2nd or 7th In Paris for an apartment
 

Hi there,

I'm stuck deciding between 2 apartments for 1 week stay (first time visitors).

what are your thoughts?

http://www.vacationinparis.com/parapt/64.htm

(in the Quartier Montorgueil)

OR

http://www.VacationInParis.com/parapt/class.htm

(near Rue Cler)

I need to make a decision today and would appreciate any insights as far as safety/shopping/location, etc.

Thanks

Karen

or

The 7th, while nice & residential, usually feels a bit too sleepy for me, even with Rue Cler's street market. I used to have a flat on Rue Mandar, so I'm kind of biased towards the one in the Montorgueil quarter. The flat itself (if it's on Rue Saint-Saveur as the title page implies) is centrally-located & the area is mostly vehicular-traffic free. IMO, it's quite safe. You would be walking distance to many sites that may be of interest to a first-time visitor, such as the Louvre, the Pompidou Centre.

I think both areas are safe and of course, very central -- you can see that on a map. I prefer rue Montorgueil for shopping myself, I think it has a lot better shops and cafes and people and just stuff than rue Cler. However, you should find things in both areas with no problems.

That's a tough one because neither apt. really looks wonderful, but the living room of the one on St Dominique in particular looks uncomfortable and small(eg, not even a coffee table and no reading lights). Do you have size measurements of these apt rooms? I'd really want to know that myself. I also am suspicious of missing photos (eg, no bathroom photo of the one on St Dominique). I'd also want to know where the TV is in that apt (this is personal, I don't like it when it's only in the bedroom).

OTOH, the one in Montorgueil has a bedroom photo that suggests the room is no larger than the bed (I'll bet, that's why they don't show anything but the bed) and it is a 3rd floor walkup -- that doesn't bother me so much as I often walk up 2-3 flights even when there is an elevator.

I don't know -- I guess I'd go for Montorgueil because I like that area better and it is more convenient to the metro. However, to be honest, I suspect *most* first time visitors would prefer the 7th area, and my honest advice therefore is you should take that. that is assuming there isn't any size or amenities considerations that tilts the decision.

I vote for Montorgueil.

Have you decided?

If not, take a look at this one. Fabulous location, about the same price as those listed above, 790E a week. It's a studio, but has a balcony with french doors.

http://opodohome.com/notredame5_uk.htm

Zoecat,
Both areas are interesting and pretty safe.You will probably love either one as they are both close to the Seine, however they are decidedly different. The 7th is much more upscale residential with the area bordering the Champ de Mars and Les Invalides inhabited by the upper crust of Paris, thus there are the profusion of quality restaurants and shopping areas that they frequent. The r.Montorgueil area especially around the Les Halles area is much more "down and dirty". It is filled with young party seekers, street performers, and a higher incidence of pickpockets. There is an abundance of restaurants and shops catering to restaurant and kitchenware needs, and the night life is much more exhuberant. As pointed out earlier, the 3rd floor in France means a climb of 3 flights of stairs, which may or not be a problem/blessing. The distances in Central Paris are not great; you can walk fairly easily from the 2nd to the 7th arr., especially if you can carry luggage up 3 flights of stairs. If you are young,love the buzz of the night life,, and on a budget you may prefer the 2nd, if you are a little older and prefer the open blvds,green space and quiet nights probably the 7th.

Thanks so much to everyone who replied with their thoughts.

To answer the question of Christina: the Apt in the 7th is 35 sq mtrs and the Apt in the 2nd is 40 sq. mtrs. Not much difference. I realize that neither of them is extremely 'posh' but I'm not planning on spending much time there. For me it was all about location, and for the price I liked this one much better than the more upscale Paris Perfect 160 sq ft studio which was also available (I think that's a bit too cramped).

The lady I've been dealing with at vacationinparis has been extremely helpful, and the apartment in the 2nd is a brand new listing, so she couldn't tell me too much, and there weren't any reviews from previous customers. The living room/kitchen area looked like a long hallway.

In the end I did decide on the apartment in the 7th (and am glad I did after the comments made by 'laidback'.) Although we're in our 30's, I'm not into the 'young down and dirty party scene' any more. Our college days are long over LOL.

If we want nightlife, we can always visit it, etc.

I'd prefer to sleep in a quiet neighbourhood near upscale restaurants.

I think for our purposes we've made the right decision.

Karen

The Montorgueil area and surroundings can be very unpleasant at night, near Les Halles expescially. Most times you need to go through Les Halles to get to this area.

Would rather recommend the 7th.

I think you made a good choice. For those who may be considering, I think the 3rd floor walkup was defined in American terms, not French, as that web site is run by an American. I really wondered about the size as I thought you might use that to decide yourself if you didn't have the info. That isn't very large at all for a one bedroom apt, but should be okay if you don't expect a lot. I agree the 160 sq ft would not be something I'd even book as that is just the size of one big room. I think the hotel room I usually stay in is that big. I know what you mean about the Montorgueil one kind of seeming long and narrow--the 7th is a more upscale area, I agree. It probably isn't too far to LaTOur Mauberg metro stop from that apt so that's not too bad. There is the 96 bus that runs along rue St Dominique towards St Germain (turns north around rue de bac, I think) and that may be convenient for you, although my experience with that bus is that the schedule can be erratic. Maybe I had bad luck but once I had to wait 45 min. for it.

Thanks again for your replies. I am feeling REALLY good about my decision after hearing from Stephanie as well.

Karen