Paris for a weekend, what area??

[mosesb]

Can anyone help me out? We are looking at booking a weekend in Paris but have never been. Is there a central area? Or nicer areas? I'm looking in secret escapes, some lovely hotels but don't know where to choose! Any help would be gratefully received

There is a great YouTube Channel called "Les Frenchies" and they do videos about Paris, in particular all the different arrondissement.

It really depends what you enjoy when doing. Paris is relatively easy to get round on public transport and the tourist areas are relatively easy to get to.

I personally love being as near as possible to the Tuilleries and always choose Hotel Brighton. Walking distance to Louvre, Seine, Arc de Triomphe etc

I like staying near the Ile St Louis personally as you're so near the river walks, Notre Dame etc, but you can't go wrong in central Paris really. I stayed at a wonderful hotel once called the Lapin Blanc, loosely Alice in Wonderland themed and very pretty.

Have been twice:

Montmartre - v cute but became annoying to get to and from
Champs Elysee - not so cute but easy to get around, convenient for everything

Ile St Louis is lovely, I'd go there.

If your main priority is sight-seeing, stay in the 1st arrondissement. If you’re a foodie or you want a local vibe, then I’d go for the 11th (generally more affordable too). If you want a mixture, then 7th would be a good compromise.
There are a few areas that might be a bit unsafe, especially late at night, like Goutte D’or, the areas around the metro stops Barbes Rouchechouart and Chateau Rouge and around Gare du Nord train.

I always stay to the north, around Abesses - it's my happy place.

I love Montmartre - don't have any recollection of it being far out. Stayed a couple of times.

Thank you so much. I will look at all these areas!

Second vote for the 6th! All my favourite areas are there or nearby- Jardins de Luxembourg and Angelina's,Musee de Cluny, Pantheon, Rue Mouffetard, then across to the Louvre and Rue de Rivoli
Bliss!

The central area is the bit literally in the centre of the map - around the Louvre/Tuileries - and this is definitely a very handy area in which to stay, because you can walk to a lot of the main sights and get yourselves visually orientated very easily.

Having stayed near Les Halles last weekend though I have to say that it's not the most charming or quiet of areas. DH and I have been many times and our favourites are Montmartre and the 5th/6th arrondissements (but away from the busy streets near the river).

And another vote here for the 6th