hip area to stay in paris?
May 12th, 2004, 06:12 PM
#1
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hip area to stay in paris?
i am taking my 22 year old daughter to paris. is there an area to stay in paris that is like soho in nyc or melrose st in LA that is full of hip fahsion boutiques and shops that would appeal to a 22 year old girl?
thanks
michael
thanks
michael
May 12th, 2004, 07:33 PM
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I do love the Marais but I think the Latin Quarter is actually a bit more hip. The area around Au Bon Marché Rive Gauche has an abundance of really cool shops and the neighborhood is, oh, so charming. This is one of my favorite neighborhoods to shop and explore in Paris.
May 12th, 2004, 07:45 PM
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NYCFoodSnob, the area around Au Bon Marché is NOT the Latin Quarter. It's in the 7th, nearly at the border between the 6th (Saint Germain) and the 7th.
Besides, it's not the best area for a 22 years old. The area around St. Sulpice has plenty of boutiques/designers shops. However, I think Marais in more like the Soho than Saint Germain.
Besides, it's not the best area for a 22 years old. The area around St. Sulpice has plenty of boutiques/designers shops. However, I think Marais in more like the Soho than Saint Germain.
May 13th, 2004, 04:16 AM
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<i>"the area around Au Bon Marché is NOT the Latin Quarter"</i>
I never said it was. Regardless of technical, black and white arrondissement boundaries, I often think of the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain as one neighborhood, I think it's called the Left Bank. For newbies, it's good to differentiate. A leisurely stroll east of Bon Marche reminds me of the simple, 5 minute walk from 6th Avenue and Bleeker (ie: the Greenwich Village) into Soho. No big deal but a great find, nonetheless.
<i>"it's not the best area for a 22 years old"</i>
I completely disagree. One can find wonderful boutique areas all over Paris, in every neighborhood. However, the "chic" re-gentrification that continues in the area just east of Bon Marche is quite significant and worth exploring, even for a 22 year old. Last time there, the streets were filled with young "hip" shoppers and we were having loads of fun.
I never said it was. Regardless of technical, black and white arrondissement boundaries, I often think of the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain as one neighborhood, I think it's called the Left Bank. For newbies, it's good to differentiate. A leisurely stroll east of Bon Marche reminds me of the simple, 5 minute walk from 6th Avenue and Bleeker (ie: the Greenwich Village) into Soho. No big deal but a great find, nonetheless.
<i>"it's not the best area for a 22 years old"</i>
I completely disagree. One can find wonderful boutique areas all over Paris, in every neighborhood. However, the "chic" re-gentrification that continues in the area just east of Bon Marche is quite significant and worth exploring, even for a 22 year old. Last time there, the streets were filled with young "hip" shoppers and we were having loads of fun.
May 13th, 2004, 04:47 AM
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I pondered the same question (although my traveling partner is my 14 yr old son) and couldn't make up my mind so we are dividing our stay in two places. We have reservations at a hotel in the Marias near the Place des Vosges for several nights then we are moving to an apartment in the Latin Quarter.
May 13th, 2004, 06:23 AM
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I think the Marais sounds like a good fit--the shops are very Melrosian.
This is totally unscientific, but I had the impression that the western edge of the Marais (along with the Bastille and Oberkampf areas) seemed to attract more people in their 20s to early 30s.
The central to western Marais seemed to have more people in the late 30s-early 40s demographic.
The Latin Quarter attracts all ages, but there's very little about it that I would consider hip. There's a youthful crowd that hangs out around the Place Contrescarpe and some scattered chic shops, but I don't see them as appealing to a 22-year-old (my stepdaughters are 20 and 18, so I "think" I have a grasp of the generational mindset. Then again. . . )
St. Germain (6eme)has an affluent Baby Boomer air to it. Not that there's anything wrong with that. There are some fashionable shops, but I'd say they're skewed a bit older.
Other than Bon Marche, there's not much shopping of interest in the 7eme, although the cafes around Ecole Militaire draw a young crowd (the rest of the 7eme seems to draw a pretty mature--50s, 60s--bunch).
Another option is Montmartre. You won't have a density of fun boutiques, but there are some on the rue des Abbesses. There are always a lot of young people hanging out on the terrasse of Sancerre (also on rue des Abbesses). If your daughter saw and enjoyed the film "Amelie" she might like to explore this area, although you certainly wouldn't have to stay in the neighborhood to do so. It makes for a pleasant day excursion.
No matter where you stay, your daughter may like Colette, a store on rue St. Honore in the 2eme that is kind of a cross between Barneys and Urban Outfitters.
Have a terrific time in Paree!
May 13th, 2004, 08:40 AM
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Agree with the Marais. The area around the opera house is referred to(by americans) as the soho of Paris". it's upscale like soho has become. Take her to the Cafe d'industrie for a young, hip crowd. The area around Oberkampf is probably even more hip. Menilmotant has lots of places that may well appeal.
You might want to check out Cafe Charbon. Two things stuck out for us when were there ..we were the oldest(we're in our 50s) and the only ones not smoking!
You might want to check out Cafe Charbon. Two things stuck out for us when were there ..we were the oldest(we're in our 50s) and the only ones not smoking!
May 13th, 2004, 08:47 AM
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Pam, I can't believe you mentioned Cafe Charbon! One of the owners is a well-known Japanese actor who has lived in Paris for 30 years. I met him in Italy through my cousin, who was running a summer acting workshop. I've had the cafe on my Paris list for several years but have never made it there. Apparently they also have live music several nights a week in the area behind the cafe, and it definitely draws a young, hip crowd.
May 13th, 2004, 09:24 AM
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This is a great posting! I AM 22 yrs old, am going with my boyfriend to Europe in Sept. and at the moment, am trying to find a CHEAP hotel in the Marais - I have read that it's the "very trendy, very gay" part of town. I live in the Boston "very trendy, very gay" part of town so this sounds perfect. Any of you veterans have any suggestions on cheap places to stay? I'm not concerned with having room service, we would rather spend the big bucks on a fabulous restaurant. So far I have come up with these places, but I would love input if any of you have heard of them: Hotel Sevigne, Hotel Pratic, Hotel Picard, Hotel de Roubaix, Grand Hotel du Loiret - all of which are in the Marais. Any suggestions?
May 13th, 2004, 12:28 PM
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Hi,
Styed at Hotel Bretonnerie a few years back and thought it was nice and good location.
http://www.france.com/hotels/hotel.cfm?hotel_id=454
Mike
Styed at Hotel Bretonnerie a few years back and thought it was nice and good location.
http://www.france.com/hotels/hotel.cfm?hotel_id=454
Mike
May 13th, 2004, 02:44 PM
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My son and I are staying at the Hotel Jeanne d'Arc in the Marais. It is very close to the Place de Vosges- probably not the hippest area of the Marais but certainly walking distance for us and inexpensive. I think the website is www.jeannedarc.com If that isn't right just do a google search- that is how I found it.
May 13th, 2004, 03:18 PM
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OK, I posted another thread asking for help for a hotel for my son and new daughter-in-law. We are giving them a trip for their honeymoon. They are 24. I am really thinking about booking them at the Hotel de Notre Dame..the location looks great. Anyone know this hotel in the 5th right near the Seine or does anyone have a better suggestion? I love the idea of J.Depp's restaurant...how's the food I wonder? Who cares! Does he ever show up? It would be worth the risk for me! hehehe
May 13th, 2004, 03:27 PM
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I would agree, the Marais district would be nice. However, the Latin Quarter and area around the Sorbonne is teaming with students and young people, bars, clubs, etc. I think she would enjoy that area much more (5th Arr).
May 13th, 2004, 03:35 PM
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Would appreciate suggestions for charming, comfortable hotels in the marais or quartier latin! Looking for something for a teenaged girl and her mom (i.e., trendy shops and restaurants, not too far from metro).
