I can only speak for myself, and I enjoy parts of the 8th arrondissement. I ate dinner there twice last week!

I think that Paris has so many rich and diverse neighborhoods. I know I like to sample many when I'm lucky enough to be there.

Enjoy your trip.

I don't think that people dislike it - I think it isn't the usual tourist place to stay since many places are quite upscale/expensive - both lodgings and food.

We don't dislike the 8th. It is just not our favorite place to stay or even to visit. It is a bit posh and that is fine, just not our cup of tea but we do visit on most trips.

I think some people believe the 8th is not the "real" Paris. I don't agree.

What I don't like about the 8th is the Champs Elysees. I don't get the attraction.

Who is it that doesn't like the 8th? It's fine, like all of Paris, but it's upscale and expensive. If that's what you want out of Paris, go for it. It's not as though you're going to have a bad time in Paris being in some rich area - you can always find the rest of Paris by getting on buses or the métro. Or not...

If I had a friend who would loan me an apartment in the 8th . . . I'd LOVE it

Otherwise, a lot of it is above my pay grade - but some of it is very nice. Not my favorite district but nothing to worry about.

StCirq has a great point. It's not as though the poster here is going to be barred from the rest of Paris and all the other arrondissements.

I think it's a bit sad that some people think it's not the "real" Paris if it's rich and posh. As though it has to be gritty, vibrant and colorful to be considered "real".

That's like saying Beverly Hills and/or Bel Air aren't the real Los Angeles. Call me crazy, but I'd rather stay in Beverly Hills and party on Sunset Strip/Downtown LA rather than the opposite. Stay in a safe, upscale neighborhood, but party on the other side of town

I think you've found your answer. The 8th is not your typical tourist hangout, thank God! The Ritz is in the 1st, one step away from the 8th.

<<StCirq: Who is it that doesn't like the 8th?>>

You mentioned it here "That location wouldn't hold any appeal at all for me - totally sterile part of Paris"

As well as lot of others:

"The location of your hotel: I agree with St. Cirq, Jamikins and Kerouac….the Champs d’Elysees area is dead, sterile and exorbitantly expensive. My last visit to the area (about 7 years ago) , was depressing. I didn’t bother to go my last 2 visits."

From this thread: http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/transportation-in-paris-any-advice.cfm

And that's just one thread. There are more talking about how the 8th is sterile, boring, stuck up, and not "the real Paris".. It's ridiculous.

No wonder Jinky got the impression that so many people dislike it.

Some people very much enjoy that area. As Robert2533 said, it's not a typical tourist hangout. I love that. I like that it's quiet and posh, yet still a quick train away from the bustling center.

The 8th is the most popular area for visitors from the Middle East, so plenty of people love it.

In any case, it is a pretty extensive arrondissement, so the atmosphere of the 'Golden Triangle' side is quite different from the Gare Saint Lazare side. I remember reading once that the Champs Elysées has a grand total of 8 registered voters, which shows how depopulated certain of the business streets are.

- (see my original post) Should I make other arrangements? Is it really that bad? And is it really predominantly Middle Eastern? Wow, it really *does* sound like Beverly Hills!

I am traveling with husband and two teen girls, and we don't mind taking the metro to the other areas. The girls will love the fancy shops and bakeries in the area, I am sure. Much more up their alley than the nightclubs (for now, anyway...) We will be there for 7 full days.

Whoops, my post was cut off. First part should read, "What about the area I am staying in - (see my original post)"

Doppio: You apparently missed the entire context of the thread you linked. That OP is a young woman who was convinced not to stay near CDG and found a great hotel for her and a cousin in a lively part of town. But her uncle overruled them and booked a high end business hotel in a sterile part of the 8th. Our comments were that the uncle obviously has little knowledge of Paris and took over from the girls and plunked them down in (IMO) a totally inappropriate property for their situation.

Less than 100 m from your apartment you have rue Poncelet with a very good market. On the other hand, avenue des Ternes is a major street with a lot of traffic so it can be noisy at rush hours

I have to say though, that thread that Doppio linked to is a hoot! I learned a lot, but had quite a few laughs as well. The whole Uncle getting the hotel, the bratty spoiled cousin, and the currency converter vs electrical converter conversation, etc.. has the makings of a comedy film. Honestly, I laughed aloud several times. Took a while to read, but well worth it!

Thanks parsian, we may be out and about most of the time. When are the rush hours?

Doppio, you totally missed the point and are taking things out of context. There is a huge difference between asking about "the 8th arrondissement" and asking about staying in a hotel on, or touring, the Champs Elysées.

We stayed near the Poncelet market on Ternes a couple years ago and loved it. Superior market bakery nearby as well as small supermarket. Not as touristy as the lower arrs. We were able to walk to the centre of Paris and come back to an area that wasn't busy at night.

If you find a good apartment, I'd go for it.

We have a friend in the 15th that lets us stay in her apartment every year. Whatever one may think of the location, you have an apartment in Paris to enjoy. We ABSOLUTELY love the 15th. The area around the Metro Vaugirard has become a litttle home to us. If I ever won the lottery I would buy an apartment right there.

Unless a neighborhood, anywhere, is really seedy or far away it doesn't matter to me. I'm out and about in many parts of a city and am not restricted to where my hotel or apt is located.

As has been pointed out, context is everything. If it's free, stay there. If you have a choice, there are other much more fun places to stay. I also refer to it as "sterile"--per block, there are more interesting places with livelier cafes, shops, things to do and see.

<<If you have a choice, there are other much more fun places to stay.>>

When I was in my 20's and 30's that would sound inviting.. but now I like to have a place away from the crowds when I get in at night.

Perhaps most people love to have only "fun and lively" places to stay. I think maybe I'd still choose that area as it seems like it's away from tourist crowds, etc.

I'm not stuck in the 8th for a week. If that was the case, and I had to stay in one area all week, yes, perhaps I'd choose a different area. Or, maybe not.

When traveling in Italy, we also stayed in apartments, and usually in the nicer areas, away from the throngs of tourists. So, I think this will be perfect.

I don't love the 8th, but don't actively hate it either. The district I actively hate is the 16th It's all the things mentioned above and more, and worse.

The 8th - I can see why some people dislike it vehemently. It wouldn't be my first choice either as I too find it sterile.

Massively appreciating the shoutout to the 15th above however I also love it. That and the 17th (Pereire area) are really what I consider to be my stomping grounds.

However, there are definitely worse places to be stuck for a week than Paris' 8th arrondissement It's a great central location that does have plenty of things to do. Enjoy your trip!

I don't think there is a single street where I would not accept to stay in Paris if it was free.

I just saw the address of where the OP is staying. North of the ADT.

And - it's the 17th arrondissement. NOT the 8th.

Oh, that is such a creepy development!

It's actually a cool area (the 17th). Better than right there by the Champs-Élysées no doubt!

I think I would get to love any neighborhood in Paris in which I was lucky enough to stay (especially in a friend's apartment)!

Oh gosh, it's true! Yes, it's in the 17th

The 17th is so much better than the 8th! Maybe. Please tell us after your trip.

Does/Did ANYONE bother to READ ...the OP ???!!!

These last few posts above are hilarious ! Thanks Jinky for starting this thread

I love the 15th having spent a week there last year, but I just returned 3 weeks ago from a wonderful week in the 14th and it's my new favourite.

Paris neighborhoods are all different and wonderful in their own way, and so much fun to discover. 8th or 17th - you'll still find things to love (or not).