marly_g

Which neighborhood is best to stay in for a first time to Paris? We're a group of 4 in mid-late 20's staying for 6 nights.

Ive read some suggestions for Montmarte since it is more artsy and trendy but is it too far away from all the sights to see?

St. Germain area maybe? or something close to Seine?

We would like fun nightlife, close to cafes, and not too touristy.... but also able to see the main attractions

Thanks

Kathie

It really doesn't matter much which neighborhood you stay in. The metro will get you to any area of Paris very quickly. Every neighborhood has charming cafes and such.

kerouac

The Saint Germain ghetto and other central Paris areas are preferred by the blue-haired geriatrics and their wobbly husbands.

Young people do not need to be near the Seine since they have no problem getting around.

Christina

Parts of Montmartre are not particularly artsy nor trendy.

I'd suggest the 11th arrondisement (Bastille up to Oberkampf area) for your goals and age range, and it is closer in to things than Montmartre.

St Germain is a wealthy area and not hip/trendy for your age AFAIK.

Tabernash2

I suggest the Latin Quarter, given your age. It's a young vibe, with lively bars and restaurants. Easy to get anywhere in Paris from there, and walkable to Luxembourg Gardens, the U of Paris, and lots of other sites.

We stayed at the Hotel St Jacques:
http://hotel-saintjacques.com

Directly up the hill from the hotel was a fun bar on the corner, and a good restaurant, Le Petit Prince.

denisea

Come on Kerouac, no blue hair here and my husband gets around just fine!

I love the 6th however, you might take a look around the 10th and 11th in the areas near Canal St Martin., Republique and Oberkampf to catch more nightlife.

Agree with the above regarding Paris transportation. Both Metro and buses are easy to use and will get you where you need to go!

suze

1st, 4th, 5th, 6th.

Sure you can use public transportation to get around, but who wants to spend lots of time doing that when you only have a short time in Paris?

PalenQ

Yes I rarely take the metro in Paris and walk all around - central Paris is surprisingly compact, at least as main sights go. Montmartre is yes too remote for that.

PalenQ

It really doesn't matter much which neighborhood you stay in. The metro will get you to any area of Paris very quickly. Every neighborhood has charming cafes and such.>

this is so so true - with the possible except of the Bercy riverfront area environs on both sides of the Seine.

It's not like London IME where the center of tourist London is largely bereft of real local neighborhoods with some exceptions.

Dukey1

Sorry, but the Metro will not get you anywhere you want to go in a timely fashion depending on which Metro station you have to start out in.

Yes, the stations are everywhere; yes the ticket machines work; yes, the Metro got a great deal on staircases and there are plenty of them; yes, the trains are convenient, blah, blah, blah.

But sometimes getting to "those places everybody wants to see" is not as <B>fast</B> as you would like so I suggest looking at a Metro map when you pick a hotel if you are going to use it to get particular places.

And we just stayed in Paris a week or so ago and unless you enjoy spending lots of money I would avoid the area around the Vendome and go over there with those other blue hairs like Kerouac.

crefloors

I really liked the 14th. I was worried about it, but the way the districts spiral out from the center, we walked to the river, and the Louve in about 20 minutes, cutting through the 4th, and 7th I believe. It was a great area.

We say a lot of young people hanging out at some places on Blvd. Montparnasse.

The metro was very close, we had four stops within a five to ten minute walk and a bus line right across the street.

We were staying on Blvd. Raspail.

Whathello

If you are U.S. you must stay at St Germaine.
If you heard of RS you must stay at rue Cler.
From there take metro to the sights. There are sights everywhere so if you are close to one you are far from the others like sacre couer.

If you are French or did your homework you may go everywhere including close to sacre coeur or St Germain.
18 arrd would be my rec from young ones or Bastille area as mentioned.
Belleville in the 19 is often overlooked but a lot of fun. It is to be noted that hotels in the 18 or 19 will have much bigger rooms for the same price than in the 6th.
Enjoy Paris !

kawh

"blue hairs like st. germain"... ok. well, i sayed there on my first trip to europe... still like it

but this trip, i felt a strong new, cool vibe in the marais.

all in, though, i would look at a subway map and find the spot that's on a line with easy connections. in a big city, i generally go with a perfect subway stop combined with a fantastic hotel deal.

you might find this little article interesting

http://theculturetrip.com/europe/fra...oods-in-paris/

fuzzbucket

Montmartre is not trendy, and not artsy, either. It is picturesque, in some areas, but also full of tourists.

If you're interested in atmosphere, you should probably investigate the Latin Quarter. The architecture, small shops and general vibe will probably be what you're looking for. Look for hotels in the Postal Codes 75005 and 75006 - lots of inexpensive options.

The Marais has become tourist central, and many interesting shops and restaurants have changed - or disappeared altogether. The "cool" cafes and restaurants are overrun with English-speakers, which you might find aren't really that cool at all.

Though I would suggest staying in the Latin Quarter, you might enjoy wandering around in the 10th, 11th and 12th arrondissements. Not quite as nice to stay here, since these areas are pretty working-class and don't look like the Paris you seem to have in mind, but there's a lot to do which will probably interest you.