14th or 18th arr. Which would u choose?
 

Hi everyone! Need your help again on choosing an apartment for our 4 nights in Paris next June.

We found very cute and well-located Marais studio apartments, but I've run across a lovely 1-bedroom in the 14th. Discussed it with DH and he's not opposed to staying there, even though it would require use of the metro or RER to get to major sites (Notre Dame, Louvre, Eiffel Tower, etc.).

So, I got to thinking about all the wonderful apartments I've run across in the 18th. From my research, I've fallen in love with the Monmartre area, but had ruled it out in favor of something in the 3rd, 4th, or 5th.

But, if we're willing to stay in the 14th, why not the 18th?

By the way. The place in the 14th is 2-3 minutes walk to the RER and three Metro stops (Denfert-Rochereau, Saint-Jacques & Alesia)

I've stayed in apartments in the 14th (near Alesia) and liked it. I didn't find taking the Metro to be a hassle - except when it was warm out. I was there this past June and on a couple of occasions the Metro was fairly hot and stuffy.

I've never stayed in the 18th, but I'm sure they'll be other posters who can help you with that.

I guess my first question would be why choose to stay away from all the sights you intend to see ? Why not stay in close proximity to those sights, so you can walk to (many of)them ? What are the advantages to staying in the 14th or 18th ? Or better yet, the disadvantages ?

The advantages are: 1) I was able to easily visit tourist attractions but also felt that I visited a non-touristy part of Paris - that I had a little taste of living in a regular neighborhood. I would go to sites such as the Eiffel Tower and hear lots of people speaking English (and various European languages) but would go back to the 14th and everybody was speaking French.
2) It's less expensive.

The disadvantages are: 1) It takes a little longer to get to the tourist sites - maybe 20 minutes? and 2) The Metro is crowded during rush hour and must turn into a sauna in July and August. 3) Very, very few people speak English which can be a bit of a challenge if you don't speak any French.

The two areas are quite different. If you were to stay in Montmartre, it might be important to know whether the place is on one of the steep streets or not -- this can be both more picturesque and more exhausting.

Thanks y'all. It's especially nice to hear from someone who has lodged in the 14th.

After reading posts about the advantages to staying outside of the prime tourist areas, I figured the 14th would be less crowded, a bit more of every-day Paris life and (crossing fingers) less expensive than the lower number districts.

The disadvantage would be having to rely on modes other than our feet to get to some of the sites we want to visit. So, if we opt for a place in the 14th or 18th, or some other higher number arr., the proximity to Metro stops is key. Aside from the heat Shanti mentioned, I think taking the subway and bus would be great as I enjoyed it in Moscow and more recently in Montreal.

Kerouac - Other than asking the owner and using mappy, how can I find out if a street is a steep one?

Ask me, if you know the street address. I live in the 18th.

CDG - We stayed in an apartment in the 18th last year. It is a decision we did not regret. This year we are staying in the 17th.

Here is a link to my blog with pictures about your very question. The pages before and after might help you as well.

http://tinyurl.com/2ke4k2

kerouac - thanks so much. the ones i'm interested in are located at 74 rue Lamarck, 89 rue des Martyrs
and a couple on avenue Junot.

robjame - wow. i'm so hungry now after seeing your fabulous foodie pics.

All of those addresses are "in the hills". Rue Lamarck might be the closest to a metro station (Lamarck-Caulaincourt). Meanwhile, avenue Junot is the most chic street of the entire 18th arrondissement and rivals the 6th and the 16th for real estate prices. While most of the 18th arrondissement votes about 65% Socialist, the district in which avenue Junot is located is the one and only district that votes for the right. It is quite far from any metro station because those people do not take the metro.

Thanks kerouac. We'll keep the hills in mind. Probably wouldn't take an apt. on Junot as being close to Metro stops is a must. Enjoyed reading the tid-bit of demographic info. I'm still searching for the best place for us...

Kerouac, would you be able to tell me how steep Rue Charles Nodier is? We will be staying there in December and my mother (in her late 70's) will be with us. She is very fit and agile. However, if this is a very steep area, I will factor this into our plans and allow extra time for walking to and from the metro (not just for my mother - for all of us!)

Also, would Anvers be the best metro stop for us to use?

Ozzie - You're going to stay in 'my' apartment! :-) I had my eyes on that months ago before we even started serious planning/research. I love Paris Vacation Apartments, but the week-long minimum puts it out of reach for us, this time. Can't wait to hear your review of the place when you return. Have a fantastic time with your mom.

M:Anvers is good for going to the Arc de Triomphe or Pere Lachaise...
M:Chateau Rouge is good for going to Gare du Nord, around rue Montorgueil/Pompidou, St Michel, St Germain, Montparnasse...

Rue Charles Nodier is fine, because it is just around the edge of the Sacré Coeur gardens and therefore at the bottom of the hill.

I had a friend who had a studio apartment on that street, on the 6th floor of one of the buildings, and the view was absolutely breathtaking. It looked like the Sacré Coeur was trying to crawl into the apartment.

CDG, thanks so much for your good wishes. I hope you have a wonderful holiday too. I'll definitely post a review when we get back. I am actually renting both the Paris Vacation Apartments rentals in that building - the two bedroom for my family, and the studio apartment for my Mum.

Kerouac, thank you for the information on the layout of Rue Charles Nodier, and for the beautiful description of your friend's studio apartment. My Mum will be staying in a studio apartment on the 6th floor of 12 Rue Charles Nodier, so I hope she has a similar view - it will make her week extra special.