Roger1x

We are planning a 5 day trip in Paris in early December and are thinking about staying a bit further out than we usually stay. We've been to Paris 4 or 5 times in the past ten years and have always stayed in the 6th usually at the Welcome Hotel. We only get to Paris in December and the Welcome has a good location, a great heating system and a view of the Eiffel Tower(if you stick you head out the window and look to the right).

We know it would take a bit longer to get to things downtown but we seem to remember that the 20th had a nice feel to it with a number of small restaurants. Are we remembering correctly or are we maybe confusing the 20th with the 13th (which we also are considering)?

We are thinking about staying at the Mama Shelter. In December the rates are around 100 euro a night which sound pretty good.

tarquin

We had a look at the Mama Shelter but it looked dark. Are you young and hip, unlike us? I think early December is a time when you would appreciate being close to the centre of things, especially restaurants in the evening, as it will be dark so early.

Roger1x

We're not young and hip, but maybe a bit young at heart. We were planning to eat dinners in the 20th. You're right about it being dark early in December. We've had trips where we didn't see the sun the entire visit, but it doesn't really detract from enjoying the city.

Christina

I don't know what you are thinking of. I haven't spent a lot of time in the 20th as it is so far out, but when I was there, I didn't pick it as any great place I would want to return to. It is a huge arrondisement, of course, you could have been anywhere. Parts of it I was in were rather sketchy. This is quite a change from St Germain. I really wouldn't want to stay there, but if I did for some reason, I wouldn't do it in December. There aren't many hotels there, anyway, but maybe you like that. Almost any place in Paris has a number of small restaurants in some part of it.

What were you doing all the way out in the 20th, anyway, and what part of it were you in? I've been in the Menilmontant area, as well as around Pere Lachaise, and in the Belleville area. Well, I guess if you know the area around Mama Shelter and like it, there isn't any issue here.

I'd say it's more than a bit longer to get to things, but if you only intend to go one direction once a day, I guess it doesn't matter. But really, if you know the area and want to stay there, you don't really need to ask anyone else if that's what you want to do.

I like parts of the 13th and hang in it sometimes, it would be a lot more convenient. I like that area in-between place d'Italie and the 5th (Gobelins area, I eat in that area, go to the poste and the cinema, the area to the west of Tolbiac towards Alesia (a bus I like runs along that_, and the Cite FLorale down at the bottom is a lovely area. Butte aux Ailles is okay, also, and square Rene le Gall, and of course, I like the new library and usually go there at leat once when I'm in Paris. There is a newer art district over that ways, also, and they are trying to do stuff more along the quays.

Roger1x

Christina,

Thanks for the reply. The day I was in the 20th, I was walking from the 6th to Parc de la Villette by way of Pere Lachaise. It was a pretty long walk but enjoyable. I don't know the area around Mama Shelter (it didn't exist when I was last in Paris, the area did but not Mama Shelter).

From looking at a map, the part of the 20th I was in must have been bordering the 11th. The reason I asked the questions about the 20th is that I don't really know the area and was looking for other's opinions. So far, two votes against and zero for staying in the 20th.

Travelnut

How did those who stayed at Mama Shelter like the area?...
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...de_France.html

Roger1x

After a bit more research, it looks like we're not ready to stay in the 20th this trip. We're now looking at the 14th which will be new for us but close to the areas we know best.

Michel_Paris

I stayed in the 16th and found it to be a nice break from central Paris. I had my local cafe for my morning planning, theatre where I went to see movie, local Monoprix to pick up some gift requests, local seafood restaurant, chocolate shop...any no tourists around. 16th is also a nicely upscale area. Marmottan museum nearby, Seine river with views of Eiffel, Guimard buildings,farmer's market twice a week,etc..

Michel_Paris

Funny, there was an article in my locoal paper yesterday specifically on teh 20th.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/...rticle1718207/

It looks interesting

Roger1x

Michel_Paris,

Thanks for the article. It describes the part of Paris I thought I'd like to stay in. I haven't booked my hotel yet, maybe I'll give another look at the area north of Place Gambetta.