Apartment on Rue Mouffetard - too noisy?
 

I tried to get an apartment with the Hotel Relais Bosquet in the 7th for June of September and it was fully booked - I was disappointed since I really wanted to stay in the 7th.

Parisbestlodge.com didn't have any apartments in the 6th district, which was my second choice - apparently, I should have been booking these apartments when I was 16 :)

So, I found a link here to private-paris.com, which lead me to a studio apartment on Rue Mouffetard(not sure of the exact date). I believe it's on the 3rd floor and is within my budget - 110-120 euros a day.

So, since I originally wanted to stay in either the 7th/6th, I'm very hesitant to stay in the 5th. Although we are in our mid-20's, we are by no means clubbing people, and we tend to enjoy quieter areas.

Will the Rue Mouffetard be very busy/noisy even at night? I realize there that is a street market, so the day time would be busy. Is the street and surrounding areas very touristy, or is it actually more residental?

I've never been to the 5th, and although it is a very nice apartment, I'm not sure if the area will suit us.

If anyone else has rec's for other apartments in the 7th or 6th, please let me know!

It probably won't be all that noisy at night (though there are dozens of restaurants on that street), but it's sure to be noisy very early in the morning when the market vendors set up.

It's a neat area, but I wouldn't rent an apartment ON that street.

Thanks StCirq - I was totally wrong... the apartment is on the 1st floor, and is 30 meters from the Place de la Contrescarpe - is the entire street part of the market, or just certain parts?

Place de la Contrescarpe is at the foot of the street, if I'm correct (sorry - I'm just looking at an old painting I have of Place de la Contrescarpe, not referring to anything modern). If memory serves, the market sort of peters out down at that end, but there are definitely stalls there (in the painting, at least - sorry, I'm in my office and that painting hangs on the wall near me). Perhaps someone who's stayed in this area more recently can be a more reliable source of info than me and my painting....

The rue Mouffetard market street is away from Pl. de la Contrescarpe. If it's by Pl. de la Contrescarpe it's a good area. I think there is an apt. building I walked past nearby, but I don't remember the street it's on. Not sure if that's the place you will be renting.

Place de la Contrescarpe is at the top of rue Mouffetard. The market end of the street is at the bottom. I stayed in an apartment just a couple blocks from there last year and will be staying in another one (also from private-paris.com, by the way) a few blocks away next month.

I really like the neighborhood, which has lots of interesting restaurants, bars, and cafes. I can't speak to the issue of noise but I myself would not hesitate to stay near the place de la Contrescarpe. It is my favorite neighborhood in Paris (so far).

Ooops, so much for relying on a painting! It's at the opposite end, aparently. Listen to Nikki - I'm no expert on this area of Paris.

Thanks guys... Nikki - how was your experience with private paris? I'm always a little hesitant about giving so much money for a deposit...did the finacial aspects work out well with this company?

Anna, I haven't stayed there yet. Hoping for the best.

Thanks Nikki - I hope everything go well also. I remember someone actually using this website - just topping in case they see it.

topping

I stayed in an apt. a few blocks from there a couple years ago. Mouffetard isn't exactly super-touristy (there are some tourists in daytime, but nothing like around the Seine), but it doesn't make any difference because it's a very busy market street, and is also very busy at night because of some cheap restaurants and some bars. Some of the cafes around place Contrescarpe cater to a younger crowd, and I think some biker guys hang around one of them to some extent.

I would not want to be right near it in an apt., that's for sure. I would think an apt. that overlooked rue Mouffetard in that area would be very noisy at night (in fact, it's probably quieter at the end closer to the church where the market is).

I think you are confused about the market. Rue Mouffetard is a permanent market street. What that means is there are all kinds of food, coffee, wine, cheese, bakeries, etc. shops on that street. It also has some restaurants, and there are some cafe/bars right around place Contrescarpe. Aside from that, there is a roving market that sets up at the bottom of rue Mouffetard in the morning for fresh fruits, vegetables, etc. That's down near the church -- the opposite end from Contrescarpe. On top of that, there is a roving market that sets up at place Monge a couple days a week which has mainly food, although some textile and other items.

I really like that area and it's so convenient for shops and everything. It's not clubbing type of busy. 30 meters isn't very far from place Contrescarpe, and on the first floor-- I don't know if I'd rent that even though I like the area. I would want to know if it looked out on Contrescarpe or had windows on the inside on a courtyard or something.

I could be wrong, but someone rented an apt or studio on Mouffetard and posted a trip report on here, and I think they really liked the apt. I think you can search for that post, maybe it might be the same one or some alternative for you.

I found a couple of the posts I was thinking of, you should read them to see what they say about the apartments and noise.

One was by vivi dated 6/14/05 and she rented VRBO 55848 on Mouffetard. You can find that post by typing "mouffetard and studio" in the search box (without the quotes).

The other one was by amwosu (9/3/05) who rented an apt on Mouffetard through private-paris.com Not sure if either of these are yours. You can find that thread by typing "mouffetard and amwosu" in the search box.

Christina,

Thanks for the info - I'm glad you have some experience with the 5th district. From some of the posts above, someone thought the area near Place de la Contrescarpe would be quieter at night.

We would be two young women, so I'm not sure about staying in a place near bars with lots of guys hanging outside.

That part of Rue Mouffetard is like a regular (albeit narrow) street. It gets gated off from (most) car traffic farther down the hill. (Although it's not like it's this big long street...) I do not recall any market stands up that high on the street.

It's a great street! Place Contrascarpe has some restaurants and cafes etc, and is generally a fun hang out spot. There is a nice internet point and my favorite restaurant, La Truffiere, nearby - both on Rue Blainville. Look for reviews on here for La Truffiere (and bring lots of $$$).

Rue Mouffetard has a couple of nice grocery stores, wine shops, tons of great take out food, and a good assortment of bakeries, cheese, butcher shops, and, of course, produce stands. Lots of great cafes to sit at and a very convenient Metro stop.

If you are worried about noise (and being that low could be noisy) bring ear plugs! Make sure the apt has air conditioning that works. When we were in Paris this past June it hit 100F and it felt super hot. That might not be normal - but I would not have wanted to have to sleep with open windows on the first floor (which you realize is like our second floor - right?).

Let us know if you take it!

I think you'll love the 5th. It's fabulous.

By the way, I think any noise will be mostly from people, not vehicles.

Did you check out the apartment revies on slowtrav.com? Definitely do that, if you haven't already.

wliwl,

Did you mean slowtrav had reviews about this particular apartment, or just apartments in general?

Just reviews in general - I did look, but didn't see any for that agency.

Here is what I posted in June after my 8 day stay right on rue Mouffetard:

VRBO # 55848

The building was just wonderful, very old with a large cobblestone courtyard. Huge, wooden doors from the bustling market street opened into the serene interior of this massive building.

There are several VRBOs listed in this building, mine was studio #2. It was impeccable but very small, I was alone and was thinking it may be too small for 2 people. The sofa bed was extremely comforatble and very easy to use. The apartment had a washer/dryer (new but confounding), stovetop, micro, fridge, HDTV, DVD, VCR, stereo, internet access. Also an elevator! The ceilings had wooden timbers on them and must have been over 15 feet high. The huge long windows looked out onto rue Mouffetard which was very noisy but in a pleasant way- lots of people talking and shopping. The studio is directly over a creperie and you must enjoy the smell of crepes 18 hours a day to stay here! There was a schoolyard across the street and the kids were really loud at recess.

I loved the building, the location. Two blocks to Place Monge Metro, about 4 to Cardinal Lemione. Pantheon very nearby.

I would probably recommend a quieter unit in the same building, though. The noise didn't really bother me but some people may find it tiresome to be right above all night street party every night. It looked like many of the units faced the quiet courtyard, mine did not.

The transaction was effortless, the owner met me there upon arrival and again at 6:30AM on the AM of departure.