ashbinabox

I'm headed to Paris in June. I don't know the 1st thing about what area to look for accommodations. I'm 31 and traveling alone so I want to be in a fitting neighborhood for my demographic. Any help? If nothing else, knowing where NOT to stay is good.

Gretchen

Arrondisement 1-8 is usually the recommendation. They are central. Paris is EASY to get around in via Metro or bus. As for a fitting neighborhood, you're a tourist. They are everywhere-and of every nationality. you will fit in. LOL
I suggest you QUICKLY get a guide book and have a clue about what to do --or what you may want to do. We can't fill in all the blanks for you. LOL

Gretchen

Arrondisement 1-8 is usually the recommendation. They are central. Paris is EASY to get around in via Metro or bus. As for a fitting neighborhood, you're a tourist. They are everywhere-and of every nationality. you will fit in. LOL
I suggest you QUICKLY get a guide book and have a clue about what to do --or what you may want to do. We can't fill in all the blanks for you. LOL

janisj

1-8 is good -- but for a first timer I'd narrow it down even more. 4, 5 and 6 are very central, contain many of the major sites, some terrific neighborhoods, and have many hotels at all budget levels.

What is your budget?

aliced

I too would second arrondisements 4,5,6 for faster transfers and shorter Metro rides. As you can see from such a map, the 1-16 arrondisements spiral out in a clockwise fashion. Also from 4-6, most of where you'll tour of the city would be via walking. Save the Metro for later nights, rainy days or the long walks back to your hotel.

suze

And I'd narrow it down even further. The 5th or 6th. You can tell the arrondisement number by looking at the end of a Paris postal code (on the hotel's address). The spiral outwards like a snail from the center of Paris (#1).

bubblywine

I'm your age - if I were going by myself I'd want to be in the 3rd or 4th. IMHO it's a bit more hip than the left bank.

Leely2

I agree with bubblywine. For your age but still wanting reasonably central for touring: northern 3rd.

menachem

republique/canal st martin. just throwing it out here. more interesting. and with the metro distances are not important.

or the marais (3rd/4th indeed)

PatrickLondon

This might help, in terms of thumbnail sketches of the different arrondissements:
http://youngadventuress.com/2013/02/...nts-guide.html

kja

I like the Hotel du College de France:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...de_France.html

ira

Hi Ash,

You haven't much time to get a hotel.

Depends on how much of a funster you are.

In decreasing order of funsterism, I suggest the 4th, 5th and 6th.

In Paris, we always stay at the Hotel Bonaparte, 61 Rue Bonaparte in the 6th. From 120E sngl + bkfst. It is just around the corner from Place St. Sulpice, near 3 metro stops and 4 bus routes. Has AC and an elevator.

The staff speaks English well, and is very helpful. The front desk is staffed 24/7

They can arrange a shuttle pickup to CDG for you.

Tel 33 1 43 26 97 37
FAX 33 1 46 33 57 67
[email protected]
www.hotelbonaparte.fr

For more info, enter "Hotel Bonaparte" in the "search the forum" box.

Enjoy your visit.

kerouac

It's not at all a question of "location" since the transportation system is excellent everywhere in Paris. What counts is your own personal style -- wanting somewhere lively or quiet, a shopping area, a museum area, a restaurant area or a park area, just to name a few possibilities.

Then there is your budget. Since I am a skinflint, the arrondissements from 1 to 8 would be the ones from which I would try to dissuade you from staying unless you think that 120€+ a night is the proper price for a hotel.

Waldo

Kerouac is correct. Since Paris has a great transportation system,it makes virtually no difference where you stay. As far as I'm concerned, everytime I've gone to Paris, I've stayed in the 15th. It's just a short walk to the Eiffel Tower, it's a quiet safe area, and it has great family type restaurants. The first time I went there, somehow I ended up in the 15th, and I'm glad I did. It suits me fine, and it's very economical. I stick close to the Dupliex metro station, close to the Rue Viale, where there are a few real nice clean and quiet and inexpensive hotels.

Guenmai

As for what area to stay in, it depends on what you want. If you don't mind being on the metro then you can stay about anywhere. Personally, I'm not a metro person and prefer being able to either walk or take quick bus trips to where I want to go.

After you have decided your area, below is my hotel thread with a lot of hotel recommendations in different areas if you've decided on a hotel. There's also www.airbnb.com for other types of accommodations.

Good luck.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...



http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...



Jump to the bottom of the thread and then scroll up to Dec 31,2010. In that section, I have categorized the recommended hotels, by district, and have provided websites.

Happy Travels!

suze

I know there is good public transportation but I don't like to be tied to having to use the metro every day. I prefer something more central so that many of the famous sites and sights are walking distance.

stokebailey

I liked residential area of the 15th, but my family grumbled about the distance from center.

Last time we stayed in an airbnb.com place just north of Place des Vosges in the 4th, and everyone was happy. Easy walk to lots of things, including the happening Bastille area.

I'd consider the 11th or 12th, too.

Leely2

In addition to the northern 3rd (near Square du Temple), menachem has some good ideas re: Canal St. Martin/Republique. So does stokebailey.

Agree with others that it's easy to get around Paris.

Christina

It does make a difference, even with a good public transporation system, because you might not want to spend a lot of time getting to places you want to be (traveling or in transfers, which can eat up a lot of time). But in addition to that, I think the OP also wants to know an area where a lot of first-time tourist would like being for the ambience around it, including places to eat, etc.

flpab

PatrickLondon, thanks for that blogger info, just added Lisa Czarina to my twitter feed also. I love the 2nd and love to walk. My husband is the metro guy so we do a little of both.