Paris has 20 arrondissements — but only a handful are where English-speaking expats actually settle. This guide breaks down the 10 best neighborhoods by rent, schools, lifestyle, and who they’re best for.
Moving to Paris is exciting. Choosing where to live in Paris? That’s where the stress begins.
Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements arranged in a clockwise spiral from the center. Each one has its own character, price range, and way of life. Some feel like quiet villages. Others buzz with nightlife and tourists. A few have deep-rooted English-speaking communities with schools, churches, and libraries that have served expats for decades.
If you’re relocating from the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, or anywhere else in the English-speaking world, the neighborhood you choose will affect everything: your commute, your social life, your children’s school options, and — most importantly — your monthly rent. Getting this decision right from the start saves you time, money, and the painful process of breaking a French lease six months in.
This guide is built from real experience helping hundreds of international clients find apartments across Paris. It covers the neighborhoods where English-speaking expats actually live, what they pay, and what makes each area work (or not) depending on your situation.
Read next: Moving to Paris from the US — The Ultimate 2026 Guide
What to Look for in a Paris Neighborhood as an Expat
Before diving into specific arrondissements, it helps to know what criteria matter most for international residents. Parisian neighborhoods that look charming on Instagram don’t always translate into a comfortable daily life — especially when you don’t speak fluent French yet.
Here are the factors that consistently matter most to the English-speaking expats we work with:
- English-speaking community and resources. Some arrondissements have established anglophone institutions — the American Church in Paris (7th), the American Library in Paris (7th), Shakespeare and Company (5th), English-language bookshops, and active expat meetup groups. These matter more than you’d expect in the first year.
- Proximity to international schools. If you have children, school choice will likely dictate your neighborhood. Most international schools cluster in the western part of Paris (16th, 15th, 7th) and the western suburbs (Saint-Cloud, Neuilly, Saint-Germain-en-Laye). A 45-minute school commute in Paris traffic gets old fast.
- Public transport connectivity. Paris has one of the best metro systems in Europe, but not every neighborhood is equally well connected. Living near a major hub (Châtelet, Saint-Lazare, Montparnasse) or on a well-served metro line makes daily life significantly easier.
- Safety and walkability. Paris is generally very safe, but comfort levels vary. Central and western arrondissements tend to feel quieter at night. Some northern neighborhoods require more street awareness after dark.
- Rent budget vs. lifestyle. The most desirable expat neighborhoods (6th, 7th, 16th) are also the most expensive. A one-bedroom in Saint-Germain-des-Prés can cost twice what you’d pay in the 15th — for the same square footage. Knowing your trade-offs upfront prevents frustration later.
The 10 Best Paris Neighborhoods for Expats
These are the neighborhoods where English-speaking expats concentrate in Paris. Each one serves a different lifestyle and budget. We’ve included honest pros and cons alongside rent estimates so you can compare realistically.
1. 7th Arrondissement (Invalides / École Militaire) — The Expat Classic
The 7th is the historical heart of the English-speaking expat community in Paris, and it’s not hard to see why. The American Church in Paris has been on the Quai d’Orsay since 1931. The American Library in Paris is around the corner. The American University of Paris has a campus here. International families, diplomats, and professionals have been settling in this area for over a century.
Beyond the institutions, it’s a beautiful neighborhood. Tree-lined streets, stunning Haussmannian buildings, proximity to the Eiffel Tower and the Champ de Mars — it feels like living inside a postcard, but with excellent boulangeries and a genuine neighborhood atmosphere around streets like Rue Cler and Rue Saint-Dominique.
The 7th is well served by metro (lines 8, 13, RER C) and is close to several international schools, including the Lennen Bilingual School and EIB Paris.
- Best for: Families, diplomats, professionals, and anyone who wants to be at the center of the anglophone community
- Average rent (furnished 1-bed, ~40 m²): €1,600–€2,000/month
- Pros: Established English-speaking community, safe, beautiful architecture, family-friendly, close to parks
- Cons: Expensive, can feel quiet at night, limited nightlife, competitive rental market
2. 6th Arrondissement (Saint-Germain-des-Prés) — Intellectual Elegance
Saint-Germain-des-Prés is Paris at its most refined. The literary cafés (Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots), the art galleries, the Luxembourg Gardens, the boutique-lined streets — it’s the neighborhood that shaped the image of Paris in the anglophone imagination.
It attracts a mix of affluent expats, corporate executives, retirees, and academics. The proximity to Sciences Po and several international programs draws a younger international crowd as well. English is widely understood in shops and restaurants here, and the area has a long history of welcoming foreigners.
The main challenge is price. The 6th arrondissement consistently ranks among the most expensive in Paris for both rent and purchase. If your budget can handle it, the quality of life is hard to beat.
- Best for: Couples, retirees, executives, and academics who value culture and elegance
- Average rent (furnished 1-bed, ~40 m²): €1,700–€2,200/month
- Pros: World-class cultural scene, Luxembourg Gardens, safe, walkable, excellent restaurants and shopping
- Cons: Very expensive, limited availability of larger apartments, tourist foot traffic around main streets
3. 16th Arrondissement (Passy / Trocadéro) — Family-Friendly Prestige
The 16th is where expat families with children tend to land, and the reason is simple: schools. The International School of Paris (ISP) has three campuses in the 16th. Marymount International School is just across the border in Neuilly. The Eurécole bilingual school and several other options are nearby. No other arrondissement offers this concentration of English-language education.
Beyond schools, the 16th is spacious and quiet. The Bois de Boulogne provides over 2,000 acres of parkland. Streets are wide, buildings are elegant, and the overall atmosphere is calm and residential. It’s the arrondissement with some of the lowest crime rates in Paris.
The trade-off? It can feel sleepy. Younger expats often find it too quiet and too far from the energy of central Paris. And while it’s well connected by metro (lines 6, 9, and RER C), getting to the Marais or Bastille takes a while.
- Best for: Families with school-age children, diplomats, anyone who prioritizes space and safety
- Average rent (furnished 1-bed, ~40 m²): €1,500–€1,900/month
- Pros: Best school access, very safe, spacious apartments, Bois de Boulogne, residential calm
- Cons: Can feel isolated from central Paris, limited nightlife and dining scene, less diverse
4. Le Marais (3rd & 4th Arrondissements) — Culture and Energy
Le Marais is Paris at its most vibrant. Cobblestone streets, medieval architecture, trendy boutiques, art galleries, the Picasso Museum, Place des Vosges — there’s a reason it’s one of the most popular neighborhoods in the world. For English-speaking expats, it has a particular advantage: it’s one of the most international neighborhoods in Paris. You’ll hear English on every corner, shops and cafés are used to foreign customers, and the general atmosphere is welcoming to newcomers.
Le Marais is especially popular with younger professionals, creatives, and expats working in fashion, media, and tech. It’s one of the few Parisian neighborhoods where shops stay open on Sundays, which is a small but meaningful comfort for those used to it.
The downsides are cost and space. Apartments in the Marais tend to be small and expensive. Studios can run €1,200 or more, and finding a proper two-bedroom is a challenge. The neighborhood is also heavily touristed, which can wear on you as a resident.
- Best for: Young professionals, creatives, couples, and anyone who wants to be at the center of it all
- Average rent (furnished 1-bed, ~40 m²): €1,600–€2,100/month
- Pros: Incredibly walkable, culturally rich, international atmosphere, Sunday shopping, excellent food scene
- Cons: Expensive, small apartments, heavy tourist traffic, noisy on weekends
5. 5th Arrondissement (Latin Quarter) — Academic Charm
The Latin Quarter is the intellectual soul of Paris. Home to the Sorbonne, the Panthéon, the Jardin des Plantes, and a maze of bookshops and cafés, it’s a neighborhood that appeals to expats with an academic or literary bent. Shakespeare and Company — the legendary English-language bookshop — sits right on the Seine at the edge of the 5th.
The neighborhood has a genuinely lively feel without being as overtly touristy as the Marais. Streets are full of students, researchers, and locals. There’s a strong sense of community, and the mix of affordable student restaurants alongside more refined dining gives it a relaxed, accessible atmosphere.
Rent is slightly more accessible than the 6th or 7th, though still firmly in the premium range for central Paris. The 5th works well for expats who want intellectual stimulation, proximity to the Seine, and a deeply Parisian daily life.
- Best for: Academics, students, couples, bookworms, and anyone who wants a classic Parisian neighborhood without the luxury price tag
- Average rent (furnished 1-bed, ~40 m²): €1,400–€1,800/month
- Pros: Intellectual atmosphere, walkable, charming streets, proximity to Luxembourg Gardens and the Seine
- Cons: Some streets are very touristy, limited green space outside Luxembourg, apartments can be old and small
6. 15th Arrondissement — Quiet Family Life on a Better Budget
The 15th is Paris’s largest arrondissement by population and one of its best-kept secrets for expats. It doesn’t appear in guidebooks. Tourists never visit. And that’s exactly the point.
What the 15th offers is genuine Parisian residential life at prices that are 20–30% below the neighboring 6th and 7th. You’ll find spacious apartments (by Paris standards), excellent local markets, good schools, and a calm, family-friendly atmosphere. The Parc André Citroën offers green space along the Seine, and the neighborhood is well connected by metro (lines 6, 8, 10, 12).
The International School of Paris has a campus in the 15th, and several bilingual schools serve the area. It’s an increasingly popular choice for expat families who want to live in Paris without the premium that comes with a prestige address.
- Best for: Families, couples on a moderate budget, anyone who values space and quiet over glamour
- Average rent (furnished 1-bed, ~40 m²): €1,300–€1,600/month
- Pros: More affordable, spacious apartments, family-friendly, quiet, well connected, good local markets
- Cons: Not much nightlife or tourist appeal, can feel suburban, fewer English-speaking community resources
7. 9th Arrondissement (Opéra / South Pigalle) — The Local Favorite
The 9th arrondissement is one of those neighborhoods that Parisians love and tourists overlook. The area around South Pigalle (affectionately called “SoPi”) has become one of the trendiest dining and nightlife districts in Paris, while the streets around Rue des Martyrs offer some of the best food shopping in the city.
For expats, the 9th combines excellent central location with a genuinely Parisian atmosphere that hasn’t been diluted by mass tourism. It’s well connected (Saint-Lazare station is a major hub), the housing stock is beautiful (classic Haussmannian buildings with high ceilings and moldings), and the neighborhood attracts a young, professional crowd — both French and international.
The northern edge of the 9th, closer to Pigalle and the Grands Boulevards, can be noisier and grittier. But the residential core around Notre-Dame-de-Lorette and the streets south of the hill is a genuinely lovely place to live.
- Best for: Young professionals, couples, foodies, and anyone who wants a central location with local character
- Average rent (furnished 1-bed, ~40 m²): €1,400–€1,700/month
- Pros: Excellent restaurants and bars, central location, Haussmannian architecture, great transport links
- Cons: Parts of the northern edge can feel rough, fewer parks and green spaces, some noisy streets
8. 17th Arrondissement (Batignolles) — Village in the City
Batignolles, in the southern part of the 17th, has emerged as one of Paris’s most appealing residential neighborhoods. The Martin Luther King Park — a large, modern green space — anchors a rapidly developing eco-district that attracts young families and professionals. The neighborhood has a distinctive village atmosphere: local markets, independent shops, neighborhood cafés, and tree-lined streets that feel a world away from the tourist circuits.
For expats, the 17th offers a strong balance of accessibility and livability. It’s well connected via metro line 14 (extended through the area) and the Pont Cardinet / Batignolles area gives quick access to Saint-Lazare. Rents are more reasonable than neighboring arrondissements, and larger apartments are more available here than in central Paris.
- Best for: Young families, professionals looking for a residential feel with good value
- Average rent (furnished 1-bed, ~40 m²): €1,300–€1,600/month
- Pros: Village atmosphere, modern park, good value, increasing transport links, eco-district development
- Cons: Less established expat community, further from central landmarks, some areas of the 17th are less desirable
9. Neuilly-sur-Seine — Suburban Feel, City Access
Neuilly-sur-Seine sits just west of Paris across the Périphérique ring road, and in practice, it feels like an extension of the 16th arrondissement. It’s one of the wealthiest communes in France, with wide tree-lined avenues, elegant residential buildings, and a quiet, polished atmosphere.
For expat families, Neuilly has particular appeal. Marymount International School (PreK through Grade 8) is located here, the American Hospital of Paris is in Neuilly, and the Bois de Boulogne is at its doorstep. Metro line 1 provides quick access to central Paris (Pont de Neuilly station to Châtelet in about 15 minutes), and La Défense business district is a short ride in the other direction.
Neuilly offers what many expat families crave: the safety and space of suburban life with genuine proximity to Paris. The trade-off is that, like the 16th, it can feel overly quiet and homogeneous.
- Best for: Families, corporate expats, anyone working at La Défense
- Average rent (furnished 1-bed, ~40 m²): €1,400–€1,800/month
- Pros: Safe, spacious, excellent schools nearby, American Hospital, Bois de Boulogne, quick metro to central Paris
- Cons: Technically not Paris (different commune), quiet, limited nightlife, socially homogeneous
10. Saint-Germain-en-Laye — The Full International Community
About 25 minutes west of Paris by RER A, Saint-Germain-en-Laye is where many English-speaking expat families settle when they want a genuine small-town experience combined with outstanding international education. The Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye — a top-ranked French public school — offers American and British sections where students follow a combined French and English curriculum. The American School of Paris is a short drive away in neighboring Saint-Cloud.
The town itself is beautiful: a royal château, a large forest, a vibrant high street with restaurants and shops, and a well-established international community. Families with children particularly appreciate the space, the safety, and the chance for their kids to grow up bilingual in a structured school setting.
The main consideration is the commute. The RER A takes about 25 minutes to Châtelet and is generally reliable, but if your work is in southern or eastern Paris, the daily travel can add up. Many expat families in Saint-Germain-en-Laye accept this trade-off for the quality of life and school options.
- Best for: Families prioritizing bilingual education, expats who want a small-town feel with a strong international community
- Average rent (furnished 1-bed, ~40 m²): €1,100–€1,400/month
- Pros: Excellent international schools, established expat community, green space, more affordable, family-friendly
- Cons: 25+ minute commute to central Paris, requires RER dependence, less urban energy, car helpful for daily life
Best Neighborhoods by Expat Profile
Not every expat has the same priorities. Here’s a quick-reference guide to help you narrow down your search based on your situation:
| Your Profile | Best Neighborhoods | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Family with school-age kids | 16th, Neuilly, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 7th, 15th | Proximity to international schools, safety, green space, larger apartments |
| Young professional | Le Marais, 9th, Batignolles (17th), 5th | Nightlife, dining, walkability, international atmosphere, central location |
| Couple (no kids) | 6th, 7th, 5th, 9th | Cultural richness, restaurants, walkability, beautiful architecture |
| Retiree | 6th, 7th, 16th, 15th | Quiet, safe, close to parks and cultural institutions, established communities |
| Budget-conscious | 15th, Batignolles (17th), Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Lower rents, larger apartments, good quality of life at a lower price point |
International Schools and How They Shape Where Expats Live
For expat families with children, school choice almost always comes first — and the apartment search follows. Paris has a strong network of international and bilingual schools, but they’re not evenly distributed across the city. Understanding where the key schools are located is one of the most practical steps you can take before your move.
Here are the schools that English-speaking expat families most commonly choose, along with their locations:
| School | Curriculum | Ages | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| American School of Paris (ASP) | American, IB, AP | 3–18 | Saint-Cloud (western suburb) |
| International School of Paris (ISP) | IB (PYP, MYP, DP) | 3–18 | 16th & 15th arrondissements |
| Marymount International School | American (Catholic) | 2–14 | Neuilly-sur-Seine |
| British School of Paris | British (IGCSE, A-Levels) | 3–18 | Croissy-sur-Seine (western suburb) |
| École Jeannine Manuel | French bilingual, IB | 3–18 | 15th arrondissement |
| Lycée International (American Section) | French + American curriculum | 4–18 | Saint-Germain-en-Laye |
| Lennen Bilingual School | Franco-American | 2–11 | 7th arrondissement |
As you can see, international schools cluster heavily in western Paris and the western suburbs. This is the main reason the 16th, 15th, 7th, Neuilly, and Saint-Germain-en-Laye are so popular with expat families. If your children’s school is in the west and your office is in the east, one of you will have a long commute — it’s a trade-off worth thinking about early.
Need help with childcare?: Explore our childcare and school enrollment services for expat families in Paris
What You’ll Actually Pay
Across the 10 neighborhoods above, expect to pay between €1,100 and €2,200/month for a furnished one-bedroom (~40 m²), depending on the arrondissement. Each neighborhood profile above includes a specific rent range to help you compare.
For a full breakdown of rent prices across all 20 arrondissements — including unfurnished rates, price-per-square-meter data, and move-in costs — see our dedicated guide:
Detailed breakdown: Paris Rent Prices in 2026 — Cost by Arrondissement
Ready to Start Your Apartment Search?
Once you’ve chosen your neighborhood, the next challenge is actually securing an apartment. The Paris rental market moves fast, and as a foreigner you’ll need a strong dossier, a guarantor solution, and the ability to act quickly. These guides cover everything you need:
Step 1: Documents Needed to Rent an Apartment in Paris (2026)
Step 2: Paris Apartment Guarantor Guide — 6 Options for Expats
Step 3: What It Costs to Rent in Paris — Rent, Fees, and Hidden Costs
Need help finding your apartment? Explore Flatigo’s apartment search service — starting at €1,699 with a satisfaction guarantee
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best neighborhood in Paris for English-speaking expats?
The 7th arrondissement (Invalides / École Militaire) is widely considered the heart of the English-speaking expat community, with the American Church, American Library, and several international schools nearby. However, the “best” neighborhood depends on your situation — families often prefer the 16th or Neuilly for school access, while young professionals gravitate toward Le Marais or the 9th.
Where do most American expats live in Paris?
American expats in Paris concentrate primarily in the 7th, 6th, 16th, and 15th arrondissements, as well as the western suburbs (Neuilly-sur-Seine, Saint-Cloud, Saint-Germain-en-Laye). These areas offer the highest density of international schools, English-speaking institutions, and established anglophone community resources.
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in a good expat neighborhood in Paris?
For a furnished one-bedroom apartment (~40 m²) in a popular expat neighborhood, expect to pay between €1,300 and €2,200 per month depending on the arrondissement. The most affordable options among expat-friendly areas are the 15th, 17th (Batignolles), and Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The most expensive are the 6th, 7th, and Le Marais.
Is Paris safe for expat families?
Paris is generally a safe city, and the neighborhoods most popular with expat families (7th, 15th, 16th, Neuilly, Saint-Germain-en-Laye) are among the safest in the Paris region. Like any major city, basic urban awareness is recommended, particularly after dark in some northern and outer arrondissements.
Do I need to speak French to live in Paris?
You can get by without French in the most international neighborhoods, but daily life becomes significantly easier — and more enjoyable — with at least basic French. Administrative tasks (banks, taxes, healthcare) are largely conducted in French, and making an effort with the language earns goodwill with landlords, neighbors, and colleagues.
