops that line it. In the summer, relaxing by the fountain is a great way to people-watch.

You’ll also find theaters in this district, though they perform plays in French. The famous Comédie Française is just to the south of the Palais-Royal Gardens. Meanwhile, the Théâtre du Palais-Royal is on the northeast side. The apartment where playwright Molière lived—and died—is just around the corner. 

The Louvre, Tuileries, museums in the Tuileries, and other attractions are all within easy walking distance.

The Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal is my top hotel choice for this area. My favorite things include its rooms’ incredible views, its luxe spa, and its clean, chic decor. The hotel also offers a restaurant, bar, and buffet breakfast for when you want to eat.

If you want a boutique feel, the Hôtel Molière is your best bet. The airport shuttle, fitness center, and spa make this a great choice for anyone looking for a cozy feel with great amenities.  

Pros of Staying in the Palais Royal Neighborhood:

• Beautiful Palais Royal Park
• Many historical sites
• Close to museums and green spaces

Cons of Staying in Palais Royal Neighborhood:

• Driving can be tricky
• The street layout is convoluted

Des Halles

👉 Best Area For Transportation  | ✨ Best Des Halles Hotels: Hôtel Madame Rêve • Hôtel Ducs de Bourgogne • Hôtel le Relais des Halles

The Quartier des Halles is named after Les Halles market, which used to take place in this quarter. To the east of the 1st, the area is now dominated by the Westfield Forum des Halles Mall in its place. It’s not particularly attractive. However, this does mean that you can get a bargain by staying in this area compared to other parts of the 1st!

This is also an excellent place to stay if you plan on traveling a lot in or near Paris. It’s home to the enormous Châtlet Métro station. Here, you’ll have access to lines 1, 4, 7, 11, and 14, and many buses. It also connects three of the RER commuter trains for accessing the suburbs around Paris: Lines A, B, and D. 

In this area, the Hôtel Madame Rêve is a stand-out hotel. It has incredible amenities, including a terrace, fitness room, and sauna. Unusually for this area, it also has a garden. You’ll be surprised by all the small perks you’ll find here. There’s even a pool table!

If you’re looking for more modern décor, the Hôtel Ducs de Bourgogne has you covered. The sleek rooms, workspaces, and access for those with disabilities also make this hotel a great choice.

Pros of Staying in the Des Halles Neighborhood:

• Many transport links
• Easy access to amenities
• Less expensive than other 1st quarters

Cons of Staying in the Des Halles Neighborhood:

• Can be dangerous in crowded areas
• Lacks the charm of other 1st quarters

Saint-Germain L’Auxerrois

👉 Best Area For Sightseeing | ✨ Best Saint-Germain L’Auxerrois Hotels: Cheval Blanc Paris • Relais du Louvre

The quarter of Saint-Germain L’Auxerrois runs along the Tuileries and the Seine River, going past the Louvre to the Pont Neuf bridge. Because most of this area is taken up by historic monuments, there aren’t a ton of options for staying and going out here. But those options do still exist!

This area is the perfect place to stay for sightseeing. You’ll be in the middle of some of Paris’s most important sites, after all! You’ll have incredibly easy access to the Louvre, Tuileries, Jeu de Paume, and L’Orangerie museums. You can walk along the Seine, and you can delve into other parts of the 1st for other amenities. 

Beneath the Louvre Museum, you’ll also find an upscale mall: the Carrousel du Louvre. Here, you’ll find tons of designer shopping. There are also places to eat, including takeaway. 

In this area, the Cheval Blanc Paris calls out to those looking for a luxury hotel. The spa here is run by Dior for an extra bit of luxury! Not only does the five-star hotel offer an indoor pool and sauna but there’s also a kid’s club. Some rooms even have balconies overlooking the city.

If you love the area but are looking for lower prices, check out the Relais du Louvre. Close to both Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Museum, the location couldn’t be better. Meanwhile, its 18th-century building is sure to charm you.

Pros of Staying in the Saint-Germain L’Auxerrois Neighborhood:

• Very close access to popular sites 
• Garden access at the Tuileries
• Many amenities in the Carrousel du Louvre mall

Cons of Staying in Saint-Germain L’Auxerrois Neighborhood:

• Limited accommodation 
• Popular sites get extremely crowded
• Accommodation can be expensive
• Few restaurant choices and very few bars

Tips & Things to Know about the 1st Arrondissement

#1 – Increase Your Budget

Is the 1st arrondissement a fun place to stay? Absolutely! Is it cheap? No. 

Plan on paying significantly more for food and accommodation here than you would in other Paris neighborhoods. The centrality and luxury of the area make it possible to charge premium prices—and establishments do. Even a “budget” hotel in this area can cost upwards of $300 a night for a pleasant stay.

#2 – Keep an Eye on Your Belongings

The 1st arrondissement is a center of non-violent crime in Paris. This is likely because it’s full of destinations that draw huge crowds, and so, it draws pickpockets and other criminals, too. Follow basic Paris safety precautions when you stay here, and don’t take anything valuable out of your accommodations.

#3 – Explore Other Areas

When you’re staying in the 1st, it can be tempting not to leave it. Yes, there are seemingly thousands of attractions in the area! However, if you want to see Paris fully, you’ll need to explore a bit. 

Check out other areas like the islands, the Marais in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, and even Paris’s outer districts like the 14th, where the famous Catacombs are located!

#4 – Avoid Souvenir Shops

When you’re in the 1st, you’ll find yourself surrounded by shops that sell nothing but souvenirs. Avoid these! They tend to sell mass-produced items that you can find in a hundred other places. Instead, focus on getting souvenirs from the sites you visit and boutiques you find during your trip.

#5 – Familiarize Yourself with Famous Sites

Whether you’re planning on visiting the classic things to do in Paris like the Louvre or want to avoid crowds altogether, know where the famous sites are. You don’t want to wander into huge crowds unprepared! This also makes it easier to plan out your daily Paris itineraries more efficiently.

📚 Related Reading: What I wish I’d known before going to the Louvre

FAQs

Is the 1st arrondissement safe for tourists?

The 1st arrondissement has a high crime rate: the highest in the city. However, this is mostly due to nonviolent crimes including theft and pickpocketing. Keep valuables in a safe at your accommodations. Use a closable cross-body bag for extra safety. And follow general guidelines for Paris safety!

Where should I stay in the 1st arrondissement?

The best place to stay in the 1st arrondissement is the Palais Royal area. This gives you access to tons of green space, at the Palais-Royal Gardens and the Tuileries. At the same time, you’re close to attractions like the Louvre Museum. However, you won’t pay the high prices that you’ll find in areas like the Place Vendôme. 

Is the 1st arrondissement good to stay in?

The 1st arrondissement is a good area to stay in for a first-time visit to Paris, as you’ll be extremely central. There are tons of important attractions in this area, too. That’s why I’ve named it the best area in Paris for sightseeing!

What is the 1st arrondissement known for?

The 1st arrondissement is known for its many historic attractions. You’ll find former palaces here in the Louvre Museum and Palais Royal Gardens, for example. It’s also known for its upscale shops and hotels, such as the Ritz.

Is the 1st arrondissement expensive?

The 1st arrondissement is expensive, but how expensive depends on which part you’re staying in. Very generally, the most expensive quarter of the 1st is the Place Vendôme. Meanwhile, the least expensive area is the Quartier des Halles.

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Thanks for reading! Curious about where else you might want to stay in Paris? Take a look at my other Paris guides!