HKP

Have been to Paris 4 times already, but always for only a few days and with specific agenda. Am invited to go with a friend who has business for a week near the Porte de Versailles stop on the 12 Issy Metro line.

We would like to find a fairly quiet, friendly neighborhood that is somewhat residential but with enough cafes and shops so that I can explore, get lunch, croissants, supper, or whatever as well as walk or take Metro to various gardens, museums, monuments.

I'm comfortable with navigating connections on the Metro, although if alone (esp. after dark) I might be concerned about safety. My friend would prefer not to have to make more than one change on the Metro, if that.

I'm guessing 7th, 6th, or 5th. arrondisement but not adamant about that. We have not decided whether a hotel or bnb/apt. would be better for us -- open to all. (For me, if I must have dinners and evenings solo, sometimes a hotel is an easier place to stay, but ok to walk out and explore if in relatively safe area.)

Would appreciate anyone's comments or experiences that entail a recommendation re: streets, neighborhoods, etc. and maybe even a place if you've got a strong recommendation. (I speak some French that's comfortable and better than tourist-level, but couldn't be called fluent.)

Merci.

kerouac

Ugh, major debate.

elberko

Prepare yourself...
90% of the posts on your thread will consist of a discussion of the legality of renting short-term apartments in Paris...

HKP

OK, let me try to put the question in the form of a more succinct problem-solving challenge:

Find us a neighborhood within walking distance of a Metro stop either ON the Mairie d'Issy - Aubervilliers/Front Populaire line (12) or on a line that will require only ONE CHANGE to get to that line, with ultimate destination being Porte de Versailles stop.

Walking distance means no more than about a 15 min. walk.

If the neighborhood has both cafes/shops and hotels/residences, that would be nice.

Not trying to start combat or invite contempt for even asking. Just hoping for suggestions or sharing of experience from people somewhat familiar with where the Issy-Aubervilliers line goes. (inc./stops: Assemblee-Solferino-Rue du Bac- Sevres Babylone - Rennes, +Montparnasse area).

Whathello

I am a fan of 14th. ESp close to parc de montsouris.
From there you are close to Porte de Versailles.

I like a hotel at Porte de Versailles which has a pool.

And yes most if apartment rentals are illegal. Do some research and demand an invoice.

rialtogrl

Do you care where on the #12 line you stay? I really like the 9th around Rue des Martyrs, the #12 stops at Notre Dame de Lorette and Saint Georges with a lot of great places to eat around (and shop for food and wine.) But its a bit of a trek once you get on the metro, to get to Porte de Versailles station.

Christina

If this person has to go to/from Porte de Versailles much, I'd pick a hotel on the Left Bank, even though I also have stayed around St Georges metro stop in the 9th and like that area. Most any neighborhood would fit your criteria (of there being cafes and shops, but I suppose that depends what kind of shops you want and how many), except there are some parts in the outer areas that can be kind of sparse.

I'd recommend something within walking distance of Notre Dame des Champs stop on the 12th arr. in the 6th, just south of Luxembourg Gardens. It has everything you want and there are some hotels in that area, plenty of hotels in that part of Montparnasse in general but there are a few in-between Luxembourg Gardens and bd Montparnasse, also.

crefloors

I second the 14th or the 6th, close to Notre Dame des Champs. My friend and I were in the 14th on our last trip and Notre Dam des Champs was our most used metro stop. It was very east to get where you wanted to go from there.

kerouac

The Convention stop is a very popular residential area, and of course Montparnasse-Bienvenue is also on line 12. I am quite happy to live at Marx Dormoy at the other end of line 1Z, but I would not want to go from there to Porte de Versailles every day.

swandav2000

Hi HKP,

Strongly suggest you and your friend spend an hour or two researching bus transport & bus lines. I haven't taken a metro in my last 2 visits to Paris, staying always on the bus. It's so much more enjoyable to travel above ground, even if a bit slower.

You can take a look at a map of the bus lines & see which ones run nearby the Porte de Versailles, and then see which neighborhoods they run through. Here's a place to start (you can enlarge the map):

https://www.ratp.fr/plan-bus

Right now, it looks like bus #80 runs right there, and it goes through the 7th, the 8th, and on up to Montmartre. That will open up a bunch of neighborhoods for you.

Have fun as you plan!

s

kerouac

There are two tram lines that go through Porte de Versailles -- the T3a and the T2. The convenience of these should not be overlooked.

HKP

Thanks for all suggestions/comments, esp. re: buses/trams.