imelda72

Hi fellow Fodorites, based on a recommendation from one of you I am booking this apartment in the Canal St. Martin area: http://www.vrbo.com/232791

However, I have a few concerns. Using Google maps, the immediate area en route to Place de la Republique shows a LOT of graffiti, and some pretty low-market chain restaurants.

Is this a safe area for a young, solo woman traveler? The apartment is near the Place Jules Ferry, so a good 15 minutes south of the popular Quai Valmy.

I am planning a trip for early April, last-minute, and hoping to spend around 80E/night, so my options are limited. But I would like a safe, quiet place, ideally very walkable. This apartment meets most of those requirements, but I can't judge it on safety.

Also, I have never reserved via VRBO before, and am astonished that I have to mail a check in advance of arrival. It's only ~$88 but that seems such an easy way to get conned. I know many of you have used VRBO before...can you reassure me? Or do you stick to the credit card-only apartments?

Merci beaucoup a tous! Time to start brushing up on my French....

DebitNM

I think it looks lovely and we rode the boat along the canal and thought it was a nice neighborhood. It has great reviews too.

Are you sure about $88? I see that its 80 euros [$110] a night or 490 euros [$680] a week.

I have rented an apartment in Paris and sent a US$ check as a deposit. The owner gave it back to me when I left. Most private owners don't take credit cards.

giro

We spent 2 months in an apt. one block from Gare de l'est last spring. I walked in the area of Jules Ferry and don't see any issues with the area. It is very close to the canal which you will love.
there's a wonderful boulangerie, du pain et des idess corner of rue de marseille and rue yves toudic.
I think you will love the area. we did as it is off the main tourist path and you get a sense of being in a city of people and not just monuments.

MaineGG

My husband and I spent a week in this apartment last year. It deserves all the complimentary reviews, including mine, you see on the VRBO site.

As far as the safety of the neighborhood is concerned, I would have no hesitation to walk anywhere around the area during the day. It can look somewhat gritty in places, and there is graffiti, but there are just mostly ordinary people going about their daily business. Except for a bank and the Lidl grocery store, all the storefronts on the block where the apartment building is located are small businesses like a heating contractor, a store selling packaging materials, etc. No bars, restaurants or retail stores. By the way, the graffiti is much more noticeable on Google street view because they took those photos very early in the morning when the graffiti-covered metal shutters had not been raised for the day.

Unlike you, we are seniors and don't get out and about much late in the evening so can't comment on what it's like after 9 p.m. or so. We walked home from the République Métro around 9:30 one weeknight and it was very quiet.

nukesafe

Imelda, we rented an apartment just a few blocks south of you, on Rue Amelot near rue Oberkamph two years ago, and that area is simply fine. There is graffiti all over Paris, and in most cities of the world, but that just means there are stupid people with cans of spray paint, not muggers out to do you harm. We came and went at all times of the night and day and never had occasion to feel the least bit threatened. The area around Oberkamph is becoming more trendy and has a lot of the younger BoBo crowd going to the latest swinging place, but your apartment appears to be in a quiet area.

We have rented a place on Rue Alibert, a bit North of you for May, as we really enjoyed the area.

sandyh

Hi. I stayed in that very apartment about 18 months ago. It's small, but well kept, and the landlord was incredibly helpful.

And, it's not a 15-minute walk from Quai Valmy at all; it's about half a block. Be sure to check out the statue of La Grisette just at the end of the median covering the canal, before the water again becomes visible on the other side of Faubourg du Temple. There was also a very handy Franprix on the corner of other side of Jules Ferry at Faubourg du Temple.

Honestly, the question of safety never seemed relevant in that neighborhood; it was very normal, with people going about their regular activities. I loved being near the canal, and also to the Popincourt market on Tuesdays and Fridays, and the Richard Lenoir market a bit further up on Thursdays and Saturdays.

One thing I found pleasant was sitting at the café called La Marine, on the corner of rue Dieu and Quai Valmy, sipping a drink in the afternoon and looking out at the canal and people-watching. The nearby Place de la Republique was still being worked on while I was there; I've seen pictures of what it's like now, and am very anxious to visit it this spring when I'm back in Paris.

Anyway, I'd have absolutely no qualms about safety.

Sandy

sandyh

Whoops! Richard Lenoir (Bastille) market is on Thursdays and Sundays!

Sorry.

Sandy

imelda72

Sandy, thanks for clarifying, and for the tips, that is very helpful.

I just stumbled upon pictures of the redesigned Republique plaza, I had no idea that was even happening. It looks amazing! And well-thought-out, as that plaza used to be hell to cross on foot.

Thanks to all of you for your replies; I feel very reassured, and excited!

imelda72

Sandyh, MaineGG, and Nukesafe, how walkable did you find the area? Did you find yourselves walking to attractions like those on Ile de la Cite, or in the Marais, or 9th arrondissement, etc? Just curious.

My favorite part of the city is Place des Vosges, which is not too far from this apt according to Google. I'm hoping the flat will be a good launching pad for Marais strolls!

imelda72

Oh and DebitNM, yes, you're right about the weekly cost. The owner only asks for a 20% down payment mailed via check, so it's not the full cost. For me it equals around $88.

Per night this apartment is 80 Euros, paid in cash upon arrival.

DebitNM

I am very interested in the apartment for future stay but my only concern is having to sleep on pullout couch. They are typically awful(comfort and support ) and we both have bad backs.

imelda72

Hey all, I wonder if anyone knows about this listing and area: http://www.vrbo.com/826979

It is basically the same price, but in a different area, the Porte Saint-Denis area, probably on rue des Petites Ecuries. I have read that the Strasbourg-Saint Denis station should be avoided at night. This is also fairly close to Gare de l'Est, and closest to metro stations Poissoniere and Chatea d'Eau. Any thoughts?

I'm looking at this one in case the other falls through!

imelda72

Sorry, the link is in fact: http://www.vrbo.com/826979ha

DebitNM

I personally would have a tough time in a place where all the furniture is made of plywood, but that's me.

outwest

imelda72, we stayed at the apartment on Blvd Jules Ferry in November 2013 and thought it was great. We walked to a lot of places--the Marais was really close and we walked to the ile de la cite a few times. But we also used the metro a fair amount and found the Republique lines very convenient--

The owner of the apartment was extremely helpful and professional and it was extremely easy working with him. I did post a review on VRBO as well.

imelda72

Thank you, outwest!!

Lauren1979

That neighborhood is fine. The thing about Paris is that there are people out and about at all hours, stores, restaurants and bars open late on most major streets. Stick to those and use good judgement (don't be walking down the quieter, darker streets alone at night) and you will be fine. Have you checked out airbnb? so many cute places in that neighborhood for about $100 a night.

Lauren1979

these both have real beds and are in the 10th. and look to be available in april. one is $70 and one $100 and there are plenty more! (i'm going to paris this summer which is why i've been stalking airbnb paris

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1143988

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1227149

outwest

imelda72--a few things about the immediate neighborhood. It is a little grubby as you say, with graffiti and litter, but I never felt that it was even slightly dangerous. There was a homeless man who set up a bed outside the apartment every evening but we never even saw him move and I wouldn't worry about it at all. And as Lauren says there are always people around. I personally wouldn't hesitate to stay there alone.

Also the apartment itself looks out on a courtyard so it's very quiet--we had no issues with noise at all.

The owner is American and is truly the kindest/most helpful man. If you do take the apartment be sure to get him to walk you through the entry/key procedures--it's a bit complicated!

FYI, my VRBO review is the one by lucyf.

MaineGG

imelda72 - I don't think the location of 826979ha is as convenient as Jules Ferry and I share DebitNM's opinion about the furnishings.

Here's an easy way to determine distance and walking time between points in Paris - Go to en.mappy.com , Click on the itinerary tab, enter your departure and arrival points, then click on Pedestrian. I did it for the Jules Ferry address to Notre Dame and it says it is 2,4km and would take 36 minutes to walk. The Place des Vosges is 1,7km and would take 25 minutes.

DebitNM - We couldn't believe how comfortable the sofabed was. That was my only hesitation about renting the studio, and it turned out to be even more comfortable than some beds we have found in more expensive apartments. We never folded it during our stay since it was in a corner and wasn't in the way.