syuonthedot

Hi everyone,

I'm planning a 3 days 2 nights trip to Paris this coming spring and this will be my first visit to Paris.
Which arrondissement should I stay?

As this will be my first visit to Paris, I would like to stay at an area/arrondissement which has the best feeling of Paris, which shows the charm of Paris, the feeling of French. I would love to see all of these! I would love to see the real Paris!

I have done some research. Most people voted for Saint Germain (6th arrondissement), Latin Quarter (5th arrondissement) and Le Marais (3th/4th arrondissement).

Some said these are too touristy. Some also prefer Montmartre (18th arrondissement).

Hope all of you can advice and give suggestions. Thank you

sparkchaser

Unless you sequester yourself in some ghetto and experience a side of Paris you weren't planning on experiencing, you're gonna encounter tourists.

My vote s Latin Quarter or Saint Germain.

Gretchen

You are a tourist. There is nothing wrong with that. And those arrondisements have a lot of Parisians who live there also!! LOL And they are fun and vibrant, lots going on, places to eat/drink. You have a very short time. Don't sweat being a tourist!!

mamcalice

We recommend St. Germaine and always stay there. Don't choose Montmartre with only 2 nights in Paris - it is out of the way and will take you longer to get to the destinations you want to see in central Paris. Your visit is very short so stay in a central area to avoid wasting time by having to travel back and forth.

Dukey1

I would say either somewhere in the 4th, 5th, or 6th...that way you can be surrounded by all those STEREOTYPICAL views you've seen of Paris. Of course, not everything (such as the Eiffel Tower is located IN those places so you'll have to venture out a bit.

I agree with Gretchen: you ARE a tourist, you are NOT going to "fit in" and why would you want to since you don't live there?

FrankS

Remember these are tourists from all over the world, and mostly other European countries. I doubt most Americans can distinguish a Croatian tourist from a Frenchman. Even when I stayed at the Sofitel around the corner from the US Embassey full of foreign diplomats, it never felt 'touristy.' With just 3 days, you might want to be closer to the sites & stay in the 1st 5th or 6th, otherwise I found the 15th my favorite outer district.

sparkchaser

<i>I doubt most Americans can distinguish a Croatian tourist from a Frenchman.</i>

Their socks.

adrienne

<< I would love to see the real Paris! >>

All of Paris is real. There's no one area that has the best feeling.

Stay in the 4-6 arrondissements to be convenient to sights. You're in Paris such a short time I can't imagine that you'll spend much time in your hotel room. Don't obsess about location.

<< Some said these are too touristy. >>

What does it matter? Only you can judge if the areas are "too" touristy for you and stay some place else next time.

FrankS

I doubt most Americans can distinguish a Croatian tourist from a Frenchman.

Their socks.<<

Thats the number one way to ID a first time American visitor, next to the shorts, sneakers and lack of umbrella

sparkchaser

Accurate.

IMDonehere

Thats the number one way to ID a first time American visitor, next to the shorts, sneakers and lack of umbrella
_______
And we all look like we were from the Duck Dynasty and say, "Bonjewer, mansewer."

syuonthedot

Hi everyone,
Thank you so much for your advice and suggestion. Really appreciate it!

From these comments above and some reviews I read on the internet, looks like I have come with two choices.

St Germain vs Le Marais.

Now I am torn between both. Opinions please!

IMDonehere

You will not lose with either.

grandmere

It's a win-win situation; do not obsess over this decision between Marais and St-Germain.

FrankS

Agree, two great choices

adrienne

Why not choose logically. Decide what sights you want to see and choose the location that is best suited to those sights.

ira

Hi sy,

>St Germain vs Le Marais.

How old are you?

Under 30 - Le Marais
Over 45 - St Germain

Should you decide on the 6th, I can highly recommend http://www.hotelbonaparte.fr/

You can look it up here.

ira

PS,

Why such a short visit?

What is so important that you would give up 4 nights in Paris?

syuonthedot

Hi @Ira
Time constraint as I'll be visiting Italy, UK and Amsterdam too.

I'm 28 btw, I guess Le Marais suits me more?

Gretchen

If you are visiting those other places maybe it is too much--more time in Paris, less time somewhere else.