13th District Paris
 

My husband and I are going to Paris the middle of October and will be staying at the Comfort Inn in Massena which is in the 13th District for 5 nights. Should I have any concerns about the 13th District? We will be on a bus tour with Cosmos. Should I have any concerns about that?

I haven't been on a Cosmos tour, so don't know about that. As for the location, I wouldn't worry about it, it's just on the very edge of Paris near some main large streets and highways, so I don't think you are going to be spending any time around your hotel in particular, there's nothing there to do. Luckily, it's not too far from a metro stop so you'll just have to travel a bit to do your sightseeing. That isn't an older, charming part of Paris but it's not far from Chinatown, if you're interested -- just walk a bit NW up av d'Ivry or Choisy for that.

Let's say it's just a "normal" Parisian neighborhood, so at least you'll be able to live as the locals with hardly any tourists. But it's not that bad: it's quiet, safe, close to the metro (Porte d'Ivry, a convenient line, 10-15 minutes to the latin quarter, direct to Chatelet, Le Louvre, Opera, grands magasins), there is a great market on rue Jeanne d'Arc, the aforementioned Chinatown, plus you are within walking distance to the new National Library, which faces the best park in Paris, the brand new Bercy gardens on the right bank.

We stayed in the 13th but only for one night. At that time we weren't familiar with the various arrondisements and booked the cheapest air/hotel package with British Air. Therefore, our hotel was located in the 13th dist. The hotel room was clean but charmless and tiny. But it was okay. We didn't stay because we found the location too far away from most of the sights and being our first time there, we wanted to be closer to the museums, Eiffel Tower, etc. However, we found the area to be safe and it is a typical Parisian working-class neighborhood. There are many various stores and restaurants especially Chinese/Vietnamese types as the Chinatown in located there.

Thanks so much for the info guys. I was starting to get a little nervous about the 13th. Can anybody tell me something positive about Cosmos bus tours?