Paris is one of the most famous capital cities in the world, with interesting, vibrant neighborhoods, each with its own style, vibe, culture and, of course, cuisine. Paris is also the most popular place to live in France for expats not in the least because of its diversity and some of the best neighborhoods you could hope to call home. For those who are still working, France’s capital is also the base for many international companies and job opportunities for foreigners.
Choosing the best neighborhood in Paris to live in can be tricky, but wherever you end up settling, you’re sure to meet other expats like yourself. In 2021, there were 1.7 million foreigners living in Paris and its suburbs (known as the Île de la Cité region). That is about 14% of the capital’s population.
This area also has 700,000 students. 15,500 Americans are living in the Île de la Cité, with 9,500 in the city itself. Additionally, 18,000 British and 5,400 Dutch live in metropolitan Paris. Not surprisingly, more French people speak English in Paris than in any other city.
One possible downside to living in Paris is that it is one of the world’s more expensive capitals. It has 1.4 million houses and apartments, but apartments are small, and the general cost of living is notoriously high. The most expensive part of Paris is the left bank of the Seine where a square meter is valued at €16,900 ($18,000). Interestingly, only one in three Parisians owns a home, so renting an apartment in Paris remains the preferred living option in the capital city.
If you want to relocate to Paris, there are 17 arrondissements (districts) in the city to choose from. Each arrondissement has its character and history and they are often referred to as ‘the 17 little cities’.
Between 1860 and 2020 there were 20 arrondissements in Paris, but in the summer of 2020, the four arrondissements in the heart of the city (numbered 1- 4) were combined into one large arrondissement known as ‘Paris Central’ and the other arrondissements encircle Paris Central in a spiral numbered in a clockwise direction.
Wherever you choose to live in Paris, you will have fantastic public transportation at your doorstep, which includes buses, the metro, trains, and trams. The beauty of living in a city like Paris is that any arrondissement you may decide to call ‘home’ will have all the essential public services you need.
However, some neighborhoods in Paris are more popular than others. For this reason, we are taking a closer look at the best areas in Paris, to make your choice a little easier.
Here are the top 8 best neighborhoods in Paris to live in:
1. The Eiffel Tower – 7th Arrondissement
One of the most attractive and best neighborhoods in Paris is the 7th Arrondissement, which is home to the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides with its iconic golden dome. The attractive, affluent residential streets leading to leafy parks and the banks of the Seine make up one of the nicest neighborhoods in the city.
This part of Paris is one of the best areas in the capital where many government offices are located, the American University, and countless really good restaurants. Rue Cler is the neighborhood’s famous market street and this is where you will spot the most elegantly dressed people in Paris. The 7th Arrondissement is a lovely quiet part of Paris that is also an ideal place to live for families.
2. Canal Saint-Martin – 11th Arrondissement
Canal Saint-Martin is another one of the best neighborhoods to live in Paris. This neighborhood nestles on both sides of the canal and is considered by young Parisians to be one of the coolest areas in Paris. There is plenty to see and do locally as there is a large covered market, trendy restaurants, and all types of different events.
If you prefer a leisurely stroll, walking along the canal is fun. A big plus factor for this part of Paris is that it is home to many working people, so rents are more affordable than in central Paris and public transport into the city center is good.
3. Bercy Village – 12th Arrondissement
This is a large and very attractive district in Paris that runs along the right bank of the Seine and includes the Vincennes Woods. This arrondissement is one of the best areas in Paris, as it has all types of lovely surprises like Aligre Market or Gare de Lyon – the capital’s prettiest railway station and a fun promenade built where a railway line used to run.
Bercy is one of the best neighborhoods to live in Paris, ideal for active people and for families as there are plenty of outdoor activities including a skate park and sports arena. The Coulée Verte park is great for runners and cyclists.
4. Cité de la Mode – 13th Arrondissement
This southern residential area is modern Paris with many newer buildings and renovation projects taking place on old industrial buildings. There are new projects too including the construction of some very smart-looking apartments and offices. However, you don’t have to delve too far to find ‘Old Paris’ as there are several street markets and carefully restored historical buildings.
This is a thriving area for activities and entertainment, including the floating swimming pool on the Seine. There is a university campus and student hub by the Seine and a colorful Chines Quarter near the Olympiades. Butte-aux-Cailles is another vibrant area.
5. Passy – 16th Arrondissement
This arrondissement, to the west of the city, is situated in the Bois de Boulogne and is one of the best Paris neighborhoods for families. The neighborhood of Passy has some of the city’s best green spaces including Les Jardins de Trocadero – just across the river from the Eiffel Tower. Passy enjoys surprisingly peaceful streets and is one of the safest areas to live in Paris. On the other hand, rentals are more expensive and this area is a little further from the city center.
There are three international schools in the vicinity, making it ideal for foreign families. The American School of Paris and the International Deutsche Schule Paris are located just a short drive over the river. It is a great place to live if you enjoy sports as there is football, tennis, rugby, and the Longchamp horse race track.
6. La Vie Parisian – 17th Arrondissement
Situated to the northwest of central Paris, this part of Paris is very French with its street markets, boulangeries, and cheese shops. It covers a really large area, but few tourists venture to this part of the city, so it remained very authentic, and it is where 170,000 French people call home.
There is a great market in Rue Poncelet and most of the food stores are located in this vicinity. The housing available for rent is varied, ranging from new apartments to 17th century houses. Rental prices are average for the city.
7. The Museum District – 19th Arrondissement
This is a colorful and bustling neighborhood with one of the largest populations in the city. It is a fun district to live in as it has two of the largest parks in Paris. The first is Parc de la Villette, which is much more than a park as it contains Le Cité des Sciences (Science Museum), Cité de la Musique (Music Museum), and one of the world’s greatest concert halls – the amazing new Philharmonie de Paris.
The other large park in the neighborhood is Buttes Chaumont, with its maze of paths and impressive waterfall. This district is one of the best neighborhoods in Paris for families as it is possible to rent a large family house at an affordable price.
8. The Charonne Neighborhood – 20th Arrondissement
For expat families, the Charonne neighborhood – often referred to as the countryside of Paris -, and the Père Lachaise and St Blaise in the 20th arrondissement, are both among the best areas to live in Paris. One of the main pros of living in this part of the city is that there is affordable housing available. These were once working-class areas, but today they are popular with artists and entrepreneurs seeking an affordable base for their families.
The rental prices in this area are definitely lower and this district has a palpable buzz with a great number of reasonably priced ethnic restaurants. In recent years, many families have moved into the 20th Arrondissement because it offers reasonably priced housing.
The idea of moving to Paris is certainly appealing to many because it is such a vibrant city. There is always something going on from major exhibitions, the finish of the Tour de France, concerts with such megastars as Elton John and Celine Dion, and visiting royalty including King Charles III of England.
It is important to find the right neighborhood for you that suits your individual needs. To this end, most expats moving to Paris find it best to rent an apartment for six months before buying a home in France, while they get settled into city life and get to know the different arrondissements and what each has to offer.
If you are ready to start looking for a rental apartment in Paris, you may want to check out specialized apartment listing websites like Wunderflats. They cater to foreigners, expats, students and business people relocating to Paris temporarily, providing medium-term furnished apartments for rent through a 100% digital seamless renting experience.
This website contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase or sign up for a service through an affiliate link, we may earn a commission.
