8th Arrondissement of Paris: Best Hotels & Neighborhood Guide

👉 Jump to: Meet the 8th Arrondissement | Best 8th Arrondissement Hotels | Areas to Stay | Tips | FAQ

I’ve lived in Paris for nearly a decade, and years ago, I lived in the 8th arrondissement while studying abroad. Even then, the address seemed to impress locals as a high-luxury district (though my apartment itself was in a reasonably priced area). That’s because the 8th is known for its chic establishments and energy.

From Chanel to Hermès, Sotheby’s to Baccarat, you’ll find all the luxe vibes you could want in the 8th. My favorite hotel in this area, Hotel de Crillon, is renowned as one of the world’s top luxury hotels. And that reputation is true of many hotels in the area, including the incredible Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris.

But when I stayed in the 8th, I didn’t pay much for my apartment at all. Bargains are definitely available in this large district in the central-east area of the Right Bank. And spending four figures for a night at a hotel isn’t necessary. Take a look at the Hôtel La Canopée, where you can find rooms for under 200 euros in the low season!

In other words, lovers of high-end experiences can find somewhere great in the 8th – no matter what your budget is. Here’s what you should know!

Meet the 8th Arrondissement: Paris’s Best Spot for Luxury

❤️ Why We Love the 8th: The 8th arrondissement is absolutely where to stay in Paris for those who love the high life. The area is full of Michelin-starred restaurants, five-star hotels, and designer boutiques.

The area is thick with Paris attractions, too. On the one hand, there are museums like the Musée Jacquemart-André’s mansion with its diverse art collection. On the other hand, there’s Grand Palais and Petit Palais, where you’ll find enormous, world-class exhibitions. 

That brings me to my next point nicely: the 8th is also a huge, varied district. Sure, it contains the huge Champs-Elysées boulevard. Yes, you’ll find the Four Seasons and the Hermès flagship store here. But you’ll also find the peaceful Parc Monceau. And, near the Batignolles area, you can find some great bargains – and some lively nightlife. 

The 8th is fancy, and it knows it’s fancy. That’s why the president’s official residence (the Palais d’Élysée) is here. That’s also why you’ll find the American Embassy in this area. Meanwhile, you’re within walking distance to everything from the Seine River to the Opéra Garnier. The 8th does it all, and it does it in style!

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Who This Neighborhood Is For: The 8th is absolutely for those in search of the most exclusive, opulent experiences Paris has to offer. If you want to pay four figures a night for a hotel with a world-class spa, the 8th is 100% for you. 

But don’t let that scare you off if you adore grandeur but are on a budget. I’m with you, and I love the 8th! You can get great bargains here in more residential areas, as I’ll discuss below. After all, if you save money on lodging, you’ll have more left to splurge on shopping and restaurants! 

The 8th is also a great choice for those in Paris on business, particularly at La Défense. You’ll be close enough to many Paris attractions to walk to them. At the same time, you’ll be well-connected by public transport to the business district to the west of Paris. This is particularly true if you stay near stops on the Métro Line 1. 

Finally, the 8th is a great area for art lovers. It’s packed full of museums and public art. Some areas are just a few minutes’ walk from the Louvre Museum. But you don’t have to leave the neighborhood to find some of Paris’s best museums. 

Ready to find the perfect part of the 8th arrondissement for your stay? Take a look!

📍 Areas in the 8th: From huge boulevards to luscious green spaces, the 8th’s neighborhoods vary significantly. Like all of Paris’s arrondissements, it’s broken up into four quarters. Clockwise from the northwest, these quarters are: 

• Faubourg-du-Roule
• L’Europe
• La Madeleine
• Champs-Elysées

🚲 Getting Around the 8th: How you get around the 8th arrondissement will depend both on where you’re staying and your preferences. The big Métro hubs are at the Arc de Triomphe (Charles de Gaulle-Étoile) to the west, Concorde to the southeast, and Opéra to the east. Line 9 runs north-to-south in the quarter. Line 2 runs along the north edge of the district, with Line 1 in the south-central area.

Buses and other Métro lines do make stops throughout the quarter. If you’re planning on primarily using public transportation to get around Paris, look at exactly how close you’ll be to which stops.

Overall, the 8th is a great place to stay if you’re looking for a classic, upscale Paris experience. 

Best Places to Stay in the 8th Arrondissement

If you only have time for a quick glance, these are my top hotel picks:

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – Hotel de Crillon, La Madeleine
• 📍 Best Location – Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris, Champs–Elysées
• 💎 Best Luxury Hotel – Le Bristol, La Madeleine
• 👨‍👩‍👦 Best for Families – Hôtel Le Marianne, Faubourg-du-Roule
• 🛎️ Best Boutique – Hôtel Balzac Paris & Spa Ikoï, Faubourg-du-Roule
• 💆🏻‍♀️ Best Hotel with Spa – Hôtel Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris, Faubourg-du-Roule
• 🛏️ Best Budget – Hôtel La Canopée, La Madeleine
• 🇫🇷 Best for Eiffel Tower Views – Hotel Bowmann, L’Europe

While these are all amazing hotels, not each one will be right for every traveler. That’s because the neighborhoods can differ a lot! 

So, what should you know before you decide to stay in the 8th? Here’s my breakdown of its areas and what you need to know before booking.

Areas to Stay in the 8th Arrondissement

Faubourg-du-Roule

👉 Best Area For High Luxury | ✨ Best Faubourg-du-Roule Hotels: Hôtel Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris • Hôtel Balzac Paris & Spa Ikoï • Hôtel Le Marianne 

This chic area of the 8th is the northwest region of the arrondissement. It starts at the Arc de Triomphe to the west, ending at the Avenue Matignon to the East. And while it’s certainly not Paris’s most affordable area, it is absolutely glamorous. 

You’ll find the grand Champs-Elysées boulevard at the southern edge of this district, leading to the Arc de Triomphe. The shopping and dining are top-notch – and have price tags to match. There aren’t a ton of green spaces in this area, but the Jardin de l’Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild is a beautiful small public park.

Many of my favorite hotels in the 8th are in Faubourg-du-Roule. If you love boutique hotels, the recently refurbished Hôtel Balzac Paris & Spa Ikoï will be right up your alley. There are 58 rooms, allowing for personalized service. Meanwhile, there’s everything from a Michelin-awarded restaurant to a secret bar here. You can even find rooms with Eiffel Tower views. 

The Balzac can be good for families with older children, as it has connecting rooms. However, I love the Hôtel Le Marianne for families more generally. Their wide range of room types includes family rooms (some with balconies). Prices for larger rooms are particularly reasonable for the area. I’ve seen off-season rates under 300 euros for Superior rooms with twin beds.  

And, while a lot of hotels in the 8th have spas, nobody outdoes the Hôtel Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris. The spa and wellness center includes an indoor swimming pool and hammam. Personal trainers, yoga, Watsu, and Pilates are available. The rooms themselves feature Clarins toiletries.

Pros of Staying in the Faubourg-du-Roule Neighborhood:

• Many upscale hotels
• High-end restaurants
• Luxury boutiques

Cons of Staying in the Faubourg-du-Roule Neighborhood:

• Food and lodging can be expensive
• Busy in many areas
• Not many residential areas
• Public transport links are far apart

L’Europe

👉 Best Area For Peace | ✨ Best L’Europe Hotels: Hotel Bowmann • L’Hôtel du Collectionneur Paris • Le 123 Elysees – Astotel

L’Europe, to the north and east of the 8th, is a very diverse neighborhood. From the Parc Monceau to the quarter’s edge, you’ll find chic, wide boulevards with lots of mansions and luxurious apartments. The farther east you go, though, the more this changes. 

To the east, by the train tracks near the Europe Métro station, prices fall dramatically. However, the area also becomes less picturesque. It can get quite lively in the southeast corner near the opera, and slightly racy in the northeast corner near the Place de Clichy. (This is where I lived as a student, by the way!)

Nevertheless, if you stay near the Parc Monceau, you’ll be in a peaceful, relaxing area. It’s mostly residential, with some embassies. But that doesn’t mean you won’t get the full Paris experience! 

Even from this far into the Right Bank, you can get Eiffel Tower views at the Hotel Bowmann. I particularly love this hotel for its five-star amenities, which include a hidden garden terrace, tearoom, and sauna. The Prestige Suite has an Eiffel Tower view. But the Bowmann Suite comes with access to the rooftop terrace, from which you can see all of Paris, from Sacré Coeur Cathedral to, yes, the Eiffel Tower.

Pros of Staying in the L’Europe Neighborhood:

• Incredible selection of smaller museums
• Lovely architecture
• Includes the Parc Monceau

Cons of Staying in L’Europe Neighborhood:

• Varies significantly by area
• Eastern end less posh than western
• Public transport access is patchy

La Madeleine

👉 Best Area For Architecture | ✨ Best La Madeleine Hotels: Hotel de Crillon • Le Bristol • Hôtel La Canopée

If you love classic French architecture, the Madeleine area is for you. Just south of the L’Europe district, this area is known for its governmental buildings, art galleries, and shopping. In fact, this bustling area is home to everything from a Gucci store to a theater company. 

You’ll see the presidential palace here, the Palais de l’Élysée. But you’ll also see the state guesthouse, the Hôtel de Marigny, along with tons of fancy embassies and governmental buildings. And, of course, there’s the Madeleine church that gives the area its name. 

Stay in the southern and eastern edges of the district, away from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station, for a more upscale experience. You’ll also find it calmer. This is where you’ll find my favorite overall hotel in the 8th, the Hotel de Crillon. This world-famous hotel, right at the Concorde intersection, has every luxury you could name and a great location to match.

But if luxury at any price is your goal, Le Bristol is for you. There’s a rooftop swimming pool. An outdoor sun terrace. A steam room. A spa by the famous La Mer brand. It’s home to two Michelin-starred restaurants, one with three stars. And to top it off, there’s an enormous green courtyard garden. 

You don’t have to be a millionaire to stay in La Madeleine, though. The chic Hôtel La Canopée, my favorite budget hotel in the 8th, is actually in this area, too! Off-season rooms can go for under 200 euros. That’s surprising for the location. It’s even more surprising that the hotel has air-conditioning, a garden, a terrace, and a fitness room.

Pros of Staying in the La Madeleine Neighborhood:

• Gorgeous, important buildings
• Many luxury hotels
• Wide selection of luxury boutiques

Cons of Staying in the La Madeleine Neighborhood:

• Uneven public transportation access
• Areas near Gare Saint-Lazare are very busy
• Not very residential

Champs-Elysées

👉 Best Area For Central Location | ✨ Best Champs-Elysées Hotels: Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris • Hôtel San Régis • Maison Villeroy

The Champs-Elysées area, in the south of the 8th, sits between the boulevard it gets its name from, and the river. There are a ton of green spaces here. Almost every major attraction in Paris is walkable. There are great Métro connections and you’ll be by major museums. But, all of this does come at a price!

Notably, this isn’t a very residential area. However, if centrality is your goal, there’s nowhere better to stay. In my opinion, the Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris is the best-located hotel in Paris. Its private terraces have amazing views over the city. 

Meanwhile, the Four Seasons is within walking distance of the Yves Saint Laurent Museum and La Galerie Dior for fashionistas. For art lovers, both the Grand and Petit Palais are accessible on foot, too. Everyone should check out the highly divisive Jeff Koons sculpture of tulips outside the Petit Palais. It’s pictured above – what do you think?

You’ll find lots of gardens here, as well as river access with great views. And while this isn’t necessarily where I’d look to buy cheap groceries, the area does combine amazing attractions with incredible scenery.

Pros of Staying in the Champs-Elysées Neighborhood:

• Easy access to attractions throughout the city
• Lots of green spaces
• River access
• Many attractions

Cons of Staying in the Champs-Elysées Neighborhood:

• Not very residential
• Areas around the Arc de Triomphe and Concorde can be very busy
• High lodging and restaurant prices

Tips & Things to Know about the 8th Arrondissement

#1 – Check Out Hotels’ Immediate Surroundings

The 8th varies more by street than by quarter. It’s worth checking out the Google Street View of hotels you’re considering before booking. You may find that, within a quiet neighborhood, one street is full of bars open late. Or (more likely in the 8th), you may find nightlife lacking almost entirely, particularly if your street is full of embassies and mansions.

#2 – Visit Classic Parisian Establishments

As you wander the 8th, you’ll be amazed at how many classic Paris establishments you come across. The extremely exclusive Jockey Club (I dare you to try to get in without membership!), the Belle Époque Maxim’s restaurant, Cartier, Sotheby’s… the list goes on and on!

Because it’s so big, though, you may not notice all of these classics until it’s too late! If you’re staying in the 8th, take a close look at a street-by-street map when planning your trip. Make sure to devote at least a day to exploring this special area of the city.

#3 – Public Transport Is Spotty

Does the 8th have a lot of public transportation links? Yes! Are they useful and easy to find? Well… sometimes. 

Because the 8th is so big, public transport options vary a lot. In general, the farther north you go, the less useful Métro options will be widely available. You’ll find the Métro Line 2 in the north of the district. This runs through the north of Paris and can be slow. However, it does connect with Line 1, which is very useful for many Parisian sites. 

If you plan on traveling through the city by the Métro a lot, look for lodging in three places. Charles de Gaulle-Étoile is a big subway hub right at the Arc de Triomphe. Opéra (though technically not in the 8th, it’s on the border) is another great hub. And anywhere on Line 1, in the south of the 8th, will generally be fast and have good connections.

#4 – Finding Relaxed Restaurants Can Be Tricky

Most travelers have to plan which meals in Paris will be at upscale restaurants. This is especially true in the 8th, where even a mediocre meal can set you back hundreds of euros if you’re not careful. 

If you’re on a budget, plan where you’ll eat in Paris before going to make sure you avoid splurging in the wrong places. 

Keep in mind that most restaurants have a menu posted out front or in the window. If they don’t, you can always ask to see one before getting a table. It’s not rude, and it’s far better than getting sticker shock when you see the bill! 

#5 – Plan for Traffic Closer to the River

While public transportation is more accessible in the southern part of the 8th, driving is much, much harder. Here, wider streets don’t equal easier driving – they equal more drivers. 

If you’re planning on renting a car in Paris, I’d recommend doing it outside of the Champs-Elysées neighborhood. Closer to the Parc Monceau to the north or past the Arc de Triomphe to the west are better bets. 

#6 – Plan Children’s Activities in Advance

The 8th is amazing for tons of activities, from designer shopping to high-end art museums. Unless you have pretty unique children, though, those aren’t likely to be hugely appealing to those under 10! 

The 8th can be a great place for families to stay, but you may need to look outside of the neighborhood for extensive family-friendly activities. Within the area, check museums and cultural attractions like the Opéra for children’s programs. There are child-friendly activities in the 8th – you just have to search a little bit.

#7 – Don’t Overlook the Green Spaces!

On a map of Paris, the 8th looks pretty urban. And it’s true that the Haussmann boulevards and wide streets are particularly striking in this area. But the 8th is also home to some pretty special green spaces!

My favorite, as you can see in my photos, is the Parc Monceau. It’s full of delightful nooks and crannies. It’s also a great place for runners and children. 

There’s also lots of green space farther south, near the Palais d’Elysées and the Petit Palais. And if you want even more immersion, hop on the Métro 1 to go to the huge parks bookending Paris: the Bois de Vincennes and the Bois de Boulogne.  

FAQs

What is special about the 8th arrondissement? 

The 8th is special because it’s the best “treat yourself” neighborhood in Paris. You’ll find some of the absolute top hotels, restaurants, spas, boutiques, and museums in this neighborhood. Meanwhile, you have a choice between more bustling and more residential areas.

What are the best hotels in the 8th arrondissement?

My favorite hotels in the 8th arrondissement are the Hotel de Crillon in the Champs-Elysées area and the Hôtel Balzac Paris & Spa Ikoï in Faubourg-du-Roule. The Crillon offers absolutely superb amenities, decor, and location. Meanwhile, the Balzac offers quiet luxury at a mid-range price point (for this area).

Where should I stay in the 8th arrondissement?

For the ultimate in luxury, stay in the Champs-Elysées district. You’ll be centrally connected to tons of attractions. Meanwhile, the area itself is full of Parisian grandeur. For a more residential, quieter stay, check out the western edges of L’Europe. The areas around the Parc Monceau are particularly charming.

Is the 8th arrondissement good to stay in?

The 8th arrondissement is great to stay in if you plan on doing a lot of shopping or business in the city. It’s also a great choice if you like wide boulevards, grand buildings, and luxe surroundings. 

Is the 8th arrondissement expensive?

The sky is the limit when it comes to the price tag on a trip to the 8th arrondissement. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t stay here for less! Check out my tips for traveling to Paris on a budget for ideas about how to get Paris luxury at bargain prices. 

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Thanks for exploring the 8th arrondissement with me! Curious about what other areas you should check out for your Paris stay? Take a look at my top hotel & area recommendations in Paris, as well as my individual neighborhood guides:

• 1st Arrondissement
• 2nd Arrondissement
• 3rd Arrondissement
• 4th Arrondissement
• 5th Arrondissement
• 6th Arrondissement
• 7th Arrondissement
• 11th Arrondissement
• 16th Arrondissement
• Montmartre District