I'm at work, but thought I'd pop on to check out the forums.

Leely2, we have narrowed it down to two.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p69458

or

http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p419879

It really will depend on if one of them will get back to me soon. If not, Monday I am booking the other one.

Can talk more later! Thanks for the offer, gracejoan3, I might have to take you up on it!

BurritoWoman

I love the 2 arrondisement! One thing that will shock you is the number of Japanese restaurants in the area. But it adds to a quite unique, not-the-usual tourist spot atmosphere.

Please, please investigate the covered passages in the area, including the Passaig du St Anne, one of my favorite hideaways in Paris. They'll be great especially if you get cold weather, but even if you don't.

Also, check out the prices before you sit down, but Le Grande Colbert restaurant in the 2e is about as classic French as it gets, with reliably good French food.

Have a lot of fun.

nmweaver, I said not a single derogatory thing about your preferences. I tried to make Burrito Woman aware of the limitations of the 7e. I'm not sure you wouldn't enjoy staying where I stay -- unless you don't like walking!

burritowoman: I understand you're interested in the 7th. I would keep in mind that during the time of year you're there, the temperature will hover just above freezing. See here: http://www.climatetemp.info/france/paris.html

Also, the daylight hours will be short, around 8.5 hours total daylight. See here: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldcloc...&afl=-11&day=1

You may want to keep these two items in mind when selecting your apartment, at least from the standpoint of amount of time outside.

We went in Feb. 2006, short days, cool weather (39-42 F) and walking outside alot was not real comfortable. Given the metro system, you can be anywhere rather fast, so whether or not you're in a touristy area really is irrelevant. We stayed in ID1 from VIP. It was nothing fancy, but the price was not to be beaten, and the location was great. Montorgueil market at the end of the street, Chatelet/Les Halles Metro was three minutes away, Louvre (walking) around 7 min.

We enjoyed our trip, and literally only slept there at night and woke up and made breakfast before we left. Here's a link: http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_01.htm

Good luck and enjoy!

BW,
Well, I've been trying to steer clear of the 7th vs. every other arrondissement debate, but will finally weigh in.....We've stayed in a flat on rue des Petits Champs (across from Passage Choiseul) and found the neighborhood to be extremely busy during the work day. In fact, much busier than the ET area of the 7th, which we much prefer. This part of the 2nd is very much an office area, so there's a significant 9 - 5 crowd and therefore very busy lunch spots and dead at night. Also the area around the Opera Garnier is quite crowded. As Zeppole noted, there's a large Japanese presence in this area, so lots of sushi and noodle restos. Of course, you're also nearby the gardens of the Palais Royal, which are really a treasure. That said, Paris is an easy city to navigate, and you can turn almost any corner of it into your "home away from home". There are always good boulangeries and cafes to discover in each neighborhood, and that is half the fun. The other half is planning - Enjoy.

Leely, we're planning another trip to Paris in May, how about you?

Joan, I'm looking forward to reading your fall Paris report, and hopefully meeting in May.
EJ

Hi Tod,
A little different this year. I was there mid April-mid May for a month and now for 6 weeks first of Nov. to middle of Dec. I think I may go back for a month mid Feb - mid March, too. I have plans for the month of May, but may change it.

I had a short trip, 12 days the first half of Dec. last year. A CA friend joined me. We really had a great time. I'm sure you followed our trip report and pictures!

I will be in "my" area, as usual. It is just so convenient to everything and so abundant with everything I like and need. Most of us who have been going for some time rarely use the Metro..the buses are so very convenient..no up and down stairs. The 42, 69,80 and 87 are steps away and I can jump on/off them at will with my Navigo Decouverte. Walk and/or ride at will..be anyplace in minutes!

The daylight hours are short..it may be grey and chilly. The evening walk across the pont Alma and along ave Montaigne to Rond Point with all the Christmas decorations is special!

I'm sure Burrito Woman will enjoy wherever she decides to stay.

a bientot..

Joan

Thanks to those of you who posted restaurant recs, great to have. Zeppole, you sound quite familiar w/the city.

BW: Here's a link to walking tours in Paris, if you're interested. Typically, 2-hour walks.

http://www.paris-walks.com/

Abby G.