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Why doesn't anyone talk about staying in the 2nd arr in Paris? Am I blind?

Why doesn't anyone talk about staying in the 2nd arr in Paris? Am I blind?

Old Jan 5th, 2012, 08:34 AM
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Why doesn't anyone talk about staying in the 2nd arr in Paris? Am I blind?

When in Paris, we use an apartment in the 2nd. It is really, really inexpensive, lots of great little shops & cafes around, 2 metro stops within 100 meters, laundry. Never had a problem regardless of the time of day or season.

So, with that said, why doesn't anyone ever write about staying in the 2nd? What things you do find make it out like the area is some slum. I don't find that to be the case at all. Or maybe I'm just ignoring the obvious. Or is this a hidden gem that few of us know about or recognize?

Just wondering.

dave
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Old Jan 5th, 2012, 08:44 AM
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I think the 2nd tends to be considered more business focused, so tourists are drawn to other arrondissements. With that said, you're right - plenty of access to metros, close to a good market street, les passages, so why not? I tend to prefer the right bank as well for some reason, and have stayed in the 1st and 2nd, along with the Marais. Enjoy!
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Old Jan 5th, 2012, 08:48 AM
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There's nothing wrong with the 2nd, it's just that it is small by comparison to the 7th, with fewer hotels and apartments to choose from, and as a result, fewer people stay there.
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Old Jan 5th, 2012, 08:58 AM
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I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE the 2nd arrondisement, and generally look their first for an apartment, especially when traveling alone. I especially love the Passaig Ste Anne, but I also like the proximity to the Louvre without being in the tourist hordes.

What is so quirky about the arr. is the presence of so many shops, hotels and restaurants catering to Japanese tourists. I think it makes it fun, but others might not.

On Fodor's, I think many people just gave up trying to help people get out of the tourist ghetto of the 7th, and got shouted down when they raised red flags about how inconvenient it is to stay in the 7th. if you like to walk in Paris, or if you are really interested in something more than shopping or eating (or looking at the Eiffel Tower).
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Old Jan 5th, 2012, 08:59 AM
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By the way, have you got a link to the apartment you usually rent? Is it quiet?
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Old Jan 5th, 2012, 09:00 AM
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I'm sure you would see plenty of things about the 2nd arrondissement on Japanese and German travel boards.
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Old Jan 5th, 2012, 09:05 AM
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It really isn't a district geared to tourists, it is fairly small and is mainly for business (the auction house, Bourse, garment district, etc). I don't find it particularly appealing myself, nor attractive, and I don't choose to stay there as I don't like it very well as a place to stay. Over at the west end is the Opera, another area I don't find that enchanting (aside from the building itself, of course).
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Old Jan 5th, 2012, 10:04 AM
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Zeppole, we rent from Blue Marble (www.bluemarble.org). Hard to beat a 1bd rm in Paris for about $500 per week. Granted it is more of a large studio than a 1 bedroom, but hey for that price it cannot be beat. The managers office is on the ground floor and they have always treated us great. Plus you can pay for the whole thing by CC instead of cash.

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Old Jan 5th, 2012, 10:05 AM
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For everyone else, yep that is kind of what I thought. Love finding the "road less traveled" areas. Uh oh, maybe I've messed it up now.


dave
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Old Jan 5th, 2012, 10:19 AM
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I'm making it my resolution this year to not try to be 4th-7th focused.

For me, I like being close to the Seine, so I tend to focus on those arrondissements.

I've stayed in the 4th on the Right Bank as well as the 16th. I've often wandered the 1st/2nd, but for some reason has not motivated me to want to stay there.

But, in terms of walking to sites, not a bad choice

My next trip I think I might consider an appartment on Montmartre area, based on some interesting trip reports.

Part of the question might be...are there prefered areas for first time visitors, or should a blanket 1-20th apply?
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Old Jan 5th, 2012, 12:20 PM
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I really like this area too.
I think it is so easy to walk everywhere from here.
Tons of good restaurants here and really close in the 1st

I think it does have a reputation as the business district,which isn't an area one stays
in in the states if not doing work since it all closes down around 6.

I think it's our secret!
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Old Jan 5th, 2012, 12:37 PM
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It isn't just the reputation with no basis. Look, if you like it, fine, but don't think that everyone who doesn't is an ignorant fool or doesn't know Paris, that's all.
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Old Jan 5th, 2012, 12:41 PM
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If anyone is looking for one of those completely unknown mom and pop, old-timey, hole in the wall Paris restaurants that absolutely no one has ever heard of then head to Chiméra Yakamoz at 10 rue Beauregard in the 2nd. It is a restaurant/salon de thé/book store/epicerie fine specializing in Turkish food. You might even catch some live music. It is literally like eating in grandma's living room, if grandma was running a combo book store/restaurant. I work part time at the bike store a few doors down and the crew heads there to eat sometime. Good food, good prices, good atmosphere and not a tourist in site (if that matters to you). I guarantee you a unique and authentic experience.
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Old Jan 5th, 2012, 03:23 PM
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My first trip to Paris included a stay at an apartment in the 2nd - near Rue Montorgueil, in the southernmost portion of the district. I'd agree Dave, it was a real gem, IMO. Our second trip we stayed in the 7th at DW's behest. I think we both liked the 2nd better. In fact, we actually left Rue Cler to shop at the poissonerie in Montorgueil when we stayed in the 7th, we found it more appealing, and cheaper!

I'm fine with the fact that "no one" goes or talks about it. Our next trip we'll stay in the 2nd again.
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Old Jan 5th, 2012, 05:36 PM
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2nd - near Rue Montorgueil, that really looked great to me so we booked in the 2nd. Our apartment is sweet and the price was fab. We are very laid back and don't care what is hip or the place to be. We just wanted something non-touristy.
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Old Jan 5th, 2012, 05:52 PM
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FrenchMystiqueTours, thanks for the tip on Chiméra Yakamoz.
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Old Jan 5th, 2012, 09:00 PM
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FMT - thanks for the suggestion. Putting on my to-eat list for Paris next time!
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Old Jan 6th, 2012, 04:45 AM
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Our experience is very similar to that of apersuader65. We rented in the 2nd on Blvd Sebastopol - a sweet 6th floor studio so no intrusive street noise - and loved it. The close proximity to Rue Montorgueil was a plus, It has become my favorite street in Paris (my photo of Rue Montorgueil titled "The Real Paris) is in the Fodor's France guide. The high point of each day was going down to Rue Montorgueil at 7:30 to watch the market come to life and pick up our morning breakfast together with some pastries for later at Stohrer's to bring back to the apartment. On the May day holiday we went to the hyped Rue Cler and it was mostly closed. Returned to a fully open Rue Montorgueil that was "jumpin'" It has every type and price class of resstaurant that one could want, loaded with interesting food shops and has good prices. That the 2nd is not a touristy area is a plus for us.

We agree with susanna that it is easy to walk to most anywhere from there and for those places where the walk is too long, the 2nd is well served with public transportation.
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Old Jan 6th, 2012, 04:48 AM
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I work in the second district in a lovely pedestrian street called rue saint Sauveur next to Montorgueil street and we even have one apartment for rent in the building http://www.private-homes.com/index.p...m.html?num_r=0
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Old Jan 6th, 2012, 05:42 AM
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Thanks for the tip on Chiméra Yakamoz. As a matter of fact I know exactly where it is because we stumbled on a cute ( and the cleanest ever!) Chinese place in Rue Thorel near the Bonne Nouvelle end. The food was good but it was so clean you could eat off the bathroom floor - and toilet facilities in Paris are some of the worst I've ever seen.
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