As the home of millions of people, Paris can be quite a busy city. As a whole, this is all well and good. It helps Paris maintain its position as a powerhouse city, not to mention a top tourist destination too. But what about the residents? Urban living isn't for everyone but for one reason or another, they have to live or stay close to Paris. Fortunately, there are still the Paris Suburbs. Neighborhoods like Saint-Denise, Maisons-Laffitte, and Boulogne-Billancourt, to name a few, are all great residential districts where people can live quietly and peacefully while staying near the French capital.
Boulogne-Billancourt
Located west of Paris, Boulogne-Billancourt is one of the more affluent suburbs in the area. It's a fairly rich neighborhood, complete with
luxury apartments, townhouses, mansions, and more. It helps that the area has had a long industrial history, having been the birthplace of various fields in the country. From the very first aircraft factory to having once served as the home to a local film studio, Boulogne-Billancourt eventually became one of the wealthiest communes in the Paris area.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Benjism89
Chatou
Also located west of Paris is Chatou, a lively little commune among the Paris suburbs. Compared to other neighborhoods in the area, this district has its fair share of hustle and bustle, though not as much as the French capital itself, of course. And since it's only 10 kilometers away from the city center, one could easily settle down here and still work in Paris just the same. In a way, Chatou is sort of like a smaller and more peaceful slice of Paris.
Source: Flickr.com/ Guilhem Vellut
Maisons-Laffitte
Now, if you truly want some peace and quiet, look no further than Maisons-Laffitte. Situated in the northern part of the Île-de-France region, it's a good 18.2 kilometers away from the center of Paris. The commune is far enough to let you live in complete serenity but near enough that you can still visit the city practically every day. As for what to expect here, Maisons-Laffitte is famously the home of Château de Maisons-Laffitte, one of the
most beautiful châteaus near Paris. Its grander represents the affluence of the area.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Moonik
Neuilly-sur-Seine
Sitting at the northwest edge of the French capital, Neuilly-sur-Seine is among the closest Paris suburbs to the actual city. In some ways, you can even consider it as one of the central
neighborhoods in Paris, if not for the fact that the area is largely residential and considerably quieter compared to the city's most popular districts. Home to a good number of prominent schools in Paris, this is one of the best places for parents to raise their kids and let them continue their studies with little to no problem at all.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ I, Wikiman1
Nogent-sur-Marne
Nogent-sur-Marne is one of those Paris suburbs that primarily targets a specific group of people. In this case, it's the sporty type. Though Paris itself hosted the 1900 and 1924 and will host the
2024 Summer Olympics, it's not exactly a city known for sports. But the Nogent-sur-Marne that lies east of the French capital is another story. With its dedicated sports parks and other athletics facilities, this is the best place for athletes and active people to train, play, and have the time of their lives.
Source: Flickr.com/ Patrick Nouhailler.
Orsay
As it is a university town, Orsay draws in students and young adults alike. The commune is dominated by Paris-Saclay University, one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the country. With its campus occupying a large portion of the area, the school practically runs the economy here. Apart from the students, many locals also work for the university, making it practically inescapable. Those who aren't affiliated with the Paris-Saclay University will see a silver lining here though. Orsay is among the most affordable of the Paris suburbs, with rental housing typically ranging between €700.00 to €1,400.00 per month.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Saint-Cloud
If you're an expat
moving to Paris with your whole family, you'd do well to consider settling down in Saint-Cloud. Located on the western edge of Paris, it's near enough to the actual city that you can still enjoy its most beloved attractions. But what makes Saint-Cloud a particularly family-friendly Paris suburb is that it's also home to some prominent international schools. The American School in Paris and the International German School of Paris are both located here. They're some of the finest institutions where your kids can continue their schooling with ease.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Polymagou
Saint-Denis
Don't let Saint-Denis's former reputation repel you. Yes, this commune served as the former slums of Paris some time ago. But the place has changed considerably since then. Nowadays, it's one of the best Paris suburbs located north of the French capital. It has received a major makeover over the years but has retained its affordability along the way as well. And everyone knows that the
living costs in Paris aren't exactly low. So if you're in need of affordable housing, checking out Saint-Denis is a good idea.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Zairon
Sèvres
Sèvres is as quiet as can be when it comes to the Paris suburbs. Situated on the southwest edge of Paris, it's another largely residential area that's close enough to the city center without having its bustling energy spilled over. Whether you want to take a
day trip from Paris to escape it all or you want to live a quiet life that's near the French capital, Sèvres is a good place to consider settling down in.
Source: Flickr.com/ Gilles RAIMBAULT
Versailles
Yes, you read that right! Beyond its world-famous palaces, Versailles has remained its own commune in the Paris area. What used to be the home of French royalty and nobility is now a charming suburban neighborhood where local life flourishes. Sure, the Palaces of Versailles may get barrages of tourists every single day, but the quiet lifestyle in the surrounding town continues too. Here, you can live quietly and peacefully in the shadow of France's former gilded glory. Sounds pretty cool, right?
Source: Wikimedia Commons
When you want to live near the French capital but you don't want to get in the middle of all the hustle and bustle, you can still stay in the Paris Suburbs instead. These are residential neighborhoods that are more peaceful than the city itself.
