5 or 6 or 7 th - single woman traveller

Old Jul 29th, 2010, 03:38 PM
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5 or 6 or 7 th - single woman traveller

I am going to be in Paris in August for a few days. I am excited but need to find a neighbourhood first to stay. Any recommendations?
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 03:48 PM
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How much do you like to walk? The 7th arr. means you will need to take the metro or buses to many, even most, of the most frequented reasons for going to Paris. You might not care if it's hot and would rather not walk, or maybe you don't like to walk to sights anyway.

How much do you want to be out and about at night? All the arr. you are considering are safe, but the 7th is the snooziest at night, with few late night meals and cafes. If you turn in early anyway, you might prefer the 7th.

How much did you want to have one of the great parks of Paris in your neighborhood? The best of the garden spots for Parisian people watching and shade are not in the 7th.

I prefer the 5th to the 6th for foodie reasons (and usually stay in other arr. you didn't mention), so you may have other priorities).

And as you may have guessed, I've very little feeling for the 7th. The Eiffel Tower end of it is crammed with tourists, a good chunk of it is the seat of the French National government, which will leave it a ghost town in August with all but the tourist restaurants closing. I prefer staying in quarters of Paris with visible reminders of pre-19th history, where I can walk to what interests me most about Paris -- the Louvre in particular, but much of historic Paris. (Otherwise, I just get out of the tourist zone altogether, in some odd corner of the 14 or 15.)

But you'll got lots of opinions -- some of them vehement.

If you need air conditioning to sleep, make that one of your priorities.
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 03:50 PM
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The 7th, near the Tour Eiffel, for sure. An upper middle-class neighborhood with little night life. Very safe, with lots of fine restaurants at reasonable cost. We like the Walt, a ****hotel near the metro, taxi stand and several bus lines. At least a dozen bistros are walkable.
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 03:54 PM
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Thanks so much for that - I guess the 7th is out then...I am a big walker - I prefer to walk then the metro too. I usually sightsee and people watch(actually an excuse for another coffee) and then go back for a quick rest and head out for an early meal as I am alone. I would like to do some museums (Rodin, Louvre, etc.), take a day trip or two and then just relax and take in Paris. I was there years ago but it was a short visit and I was younger.
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 03:55 PM
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Oakglen - well now reconsidering again....
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 04:05 PM
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As a solo traveler, I have stayed in the 6th, 7th and 17th. I loved the 17th, though it is more distant from the center of the city, and therefore, not ideal for many. Between the 6th and 7th, I preferred the 6th because it was more lively in the evening. The 7th is lovely and there are many good restaurant options. However, I found that when travelling alone, I enjoyed having more people out and about in the evenings.
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 04:28 PM
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If you are a walker -- then anywhere in the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th or parts of the 8th will be w/i walking distance from most sites.

At this late date - I'd worry more about finding ANY place rather than a specific place.

I've stayed in all except for the 8th and walk everywhere. Probably the best for convenience are the 1st/4th/5th/6th. What is your budget?
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 04:38 PM
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I have twice travelled to Paris in the month of August, though I've never waited until the last minute to book a hotel. Do look for summer promotions, which are commonly offered during the month of August. Also, look for "last minute" booking promotions.
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 04:40 PM
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I would like to keep it under 150 US way under....if I can but it is Paris - August and safety is number 1
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 04:49 PM
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This place will run about $118/€90 for a single w/ a view

http://www.quaivoltaire.fr/

It is directly across the river from the Louvre and on the upper floors the views stretch from Notre Dame to Place de la Concorde and include the river and the Louvre.The rooms vary alot from posh to pretty ordinary - but the views are great frommost.

It is a short or short-ish walk from the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, Notre Dame and everything in the 5th, 6th and 7th.

It isn't my very favorite hotel in Paris -- but it is up there because of the views and helpful people at the desk
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 06:43 PM
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I have not gone to Paris solo, but I love the location of Hotel Bonaparte in the 6th. There is shopping, ATMs, a crepe stand, restaurants, and bakeries all around. The walk to the Louvre is very easy. And there is a Laduree's on the way.
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 07:41 PM
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Yeah - I like the Bonaparte too. A little more expensive but very nice rooms and (I think) a/c and closer to Metro stations.

I do like the Voltaire for the views and being on the river though
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 08:59 PM
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If you type in the Search Box, "Paris Hotels Left Bank Thread" my hotel thread is there. The Right Bank thread is linked to it.

As for the 5th, 6th, and 7th, I've stayed in them all, along with lots other areas and of those three, I prefer the 6th, where I've stayed the most over three decades. It's very central and there's plenty of night life and a short walk to the 5th. I also usually travel alone. I personally don't like to stay in quiet, isolated areas, and then have to commute to lively areas at night, but prefer staying in lively areas. and of course, over the decades, I have commuted to other areas at night, but by the end of a long day, if I want to go out late at night, I prefer to be close to where I'm staying. Happy Travels!
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Old Jul 30th, 2010, 12:27 PM
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August is low season and there are plenty of hotel rooms in Paris, many with discounts. You won't have any problem finding one.

Any of those would do, actually. I would guess most people in your situation would like the 6th.
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Old Jul 30th, 2010, 01:52 PM
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Another vote for the 6th.
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Old Jul 30th, 2010, 02:53 PM
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It depends on what you are looking for, and what you like.

Most people would probably prefer the 6th, in the St Germain area, esp. for a first-timer. It's got a lot going on, and a good energy. I also like the 5th, in the Latin Quarter near St Michel, but it feels a little younger and more student-y.

I've also stayed in the 7th. I didn't mind it, it's a nice upscale residential neighborhood around the ET, but it's very quiet, and sort of a snoozefest. Some people, probably 50+, might prefer that if they don't care about nightlife.
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Old Jul 30th, 2010, 03:02 PM
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4th (inclujding islands),5,6th.
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Old Jul 30th, 2010, 03:12 PM
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I like to stay really centrally located for walking to everything. I know in theory it's "easy" to use the Metro in Paris, but I prefer to stay above ground and on my own two feet! 7th is too far out to be practical for this. I'd go with 4th or 5th, maybe 6th.
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Old Jul 30th, 2010, 03:14 PM
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I don't think you need to worry about "safety" in the arrondisements we're talking about here. They are all pretty busy with people out and about at all hours. A friend stayed in a very reasonably priced apartment in the 1st last trip and liked that.
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Old Jul 30th, 2010, 03:39 PM
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Thank you Suze - and everyone else I think I will look for something around this information. Any other information gladly accepted and appriciated.
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