Europe Saint Severin-Paris Notre Dame

Main attractions: The student district of Paris since the 13th century, the Latin Quarter is located in the Left Bank's 5th arrondissement, and includes the Ile de la Cité in the center of the Seine. It's home to the Sorbonne University, the vast Jardin des Plantes on its eastern end, the Place St-Michel, the iconic Panthéon on the Ste-Geneviève hilltop, and Notre Dame cathedral on the Ile de la Cité.

Neighborhood atmosphere: Many of the buildings in the charming, ever-popular Latin Quarter date back to the 1600s, something to keep in mind when choosing a hotel where ancient wooden beams and exposed stone walls come with winding, uneven stairs and tiny rooms.

Affordability: The 5th arrondissement is a lively area of Paris completely overrun with students and tourists and the cheap shops and eateries that cater to both. After dark, the youthful masses congregate in the pubs around the Place de la Contrescarpe and the clubs off the winding Rue de la Huchette.

Stay Here If: You want a central location in a student-friendly neighborhood filled with bookshops, movie theaters and bars.

Stay Elsewhere If: You prefer a more quiet, grown-up atmosphere less catered to students and packed with tourists.