It's hard to say, I think you will probably enjoy any of those locations, actually. The 7th is pretty quiet, I guess, although there are certainly places to eat, but major intersections around metro stops are usually fairly busy most of the time -- well, not in some more residential areas I've stayed that are farther out than that, actually, but the Ecole Militaire metro stop has enough things right around it that are open, a few cafes, etc. Actually, one thing I don't like about the 7th is that a lot of it isn't residential or business, it is institutional, which is quieter (or deader, depending on your view) than either of those.

It depends what meals you are wanting, I suspect dinner, as I imagine you will be gone during the day, won't you? I might get tired of eating at the few cafes or cheap food places right around Ecole Militaire metro stop, but others probably wouldn't and would find it just great, and it does depend how long you will be there. It really depends what you mean by inexpensive, also, there are restaurants around there that a lot of people rave about on here, but I'll admit they didn't thrill me (menus or choices, not so much the cooking), such as Le Florimond. I wouldn't call them cheap nor casual, but midlevel. But you might call them cheap.

Maybe if you were mroe specific as to what inexpensive means, and how casual. Florimond, for example, isn't casual like a cheap cafe or tabac, but most restaurants around there (maybe all) are not formal in any way that I know. Problem is they are popular and small, so you may need reservations, so that's not so casual in one sense.

I'd say Michelet Odeon and Jeanne d'Arc in your list would perhaps most fulfill the idea of being smack dab in the middle of more activity and plenty of eating choices.

Hi P,

>we do like a place that is lively and busy. Also we prefer more casual, inexpensive meals <

I suggest the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, in that order.

All of you hotel choices seem reasonable to me.

Stick with your reservation; we tend to stay at the Walt, about a block from your choice. The location is superb; bus, metro and taxi stand are just a few steps away. www.lesrestos.com lists six pages of restaurants near the Ecole Militaire metro station. Bourdonnais is a busy street; you may want to ask for an inside room. The other hotels are in more touristy spots and are generally favored by first timers. Rue Jarente would be the quietest street of those you have cited.

re: Hotel de la Bourdonnais, read the Tripadvisor comments to see if anyone had issues with the location, nearby dining, etc.

Another option would be Hotel Delambre, near Montparnasse Tower. It is slightly less 'central' but near many transportation options and there are a lot of dining choices in the area. I've seen it recommended a few times here for the 'quad' room (2 rooms w/ 1 double bed and 2 twins); the rate runs around 160-190€
http://www.delambre-paris-hotel.com/pages/rooms_3.html

Thanks for your responses.

In regards to the meals, yes I am talking about dinner and I'm looking for something no more than $20 - $25 per person. By casual I mean that I don't want to need reservations because we don't like to be locked into eating at specific times. We're more go with the flow types when it comes to meals.

I just remembered that a friend of mine stays at the Jeanne D'Arc regularly and likes it a lot. If you wnat more livliness than the 7th, then stay in either the 6th or the 5th. Happy Travels!

I recently returned from Paris and loved staying in the 7th (Hotel Duquesne). It wasn't quiet at all during the day and the location can't be beat (walking distance to the Eiffel Tower, Rue Cler & more). Although it may quiet down at night, the cafes & restaurants surrounding the area weren't empty. You have alot of options in the 7th.

I've stayed at Familia and Jeanne D'Arc and prefer Jeanne D'Arc...the rooms at Familia are really, really small. Jeanne D'Arc is a bit more comfortable and the Marais is a very interesting area.

I like a lively neighborhood too and given your stated requirements and preferences, I'd go with the Hotel Jeanne D'Arc first, Michelet Odeon second.

Have a great trip.

Six of us stayed at Familia in June and while the single we had was tiny,the doubles were fine. A plus is that there are small fridges in the room and breakfast is included in the price.
www.hereinfranklin.wordpress.com

I've been staying in the 7th at the Hotel Duquesne and the Hotel de la France for more than 20 years. I love the 7th. It's not all quiet and residential at all. There are loads and loads of cafes and restaurants and shops in the parts of it where the hotels are. It is pretty quiet at night, and I like that. Nothing like a good sleep when you're traveling.

We've stayed at the Familia twice and enjoyed the location -- quiet to sleep at night but walking distance to everything in the 5th and 6th where there is plenty of activity. Our two different rooms were adequate in space and we liked having the minibar, a/c in summer, and breakfast included in the rate.

For reasonable restaurants, we like Chez Clement -- www.chezclement.com for locations and menus.

Have you looked at the St. Vincent or Lumen?

bookmarking

Go away Newman Parker. Do you think you can wedge your way into another thread? You're such a moron.

I agree with StCirq. I loved the Hotel Duquesne and while the 7th was a bit more quiet at night, it was very safe walking home from other destinations. After our exhausting days of sightseeing, eating & drinking wine, it was very nice returning to the lovely, tranquil setting of the 7th!

Not to make your life more difficult, but I really disliked staying in the 7th the one time I did it because I needed to be there the institutions of government. Not only is there very little there to interest me artistically and historically, I thought it was a desert when it came to enjoyable restaurants. I also found that true the few times I found myself in the 7th as a tourist. I marched around endlessly looking for the kind of restaurants I like, only to find them booked.

I'm sure people who go there constantly know their fab faves, and perhaps better research would have spared me, but I'd rather stay in one of the lower numbered arrondisements.

Just a small response to that - finding restaurants all 'booked' could be resolved by booking one or two for yourself (unless your schedule prohibited it)...

We stayed 10 nights at Hotel Jeanne d'Arc and we loved it. The hotel was nothing fancy but clean and comfortable and FANTASTIC location for an incredibly reasonable price. 2 minute walk to the 1 line metro that goes across Paris, easy short walk to Notre Dame and the left bank, very interesting lively area with tons of little cafes serving inexpensive meals and great boulangeries for breakfast pastries and take away picnic lunches.

Travelnut,

Like the OP, I don't like to be locked into dinner reservations.

How anyone who has any knowledge of the 7th arr. can say it lacks in restaurants and/or is dead, is most certainly wrong. The 7th has more high end and bibb gourmand restaurants that the 4th, 5th. 6th combined! Tha is a fact, not my opinion. You have l'Ami Jean, which is one of the hottest in Paris. It is not my cup of tea, but I cetainly wouldn't "knock" it for that reason! You have the 4 Constant restaurants and two of them are as reasonable as you can find..with starred chef behind them. You have great small places like Au Petite Tonneau, Pascos and a great many brasseries.

As to being dead; I have closed two Constant restaurants, walked r. Cler at midnight with people sitting outside many places, been by Cafe Max at that time and found it hopping. I'm sure there are many, many more places that the younger crowd knows about!

Lodging for vacationers and/or long term residents is more expensive in the 7th. An acknowledged fact. Why? Because it is a desireable place to live!

Apartments, hotels and restaurants come in all sizes and prices. We all have a budget, or how we wish to spend our money. To talk against any of them because they are not in your budget or are not the way you wish to spend your money is most certainly wrong. I get tired of hearing it, frankly. We all have our preferences and they are personal..not something that anyone should expect others to 100% agree with.

I like the 7th, I prefer the www.parisperfect.com apartments. I enjoy restaurants at all the different prices. I do not expect everyone to do as I do. I would be ashamed of myself if I ever gave that impression!

Recently, I started a running trip report. There were over 260 posts to it. I don't think there was one negative post! All were helpful to one another, appreciative of information given and it was a fun, fun thread.

Enjoy your trip planning...

a bientot....

Joan

Good grief, Joan. What a negative scoldy post in response to people obviously only putting in their two cents. Hurrumph to you!

if you like the 7th, you like the 7th. If you don't, you don't. So what? Such things can't be posted? (I've never warmed up to Rue Cler.) Your argument tends to be of a piece with saying a visitor will most enjoy staying in the residential areas of New York City. I don't like Times Square, but I wouldn't want to stay on the Upper West Side either. Plus lodging is often more expensive because of all people coming there on expense accounts doing government business.

The OP (like mois!) wasn't looking for high end restaurants, and a lot of the bibb gourmand restaurants and others you mentioned have to be booked, also not desirable (for folk like us). Not to mention it can often be more fun to stay in an arrondisement where you just discover your own favorite corner bistro. Yes, the 7th has restaurants that serve the government clientele and its well-heeled upper middle class residents. But sometimes, you don't want that kind of a restaurant.

And some of it just overrun with tourists.

zeppole

Sorry that you took my post as being just the opposite of its intention!

I was spouting off to people who express their likes as being the ONLY way to go. For me, it is just the opposite...whatever pleases you! There are areas, restaurants hotel and apts. for all.
Also, responding to people thinking the 7th being dead...I know otherwise. As to restaurants in the 7th..all price ranges are there. Reservations at any popular or high end restaurant will require a resrvations..in any area of Paris!
Sorry that you took my post in a way not intended.

Enjoy your planning....

Joan

I have stayed in the 7th and have to agree with Joan that there is a variety of restaurants, cafes, patisseries & more (in all price ranges). As far as expensive lodging goes, I didn't consider my hotel expensive. I did alot of research and for around 200euros a night, I had a great room, newly updated, with wonderful views of the Eiffel Tower, Invalides & Sacre Couer.

If I'm on vacation and I want to eat at good restaurants (priced low, moderate or high), I make sure to reserve them ahead of time. It was nice knowing after a long day of sightseeing, there was a table waiting for us somewhere. One can always cancel if other options come up, right? The only night I didn't have reservations, I ate at a cafe which was mediocre. It's the same when I'm in Manhattan on a Friday or Saturday night - it's understandable you need reservations to get into good places. Unless you just want a slice of pizza...

marking for the hotels.

Also, I can't imagine more than a plate of beans for under $25. I think you would have to go up to at least $40 for a decent dinner.

Pat I feel your pain. I just might (my DD said I bumped my head)go to Paris alone, and choosing a hotel is going to be tough.

Thanks everyone, this discussion has been helpful. I'm pretty sure I'm going to cancel Hotel La Bourdonnais and go for something in the 4th or 5th. I think it will suit us better.

Nothing more than a plate of beans for under $25 ?? I guess I'd better save more for this trip or start really liking beans!

Hi Pat-
Once you decide on your hotel, go check out the Pudlo Guide for Paris Restaurants. It has tonnes of listings and also have some budget options. I used it for my recent trip and found it helpful. (I borrowed the Pudlo Guide from my local library.)

I understand that you don't want to be "locked in" to a restaurant, but I really suggest you do make a reservation. I'm not saying you should do this weeks and weeks ahead, but rather, just call on the day of (even in the afternoon). The good restaurants tend to be filled up, so if you leave it until dinner time, chances are you'll end up eating at not-as-good restos or you'll end up paying more than what you wanted since you couldn't get into the budget ones.

Avenue de la Bourdonnais is lovely.