2nd arr. St Saveur, montorgueil area
 

I have been to Paris a number of times and have always stayed in the marais. We like to rent apartments and I have been looking at a nice apartment on rue St. Saveur in the 2nd near montorgueil. It looks interesting and I have walked over that way during the day. A couple of posters have expressed concern about safety in the area at night. I know that Les Halles can be a little unnerving at night, having walked thru the area from St. Eustache, Au Pied Cochon to the marais. There were a number of men hanging around the garden area of Les Halles, which you definitely would not venture into. Now my question is, would St. Saveur be an interesting and relatively safe place to stay for a short stay in Paris?

Anyone? I would love to hear some feedback. Thanks

ttt

Hi,
I'm not familiar with that particular street, but I rather like that area of Paris. I love rue Montorgueil. I had a look on Pages Jaunes and rue St Saveur seems to be full of textile businesses and marketing/internet companies, which is pretty typical of the Sentier area. I suppose it depends which end of the street you'd be staying, as the end nearer rue St Denis (which is pretty sleazy) might feel less comfortable.

As you've said, les Halles can be a bit dodgy late at night, particularly round rue St Denis. But once you get towards St Eustache church (near Au Pied du Cochon, etc.) and the Montorgueil area, it's fine. Paris is such a mix of contrasts that you may find areas that are sleazy right next door to some of the smartest addresses in the city (like the street filled with prostitutes right behind the Galeries Lafayette in the Haussman district).

If you want to do a bit of background reading, try Almost French by Sarah Turnbull. As well as being a hilarious and very true account of life for a foreigner in Paris, much of it is set in and around rue Montorgueil. You might also want to watch the comic films La vérité si je mens (I and II) which are set in the Sentier district too.

I personally wouldn't stay in this area as a friend was mugged at the brasserie near on the corner on the same street of the Pied au Cochon.

Also, a woman had her bag snatched by roller blading thieves in the same area, in broad daylight!

Also, the gangs of young men around there during the night is off-putting. Also, Rue Montorgueil gets much quieter earlier at night which makes less desirable to walk around. Le Marais is safer at night and more livelier with people in cafes, restaurants and bars.

I'm in Paris at the moment and I went through the Les Halles, St Eustache and Montorgueil area the other night and found I preferred to head over to le Marais. St Saveur is just off Rue Montorgueil so you would still be in this area and at night it is not so desirable. Around this street it can be quite run down and filthy, especially when getting past St Eustache and St Denis.

Also Chatalet, just before Les Halles can be seedy at night with gangs of gypsies loitering about.

Just my observation, but staying in livelier and up-scale areas like Le Marais, St Germain des Pres will always guarantee a better time.

I appreciate all the replies. I'm thinking that location is much more important than the furnishings of the apartment. Seamus: I have contacted the owner of the apartment on Rue Mornay. I have probably seen every apartment on the internet and I have seen that website and know the area having walked around there before. The view looks wonderful. My only problem is we are going for 4 nights only. Perhaps they will consider renting to us. I also prefer the Marais and this apartment is right on the edge and easy walking. It looks good. Thanks