Edward671

We plan to stay for 9 nights in May. We do not know exactly what we want to see yet but presume it will be all the usual sites. We do want to stay in a district which has a lot of cafes, restaurants, quaint neighborhoods - like that is so unique

Where do you prefer?

StuDudley

I always advise first-timers to stay in the St Germain des Pres area. Close to the Seine, Louvre, Orsay, and very "tourist/English" friendly.

Stu Dudley

Michael

agree

Danna

I disagree there's no need to stay in the midst of the tourist areas. Once you figure out the metro system the city is your oyster. We stayed in the 16th the first time in an apartment by the Trocodero. Our favorite apartment was in the 17th just off the Rue des Levis and lastly in the 14th.

Michael

Danna,

The OP is a first time visitor, you obviously are not. For first time visitors I would choose the 5th or the 6th arrondissement.

KTtravel

I also like the 6th for a first time visitor the convenience of being able to walk to some of the sights you will enjoy.

MmePerdu

Like Danna, I also disagree with staying in a tourist ghetto dead center. With a nice number of days, you'll have time to explore so I wouldn't worry too much about getting it exactly right this time around. Consider it reconnaissance and find a neighborhood just like the one you imagine and stay there on your second visit. You'll love the city wherever you stay.

WeisserTee

The OP already has another thread on the same topic with a wide range of replies...

Edward671

thanks.As newbies we will stay in close

WoinParis

Just avoid rue Cler. Ed entered and nothing special. Took me 20 years to go there and I still don't get why RS made a fuss about it.

StuDudley

Rue Cler is a nice place to purchase food, oysters, wine, fish, bread, have a meal, etc if you are staying in the area. I would not cross town to go there, however.

Stu Dudley

macdogmom

We always stay in the haut Marais in an apartment. I personally would never stay in 6th. You can easily access tourist sites from the 3rd and there are less tourists and feels a little more like an area where French people live. 6th is thick with tourists all summer and cafes and restaurants reflect that demographic.

MmePerdu

"You can easily access tourist sites from the 3rd and there are less tourists...more like an area where French people live."

I think the 9th is even better that way and still possible to walk to the river.

Bedar

We have always stayed and live on the Left Bank. These other places used to be way cheaper but not so much anymore. Stay in the 5th, 6th, or 7th. You'll be happy there.

MmePerdu

I think the recommendations are done (both threads), just chatting among ourselves.

kerouac

At least we can still do that here, unlike other sites that have no tolerance for anything that isn't helping them make money.

WoinParis

;-)

I like to chat... I tried to explain to some other sites that wanted only to make money that if I couldn't have fun, I would not participate.... Alas to no avail.

I'm staying in the 2d tonight - simply because I had too much time on a TGV journey and realized I only slept in 3 different hotels in the arr 2 and 7... and 4 in the 3rd and 13th

So tonight in the 2d. Next week in the 13th and I must find a date for the 7th and 3rd. ...