5th Arrondissement of Paris: Best Hotels & Neighborhood Guide

👉 Jump to: Meet the 5th Arrondissement | Best 5th Arrondissement Hotels | Areas | Tips | FAQs

Paris’s Left Bank is full of delightful attractions. Nowhere is this more true than in the 5th arrondissement! 

This east-central district of Paris features tons of famous monuments. You’ll find the Sorbonne University here, founded in 1253. You’ll also find a museum of the Middle Ages, a botanical garden, and much more.

The 5th arrondissement is home to great hotels at reasonable prices (for Paris!). This includes Hotel Madeleine De Senlis, my top budget pick, with an indoor pool and incredible decoration. The same is true for my top overall pick, the Hotel Monge, where you’ll also find a hammam and massage services!

So, should you spend your Paris trip staying in the 5th? As a Paris local who lives just across the Seine from here, I’ve gathered all the important details. From luxury shopping to strange museums, here’s what you should know about the 5th arrondissement!

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Meet the 5th Arrondissement: Paris’s Most Intellectual Neighborhood

❤️ Why We Love the 5th: The 5th arrondissement is packed with history, from Roman ruins to the Lost Generation. Writers and philosophers from all nations lived and worked here. This includes American Ernest Hemingway and Irishman James Joyce. And that intellectual legacy carries over to the modern day.

The 5th arrondissement is also known as the “Latin Quarter.” This isn’t because it’s home to Latin American institutions. Instead, it’s because the district is full of universities—which, centuries ago, taught students in Latin! 

Despite all these institutions, there’s easily accessible green space in the 5th. The Jardin des Plantes botanical gardens offer tons of space to stroll. You’ll also find a zoo, specialized greenhouses, and a natural history museum on the premises. On the western side of the 5th, you only have to cross the street to reach the Jardins du Luxembourg.

These gardens mark the eastern and western boundaries of the 5th. To the north, the Seine River marks the district’s boundary. The Boulevard du Port-Royal (turning into the Boulevard Saint-Marcel) marks the southern boundary. 

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Who This Neighborhood Is For: You don’t have to be a student or a professor to love staying in the 5th. However, students and professors should thrive here! This area is a great place to stay in Paris for anyone who loves Parisian history. If you’re a fan of French intellectual history, specifically, the 5th is for you. 

If you’re interested in science, you’ll find plenty to fascinate you at the museums in the Jardin des Plantes. And the museum dedicated to Marie Curie’s work is a must-see destination! You can also visit her final resting place at the Panthéon. 

Literary figures, including Voltaire, are also laid to rest at the Panthéon. And they still haunt the streets of the 5th! Visit the Café de Flore, where writers like Simone de Beauvoir worked and socialized. Make sure to stop by the famous bookstore, Shakespeare & Company, to pick up some of their work. 

Museum lovers will adore the 5th. The Musée Cluny has the famous “Lady and the Unicorn” tapestries. The Institut du Monde Arabe displays work and exhibitions from the Arab-speaking world. The Musée de la Préfecture de Police takes a more niche subject: the history of Paris’s police force.

📍 Areas in the 5th: Paris’s arrondissements each have four quarters. They can change a lot from one to the other, even though they’re in the same district! In the 5th, from the northwest going clockwise, these are: 

• La Sorbonne
• Saint-Victor
• Jardin des Plantes
• Val de Grâce

🚲 Getting Around the 5th: Getting around the 5th isn’t always as easy as getting around Paris in other areas. Smaller streets twist and turn, so it can be confusing to walk from Point A to Point B. Learn to enjoy the diversions, though, and you’ll have a great stay!

It’s also easy to walk from the 5th to other areas, particularly if you’re near the river. There are plenty of Métro and bus stations, especially in the northern parts of the district. 

Best Places to Stay in the 5th Arrondissement

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

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel –  Hotel Monge, Saint-Victor
• 📍 Best Location – Hôtel Les Dames du Panthéon, Val de Grâce
• 💎 Best Luxury Hotel – Les Rives de Notre-Dame, La Sorbonne
• 👨‍👩‍👦 Best for Families – Hôtel Monte Cristo, Jardin des Plantes
• 💻 Best for Business – Hotel Apolonia Paris Mouffetard, Jardin des Plantes
• 🔔 Best Boutique – Hôtel Jardin de Cluny, La Sorbonne
• 💆🏻‍♀️ Best Hotel with Spa – Hotel Grand Coeur Latin, La Sorbonne
• 🛏️ Best Budget – Hotel Madeleine De Senlis, La Sorbonne

The 5th arrondissement is fairly large, so it’s important to understand the basic qualities of each neighborhood. Here’s what you should know about the different “quartiers” (areas) of the 5th before you choose!

Areas to Stay in the 5th Arrondissement

The best part of the 5th arrondissement for your stay depends on your major interests. Each quarter has its perks and drawbacks. Knowing these before you choose where to stay is key to a great trip! With that in mind, here are the essentials for each quarter.

La Sorbonne

👉 Best Area For History  | ✨ Best La Sorbonne Hotels: Hôtel Jardin de Cluny • Hotel Madeleine De Senlis • Les Rives de Notre-Dame • Hotel Grand Coeur Latin

The La Sorbonne district is the most bustling area of the 5th arrondissement. It runs from the river in the north to just below the Panthéon in the south. On the east and west, it’s bordered by the Rue Descartes and the Boulevard Saint-Michel.

There’s something for everyone in this area. You’ll find the original Sorbonne building here, as well as the Panthéon. The Musée Cluny, focusing on the Middle Ages, is also here. There are numerous churches, including the 15th-century Saint-Étienne-du-Mont. The streets behind the Sorbonne have several revival art-house cinemas.

La Sorbonne is home to my favorite luxury hotel in the 5th, Les Rives de Notre-Dame. I love this hotel for its views overlooking Notre Dame Cathedral. You’ll also be within walking distance of the Louvre Museum and Sainte-Chappelle. But one of the best parts of the hotel is that it has only ten rooms, including a penthouse, for truly personalized service.

At the same time, the best budget hotel in the 5th is also in La Sorbonne! Check out Hotel Madeleine De Senlis for great rates in a generally expensive area. You can find rooms in the high season for under 300 euros, which is a great price for the area. Meanwhile, the indoor swimming pool and room service are unusual features for the 5th!

Pros of Staying in the La Sorbonne Neighborhood:

• Beautiful monuments
• Central access to Paris
• Many transport links
• Many affordable restaurants

Cons of Staying in the La Sorbonne Neighborhood:

• Streets near the river are crowded
• Popular monuments often have lines
• Driving is difficult due to traffic

Saint-Victor

👉 Best Area For Budget Travelers | ✨ Best Saint-Victor Hotels: Hotel Monge • Hotel des Grandes Ecoles • Hôtel Vendôme Saint-Germain

Just east of the La Sorbonne quarter, you’ll find Saint-Victor. This area is much quieter and more residential. It’s also bordered by the river and, to the south, the Rue Lacépède. Its eastern and western boundaries are the Rue Descartes and the Jardin des Plantes. 

Saint-Victor is still, in some ways, a university neighborhood. The Sorbonne University Pierre and Marie Curie Campus occupies a large part of its northeastern sector. However, you’ll also find busier shopping streets, like the Rue Monge. The streets attached to these are quieter and more residential. 

Saint-Victor is also home to Les Arènes de Lutèce. This Gallo-Roman amphitheater dates from the second century. Today, you can find groups of visitors and students sitting on the ancient steps, relaxing and snacking.

The best overall hotel in the 5th, Hotel Monge, is in Saint-Victor. The charming decor, great prices, and wellness center push this to the top of my list. It’s centrally located in the 5th, giving you easy access to everything from the Jardin des Plantes to the Jardin du Luxembourg. Staff helpfulness is excellent, as is the cleanliness of the rooms.

Pros of Staying in the Saint-Victor Neighborhood:

• Less expensive than other areas in the 5th
• More local neighborhood energy
• Close to many popular attractions
• Diverse, affordable food

Cons of Staying in Saint-Victor Neighborhood:

• Many university students
• Few upscale restaurants

Jardin des Plantes

👉 Best Area For Green Space  | ✨ Best Jardin des Plantes Hotels: Hotel Apolonia Paris Mouffetard • Hôtel Maxim Quartier Latin • Hôtel Monte Cristo

The Quartier Jardin des Plantes gets its name from the huge botanical gardens that dominate the area. Here, you’ll find everything from a zoo to a museum of natural history. It’s wonderful to visit at every time of year. 

The area is just below Saint-Victor and to the east of Val de Grâce. It’s a great place to stay for a glimpse of Parisian life with fewer visitors. Though there are few major attractions in the area, there are some. The most important mosque in Paris, the Grand Mosquée de Paris, is in the district. The tea room and tour make a lovely visit. 

Meanwhile, the quarter’s proximity to other areas and the river make it a good home base if you love to walk.

The Jardin des Plantes neighborhood is great for all types of travelers. Families will love the Hôtel Monte Cristo. The hotel offers family rooms as well as an indoor swimming pool with a sauna. There’s an airport shuttle and many other amenities for groups traveling together. 

Meanwhile, business travelers should stay at the Hotel Apolonia Paris Mouffetard. Part of the Best Western chain, frequent travelers may be able to use and spend points here. The hotel offers soundproof rooms for when you need to stay in and work, as well!

Pros of Staying in the Jardin des Plantes Neighborhood:

• Affordable, diverse restaurants
• Less crowded than other areas
• Lots of green space in botanical gardens

Cons of Staying in the Jardin des Plantes Neighborhood:

• Few attractions within the area
• Lacks the charm of other 5th quarters

Val de Grâce

👉 Best Area For Intellectuals | ✨ Best Val de Grâce Hotels: Hôtel Les Dames du Panthéon • Les Rives Oceanik

The quarter of Val de Grâce is the southwestern quarter of the 5th. It’s just below La Sorbonne and to the west of the Jardin des Plantes quarter. Upscale and chic, this area is great for those seeking luxury at lower prices than you’ll find in the neighboring 6th. The small area is also close to the many attractions of La Sorbonne without being as crowded. 

The quarter has a mixture of great attractions. There’s the wonderful Musée Curie for those interested in Marie Curie’s life and work. Meanwhile, the beautiful Val de Grâce church gives the area its name. The Luxembourg Gardens border the area to the west. 

Even though this neighborhood is generally quieter than La Sorbonne, you’ll still find many students here. The prestigious École Normale Superiériure and other institutions are in this area. However, the lack of cheaper restaurants and bars keeps this quarter slightly less rowdy.

In Val de Grâce, I love the Hôtel Les Dames du Panthéon for its elegant decor and balcony rooms. Its location, between the Panthéon and the Jardin du Luxembourg, makes it one of the best-situated hotels in the city. Some rooms even have views of the Panthéon, the resting place of many notable French figures.

Pros of Staying in the Val de Grâce Neighborhood:

• Upscale neighborhood
• Close to many popular attractions
• Excellent transport links

Cons of Staying in Val de Grâce Neighborhood:

• Limited restaurants
• Many students on weekdays

Tips & Things to Know about the 5th Arrondissement

#1 – Learn the Layout

The 5th arrondissement is wonderful for wandering—you never know what you’ll find! However, when you’re looking for a particular attraction or bus stop, its winding streets can be frustrating. Familiarize yourself with the streets in your area when you first arrive. 

#2 – Bring Your Walking Shoes

The 5th arrondissement is fairly large, but it is walkable. However, it’s not a great place for heels or dress shoes. If you’re on foot and in comfortable footwear, you can access many other parts of Paris by walking. For example, the Marais (in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements) is a short walk away!

#3 – Look for Bargains

The 5th is an intriguing mixture of luxury and affordability. It is possible to travel on a budget here if you know where to look. Each area in the 5th has great restaurants at low price points. Meanwhile, it’s easier to find reasonably priced hotels here than in many other parts of central Paris. 

Read my budget guide to Paris for more helpful ideas. 

#4 – Understand the History

You’ll pass a ton of big Paris attractions every day if you stay in the 5th. It’s so much more fun if you know about the history! Read up on the Sorbonne, the Panthéon, and other monuments and attractions around the neighborhood to enrich your experience.

#5 – Prepare for Students!

The 5th is the major university district of Paris, so expect students—and lots of them! They’re particularly numerous around the Sorbonne, but there are many other universities in the area. If you want to avoid younger crowds, a different Paris neighborhood may be better for you.

FAQs

Is the 5th arrondissement safe for tourists?

The 5th arrondissement has a high rate of theft and burglary, so it’s important to follow good general practices for Paris safety. However, violent crime and car thefts are fairly low in this area compared to other parts of Paris.

Where should I stay in the 5th arrondissement?

The best place to stay in the 5th arrondissement is the La Sorbonne area. This area is the most central, giving you easy access to other parts of Paris. It’s also full of important monuments and attractions. Meanwhile, there’s a wide range of great hotels for all visitors.

Is the 5th arrondissement good to stay in?

The 5th arrondissement is a good area to stay in because of its centrality, attractions, and accommodations. It’s also great for history lovers and those who want to be close to Paris’s parks and gardens.

What is the 5th arrondissement known for?

The 5th arrondissement is known for its universities and history. However, its museums, including those within the Jardin des Plantes, are also well-known. 

Is the 5th arrondissement expensive?

The 5th arrondissement is not as expensive as some other parts of central Paris, such as the 1st arrondissement. It’s also an excellent bargain compared to its neighboring area, the 6th. Staying in the 5th gives you easy access to the 6th’s amenities without the higher prices.

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Thanks for exploring the 5th arrondissement with me! Find out more about other areas in my guide to Paris neighborhoods. Then, dive deeper into the city with my Paris guides!