Paris Hotel Safety Guide
I previously posted a Paris safety map and many friends asked for more details. When you're away from home, safety comes first—especially in Paris, where hotel location is absolutely crucial.
I lived in Paris for over ten years and have also spent a decade working as a European tour operator. The streets of Paris are in my blood. Today, I'm putting together a more detailed guide covering accommodation, sightseeing, and safety so that friends who follow me can explore Paris with greater peace of mind and ease. If you have questions, follow me and send a private message anytime—I respond to all my followers.
The city of Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements. If budget isn't a concern, I'd recommend staying within central Paris (the 'petite couronne'). You'll have easier access to attractions and a more authentic Parisian experience. On my map, I've clearly marked the safety levels of each area:
- Within the green outline: feel free to book, the safety is good.
- Within the yellow outline: be cautious; if you choose to stay here, avoid going out too late at night.
- Within the red outline: try not to stay at all—safety is a real concern.
Note: A safety rating of 3 stars or above is generally fine; below 3 stars, think twice before booking. 5 stars is the perfect score.
Now, let's dive into each arrondissement, covering the main sights and hotel value for money. This took a lot of work, so thanks in advance for your likes and follows.
**1st & 2nd Arrondissements (Core Tourist Area)**
Sights: Louvre Museum, Seine riverbanks, Musée de l'Orangerie, etc.
Safety: 4/5 stars
Recommendation: 3.5/5 stars (these areas lack standout hotels and tend to be pricey)
Why: Safety is good, you can go for a stroll at night. These are the most central arrondissements, letting you soak up the Parisian atmosphere.
**3rd Arrondissement**
Sights: Centre Pompidou
Safety: 3.5/5 stars
Recommendation: 3/5 stars
Why: Also close to central Paris, and there are many small, authentic Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants. If you're not used to Western food, staying here makes dining easy. However, hotels are scarce; most options are apartments, Airbnb rentals, or small hotels.
**4th Arrondissement**
Sights: Notre-Dame Cathedral, Shakespeare and Company, Seine riverbanks, Île de la Cité, Hôtel de Ville
Safety: 4/5 stars
Recommendation: 3/5 stars
Why: The Marais district in the 4th is lively at night and safe, especially around Notre-Dame, where you'll find plenty of cafés, restaurants, street performers, and a row of bars along the Seine. But accommodation is limited, and there aren't many Chinese restaurants, so it's not always easy to book the ideal hotel.
**5th Arrondissement**
Sights: Panthéon, Maison de Victor Hugo, Place des Vosges, Luxembourg Gardens
Safety: 4/5 stars
Recommendation: 4/5 stars
Why: The 5th is culturally rich. Place des Vosges and Victor Hugo's house are right next to each other, offering a more off-the-beaten-path Parisian experience that feels wonderful—quiet and less touristy. I highly recommend staying here to experience Paris beyond the hustle and bustle. The only downside is the limited number of hotels.
**6th Arrondissement**
Sights: Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots, Musée d'Orsay, Le Bon Marché
Safety: 4.5/5 stars
Recommendation: 4/5 stars
Why: The 6th is the Latin Quarter, the arrondissement with the fewest immigrants. Safety is excellent, and the area has a strong intellectual vibe. Boulevard Saint-Germain is lined with cafés and restaurants. If you're a lover of Parisian romance, I'd definitely suggest the 6th—though large hotels remain scarce. (I can do a hotel recommendations post later.)
**7th Arrondissement**
Sights: Eiffel Tower, Pont Alexandre III, Les Invalides (Napoleon's Tomb)
Safety: 4.5/5 stars
Recommendation: 3.5/5 stars
Why: The Eiffel Tower actually sits on the border of the 7th and 16th. The 7th is lovely, but as an embassy district with many historic sites and squares, it has very few hotels. Staying near the Eiffel Tower usually means booking in the 16th.
**8th Arrondissement**
Sights: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne, Crazy Horse cabaret, Élysée Palace, Grand & Petit Palais, boat pier, Place de la Concorde, Louis Vuitton flagship store
Safety: 4.5/5 stars
Recommendation: 4.5/5 stars
Why: The 8th is Paris's luxury hub—designer shopping streets, the Champs-Élysées. Safety is top-notch, and there are plenty of hotels, including international names like Four Seasons, Prince de Galles, and Hôtel Athénée. Hotels here are generally pricey, but you can still find some good value options. I recommend staying around the Arc de Triomphe area.
**9th Arrondissement**
Sights: Opéra Garnier, Galeries Lafayette, Printemps
Safety: 3.5/5 stars
Recommendation: 4/5 stars
Why: A shopping district, so very convenient. There are plenty of Chinese restaurants near Galeries Lafayette. The 9th has hotels of all sizes to suit any budget. I suggest staying close to Galeries Lafayette and avoiding the part bordering the 18th. Watch out for pickpockets in the 9th, but muggings are rare.
**10th Arrondissement**
Sights: No major sights
Safety: 3/5 stars
Recommendation: Not recommended
Why: Both Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est are located here, making it a melting pot and an immigrant-heavy area. Not recommended for accommodation. If you've accidentally booked here, avoid going out at night.
**11th Arrondissement**
Safety: 2.5/5 stars
Recommendation: Not recommended
Why: An immigrant neighborhood; Paris's main Chinatown (mostly Wenzhou people) is here. There are frequent muggings targeting Chinese people at night. Do not stay here and avoid visiting.
**12th Arrondissement**
Sights: None notable
Safety: 3.5/5 stars
Recommendation: 3/5 stars
Why: The 12th lacks sights and is far from central Paris. It's home to Gare de Lyon. Staying here isn't very convenient—driving takes a long time with traffic, the metro ride is lengthy, there's nothing to do at night, and no great food scene. Only choose it if you're purely after a budget option.
**13th Arrondissement**
Sights: Parc Zoologique de Paris, Chinatown
Safety: 3.5/5 stars
Recommendation: 4/5 stars
Why: The 13th is Paris's Chinatown—even the McDonald's there has Chinese signage. You'll find many Asian restaurants, and the metro is fairly convenient. Hotels are mostly small budget ones. If you're on a tight budget, I'd actually recommend the 13th: dining is easy, getting to the city center is convenient, and safety is not a major concern.
**14th Arrondissement**
Sights: Catacombs of Paris, Vanves flea market (weekends)
Safety: 4/5 stars
Recommendation: 4/5 stars
Why: Good safety, few tourists. It's a traditional French residential area, peaceful and quiet. The only drawback is a lack of great restaurants, but overall still a nice choice.
**15th Arrondissement**
Sights: Tour Montparnasse
Safety: 4/5 stars
Recommendation: 4/5 stars
Why: Another traditional French residential neighborhood, quiet with few tourists and immigrants. Hotels here offer great value for money and there are more of them than in the 14th. If value is your priority, go for the 15th.
**16th Arrondissement**
Sights: Eiffel Tower, Musée Guimet (lots of Chinese artifacts), Eiffel Tower viewing platform
Safety: 4.5/5 stars
Recommendation: 4.5/5 stars
Why: Excellent safety; it's the prime area for hotels with night views of the Eiffel Tower. There are plenty of hotels. I recommend staying close to the Eiffel Tower so you can snap stunning night shots from your balcony. A little trick: when checking in, discreetly slip the front desk €10 to €20 and ask for the best view room. Hotels here are generally pricey, though, and there aren't many good restaurants nearby.
**17th Arrondissement**
Safety: 3.5/5 stars
Recommendation: 4/5 stars
Why: The 17th is adjacent to the 8th and actually quite close to the Arc de Triomphe. If you can't find a suitable hotel in the 8th, the 17th is a good alternative—safety is fine. Just avoid the part that borders the 18th.
**18th Arrondissement**
Sights: Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Place du Tertre (artists' square), Moulin Rouge
Safety: 2.5/5 stars
Recommendation: 2/5 stars
Why: I really don't recommend staying in the 18th. Only if you have a special attachment to Montmartre might you cautiously consider it.
**19th & 20th Arrondissements**
Sights: Père Lachaise Cemetery, Place de la République
Safety: 2/5 stars
Recommendation: Not recommended
Why: Poor safety, immigrant concentration. Do not stay in these arrondissements, and there's no need to visit the sights either.
