kpilling

I made a reservation at Hotel Muget in the 7th and after reading and re-reading some of the info that is posted here, I have come to the conclusion that the 7th is a dead area and that it would be better to stay in the 6th am I crazy or is the overall consensus?

Thank you all

Christina

it depends what you what. The 7th is not "dead". However, if you want lots of glitzy shops and people around and buzz, then yes, it will be dead compared to the 6th. I can think of deader places in Paris, but what do you really need or want right around your hotel? If you just want a cafe or two for a drink or breakfast, and a few restaurants, it is fine. It does have some grocery shopping, but it's not a shopping mecca for antiques, clothes, etc like St Germain or other places. If you like young hot spots and popular places, it's not much like that either.

Some people do like just stepping out into the buzz, which do you want? Somehow I can't imagine that is your thing or why would you have booked the Muguet, which you should have read enough about to know it's not exactly a glitzy trendy hip place.

Travelnut

Personally, I want to <i>sleep</i> at night... I can go shop/bar-hop/dine etc elsewhere.

There is a new post about good restaurants in the 7th (a list has started) and there is rue Cler, and other nearby (better) markets, ie. Saxe-Breteuil (which is probably 15th arr). There are some corner brasseries around Ecole-Militaire that are active into the evening. Just not many shops or stores that stay open late...

kpilling

Thank you for your response Christina. My husband and I are a young 50. We don't care about young and hip but we love a romantic atmosphere i.e. the charming quaint streets of paris that someone who has never been there envisons. We love good not trendy food and wonderful wine. Listening to live music is cool also. Does that help? Suggestions appreciated.

tuscanlifeedit

What about those areas of the 7th that are closer to the 6th? We have stayed twice on rue Palais du Bourbon at two different hotels and I love that locations. It is much livlier than the areas around the Muguet.

Personally, anything west of the Invalides is too far west for me in Paris, unless I were to go all the way to the 16th...which I haven't done yet, but think about doing. That doesn't mean we don't go beyond there for meals and sites, but I like staying closer to the very middle of Paris.

One hotel that I've thought about trying is the Thomas d'Aquin. It looks lovely and I've heard good things. No AC though.

We had a family room at the Hotel de la Bourdannais on rue Palais Bourbon that was ok, but on our last night, after our daughter left, we stayed in their top floor honeymoon room and loved it. The staff is nothing great, and two older folks at the front desk were down right prickly but we loved that room.

Also had a very nice room at the Hotel de Varenne on the same street. They have one room with a partial Eiffel Tower view, and I would ask for that. The staff is cool,and I don't mean hip, and breakfast is extra. I negotiated with them for breakfast included and they honored the deal. They have AC.

In the 6th, I have thougth about trying the Hotel Clement.

tuscanlifeedit

I forgot to add that we are young 50s ourselves, and prefer to be near, but not in the middle of, the action. I think you'll find all four of the places I suggested fit that description.

I have visited the Muguet, but it is not in an area that I favor. Although I would stay there for the right room at the right price.

dwzemens

Aren't we all a &quot;young&quot; 50 ...

tuscanlifeedit

Nope. I know a lot of folks in their 50s who listen to music that I think is for old people, go to movies I would send my parents to, and drive cars, wear clothes, and have furniture that make me think of my grandparents.

nukesafe

Travelnut,

&lt;There is a new post about good restaurants in the 7th (a list has started)&gt;

Where is that &quot;new post&quot;? What is it's exact title? I will be staying in the 7th in September, and am most interested. I have tried searching - but you know the limitations of this search function.

suze

Well said above Tuscan! there's 50 and then there's 50.

I wouldn't call the 7th dead but it is quieter and more residential.

nukesafe

Whoops! Never mind, Travelnut. I just found the post you mentioned.

Thanks anyway.

tuscanlifeedit

Thanks, Suze...

I was thinking of a young woman that I act as mentor to: she is constantly amazed at the differences between her parents and DH and me. They are &quot;old&quot; 50, I guess.

And I don't want to imply that I don't dress or act my age. I think 50ish body parts are best covered, and I don't wear bows on my clothes like my SIL's mother does. I don't go to clubs that are frequented by young people (I don't go to clubs at all because I do go to bed early).

But I like to know what is current in our culture, what is progressive and new and interesting. If faced with a choice between Celine Dion and Ludacris, I'm going with Ludacris every time! ;-O

Travelnut

Restaurants in the 7th, in case anyone else wants it:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34653853

dwzemens

I was kidding about the &quot;young 50&quot;! I think everyone posting here must be &quot;young&quot;, or I suspect they would be planning a trip to Branson, Missouri instead of Europe...not that there is anything wrong with that!