"Best arrondissement" -- the concept makes me laugh. For some people, it is the closest one to the Eiffel Tower, for others it is the closest to the Champs Elysées or the Louvre. Some people want the most elegant arrondissement, some want the most picturesque and some even want the cheapest. You can find anything you want in Paris, just as you can spend from 20€ to 5000€ a night for a hotel.

Our first time in Paris, we stayed in the 18th arrondissement.
The metro took us everywhere and at nite we went to the Sacre Coeur.

thanks mms. appreciate hearing that. yeh, as much as it sounds like everyone has their own preference. i guess nothing like experiencing, then learning. ultimately, as long as we are near a metro, it'll be just fine to get where we need to get to.

Here are a few hotel ideas (though I too like the apt. option):

http://www.hoteldenesleparis.com/ Within budget - excellent locagtion, right across the river from the Louvre.

http://www.saintpierre-hotel.com/uk/index.html
Within budget - good location midway between St. Sulpice metro and Luxembourg Gardens.

http://www.hotelgrandsbalcons.com/
Within budget - good location midway between Odéon metro and Luxembourg Gardens.

greyhavns--So true, as long as you are near a metro you will be fine. On our first trip our children were ages 7 and 10, and even staying in the 14th we didn't feel like it was too far out or too much of a hassle. The great thing about wherever you stay is that you will find restaurants etc that you love and will go back to again and again. We found a gem on that first trip and I have never mentioned it here as it is a locals place. I am very much looking forward to being near it again. Just remember, read all the threads and then when you are there, don't worry too much about it. You may or may not hit places mentioned here, but you will pave your own path:)

bardo1, your recommendation for hotel grands balcons was just too good to pass up. breakfast INCLUDED?!?!! we booked this evening. please await our review, hehe. here we come paris!

shucks. breakfast not included. still cheaper at least per night.

My theory...when offered breakfast at a hotel, I turn it down. I can do better by going to a nearby cafe.

I remember one morning seeing the hotel staff of my hotel coming back from the nearby cafe with a bag of croissants and the like, for serving to their guests...and wondering what kind of mark up they would charge for something I could just as easily do.

I couldn't agree more with Michel_Paris about breakfast! 9 times out of 10 your hotel breakfast will be in the 'cave'... which is the basement of the building!

I cannot imagine eating breakfast in Paris in a cellar when I could be sitting outside in a cafe with all of Paris passing by for me to watch! ;^)

very true. i thought though it was included, so the price was so attractive. but granted now that i know it's optional, we definitely will be visiting the local cafe for our breakfast. any favorites on a budget nearby the odeon?

I agree...the hotel breakfast is one to skip.

We stayed right by the Odeon stop a few months ago...we walked to Gerard Mulot for pastries every morning. There are several great little places around for breakfast that have good food. Try les editeurs, Le Danton or Le Comptoir. They are all right there. I think two pain au chocolat at Gerard Mulot were 3 or 3.5 euros. There is a small grocery store down the street from Mulot that has fruit and bottled drinks (or you can do what my husband did and get coffee at Starbucks...I couldn't stop him..he's an addict). Starbucks is right across from the Odeon stop on St Germain.

just bookmarked all those cafes. we will try them all. thanks denisea. um, do you remember any great affordable restaurants in the same area?

There isn’t a ‘best’ arrondissement, it is personal. I think I am most sympatico with the replies of Michael_Paris, St. Cirq and Kerouac. It seems that you have decided on the Hotel Grandes Balcons, a good area, a good price. I would have breakfast in the hotel (since it’s included), but then have coffee at a café, much, much more enjoyable!

My favorites in the immediate area, (breakfast, lunch or dinner), modest budget:

1. Cafe le Conti, Café le Conti, 1 rue de Buci, Paris 6th, http://untourist.net/2010/02/18/food...ance-le-conti/
The 6th was not at all my preferred area, but it was only a half hours walk from my studio. One day I arrived mid day, starving, and enjoyed their generous house salad, warm goat cheese with apple and greens, and bread. It was delicious and inexpensive, 9E. The location of the café is exceptional, at the crossroads of several streets, rue Dauphine, rue Mazarine, and rue de Buci…each worth an individual walk and exploration….all led to the Seine. I returned there often and one of my favorite walks was along rue Dauphine, with a very good bookshop, Le Couleur du Temps. There is a sociable ‘cafe dog’ who became friends with all of us, and draped himself carelessly over the sidewalk onto the street…all cars took note of him and veered considerately.


2. Café des Editeurs, http://www.lesediteurs.fr/

3. Les Trois Mailletz, http://www.lestroismailletz.fr/

4. The boat, Paris 5th. It was moored at Quai de la Tournelle, on the west side of the Seine and facing Ile de la Cite and Ile Saint Louis. They offered coffee, drinks and the 3 meals of the day. Their prices were surprisingly low. I loved to have breakfast here, or, a late night drink, and watch the boats passing by, loving the flow of the river, and looking at the two islands. Very special.





4. The two cafes on the Ile Saint Louis, looking at the back of Notre Dame.

Great thread - noting this for next year,

greyhavens, we stayed there and loved it. I agree optional breakfast is the best way to go. However I thought the breakfast buffet there was very good with a wide choice and it is in a nice little room on the ground floor NOT in a basement. We ate there a couple of times but most days we chose to eat at nearby cheaper cafes ( can't remember the names unfortunately). I think you will enjoy the hotel and the area. Have fun!

Stay in the 6th close to the river or to the Luxembourg Gardens.

Meant to say at the north side of the gardens, St. Sulpice area.

greyhavens...les editeurs does have good food , a good mix of local favorites or a few classics that are probably meant for tourists like onion soup or croque monsieur but are delicious, Le Comptoir (if you can get in) has terrific food; the food at Le Danton always looked good, but we only had drinks or coffee there; Marco Polo is good if you are up for Italian; the little place next to Le Comptoir (L'Avant Comptoir) is also good for a huge crepe or appetizers.

Check my T/R...Christmas in Paris was Fantastic (links to food photos to see)...might help you

greyhavns, you made a good choice for a first time visitor. We stayed in the same hotel years ago on our 3rd or 4th trip to Paris. You'll enjoy its' proximity to the Luxembourg Gardens, St. Sulpice and all the evening fun of the 6th and 5th arrondisements!! Have a great trip. Deborah

There are a couple of cafe/brasseries on Ile St Louis. The Brasserie de L'Ile St Louis was a place I had seen often and wanted to try. It is located just across the bridge from Ile de la Cite. An outdoor table gave me views of the back of Notre daem, the bridge and the people (and musicians if any playing) and the top of the Pantheon in the distance. I had a faux-fillet, mineral water, glass of wine, ice cream desert. Spent of leisurely couple of hours there. the other brasserie is just across the street.


When we stayed at the Hotel Notre Dame (Quai St Michel, top floor 3 person room, views of Notre Dame) we used to cross the bridge to Ile de la Cite and eat breakfast at the Cafe that is located in front of the entrance to the Palais de Justice, as you walk towards Notre Dame. Patio eating.