When people ask me for a truly local-feeling base in central Paris, I almost always send them to the Rue Montorgueil (pronounced “Mont-or-goy”). Sitting above the Île-de-la-Cité, where Notre-Dame and other important historic sites are found, this charming market street is packed with food shops, bakeries, and cafés that all give you a great feel for everyday Paris life.
It’s gotten trendier over the past decade, but it’s been spared from mass tourism, so it’s kept its local soul. Keep reading for more reasons to stay here, plus my top picks for the best hotels in Montorgueil Paris.
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Pros and Cons of Staying in the Montorgueil Area of Paris
The Rue Montorgeuil is one of Paris’s BEST market streets. It used to lead toward Paris’s central food market, Les Halles, which was sadly torn down in the 1960s. Although the historic market buildings no longer exist, rue Montorgueil and its side streets have a huge collection of specialty food shops, cooking supply shops, and some of the oldest restaurants in the city.
There are some BIG pluses to staying in the area, but a few downsides too. Here’s what you can expect:
Pros:
- It’s a “real” Paris neighborhood in the heart of the city.
- Very central, you can walk to lots of places, including Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Marais, and the Opera District in 10-15 minutes.
- AMAZING public transport links at Chatelet-Les-Halles, Paris’s biggest interchange station.
- A foodie paradise, rue Montorgueil is packed with food and cooking shops, such as Stohrer, Paris’s oldest pastry shop, and E Dehillerin, a historic kitchen supply store.
- Great clothes shopping in the area, you’ll find outlets of French brands on rue du Jour and small independent boutiques in the Passage du Grand Cerf.
Cons:
- Can be a tad grungy in the immediate area around the Forum Les Halles shopping mall, with some homeless or party people hanging around.
- The neighboring Rue St-Denis has a few adult shops, something to watch out for if you have kids, but just avoid this street to avoid them.
- There aren’t many parks in the area, except the decent-sized Nelson Mandela Park, which has a fabulous playground.
If this sounds like the right match for you, here are my picks for the best hotels in Montorgueil Paris.
The best hotels in the Montorgueil area of Paris
Image Courtesy of Hotel Bachaumont via Booking.com
Hotel Bachaumont
Personally, if I were looking for a hotel in the Montorgeuil area, I’d stay here. The boutique hotel is found in a classic Parisian stone building on a quieter side street, a stone’s throw from the rue Montorgeuil. Rooms are simple yet stylish, mostly in cool blues and grays with mid-century lamps and marble coffee tables for that design-mag feel. The bathrooms are super dreamy, and some have claw-foot bathtubs, perfect for a post-Paris wander soak.
Image Courtesy of The Hoxton Paris via Booking.com
The Hoxton Paris
The Paris branch of the hip Hoxton hotel group is one of my go-to picks in the Montorgueil area. A tad further away, it’s located in a historic building about a 7-minute walk from the north end of the Rue Montorgueil. Its cool courtyard café, buzzy restaurant, and speakeasy bar are popular with Parisians, so you’ll feel part of the local action. Room options run the full spectrum, from tiny shoeboxes to “biggy” rooms with private terraces, and if you book ahead, you can often snag a surprisingly good deal. (WA)
Image Courtesy of Hotel de Roubaix via Booking.com
Hotel de Roubaix
This quirky little two-star punches way above its weight and is one of the best deals you’ll find in Paris, especially for such a central location. If you’re watching your budget but don’t want to spend half your trip on the métro, it’s a winner.
It’s technically in the 3rd arrondissement, but you’re right on the edge of the 2nd and just a few minutes’ stroll from the Rue Montorgueil. The décor is a bit funky, and some rooms boast bold colors and playful artwork that brighten even the gloomiest Paris weather. Rooms range from snug singles to triples for friends or small families, so there’s something for everyone. (WA)
Image Courtesy of My Maison in Paris – Louvre via Booking.com
My Maison in Paris – Louvre
This design-minded boutique aparthotel group has a few different locations in Paris, and this one lands right between the Louvre and the Rue Montorgueil. I really love the decor, which blends unique mirrors, leafy wallpaper, and a palette of calm modern colors. There’s an elevator (not a given in Paris) and air conditioning, which is definitely a plus on those hot summer days. You can choose from compact studios to one and two-bedroom apartments that have fully-equipped kitchens AND washing machines, the perfect incentive to only travel with carry-on luggage.
Image Courtesy of Hotel Paris France via Booking.com
Hotel Paris France
Another amazing value hotel for central Paris, this simple, no-frills hotel is a steal for the Montorgueil area. You can walk to the Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Centre Pompidou, and the city’s biggest métro hub is right nearby for getting everywhere else. A great option for families, the mostly pedestrian area makes it safer for kids, plus there are plenty of casual cafés, and the excellent Nelson Mandela Garden playground is just around the corner. Rooms are clean and neutral, with triples (queen + twin) and the option to add a fourth bed for a small fee.
Image Courtesy of Hôtel Madame Rêve via Booking.com
Hôtel Madame Rêve
The most high-end hotel in the Montorgueil area is certainly this five-star beauty located in a section of Paris’s former central post office. The boutique luxury hotel has really plush rooms, some with balconies and views of the Eiffel Tower. It also has an amazing ground-floor bar with soaring ceilings and a rooftop restaurant with stunning views over central Paris. You can enjoy similarly gorgeous views from the hotel’s sauna, something you definitely won’t find elsewhere. Rue Montorgueil, the Louvre, the Palais Royal, and tons of fantastic restaurants are only a few minutes away.
Image Courtesy of Le Relais des Halles via Booking.com
Le Relais des Halles
Tucked inside a 17th-century building, this independent little gem might just be the most charming hotel in the Montorgueil area. It sits on a pedestrian street just off Rue Montorgueil, close to the métro and all the foodie action, but far enough away to escape the buzz when you want to. Inside, you’ve got exposed stone walls, wooden beams, and classic French vibes. Room options are refreshingly flexible too, with snug singles for solo travelers and connecting rooms for families. (WA)
Image Courtesy of Citadines Les Halles via Booking.com
Citadines Les Halles
This branch of the French aparthotel chain Citadines is super convenient, literally a few steps from the métro, which means you can zoom to anywhere that isn’t reachable on foot. It’s on the less postcard-pretty side of Les Halles, but it’s totally safe and only a short stroll to Rue Montorgueil and all its charm and great food spots.
Rooms have been recently refurbished and are clean and modern, with mostly white walls and sections of soft green patterned wallpaper. There’s also a bright atrium lounge that’s perfect for a post-sightseeing cool-down. (WA)
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