Sarah

I am taking my niece to Paris. Where should we stay? I have not been in 20 years,then the Latin Quarter was a place for young people? Any other suggestions? I suspect it is much like the west village in New York now, touristy?

Anyone know any place that is in between trendy/young and cultured/fashionable? Shopping and the cafe scene of course will be important. We are only going for 5 days. Where would you stay?

Au Bon Marché Rive area ? So funny I just yahoo searched "hip Paris neighborhood" and I was led to a 2004 fodor forum entry by a mother taking a 22 year old. So funny guess the word "hip" puts us in our age group. LOL

moldyhotelsaregross

During my college years, the Latin Quarter would definitely be my choice for locations in Paris.

Still, I like it!

www.venere.com was a great source for hotels.

Dave_in_Paris

Between trendy/young and cultured/fashionable pretty much defines the Marais - with an expedition or two into the even more hip next-door 11th arrondissement around Place de La Bastille for your niece.

artlover

Don't know where you should stay, but you should have dinner at Le Grand Cafe near the Opera Garnier. Check it out at LeGrandCafe.com.

What a lucky neice! Have a great trip!

Nikki

Having traveled with my own daughters of about your niece's age, I would suggest the Latin Quarter or the Marais.

keb0503

Being in the higher end of your niece's decade I think I'm qualified to say the Marais is where I'd want to be. I stayed in the 11th (Bastille) this June and really liked it but next time I think I will find a place in the Marais.
Very fun and lively with good shopping.

And may I say you are a wonderful aunt to do this for your niece!

Sarah

Thanks everyone. I guess I will be looking on venere? Thought that was an Italy focused guide and so maybe not so good for France. Maybe some of the suggestions on Fodors hotels. Of course always looking at reviews on tripadvisor before booking.

Again if anyone can suggest area names along with arrondissements that would be helpful. Oh my artlover, looks like I am going to have to buy a book on French menus since I don't speak French. Any hints? Thought I would buy the "Food Lovers Guide to Paris"

Thanks Nikki but she is buying her own ticket, I will probably just keep us out of hostels LOL. Although I did want to introduce her to that type of travel, we will have to visit one on a walk LOL.

francophile03

No, Venere offers French hotels on their site too.

Nikki

Sarah, no hostels for me either, not sure where you got that idea from. I have stayed with one daughter in a hotel in the Latin Quarter (Familia, on rue des Ecoles) and a hotel in Montparnasse (Waldorf Montparnasse).

With the other daughter and my husband I stayed in an apartment in the Marais. And we will be renting an apartment in the Latin Quarter with that daughter again this February.

suze

Marais or Latin Quarter (sorry don't have much to add but I do think these areas are what you're after!).

Sarah

Nikki I did not think you were staying in hostels my niece is hot on traveling. I wanted to show her how college students do it cheaper. That is why I mentioned, this is how I traveled around Europe after a year long stint as a nanny in London. I think I was making $120 a week at the time (20yrs ago).

Europe for 2.5 months on $500!!!!

I remember being in vienna and deciding between a meal and dessert with my money. You can guess what I chose.

Sarah

sorry nikki see where your confusion was I was speaking to Keb. He said I was nice to take niece, I qualified my contribution.

Thanks for your comments