Solo in Paris and looking for the best neighborhood
#1
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Solo in Paris and looking for the best neighborhood
Hello everyone - my best laid plans have just changed and my husband will not be able to make the trip.
I fly in this Saturday May 25th and will stay until June 2nd.
I booked Hôtel De La Paix Montparnasse in the 14th as I heard here that it was a nice locals type neighborhood and thought it would be a good (as a couple) place to stay. Off the beaten path etc.
Now that I am by myself, I am wondering if I would be better off in the heart of more action and closer to attractions etc as I don't want to feel isolated.
I have another booking in the 5th at Select Hotel and would love to hear your ideas about which arr. is best to stay as a single traveller.
An important consideration is that I have foot issues (heel spur) and will be using hop on hop off bus tours and public transport etc to get around.
While researching, it appears that the hotel in the 14th is a bit far from transport.
Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks so much for this forum. I am new and learning a lot of amazing tips!
I fly in this Saturday May 25th and will stay until June 2nd.
I booked Hôtel De La Paix Montparnasse in the 14th as I heard here that it was a nice locals type neighborhood and thought it would be a good (as a couple) place to stay. Off the beaten path etc.
Now that I am by myself, I am wondering if I would be better off in the heart of more action and closer to attractions etc as I don't want to feel isolated.
I have another booking in the 5th at Select Hotel and would love to hear your ideas about which arr. is best to stay as a single traveller.
An important consideration is that I have foot issues (heel spur) and will be using hop on hop off bus tours and public transport etc to get around.
While researching, it appears that the hotel in the 14th is a bit far from transport.
Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks so much for this forum. I am new and learning a lot of amazing tips!
#5
Join Date: Apr 2007
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When did blvd du Montparnasse and blvd Raspail become off the beaten path? This is one of the hottest areas in Paris right now. President Macron had his victory celebration nearby at la Rotonde and there is constant activity along blvd du Montparnasse. Not to mention the number of buses that pass nearby as well as métro 4.
I suppose it depends upon what you want to do and where it is you might want to go but I would stay with the Hôtel De La Paix Montparnasse
I suppose it depends upon what you want to do and where it is you might want to go but I would stay with the Hôtel De La Paix Montparnasse
#6
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Bear in mind that using the metro can mean lots of stairs and long connecting corridors. If you have a foot problem, buses (not just the ho-on hop-off) are your friend, and also the Batobus:
http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/cartebus.php
http://www.batobus.com/en/river-boat...e-service.html
http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/cartebus.php
http://www.batobus.com/en/river-boat...e-service.html
#7
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I am most interested in visiting parks and outdoor areas, Montmartre, shopping at flea markets and eating nice dinners. Not as much interested in museums although will probably do one or two as well as the Eiffel.
Wow I love all of the feedback but am now very confused. Half say 14th - half say 5th.
Thanks for the comments about the 14th Sarastro - it confirms what I thought about that area. When I checked transport to and from it looked like I had to walk a while to get to buses or subway.
Is it a harder place for transport to and from attractions? Not sure...
Wow I love all of the feedback but am now very confused. Half say 14th - half say 5th.
Thanks for the comments about the 14th Sarastro - it confirms what I thought about that area. When I checked transport to and from it looked like I had to walk a while to get to buses or subway.
Is it a harder place for transport to and from attractions? Not sure...
#8
Join Date: Oct 2015
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Both your Hôtel De La Paix Montparnasse and Select Hotel are of good location. The first one is 2 steps from Metro Raspail on Line 4 & 6, which will lead you straight to Eiffel Tower and many things else. Montparnasse is a lively quarter with plenty of shops & restaurants to choose from. Select Hotel is also in the heart of Paris. Don't worry, Paris is not like a desert out of 5th arr. Many activities and young people mingling everywhere. Any of these two hotels might work for you. The fact that you're a solo traveler doesn't affect that. I always visit Paris as a solo. Many people do.
#9
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I live in the 14eme arrondissement, and though buses can be convenient, they do take a long time to get to the major attractions. You can waste a lot of time waiting around.
The Metro lignes aren't very convenient either, and there are lots of stairs, especially if you have to make changes to another ligne.
There is really nothing to do except wait in line to see the Catacombes, and Montparnasse cemetery, and some people like to shop on rue Daguerre, but the shops close on Mondays and at lunchtime.
I'd recommend either the 5eme or 6eme arrondissements, because transportation is extremely convenient - either by bus or Metro - and you can walk to most of the attractions.
The Metro lignes aren't very convenient either, and there are lots of stairs, especially if you have to make changes to another ligne.
There is really nothing to do except wait in line to see the Catacombes, and Montparnasse cemetery, and some people like to shop on rue Daguerre, but the shops close on Mondays and at lunchtime.
I'd recommend either the 5eme or 6eme arrondissements, because transportation is extremely convenient - either by bus or Metro - and you can walk to most of the attractions.
#10
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I'm staying in the 5th right now. It's a busy, touristy area, but it's also close to lots of things. People who want a more authentic Paris experience (fewer tourists, though they are everywhere, just not as many in some areas) might hate the 5th, though it depends where exactly.
I'm just now sitting in the beautiful Parc Monceau in the 17th. I originally stayed in this area on my first trip to Paris, and I love it, actually - very non-touristy, kind of upscale, but also far from things. But Metro gets you around pretty quickly. (Come see the Parc Monceau even if you don't stay in the 17th.) I won't get into why I'm not staying in the 17th this time (plans have changed), but where I'm staying in the 5th, close to the Notre Dame, is not bad either.
I'm just now sitting in the beautiful Parc Monceau in the 17th. I originally stayed in this area on my first trip to Paris, and I love it, actually - very non-touristy, kind of upscale, but also far from things. But Metro gets you around pretty quickly. (Come see the Parc Monceau even if you don't stay in the 17th.) I won't get into why I'm not staying in the 17th this time (plans have changed), but where I'm staying in the 5th, close to the Notre Dame, is not bad either.
#13
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This is probably too late for your decision making, but considering your heel spurs and the need for bus transportation, the Select IMHO would be the best choice. Lots of buses close by so little need for the metro which can be difficult for any kind of foot problems.
#14
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Andrew and KT, if you love the Parc Monceau, try to find the 2006 French thriller Ne Le Dis a Personne (Tell No One). The park is used prominently for several scenes. The movie gets ugly and violent in parts, but it's a good taut thriller with a surprise ending.
And Addspace, I'd opt for the fifth, just because it's closer to many of the things you're interested in. You certainly won't feel isolated in Montparnasse--quite the contrary-but the other is more central, with good transportation options.
Bon voyage!
And Addspace, I'd opt for the fifth, just because it's closer to many of the things you're interested in. You certainly won't feel isolated in Montparnasse--quite the contrary-but the other is more central, with good transportation options.
Bon voyage!
#16
Select Hotel is right on Place de la Sorbonne. That's a convenient location, and not typically as mobbed as closer to Notre Dame, for example. I'd probably choose it for convenience unless I wanted to be somewhere more out of the way on purpose--and sometimes I do. So it's up to you.
#17
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My husband and I had always been metro users, and we still used the metro quite a bit, but with increasing hip problems for both of us we decided this time we'd try the bus. We were staying right on the 69 bus line, which goes by a lot of the sights we wanted to get to. It's so much easier to get just step onto the bus as opposed to going up and down stairs and walking long tunnels when you have any kind of mobility problems.
#18
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Thank you everyone for your informed comments. I truly appreciate your tine and effort to help.
PS - Based on all of your sage wisdom, I did choose to stay in the 5th this trip.Next time when I am traveling with my husband I plan to stay in the 14th.
Paris here I come!
PS - Based on all of your sage wisdom, I did choose to stay in the 5th this trip.Next time when I am traveling with my husband I plan to stay in the 14th.
Paris here I come!