My first two trips to Paris were in spring months with warm to hot weather. I stayed in St. Germain both times, loved the hotels (Elysa Luxembourg and St. Paul) I stayed in, but this time I want to stay in a different neighborhood. I'll be there the second week of December. I'm thinking of the 7th, the Marais or Montparnasse. Which of these, or other neighborhoods in Paris, has a nice atmosphere during the pre-Christmas weeks? What's important to me is a choice of places to eat or have coffee, an area that is fairly safe to walk in at night and easy Metro access. Not so important would be nightlife (as in clubs, etc.) or big- time shopping. <BR>Any opinions? I've heard things like the wide boulevards in the 7th are lovely in warm weather but not during the winter, the Marais is claustrophobic in hot weather but cozy in the cold, etc. Thanks for your thoughts.

ttt

How about St. Germain -- in the 6th? Plenty of caf&eacute;s, bustling shoppers because of the boutiques and plenty of decorations -- not to mention churches.

topping

Well, seeing that you've already stayed in the 6th and are looking for something different, how about a Right Bank neighborhood? <BR><BR>The Marais might be good (except for the Jewish sections, which will not be decorated for Christmas). I bet Ile St. Louis is beautiful at Christmas time too.

Ooooops -- my bad <BR>I still vote for the 6th though. I don't remember a lot of decorations in the rue Cler area in December.

IMHO it would be the 8th. There are many shops and department stores there and they always seem to try to promote the CHristmas spirit and atmosphere. Try the 8th . You will like it.<BR>lynlor

Forget the 7th: it'll be even deader than usual, with all the bourgeois families leaving their avenue Rapp apartments to spend Xmas in the draughty family house in Saint Lunaire, Anne-Sophie and Guillaume wearing their grandpa's navy blue sweater. No, go for Le Marais, it's true that its winding streets really feel cosy in winter, it's closer to the action without being overwhelmed by it like in the Grands Boulevards area, and the smallish Jewish quarter will be as bustling as ever.

Thank you all very much for the replies received so far. <BR>I've done searches on hotels in the areas I'm thinking of, but I would like to hear of some personal favorites - anyone have comments? I would be looking at about $100US or so, a three-star probably. Also, are Parisian hotel rooms on the whole kept adequately heated in the winter? <BR>Thank you again.

I was going to suggest the Marais, also -- actually, the main Christmasy light streets are in the 8th and 1st, I think (ave Montaigne, Vendome, Champs-Elysees, St-Honore, Montorgueil) and there is usually a skating rink and carrousel near the Hotel de Ville. I read there were Christmas markets periodically during pre-Christmas on the Champs-Elysees (crafts from various places or countries' vendors) and a creche at Notre Dame. The Marais will be closer to this, anyway. They do individual street light decorations, also, and a lot of that in some of those small streets in St-Germain like rue Guisarde. Of course you have the dept store windows, also, and some other special shows or events on the Right Bank around Palais Royal, the Ile-St-Louis, HOtel de Ville.

topping, because I'm planning a similar trip!