Where to stay near Paris’s Notre-Dame Cathedral

Nearly a thousand years ago, medieval Paris was founded on an island in the River Seine called Île de la Cité. It’s the site of Notre-Dame Cathedral, one of French Gothic architecture’s most celebrated examples.

This ancient island is in the centre of Paris, a place to soak up the city’s history and take in sites like the Pont Neuf and Palais de Justice. For a base nearby, we’ve found four of the best apartments in the surrounding neighbourhoods of Le Marais and la Sorbonne.

Sebastopol Apartment

This newly renovated apartment opts for a high-end look, with touches that include stuccoed ceilings, an ornate fireplace and a free-standing bath tub. Everything is modern and bright, with wooden floors, glass tables and pops of modern art adding to the sophisticated feel. Extra perks like an iPod dock, PS4 game console and orchids on display throughout the space make it feel especially luxurious. Just 13 minutes’ walk from Notre-Dame Cathedral, Sebastopol Apartment is also close to the Centre Pompidou, Louvre and designer stores like Chanel, Cartier and Hermès.

Le 38, rue Saint-Louis en l’île

Located on Île Saint-Louis, a natural island in the Seine, Le 38, rue Saint-Louis en l’île is only a few minutes’ walk from the magnificent Notre-Dame. You’ll find the apartment in an old building, with original stone walls and exposed wooden beams, and from the bedroom window you’ll get views of the interior courtyard. The property is located on one of the main streets of the island, with many cheese shops, butchers’ and bistros. Expect to be greeted each morning by the smell of freshly-baked croissants from the bakery downstairs.

View Notre Dame Saint Germain

View Notre Dame Saint Germain is located in a historic building in the quarter surrounding the prestigious Sorbonne University, just a three-minute walk from Notre-Dame. The apartment itself has an air of grandeur to it: with a three-metre-high ceiling, large windows, bookshelves lining the walls and furniture made of wrought iron, marble and wood. Details like richly coloured wall tapestries, gilded mirrors and an oversized Chinese fan make it feel both bohemian and decadent.

Loft Saint-Michel

Spread across multiple floors, Loft Saint-Michel sleeps up to seven guests. The rooms are fitted with antique furniture, and the exposed wooden beams provide a statement style touch and inject warmth into the space. The mezzanine bedrooms are another of the apartment’s unique features and will appeal to the playful side of any guest. Host Alain goes the extra mile, offering guests a tour around the neighbourhood. The property is hidden on a small, quiet street of the Latin Quarter, right near the bank of the Seine and only ten minutes’ walk from both Notre-Dame and Place Saint-Michel.