Where to stay in France: the best cities and neighbourhoods
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Ideal for: FamiliesCouplesOn a budgetSolo
Contents
In short: to sleep well in France, first choose the city based on your plans (culture, sea, food, road trip), then the neighbourhood based on your travel style. Central accommodation close to transport is almost always better than a large room far away. Book early in high season, with free cancellation.
This guide helps you choose, city by city, then gives our tips for booking in the right place.
How to choose where to stay?
Three questions are enough to narrow it down.
- What are your plans? Museums and sightseeing: stay central. Beach: near the seafront. Day trips in the region: near the station or with parking.
- How will you get around? Without a car, being close to a metro, tram or train station is essential. With a car, included or nearby parking changes everything, as city-centre parking is expensive and difficult.
- Who is travelling? Families, couples and solo travellers have different priorities. See our tips by profile.
The best cities and their neighbourhoods
Paris
For a first visit, aim for Le Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés or the Latin Quarter: everything is close and the setting is superb. The Opéra – Grands Boulevards area is very well connected and practical for families. Montmartre is full of charm but its steep streets don’t suit everyone. For a tighter budget and a more local feel, look towards Canal Saint-Martin and République.
→ All the best areas to stay in Paris
Nice and the Riviera
Vieux-Nice is atmospheric but can be noisy. The seafront and Carré d’or suit families and beach holidays. The Port district is a good balance between calm and convenience. If you plan train trips along the coast, staying near the main station is practical.
Lyon
The Presqu’île is the most versatile choice. Vieux-Lyon will please history lovers, Croix-Rousse those looking for a village feel. If you arrive and leave by TGV, Part-Dieu is the most practical.
Marseille
The Old Port is the easiest base for a first visit. Le Panier offers character, Cours Julien an alternative, affordable vibe, and the Corniche calm by the water, at the cost of a less central location.
Bordeaux
The historic centre around Saint-Pierre lets you do everything on foot. The Golden Triangle is more elegant, Les Chartrons quieter and pleasant for families, Saint-Michel livelier and more affordable.
Strasbourg
Grande Île and Petite France are ideal but in high demand, especially during the Christmas markets. Krutenau is younger and more affordable, the station area practical for exploring Alsace by train.
Which type of accommodation?
| Type | Strengths | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel | Simplicity, reception, short stays | Room size, especially in Paris |
| B&B (chambre d’hôtes) | Personal welcome, breakfast, charm | Check-in times, sometimes out of town |
| Apartment | Space, kitchen, ideal for families or long stays | Cleaning fees, key handover, building rules |
| Hostel | Budget, meeting people, private rooms possible | Noise, lockers, opening hours |
| Gîte or country house | Road trips, families, nature | Minimum stay, car essential |
Staying outside the big cities
France is not just its big cities. To explore a region, it is often better to choose one base and do day trips, rather than changing accommodation every night.
- Provence: villages in the Luberon or the Alpilles offer farmhouses and B&Bs in peaceful settings; a car is almost essential. Avignon or Aix-en-Provence are good bases if you prefer a town.
- Loire castles: Tours, Amboise or Blois let you visit several castles by car or bike, and some are reachable by regional train.
- Brittany and Normandy: gîtes and B&Bs are plentiful along the coast; in summer, book early in seaside resorts.
- Alsace: Colmar and the wine-route villages are charming; Strasbourg remains the most practical base without a car.
- Alps and Pyrenees: in winter, ski resorts mostly offer weekly rentals, often Saturday to Saturday [TO CHECK for each resort].
On a road trip, choose accommodation with parking and flexible cancellation so you can adapt your route to the weather. See our road-trip tips.
When to book?
- High season (July–August, school holidays, May bank holidays, end-of-year festivities): book as early as possible, especially for families and places with parking or a pool.
- Major events: trade fairs, festivals, sporting events or Christmas markets push up demand in a given city. Check the local calendar before fixing your dates.
- Low season: you can book later, but some seasonal places (campsites, beach hotels) are closed.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing on price alone without looking at the map: the time and money spent on transport quickly cancel out the saving.
- Underestimating noise: in lively areas, ask for a courtyard room or a higher floor.
- Forgetting about stairs: many old buildings have no lift, which matters with children, heavy luggage or reduced mobility.
- Ignoring check-in times: some B&Bs and small hotels don’t accept arrivals after a certain hour.
- Not reading the cancellation terms: “non-refundable” means no refund if your plans change.
Our tips by traveller profile
- With kids: family rooms or apartments with a kitchen, in a quiet area near a park. Request a cot in advance. → Travelling with kids
- Couples: a well-located boutique hotel rather than a large room far from the centre, and a courtyard room for quiet. → Couples
- On a budget: stay a little outside the centre, but on a direct transport line, and avoid school holiday dates. → Budget travel
- Solo: hostels with private rooms or small central hotels, with a late reception. → Solo travel
- Seniors: lift, step-free access, close to the station or a transport stop. → Seniors
Our booking tips
- Read recent reviews, especially the location and cleanliness scores.
- Check the map: a hotel “in the centre” can be 30 minutes from what you want to see.
- Prefer free cancellation, especially when booking far ahead.
- Check the total price: tourist tax, cleaning fees, parking and breakfast may be added to the displayed price [TO CHECK for each booking].
- Plan your arrival: if you arrive late, make sure reception is open or self check-in is possible.
To plan the rest of your trip (transport, entry requirements, budget), read our complete guide to travelling in France.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area for a first visit to Paris?
For a first visit, central areas such as Le Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés or the Opéra district let you do everything on foot or with few metro rides. The choice then depends on your budget and the atmosphere you want.
Should I book accommodation far in advance?
For high season (summer, school holidays, major events), booking several weeks or even months ahead gives more choice. Free cancellation keeps you flexible.
What is the tourist tax (taxe de séjour)?
A tax collected by most tourist towns, added to the accommodation price per person and per night. The amount depends on the town and the type of accommodation, and is usually shown when booking.
Hotel or apartment: which to choose?
A hotel is simpler for short stays (reception, cleaning, flexible check-in). An apartment becomes interesting for families and longer stays thanks to the kitchen and space. Check cleaning fees and key handover arrangements.