Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Solo in Paris and looking for the best neighborhood

Solo in Paris and looking for the best neighborhood

Old May 23rd, 2017, 05:48 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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!
addspace is offline  
Old May 23rd, 2017, 06:52 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,354
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'd stay at Select - lots more things you'll want to see close by.
northie is online now  
Old May 23rd, 2017, 06:56 PM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks Northie!
addspace is offline  
Old May 23rd, 2017, 10:23 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,302
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Same. I love 14th but it is farther away.
Now the 5th is big and I didn't check the exact locations.
Pay attention to the closest metro station.
Have fun !
WoinParis is offline  
Old May 23rd, 2017, 10:46 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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
Sarastro is offline  
Old May 23rd, 2017, 10:56 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,911
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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
PatrickLondon is offline  
Old May 23rd, 2017, 11:14 PM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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...
addspace is offline  
Old May 23rd, 2017, 11:29 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 754
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
FuryFluffy is offline  
Old May 24th, 2017, 12:17 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
fuzzbucket is offline  
Old May 24th, 2017, 04:43 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Andrew is offline  
Old May 24th, 2017, 06:19 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 9,613
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Andrew, we "discovered" Parc Monceau on our last visit and thought it was lovely. Enjoy your visit!
KTtravel is offline  
Old May 24th, 2017, 07:30 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,445
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'd stay in the 5th.
dwdvagamundo is offline  
Old May 24th, 2017, 07:43 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Envierges is offline  
Old May 24th, 2017, 08:52 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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!
frenchaucoeur is offline  
Old May 25th, 2017, 09:51 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You can visit Parc Monceau - but you don't have to book a hotel room anywhere near it : )
fuzzbucket is offline  
Old May 25th, 2017, 02:07 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 10,256
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
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.
Leely2 is offline  
Old May 25th, 2017, 02:20 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 613
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
vanne is offline  
Old May 25th, 2017, 06:46 PM
  #18  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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!
addspace is offline  
Old May 25th, 2017, 10:56 PM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I had fun staying two nights in the 5th this week - I think you will like it!
Andrew is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Pepper_von_snoot
Europe
39
Apr 2nd, 2019 01:02 PM
tinybeachbum
Europe
16
Jan 9th, 2016 03:26 PM
Enroh
Europe
22
Jan 14th, 2010 09:22 AM
hoppock20
Europe
9
Jul 29th, 2009 03:10 PM
Jane
Europe
11
Dec 28th, 2002 03:31 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -