Where to stay in Paris: What’s the best spot for YOU?

You have decided to visit beautiful Paris, great idea! You are interested in renting a holiday flat, you may already know the number of bedrooms you want, your maximum budget, etc. But have you thought about where to stay exactly in the capital? Paris is divided in 20 districts, each with its own personality. Some neighborhoods are more family-oriented than other, some are very central but quite noisy at night: there is no such thing as a perfect place, but there is for sure a perfect spot for YOU!

Paris, France

Paris 16th district

If you plan on visiting with family, you’ll certainly prefer a quiet district with easy access to the main Parisian attractions. The 15^th and 16^th districts are a good option: there are not so touristy and rather calm, with plenty of green spots. The huge Bois de Boulogne is where Parisians work out during week-ends, and the Jardin d’Acclimatation is simply ideal for an afternoon with children. In the 15^th district, the Park André Citroën is another place of choice: it lies next to the Seine and you can board on a hot-air balloon, for a panorama of Paris 150m above the ground! 

 

Paris 9th district

If you are more into a girls-just-wanna-have-fun spirit, you should definitely consider the 9^th district, where Paris’ Opéra is located! It is basically paradise for shopping amateurs, especially around the Haussmann Street, where the two world-famous department stores Le Printemps and Les Galeries Lafayette and international brands line up. Plus Pigalle quarter is a big part of the Parisian night-life. You will encounter bars, nightclubs, cafes but also sex shops and striptease clubs! You may not know but Pigalle has a rather scandalous reputation… Or why not stay in Le Marais, formerly a Jewish area, and now more of a gay-friendly neighbourhood. It is situated right in the centre of Paris, in the 3^rd and 4^th district. You’ll find there a mix of old stones, vanguard shops, museums and a great party scene!

If you’re travelling with your loved one, Paris should then be synonym of Romance to you! Easy, choose a vacation apartment in Montmartre in the 18^th district. Picturesque and lively, you’ll benefit from a breathtaking panorama while having a “crèpe” or wandering along its paved streets. The 1^st district is another alternative. Next to the banks of the Seine, you will be next to the majestic Louvre Museum and many more very romantic spots, such as the Pont des Arts. 

Paris 18th district

Business travelers will appreciate the proximity of the 15^th and 16^th district to major business centers: the Parc des Expositions de Versailles and La Défense for the latter. There are plenty of short-term rentals there to choose from. 

Paris 10th district

Travelling on a budget? Then look for a neighbourhood not so central but still nice. My personal pick would be the 10^th district: nice and picturesque around the Canal Saint-Martin, it benefits from a great cultural mix in the area of Little India or Small Turkey. Plus, it borders the great Marais district and the most beautiful Parisian park is close by (Les Buttes-Chaumont in the 19^th district). In general, to limit your housing budget in Paris, choose a holiday flat in districts from the 10^th to the 20^th.

Once you have figured out the neighbourhood that best fits your needs, it’s time to look for a nice holiday flat… You’ll have plenty of alternatives! Have a look at City Getaway, there is an apartment for everyone there, whether you plan on travelling with your family or with friends, for a short stay or a whole month. Next? Enjoy your trip in Paris!

How to Get to the Palace of Versailles by Train | Paris City Getaway

Paris Travel Guide -  Start your Visit to Château de Versailles by Train from Paris

 

The Must See in Paris – the Palace of Versailles

If you come for more than a weekend city break in Paris, then the first must-see landmark outside the borders of Paris should be definitely the Palace of Versailles, or simply Versailles. During the construction of the château, Versailles was a country village; nowadays, it is a suburb of Paris, located around 20 kilometres south west of the French capital, in the Île-de-France region and IT IS WORTH a whole day’s visit.

Château de Versailles is truly an architectural masterpiece and one of the very finest royal residences ever to be built. More than three million people visit Versailles each year, so if you decide to come, plan to be there all day, wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to queue – to visit the chateau, to walk inside its incredible gardens and even to go to the toilet.

A Rail Journey Fit for a King 

The best way to get to Versailles is to take the RER C train from Paris, a journey which you’ll remember. You won’t be travelling in overcrowded carriages, not to mention finding thrown away newspapers, sweet wraps or worse on the seats; you will feel like a royalty coming to its lands.

The train seems ordinary at first sight. It is only once you step inside its carriages that your fairy tale begins! See the amazing pictures video and plan your next paris weekend getaway!

How to get to Versailles

Start your trip by finding RER C line, which will be marked with a yellow C surrounded by a circle. It serves the western half of the Parisian area and with your day or week pass ticket, you can easily access it by any metro. The Palace of Versailles is located in the Zone 4, so you should pay a visit to the ticket office window in the station to buy a special ticket. Don’t worry, the staff will understand you (they should speak basic English if they work in the most visited city in Europe), but if you are lucky to meet that one person who doesn’t, then there comes the hand language. Prepare some cash, but don’t expect to use 50 euro note or your AMEX credit card. Don’t forget to purchase a return ticket, unless, of course, you don’t plan on sneaking off the tour path at the chateau and spending the night in one of the many king’s bedrooms.

Once you’re at an RER C station, all you need to do is find the right train platform. It might be confusing for the first visitors to Paris, but after a while you’ll quickly discover its simple pattern. One station may have couple of platforms on several levels, going in opposite directions, so in order to get to the right platform, always follow the signs RER C Versailles-Rive Gauche. This is the terminus station for you and the crowd following you to the palace. In merely five minutes’ walk from the train station, you will find why it is one of the most beautiful achievements of 18th-century French art. 

Bon voyage!