You mean in terms of safety, location in the city? It's a great area I think: close enough to the Marais to make walking over there easy, and near Bastille on the one hand and Republique and Canal St Martin (hipsters) on the other hand. I'm a photographer so I always like staying near Bvd Beaumarchais: fantastic camera shops!

If you walk across Beaumarchais you're right in the northern end of the Marais though, and that's never a bad thing. And you're a bit out of the regular tourist crowds and that's not a bad thing either. I really like the 11th and it's considered to be a hip area.

PS, that tabac, Le Havane, is quite nice and old school and so is the one at the other side of Bvd Lenoir, Attitude.

Ahd it close to richerd Lenoir market Thus and Sundaysmy fovorite. Lots of good cafes neaby! Good transport from BAstille

Rue Oberkampf has a lively nightlife - look for kerouac's terrific photo essay about it from I think a year ago.

And you're dangerously close to my favorite chocolatier! It's a tiny mom-and-pop shop: the proprietress runs the shop and her husband makes the candies through a large window in the back. A la Petit Fabrique on the bend in rue Saint-Sabin when you turn left onto the street from Blvd Richard Lenoir near the Breguet-Sabin metro station. They make truffles and all the "usual" chocolates, but I'm especially fond of the tablettes, each wrapped in different colored foil depending on the flavor inside... They make good presents to bring home - if they make it that far! The shop is closed on I think Mondays; sometimes I've missed indulging because I've gone on the wrong day. But staying so nearby, you'll be able to do reconnaissance!

We stayed in the same area on our first trip to Paris in 1998, and on our last as well (the 5th visit) in 2010, and will likely do so again. Very walkable to much and there are a couple of convenient metro stops. Plus good restaurants and useful shops, with a lot of neighborhood life.

Thanks everyone - just what I was hoping to hear.

Go for it. A favorite area of mine, as well.

@yestravel - should be fine, not a particularly glamorous area but safe and well located for getting around, within walking distance to things that make a visit enjoyable like cafes and shops. We stayed in that general area last month and enjoyed it. Close enough to walk to rue de Bretagne with its many cafes and the marche des Enfants Rouges - do not miss Alain, in the last rank of the marche who makes an incredible wrap. Another place I can recommend is <<Les Artistes Gourmands>> at 83 rue de la Roquette where I had what may be the best fettucine au saumon I have ever consumed, and their pizzas were quite good as well.



@ggreen- oh, YES to A la Petite Fabrique at 12, rue Saint-Sabin. They are open 1030-1930 every day except Sunday and Monday. I am reading this info from their business card which was tucked into a package of a couple tablettes I received as a birthday gift. Their products are excellent and the owner is so very friendly, treated my niece like visiting royalty.

Don't miss the bargain lunch (set menu with no choice though) around the corner at Au Passage, 1b Passage Saint Sebastien.

@Seamus - I am grinning from ear to ear! Incroyable. I have never known anyone else to mention this place! (Though friends and travelers I have sent there were never disappointed.) I myself was introduced to the shop over 20 years ago, when my photography teacher took a group of us there. The owners from back then have retired, but subsequent ones have maintained every aspect, most importantly the excellent quality and wonderful service. To receive some tablettes as a birthday present - your niece must be wonderful as well!

Sounds like a great area. Thanks so much for all the suggestions of what's in the area. Anymore ideas are certainly welcome. It will be fun to explore in depth a new area.

I live in the 18th but I would happily live in the 11th.

Long ago, I made a report about Oberkampf: http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/paris-the-bars-and-restaurants-of-oberkampf.cfm

<< look for kerouac's terrific photo essay about it from I think a year ago >>

<< Long ago, I made a report about Oberkampf >>


A year ago... or April 2010...



How time flies!

Twelve minus ten equals two years. Time flies indeed.

Does this mean that I will soon die of old age and not have to make any reports anymore?

Time sure does fly...kerouac-thanks for posting your photos - love them!
I am convinced that we will like this neighborhood. Now just need to hear back on our dates. Thanks all for your posts.

West Country Girl is a wonderful little crêperie a few blocks from your apartment. Great food, nice ambiance, and moderate prices. We went there twice during our last trip.

http://www.westcountrygirl.com (in French only, but with links to reviews in English by David Lebovitz and Meg Zimbeck)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/west-country-girl-paris

Their homemade salted butter caramel sauce on the dessert crêpe is the best I've ever tasted.

We enjoyed staying in the 11th and would do so again. Would you post a link to your apartment?