A friend of a friend offered to rent us her apartment in the 11th at Charronne and Voltaire for a great price in October, but it's my girlfriend's first time to Paris and she really wants to be in the center of everything (we were planning to stay in the 6th). Does anyone know what this neighborhood is like? we also want to be able to walk to places and i can't tell how far out it is. any info is appreciated.

Here is a map (not necessarily the best, but you'll get the picture) to look at with hotels on it. I think the Hotel Belle Epoque (#36) on this map is the closest to your location.

http://www.paris-tourism.com/map/index.html

As you'll see, it's right near Pere La Chaise cemetery & is in the Bastille area which is young and trendy. To see the outside of the building and the street, go to

pagesjaunes.com

which is the yellow pages, type in the exact address and you can see the outside of the building and do a virtual walk up and down the street. I think it would help people to advise you if you were willing to quote what the "great price" you've been offered is. There do seem to be several metro stops in the area. You might not be able to walk to everyhting, but you may get a very nice trip feeling more like locals than tourists.

She is offering her one-bedroom apartment (6th fl. in an elevator/concierge building ) for $850 (not euros) for a week. I would love to take it, but want to make we can still walk to everything. i haven't spent much time in that area. if we don't take the apartment, we will definitely stay in the 6th.

You can stay in a hotel for that price easily. Do you particularly want an apartment? There are pros and cons, especially for a week.

There are many people on this board who'd be better experienced than I in giving you advice, but, here's what I would do in your place until you get more feedback.

1. Do a text search here for 11th arrondisement (type it in the text box above & click find) Here's 1 old thread but there are many more
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...&tid=65430

2. Do a quick check on hotel prices in that neighborhood for comparison.

3. Do a quick check on apt. prices in an area you'd prefer to see exactly what kind of a bargain you're getting. If you're comparing hotel prices you've researched, you may be surprised. I'm not saying $850 isn't good.

4. Check out the pagesjaunes info. Evidently some of the streets in that area can be quite loud due to bars & clubs.

Good luck!

I would consider the apt. If you are under 30, it would an especially good fit since it is in a hip area. The Metro station "Charronne" is RIGHT AT the intersection where the apt. is. Metro will take you to the major tourist sites and Notre Dame is a one mile walk. The restaurants, cafes & clubs in your apt.'s neighborhood will not be overpriced like they can be in the more touristy areas. What's not to like?

So you get more replies, I'll answer, what's not to like

Since I can't tell whether you're male or female, will the bed size/ arrangement suit you? Have you asked what it is? After all it's not a hotel where you can change rooms.

Is there a loud bar/club below that will keep you awake?

Can you manage without a concierge/front desk to make rest. reservations, provide directions etc.?

Are you willing to do without daily maid service?

I don't think there's any magic in staying in the 6th, but I do think that before you rush to accept this offer, you should know what your options are. You don't really need a 1 bedroom apt and might prefer a studio in a more central location or a hotel room with services.

I suggest you go to venere.com which has a good map by arrondisements and lists apts and hotels and prices. You don

That is actually an up-and-coming trendy area, young, hip, etc. However, that doesn't mean that is best for a first-timer to Paris given its location. There's nothing wrong with it, but that section is not going to seem as charming or exciting as some other parts of Paris and may be a disappointment. You cannot walk to everything from there, that's for sure. I doubt if there's anything you'll want to walk to from there (except local cafes, etc.)--Pere Lachaise is the closest "attaction" that I can think of. Even place de la Bastille is probably more than a mile from there.

It is true that staying in the 6th means more is within walking distance, I guess, but I still would probably take the metro a lot even in the 6th. It's hard to judge, but from the things you say, I suspect you would be better off elsewhere, especially since your girlfriend wants to be in the center of everything. Some of the 11th can be a little gritty, and just not what she is probably wanting from Paris.

You don't really describe that apt. very well except that it is a one bedroom and there's an elevator. It could be you can get something fairly similar for not much more, although the 6th is very expensive, unless this apt is quite large and very nice. I personally suspect she is making a lot of money at that rate for an apt. in that area.

I agree with Christina. Other than the cemetary(which is cool), there's nothing there that's really touristy.
I paid $703 U.S. for a week in a hotel AND airfare, so you can get cheeper lodging.