Should You Split Your Visit between Different Neighborhoods?

If you're visiting Paris for a week or more, should you consider splitting your stay between two or more neighborhoods so that you can experience different parts of the city?

In the Sunday edition of my free Paris Discoveries Newsletter, I answer reader questions about Paris travel. Recently, readers have asked whether it makes sense to move from one Parisian neighborhood and hotel to another when time permits.

This article is part of the Paris Discoveries Q&A Archive and brings together my answers based on my own experiences with staying in multiple neighborhoods on longer trips.

You'll find advice about whether splitting your stay is worth doing, how to choose best-for-you neighborhood combinations, hotel suggestions for several popular areas, and.

I've lightly edited, expanded, and updated my original answers, included a few practical tips for making the move from one hotel to another easier, and added photos to make this a more complete Paris travel resource.

What Special Events Take Place in Paris during September?

Canal Saint-Martin, in Paris's 10th arrondissement — The Marais, site of a big art festival in September

Debbie's Question:

My daughter and I are visiting Paris at the beginning of September of this year. It will be our first time visiting.

Can you suggest any special events that may be taking place during that time? I've been reading your posts and thoroughly am enjoying them.

Susan's Answer:

Aw, that's so great! I have 2 daughters, and I can confirm that mother-daughter trips are the best! (Of course, dads and sons may disagree!). And I'm so happy to hear that you're enjoying my posts.

Early September is a great time to be in Paris. The weather during this period is usually sunny and mellow, and the first week or so of the month brings what's called la rentrée, when all the Parisians return from their 4-week summer vacation looking tan, rested, and animated - you'll feel the energy in the air!

There's lots going during early September, including several big summer events that continue through the first week or so: Paris Plages, when “beaches” pop up along the Seine River, a car-free day in many areas on the first Sunday of the month (my favorite way to enjoy this is by strolling down the center of Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe), plus several festivals, concerts, and museum exhibitions - you can find them all in this September in Paris article.

Details including dates aren't available yet for some events but I update it whenever they're confirmed, so bookmark it and check it again closer to your departure.

You may even see some hints of fall foliage - the timing each year is different. You can find some good places to see it in this article, plus the parks, gardens, and other areas mentioned in the article are fun to explore even if the leaves are still mostly green.

You may also want to check out this article on Paris weather in September to get an idea of what to expect and what to pack.

Finally, if your daughter is at an age where a visit to Disneyland Paris is appealing, getting there from Paris is super easy either on the RER train or on the Disneyland bus - details here. Rides etc are similar to the one in the U.S., but the park is more laid back, cheaper tickets, and better food.

What Shows, Concerts, Festivals, and Similar Activities Happen in Paris in Mid-September?

Gaston's Question (translated from Spanish):

Hi, Susan. I'm going to Paris from September 10 to 14. I'd like to know about shows, concerts, festivals, or other similar activities. I'd appreciate any information you can provide.

Susan's Answer:

The main festival that's going on during this period is the Paris Autumn, which highlights recent creations and artists involving dance, theater, music, cinema, and visual arts, and takes place in various locations across the city.

The Paris Cauldron from the 2024 Olympics also continues to float over Paris this month, starting at 8:30pm. You can find out more about both these events in this article about what's happening in September, which also includes a list of concerts and museum shows. Most of the fall museum shows haven't been announced this week - so check the article for updates next month.

I wish you a wonderful visit to Paris.

My "Rule of Thumb" for Splitting a Paris Stay Between Neighborhoods & Hotels

Because changing neighborhoods always takes me a minimum of about 3 hours between packing, checking out of the hotel, getting to the new location, checking into the new hotel, and unpacking, I typically don't split my stay when my total time in Paris is 8 days or less because I'm unwilling to give up those 3 hours that I could spend enjoying the city.

On the other hand, there are also times when I book a trip close to the last minute, which makes finding hotel availability in the location I want for more than a few days in a row can be challenging. In those cases, I try to find reservations that give me at least three nights in one place.

xxx's Question: Masked Ball at Versailles

When and where I can buy a ticket for the masked ball at the Palace of Versailles in June?

Susan's Answer:

As soon as I read your question in December, I did a quick web search and saw that unfortunately this event had sold out for 2026 just hours after the tickets went on sale a few hours earlier.

For anyone who's not familiar with the annual Masked Ball held at the Palace of Versailles in June, this is a costumed ball/all-night DJ party that's become extremely popular during the past few years. Tickets sell out within a few hours of being listed on Versailles' website.

I happened to attend Versailles' Fireworks show a couple of years ago on the same night as the Ball. Seeing hundreds of people strolling around the gardens in full Baroque costume was truly astounding. I ended up chatting with a bunch of them, and learned a lot of "insider tips" about how to get tickets, Facebook groups to track, etc.

I added this information to a section in my main article about Versailles (this link should take you directly to it) on the Paris Discovery Guide website, where I also add updates from time to time.

How to Choose Your Own Paris Neighborhood Combination

Are you interested in splitting your Paris stay between two or more neighborhoods in order to get a broader sense of the city, but wondering which ones to choose?

One approach is to start with your interests, and combine neighborhoods where you'll a variety of experiences linked by a common theme.

For example:

For museums: Louvre/Les Halles + Marais + 7th arrondissement + Trocadéro (16th)
For art galleries: Upper Marais (3rd arr) + Saint-Germain + 7th arr
For a village vibe: Montmartre + Latin Quarter + Batignolles (17th arr) + Passy (16th)
For a trendier/contemporary vibe: Oberkampf (11th) + Canal Saint-Martin (10th)
For a medieval vibe: Latin Quarter + Marais
For food markets/cafés/shopping: Upper Marais + Sentier (2nd) + Saint-Germain + Ternes (8th)/Batignolles