iorioj

I am a single female going to France for business in mid September and figured I should go a few days early and see Paris!

Am flying into CDG on a Saturday morning and don't have to leave until Monday morning out of Gare du Lyon. Any recommendations on which neighborhood (or even specific hotels) would be safest and best to stay in order to navigate my way around the city and see the major tourist highlights. Probably EU200-300 max is my budget for a hotel- so not budget, but not totally luxury.

mclaurie

I think many of us have done what you are planning. Once I stayed on Rue de Rivoli (1st arr. right bank near the Louvre), twice I stayed in the 6th arr. (St. Germaine des Pres) I find during the day I don't mind traveling wherever, but when I'm alone at night, I prefer eating nearish my hotel. For that reason, I preferred staying in the 6th as there were more dining options right nearby. Here's a lovely trip report from a woman who went solo to Paris and stayed at Le Regent (in the 6th arr)
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34667206

The Hotel Des Saints Peres is another in the 6th.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...de_France.html

The Hotel Bonaparte is a favorite on this board and if available is actually below your budget.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...de_France.html

BootsN

Mclaurie has given you good info. I second a stay in the 6th. I am in Paris alone often and always choose this area. Good restaurants abound, and it is a very safe area. Lots of people are out at all times of the day and night. If you need quiet, you should express that when you reserve. I like the noise and excitement of the streets, so I like a streetside room.
I always take the Roissybus into the city. You can get it for a little less than 9 € outside the baggage claim area of Terminal 2; I assume you will be arriving at that Terminal. It makes only one stop, on rue Scribe near American Express. You can catch a cab from near there. You can easily take a cab from your hotel to the Gare de Lyon.
Good luck and enjoy this great city!
Boots Newstrom

suze

I enjoyed staying the the 5th/Latin Quarter but was traveling with a friend. It's a little crazy hectic busy fun area, too easy to get lost. Going back solo I would probably try somewhere in the 7th as it appeared more quiet and residential at first glance.

francophile03

The 5th is a great place for staying solo. I stayed in the area near the Pantheon near rue Gay Lussac. I didn't find that getting lost is easier in this area than in any other area. I stayed at the Relais Saint Jacques and recommend this hotel highly. The prestige rooms are better than privilege types for the space.

www.relais-saint-jacques.com

francophile03

BTW, the 7th is much quieter at night and as a firsttime visitor I wouldn't recommend staying there.

suze

<<I didn't find that getting lost is easier in this area than in any other area.>> funny!! Francophile 03.

that's good info for me about the 7th being possibly too quiet at night for fun. thank you.

fishee

I was alone and loved staying in the St Germain Des Pres (6eme arrondissement) -- tons of great boutiques, cafes, shops, lively day and night, and close to several metro stations. Some people think this area is too "crowded," and I might agree if I was travelling with my boyfriend and wanted something very quiet and romantic. The adjacent Latin Quarter looked too college student-ish for me although I would have preferred it into my mid-20's.

You sound like you're travelling with a healthy budget and can afford to take advantage of the endless consumption opportunities (but charming consumption) available in the 6th. I stayed in a cheap studio so no help from me there....

MaureenB

Our family of four stayed in the 7th last June, for our first visit to Paris. It was perfect for us, as we wanted a quiet, upscale and residential neighborhood. However, I wouldn't suggest it for you either, as we didn't find there were lots of restaurants to choose from in the 7th.

kwren

I agree the 7th might be a bit too residential (unless you want a hotel with a drop-dead view of the Eiffel Tower that is ;-) if so, ask me!) I recommend the 6th as well, near Eglise St. Germaine des Pres. Good area, lots of nice restaurants, enough people around that you won't be coming in at night in a deserted area. (I imagine someone would recommend Hotel Bonaparte in that area since it seems to be a Fodor's favorite, but I've never stayed there and don't know the prices)

BTilke

When I'm in Paris solo (or with someone) we usually stay in the Victor Hugo section of the 16th. Very attractive, upmarket residential area, lots of shops, cafes, etc. You could get one of the better rooms at the Hotel du Bois in the very bottom of your price range or get a nice room in any of two good Sofitels in the immediate neighborhood (Sofitel LeParc or Sofitel Baltimore) both of which I'd recommend to a solo female traveler. All well reviewed on Trip Advisor.
There are many good restaurants within walking distance of these hotels, including Stella, one of our favorites in all of Paris.

kerouac

My women friends in Paris have always told me that safety for women is completely a matter of attitude, not neighborhood. Nevertheless, the absolutely sleaziest pick up lines can be heard in Saint Germain des Prés, Saint Michel, or in Montparnasse, clever ones around the Champs Elysées, and some really pathetic moments around the Grands Boulevards. In the really ugly neighborhoods (Pigalle, et. al.), a steely eyed stare and complete deafness ensures tranquility; any reaction to what you might hear and you're done for.

francophile03

In addition to the 5th I recommend you stay in either the 6th (St. Germain) or 4th (Marais). The 16th is a quiet, residential district, quite nice, but if you want a bit more nightlife the 4th-6th are pretty good.

fishee

"Nevertheless, the absolutely sleaziest pick up lines can be heard in Saint Germain des Prés, Saint Michel, or in Montparnasse, clever ones around the Champs Elysées, and some really pathetic moments around the Grands Boulevards".

Oh come on... pathetic pick-up lines are, unfortunately, without borders or boundaries -- and I certainly don't imagine that the Champs Elysees is just teeming with charming wit. Maybe some ironic references to Burger King, but that doesn't really qualify as clever, more like predictable.