msuguy78

We are staying for a week at a conference near the Louvre. After the conference, we want to stay a few more days in Paris, but in a different locale in Paris. Any suggestions?

Thank You

tuscanlifeedit

We had a good time staying in the Marais on rue de la Bretonnerie. But we fell in love with the rue de Varenne in the 7th, staying there twice, at two different hotels.

Next time (she is so optimistic!) I am trying for the 6th, or a more eastern street in the 7th.

jeffwill4you

We had a great time in the 13th "Place D'Italie" Lots of really good restaurants and shops and the people were very nice to us. The metro and bus
were right in front of our hotel, so it was like 15 minutes to any where in Paris we wanted to see. the area was safe for walking at night since there was alot of locals out. We really enjoyed it.

elle

While I do like the energy of the Marais and St. Germain areas, we have enjoyed some of our most memorable times in Paris when we stayed in less central districts--the 18th near Abbesses, the 17th near Place Periere, and the 14th on rue Daguerre.

Travelnut

What elle said... we have stayed in 15th by metro: Convention and 17th by metro: Villiers.
Both very enjoyable, felt like "our neighborhood", local cafes and shops, little parks and squares...but short metro or bus ride away from anywhere else you want to be.

dln

We stayed for a week at a hotel near Place de Clichy. It was an easy walk to Montmartre in one direction and Blvd. Haussman in the other. The Batignolles neighborhood in the 17th has a villagey kind of feel to it and we were very happy there.

ira

Hi ms,

Although we always stay in the 6th, there is much to be said for the 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 14th.

(We always stay in the 6th because we have been going to the same hotel for umpty ump years.)

Margie

Our favorite is now the Marais, we based ourselves there for 10 days and it really felt like "our neighborhood". That said, I also think the less central districts would also offer a great experience - especially if you have been to Paris before.

parisnow

Stayed in almost every Arr. All have something good about them. Just try to get close to a metro stop. You didn't say if female(s) are traveling with. If so, I do not recommend Pigalle area (Paris' redlight district). I have met a few iffys while walking at night. My fav place to stay lately has been around Invalides.

RJD

I am a consistent promoter of the Bastille area, the 11th arrondissment, right next to the Marais. It has become fashionable with excellent restaurants,vibrant night life particuarly the Rue de Lappe and a sophisticated ambiance, with few tourists. If you stay near the Place de la Bastille, you have easy metro access to the Louvre.

BTilke

We used to stay in the 7th but now much prefer the 16th around the Place Victor Hugo. We find it conveniently located with very good transport access, a wonderful neighborhood, but far less touristy than the arrond. 4 through 7. We spent two weeks in the Marais on one trip, based on the enthusiastic recommendation of a friend, and didn't care for it at all. Too crowded, too busy, especially during tourist high season. But you don't give your ages or interests so it's hard to say which areas might appeal to you most. If we were young and keen on the club scene, we'd stay in the 11th or possibly the edge of the 4th, bordering the 11th. If this were our first visit to Paris, probably the 5th or 6th. If we were there to do some serious designer shopping, then the 8th.
When I was a student in Paris, I lived in a foyer on the rue de Vaugirard directly across from the Luxembourg Gardens and thought the location was great (a few doors down from the Hotel Luxembourg Parc).
Have never stayed in Montmartre/Pigalle areas and never will (at least not voluntarily), just not our scene. We're half tempted to stay near the Buttes-Chaumont area of eastern Paris, just to check it out, but have been so happy with the 16th, not quite curious enough to switch.

mamc

We have stayed in the 1,8,6 and 7. We have settled on the 6th because we found a hotel we love and a great cafe for breakfast. In addition, I love the 6th - so centrally located and such a nice area to wander about.

jmw44

Hi. Travelnut, I'm caught by your brief description of your favorite 15 and 17. Can you rate one over the other with regard to "little parks and squares" and safety for solo women travellers? Thanks, J.

Travelnut

15th:
We stayed at Hotel Printania in 1997, before it was bought by Saphir... it was only our 2nd trip to Paris, and we didn't hang out much in the area. I remember it as being a nice neighborhood, though. When you come up out of the Metro Convention, I believe there are at least 2 cafes or brasseries on the corners - didn't eat there, but they look quite inviting. There was one of those carrousels in the place as well. There are small grocers, and I found on the internet that there is a Monoprix at 340 rue Vaugirard (not sure if it has the grocery section). My husband 'discovered' the Georges Brassens park a street or two over from rue Olivier de Serres when he went exploring while waiting for me to dress.

Note: it is not really "convenient" to the sights, but the Metro is great - didn't use the bus system but that might be fun, too. There are shops and cafes, and a cinema (but pretty sure the films were not V.O.) Really just a living/working neighborhood...

17th:
We stayed at Hotel Villiers Etoile twice in 1999 (now Pavillon Villiers) - They provided a nice continental/buffet breakfast. Loved the neighborhood -the metro is about 2-3 blocks, and there is the local carrousel across the street. There is a street market everyday on rue Levi, a laundromat, a Monoprix (both a dept store and a grocery store), and cafes. Parc Monceau is a couple of blocks away, a beautiful park. There are a number of small restaurants along blvd des Batignolles that we walked by - ate at 'le 27 Gourmand' a couple of times (1999).
If I were going to return to this area I would try Hotel Monceau Etoile on rue de Levis (http://www.parishotels.com/Hotel_Mon...e_star_en.html) or Hotel Jardin de Villiers (http://www.hotel-paris-etoile.com/ - but shop around for better rates).

By the way, here is one of the "Degas" walks starting at Metro: Monceau -
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34455870

I would choose the Villiers location over the Convention area. But either would be a good choice, safe for walking, plenty of local shops and cafes. I believe both the main avenues were tree-lined.

The past 2 times we have stayed in the 14th, off avenue du General Leclerc (south of Denfert Rochereau). There are fewer 'nice' hotel choices but many budget options - we wanted to save a bit so we've stayed at Hotel Sophie Germain. We kind of like it but I hope they do a 'sprucing up' soon, looking a bit worn. There are a number of recommended hotels along Raspail, Montparnasse and Vavin. This area is situated between Jardin de Luxembourg and Parc Monceau. There are small squares around Denfert Rochereau and off Avenue du Maine, and plenty of places to eat, movies, shop, etc.

Starting to get curious about neighborhoods around Pere Lachaise - it has always looked ok when passing through on the way to the cemetery.

Dave_in_Paris

The 11th arrondissement -- most all of it, with the exception of Boulevard Voltaire from St. Ambroise to Place Leon Blum, and associated side streets, toward Ricard Lenoir, which have been taken over by wholesale clothiers. Why the 11th? For its energy, diversity, friendliness and abundance of fine restaurants with gentle prices.

(But the 15th around Metro Convention is a very nice area, too.)

ira

I'm getting the feeling that it doesn't matter where one stays.

Am I wrong?

jmw44

Thanks, travelnut.

dln

You know, Ira, that's what I was thinking, reading this post. We all have our favorites and what one of us thinks is a treasure in Paris, would make the others would turn their noses up!

PamSF

I'd say the 3rd,the 6th and the 5th for location,location,location.

Nikki

I'm coming around to Ira's way of thinking myself. I don't recall any trip reports that said, "Hated the neighborhood". And I've stayed in four different neighborhoods and liked them all.