Are you thinking of moving to Paris? Great idea! It's a beautiful city to live in, has a magical atmosphere, and offers so many opportunities to study and work.

Of course, if you don't know the city yet, it's not easy to figure out which are the best neighbourhoods to stay in, the safest, most comfortable and most affordable. DoveVivo manages a lot of apartments in Paris, so we know the city very well and can advise you on the best and most affordable places to look for your apartment for rent.

Of course, if you don't know the city yet, it's not easy to figure out which are the best neighbourhoods to stay in, the safest, most comfortable and most affordable. Chez Nestor, part of DoveVivo Group, manages a lot of apartments in Paris, so we know the city very well and can advise you on the best and most affordable places to look for your apartment for rent.

The choice is not at all easy, especially for those coming to Paris for the first time. It is a huge metropolis with an immense variety of offerings. For a student or young worker coming from other cities, however, there are better neighbourhoods than others. Let's see them together!

Best neighbourhoods to stay in Paris

To make it easier for you to choose where to live in Paris, we thought it would be most beneficial to give you an overview of the city. This will make it easier to understand where the districts are in relation to the centre and the main attractions or university sites.

First of all you should know that Paris is made up of 20 districts or arrondissements, arranged to form a spiral that is cut in half by the Seine. This natural division has led to a geographical differentiation between Left Bank (south of the Seine) and Right Bank (north). In addition, these two parts also differ in architectural and cultural variations.

Another important thing to know in order to get a clearer idea is that arrondissements do not always correspond to a single district, but there are neighbourhoods that are in between. This might initially complicate things a bit, but with some training you will see that it will become very intuitive and normal.

Now let's explore some of the best neighbourhoods to live in.

Le Marais (IV arrondissement)

This is a very upscale and historic district of Paris that is located on the north side with respect to the Seine River, but it stretches right next to the river. It is home to trendy boutiques, art galleries, and traditional bistros. 

It is also known for housing a large LGBTQ+ community, as well as independent and specialised stores somewhat hidden among the tall aristocratic buildings. This area is very quiet, central, and offers museums and monuments within walking distance. The proximity to the Seine allows for nice walks during the day or in the evening along the river bank, perhaps between shopping sprees. 

In short, it is a district that offers everything, one can move around easily on foot but also by public transportation. The subway lines in this area are: line 1, line 3, line 11, line 4, line 8.

Quartiere Latino (V arrondissement)

Crossing the Seine, we enter instead the picturesque Latin Quarter of Paris. It is within walking distance of Notre Dame Cathedral and is one of the most vibrant in the city. It is also home to the Sorbonne, within a smaller neighbourhood named after the university. 

The area is popular with young people and students; there are many bookstores, such as the famous Shakespeare and Company, cafes, clubs, as well as museums, monuments, and the majestic Panthéon. This neighbourhood is always crowded and much loved by Parisians and tourists alike, partly because of the many restaurants and attractions. 

So it is a great neighbourhood to live in because it is always alive both during the day and at night, you can move around easily on foot but it is also well served by transportation. Here you will find subway lines number 4, 10 and 7. 

Keep in mind that it is a very touristy neighbourhood, so at different times of the year it is very crowded, as well as its restaurants and clubs that might make noise until late. If you are a young college student this might be an additional reason to appreciate it.

Opéra and Grands Boulevards (VIII - IX arrondissement)

This is also a bustling distric, named after the Opéra, Paris's national theatre. We are again north of the Seine, in a district that retains the popular spirit of yesteryear and has become thecommercial and financial soul of the city.

This is also home to Paris' historic department stores, Galeries Lafayette, a huge shopping mall where you can find luxury brands but also cheaper proposals and an endless selection of items, from clothing and accessories to decorations and gastronomy.

It is also a prestigious neighbourhood for its cultural and artistic offerings, but this actually distinguishes the whole city. We recommend it because you can find good deals, it is well connected to both the rest of the city and Charles de Gaulle Airport, and the RER line that goes to Disneyland Paris also passes through. The metro lines that pass through here are: line 8, line 9, line 7, line 3.

Montparnasse (XIV arrondissement)

We move to the southern part of the city and find the Montparnasse district, once the heart of Parisian cultural life. In the past it was frequented by famous writers such as Hemingway, then over the years it underwent several urban transformations that gave it a whole new face.

Now a modern district characterised by the Tour Montparnasse skyscraper, it is a perfect place to live if you are a lover of innovative design, large French chains and the latest fashionable clubs. Perhaps compared to other neighbourhoods it is a bit less packed with attractions, but that also means less chaos caused by tourists. It also features good value for money accommodations and is perfectly connected to the rest of the city. The subway lines you can find nearby are: line 12, 13, 6, 4.

Montmartre (XVIII arrondissement)

You have surely heard of this district before, one of the most famous in Paris and also known as the artists' district in its golden age. It was in this very district that some of the most famous people such as Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso and Toulouse-Lautrec met.

Its most famous attraction is the Moulin Rouge where even today you can see fantastic can-can and cabaret shows. It is a tourist area but one that has retained the charm of Paris of yesteryear and can be seen all at once from the steps of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, located right on the highest point of the hill.

It is considered one of the best neighbourhoods to live in Paris because it is very atmospheric and romantic, with very good value for money accommodations. Being on a hill it is a bit far from the centre, but this area is also perfectly connected by public transportation. Here you will find the 12 and 2 metro lines.

La Villette (XIX arrondissement)

We move a little further north from the city centre and find a new neighbourhood because it has become fashionable especially since the 2000s, although it had already been revalued and incorporated into the city around the 1980s.

It is a redeveloped area with paths running along the Ourcq Canal and the Parc de la Villette. The latter is an immense green space in which there are several science- and culture-themed attractions. Such as the Museum of Music and the City of Science and Industry. There are also thematic gardens and areas where events, concerts, exhibitions and plays are organised.

In the middle of the park is a water basin that extends to become the Canal Saint Martin, which runs for 4 km in the northeastern part of the capital. It is a peaceful place to stroll but also to take a boat cruise on its waters. The banks of the canal can also be cycled, like those of the Seine, and lead to charming corners of the city full of wine and cheese stores and stores.

A great neighbourhood to reside in if you love green spaces to relax or exercise.

As mentioned earlier, the arrondissements of Paris can include several districts, so don't limit your search for housing limited to the neighbourhood or district.We have recommended some of the best areas to live in, but there are really many, ranging a bit around the city where you can find great bargains. If you need support in finding the apartment that's right for you, take a look at our suggestions!