How to Choose the Perfect Arrondissement for your Next Parisian Getaway
Shops, museums, or a little peace and quiet? We've selected the perfect pied-a-terre for every traveler
Paris draws visitors by the millions every year, but very rarely do people consider how a stay in a different Parisian neighborhood might affect their experience. We have handpicked a few of our most luxurious apartments across the city to help you find the perfect arrondissement for your next Parisian getaway.
1. Le Grandiose, 17th Arrondissement
Lovers of architecture will want to stay at Le Grandiose in the 17th Arrondissement for its setting among some of the most opulent buildings in Paris. Located in the heart of la Plaine Monceau, near the Seine’s North Bank, it perfectly exemplifies the neighborhood’s reputation for grandeur with a unique fusion of sumptuous French and Chinese decor.
La Plaine Monceau was transformed in the 19th century by businessmen, bankers, and politicians, who lined the streets with mansions and established the most powerful neighborhood in Paris. Take a walking tour past the gorgeous Conservatoire International de Musique de Paris, the Cernuschi Museum, and the Hôtel Gaillard to see Paris living on its grandest scale. You will especially love strolling through the nearby Parc de Monceau, an English-inspired garden that was the setting for some of Impressionist painter Claude Monet’s most important works.
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2. Fantastic Triplex Rooftop, 16th Arrondissement
Just a short walk from the Champs Elysees, Trocadero Gardens, and the Arc de Triomphe, the Fantastic Triplex Rooftop is ideally situated to give you access to some of the finest sites in Paris. In the 16th Arrondissement, the apartment is bright and modern, with room to entertain guests or just spread out and relax. Climb the spiral staircase to admire the views from a beautiful rooftop garden lounge area with a covered outdoor kitchen.
Indulge yourself in the Parisian boutiques, and enjoy “taking the air” among the picturesque streets and cafes that have charmed generations of artists and writers. Passy Trocadero is a delightful village, within 3 miles of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Orsay Museums, and St. Germain des Pres. This is where you’ll find a local, “small town” feeling right in the heart of one of the busiest cities in the world.
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3. Duplex Square St Lazare, 8th Arrondissement
If you’re coming to Paris to shop, the Duplex Square St Lazare is an exquisite apartment located right in the center of Paris’ beautiful boutiques. Once a townhouse for visiting French nobility, it’s a refurbished 1868 hôtel particulier combining old world architecture and contemporary conveniences. Fine details such as the marble mantlepiece, gold-framed mirrors, and a glorious chandelier enhance the experience, while housekeeping and concierge services take care of every necessity.
The Champs Elysees is often described as “the world’s most beautiful avenue”. Take your time wandering this elegant tree-lined street, visiting the iconic shops and historic landmarks that line the avenue. The “Old Paris” feel of the surrounding neighborhood is enhanced by popular cultural attractions and there are many theaters and concert halls to enlighten and entertain.
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4. Bernadette, 4th Arrondissement
Art and museum buffs should plan to stay in the two-bedroom villa Bernadette, in the trendy Marais. Sit at the kitchen table with a fresh croissant and enjoy one of Paris’ most indulgent pastimes: people-watching. Then head out for a day of exploring the nearby attractions before returning again for a home-cooked meal in the large American-style kitchen, and a soak in the jetted tub.
Notable historical sites in the Marais and nearby “Beaubourg” include the Place des Vosges (once home to Victor Hugo), and the Centre Pompidou. Small cafes, narrow streets, and large plazas give a hint to the district’s past as wholesale marketplace, though it now is a thriving neighborhood, home to an eclectic mix of artists, designers, and students. The Pompidou Center is a must-see, as it houses one of the most thorough contemporary and modern art collections in Europe. Or, make arrangements to see the ballroom of the Hotel de Ville which resembles a more modern version of Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors.
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5. Le Panoramique, 15th Arrondissement
As its name suggests, the penthouse Le Panoramique in the 15th Arrondissement offers guests a dazzling view of the city from its perch on the sixteenth floor. The Eiffel Tower is the dramatic centerpiece of each scene, with spreading vistas of the Seine River visible from the bay windows in the living room. Four bedrooms and three baths (2 ensuite), accessible by a modern lift, make it the ideal apartment for families traveling together.
The 15th Arrondissement is known to be calm and family-oriented. It is a lovely part of the city, almost new compared to the center of Paris. Visitors to the Vaugirard area appreciate being away from the bustling crowds of the city. The metro in on your doorstep, which makes tourist sites easy to see, but if you want to explore the local neighborhoods, the most pleasant places to visit are rue Saint Charles and rue de la Convention where you can do some shopping or stop at a sidewalk cafe or patisserie.
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6. Antoinette, 2nd Arrondissement
Serene and romantic, Antoinette is a charming Parisian apartment with bewitching views from floor-to-ceiling windows, classic architecture details such as parquet floors and ceiling moldings, and lavish furnishings and decor. This is the ultimate, authentic Paris retreat: a centrally located apartment with easy access to all the Paris sites that is still a quiet place to get away from the busy crowds.
Many visitors seem to miss Bourse, a compact district which stretches along the right bank of the Seine. Parisian history is thick here, from the breathtaking Opera Comique to the oval-shaped French National Library, to the medieval tower La Tour Jean-Sans-Peur. If you have time, indulge in a local walking tour of the Belle Epoque neighborhood of the Grands Boulevards or the famous arcade Le Passage des Panoramas.
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7. Josephine, 7th Arrondissement
Decadent fixtures and traditional decor made of silk, mahogany, leather, and crystal are the beautiful features of Josephine, and it’s hard to imagine a more luxurious setting. The fact that it’s only a half mile from the Eiffel Tower makes it absolutely irresistible. A formal living room and a wood-paneled library invite you to stay in, while views of the most iconic feature in Paris draw you outside.
The apartment is on the Left Bank, or Rive Gauche, one of the most popular and most affluent sections of Paris. In addition to the Eiffel Tower, there are dozens of museums to explore, powerful political and military sites to admire, and plenty of shopping at Le Bon Marche, Paris’ first grand Belle Epoque shopping center. If you get the chance, dedicate some time to indulging yourself in Le Bon Marche’s dedicated lingerie department, as well as the beauty, cosmetics, and perfume departments, and don’t neglect to stop by the Gourmet Food Market, La Grande Epicerie.
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