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I am looking at short-term apt rentals in these 2 locations. Was hoping to hear pros and cons about each from past visitors. I like the idea of being close to the Champ de Mars, the Tower, and Rue Cler. I have no idea about St Germain / Grenelle. What say you?
Also, is AC an issue in late sept?
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Paris 1st timer: St Germain (Rue Grenelle) or Rue Cler/Augereau
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They're really quite close to one another. In my opinion St. Germain is a little busier, maybe noisier, than Rue Cler. If you're a night owl, St. Germain is probably the better choice. Not much is happening on Rue Cler at night, but it is a lovely neighborhood. I don't think you'll go wrong with either. Have a wonderful time!
But things ARE happening on the rue Cler early in the morning when all the shopkeepers open up.
I think they're both fine - nice streets, both of them - but I wouldn't want to be a a street-facing apartment actually ON either of those streets if noise were an issue for me.
I agree with StCirq - both locations are excellent. I used to live near Augereau many moons ago and I love that neighborhood. It is a little more gentrified now but still very enjoyable to stay in.
My trip to Paris this year is Sept. 10-24 but I've been staying with French friends near the Jardin du Luxembourg, so I spend a lot more time in the Saint Germain area. If you like more evening action, the Saint Germain area maybe better for you but you can't do wrong if you choose either one.
AC would not needed in September - my September experiences are a little cooler, several nice, sunny days and could rain a little (but it does rain some at any time in Paris). I wish a "bon sejour a Paris" at either location.
I stayed in an apartment for a month on rue Duvivier which is the next street over from rue Cler. I loved the area and rue Cler had every type of store I needed to supply my apartment.
Sitting in a cafe along rue Cler was a great people watching experience plus I got good food at Cafe du Marche at a reasonable price and cappuchino in the morning.
The closest metro is just two blocks away between rue Cler and the Eiffel tower (which you can walk to).
From this area it was so easy to travel anywhere in Paris. I wasn't, however, interested in night life. This area is more residential but has lots of good restaurants nearby.
Do you know where the apartment is on Rue Grenelle? It's a long street. If it's at the end of the street near Blvd. Raspail I think that's a great central location allowing you to walk to many of the sights. And the shops and the window-shopping in the area are fantastic.
If the apartment faces a courtyard, you certainly shouldn't have to worry about noise.
All things being equal apartment-wise, I'd take the Rue Grenelle. Obviously you won't go wrong with either choice of location so I'd take a look at a map and at Google maps and get a feel for the street and neighborhood and it's proximity to places of interest to you.
I prefer St. Germain.
Rue Cler is mostly a market with a few restaurants.
Paris is full of more charming streets.
Oh dear God, no, not the Café du Marché!! Stay away from that place at all costs, please!! If you ever saw the kitchen, you'd run screaming.
Rue Cler isn't mostly a market. It's shops. There are only a couple that have anything on the sidewalk like a real market. There's a shoe store and a luggage store and a Franprix and a florist and an Olivier and a few cafés, and a chocolate store and a butcher, and a quincaillerie, and a couple of hotels, but it's not a "market." That said, depending on where on rue Grenelle the apartment is, I would probably choose that one slightly over the rue Cler one.
t
StCirq,
I've stayed on Rue Cler twice and loved it. The street is as you described, but I confess that I had to look up and translate "quincaillerie" -- a hardware store. I especially liked the fresh fruit stand. I even ate at Café du Marché and survived. You brought back some fond memories.