kathrynj

Ready to book an apartment for May 2009---going with a friend and we can choose between a one bedroom with pullout couch (101 Saint Dominique in the 7th) or a 2 bedroom at 21 Place des Voges (Marais). Cost is close enough not to make a diffeerence.

I love the idea of seeing the Eiffel Tower all the time but maybe the Marais is also good (we are 2 females late 50's agewise) and have stayed in the 6th before.

In NYC, I am more Upper Westside and Park SLop/Brooklyn than Upper Eastside, more the Village than Chelsea---in SF, not Fisherman's Wharf, more Union Square if this defines it more!

So, can anyone help me out of my state of indecision????

Thanks, Kathy

anneeby

I love staying in the area near the apartment in the 7th. It is a quiet residential area with beautiful apartments, little neighborhood bistros, and I love being able to walk to the Eiffel Tower at night. I vote for Saint Dominique.

suec1

Well I am very fond of where we usually stay in the 7th - I like the left bank BUT I am also a woman "of a certain age" late 50's! and I would go for the two bedroom just because I don't want to sleep on a pullout couch anymore if I can help it AND this gives both of you some private space. Unforunately I often wake up in the middle of the night, esp. after a transatlantic flight, and it would be nice to have the living area open for either one of you instead of one person being on a couch. I have never stayed in the Marais but my impression is that it does have a sort of an Upper West Side kind of vibe. We'll see how other posters weigh in. Also you might want to check out the Viaduct des Artes that is not too far from there - a lovely place for walking. And the area around Canal St. Martin has gotten alot of press lately as an interesting area. I think I have just talked myself into staying in that part of the city next time I go!

kathrynj

Oh no----two opposite votes!

Ah, yes, I am indeed a woman of a certain age and don't love the idea of the pullout couch every night (did that in our great apt in the 6th).

Thanks to both of you for the fast responses and am still mulling....

Kathy

annhig

hi kathy,

definitely the marais one. places de voges is lovely and there are such interesting places nearby [eg Victor Hugo's house] as well as a great street market.
and the extra space!

and you won't see the eiffel tower all the time cos you'll either be out for the day, or inside!

regards, ann

NanBug

Another vote for the Marais/Place des Vosges.

We stayed in the Marais for the first time last year, on Rue Vielle du Temple, and LOVED the neighborhood.

It's very West Village-y/SoHo-like, filled with great cafes, bistros, boutique shops (clothes, shoes, chocolate, olive olive oil, etc) take away eateries, patisseries, etc etc. It was hip, without being overly expensive, and had a nice coziness to it, which I haven't really experienced elsewhere in Paris.

We traveled to all the major sites by foot and only used the metro a few times, on a trip home from Sacre Coeur and to/from the airport/RER.

I think the scale and age of the architecture contributes to the neighborhood's appeal -- the buildings are very old and were never bulldozed during Haussmann's renovation of Paris. As a result, you have lots of 16th and 17th century atmosphere, which makes it feel more vernacular and less grand, I think. Very much like the NYC neighborhoods you describe.

You'll love it, bon voyage!

gracejoan3

I always stay in the 7th. It feels like hom. I returned from a month ther in mid Oct. I am leaving on Dec. for a short 12 day trip. I will be staying in the www.parisperfect.com apartments, Pomerol, Medoc and the new Cote du Rhone large 2 bedroom on Bourdonnais with the ET right outside. Itis not on their website yet.

Enjoy...

Joan

MademoiselleFifi

Both areas are great, but if the prices are close, of course go for the 2-bedroom!

melissa19

Agreed, no pull-out couch if you can help it! We've stayed in the Marais many times, and I love the flat at 21 Place des Vosges. We need twin beds in one BR, so it doesn't work for our family, but I long to walk through that door off of the arcade. It's a great location - go for it!

MelJ

I love the Marais and the Place des Voges puts you within walking distance of so much--especially in May!

sonyzen

Definitively place des Vosges!!!!!

kathrynj

Thanks so much everyone! Although Saint Dominique and surrounding areas are sooooo attractive to me......the 2 bedrooms and the views from the Place des Vosges apartment win the stay.

Cries_Van_Notebook

Ug! Je detest la Marais. There are just too many bitchy queens hanging out in doorways--ciggies dangling from their glossed lips--making rude comments about people walking by. I call these Marys WTFF (White Trash French Fags). I can say this because I am gay so don't get all righteous on my ass.

Place des Voges is very beautiful, but it is just a small park.

I like the 7th because it is quiet and filled with lovely bistros with friendly staff and neighborhood clientele.

My good friend, the Countess de Billy, lives on Rue Varenne.

Miss Thang au Lait de Gin

Cathinjoetown

If you can sit in the sun in the Place des Voges and watch the world go by, you won't miss constant views of the E.T.

But, far and away the main reason would be a bedroom for each person, if budget permits. Some pullouts are comfortable; many aren't.

A good friend and I just shared a one bedroom in September--she insisted on taking the pullout because I had made all the arrangements, but I still felt she was short-changed.

Seamus

7th is delightful, but 2 bedrooms wins over location. On the odd chance that you encounter any sneering WTFF that prove impossible to ignore, a strategy that usually works well is to give them a brief once over elevator eyes followed by a single snort of laughter. This usually elicits stunned silence or an entertaining to observe snit.

(Welcome back, Thinnie, missed you madly, sweetie darling. How was Le Cosi? Poconos for turkey day?))

ParisEscapes

Based on your city descriptions, the Marais is a no-brainer. Book the Marais apt.

suze

I'd go for the two bedroom in the Marais, no contest. My reasoning... the 7th is too far out for every-day convenience and I'm too old to be sleeping in the living room on a fold out.

Celticharper

If this helps, here is the google street view of the Place de Voges
It will give you a bit if a feel for the neighborhood, as words seldom can.

http://maps.google.fr/maps?ie=UTF8&l...893737424,,0,5

Good luck

Celticharper

Sorry I posted before I added the other address.

Here is the 101 St Dominique address on Street view.


http://maps.google.fr/maps?ie=UTF8&l...893737424,,0,5

Celticharper

Again me posting too soon sorry,

Here is the actual entrance to the courtyard for 101 St Dominique.

http://maps.google.fr/maps?ie=UTF8&l...893737424,,0,5

This should give you a great feel for the neighborhood.