JillDavis

Curious on people's opinions on these two districts - Le Marais district (4th) or the Opera district (8th) in Paris? This will be my 1st time to Paris and want to see Notre Dame, Louvre, Champs, Eiffel Tower, etc.

Thank you so much!

danon

you can see all the above no matter where you are. Paris is a big city, just use the Metro.

Nikki

I would prefer the Marais as a place to stay. The opera district is not my favorite area of Paris. Very commercial, that's where all the big department stores are. But your mileage may vary.

farrermog

FWIW, this may give something of the flavour of the two areas, even if it is more from the residential viewpoint -

http://www.howto.co.uk/abroad/living...arrondissement

swandav2000

Hi jillDavis,

I love the Tuileries so like to stay nearby. The last time I was in an apartment in the Opera district and just hated it. The noise, the traffic, the hustle and bustle -- I'll never stay there again.

Good luck!

s

avalon

Definitely the Marais

TommieG

I personally prefer the Opera-district. Just beacause it is more commercial. It is where the Grand Boulevards are, filled with shops and restaurants. I personally like the roominess (correct word in this context?) of this area. Lots of hotels also.

Le Marais is a fun area also, but much busier, less roomy in my opinion. Fun to go to on a Sunday (when all the shops are open there), but not for me to stay in a hotel.

AnselmAdorne

For a first time visitor? The Marais is more atmospheric and vibrant.

Anselm

tdk320n

Definitely the Marais area. A great area to walk around in and close enough to all the attractions that you might want to see, either by walking or public transportation.

crefloors

I stayed in the Opera area on one of my trips. It was fine. I was about three blocks or so from Galerie Lafayett one way and not far from Passages Joffrey and Panarama the other way. We were also close to the Madeleine area, easily walkable.

It is busy but we never heard any traffice noise and such. There were several handy metro stops.

I've never stayed in the Marais, but stayed in the 14th my last trip, and liked that a lot. Every area has it's own flavor, and I'm thinking you might like the Marais better.

StCirq

Le Marais for certain. I try to stay away from the Opéra area if possible, unless I'm in shopping mode or want to have tea at the Intercontinental or see the bees at the Opéra.

What you want to visit doesn't really fit into the hotel equation at all, as many have explained over and over. It's a small city. It wasn't all built at once. The main tourist sites are spread out. You're going to have to travel to them no matter where you stay.

JillDavis

StCirq - yes, I have realized that I cannot get to all my sites walking and will have to take the bus metro. I am just trying to figure out which area to stay in now that I have narrowed down my hotel choices.

Michel_Paris

Marais. Note that the Islands are also part of the Marais.
The 8th, as others have stated, is just a bit more commercial and busier than the 4th. Pick the 4th, make Place des Vosges your hang-out location and you will do fine.

Christina

For your case, I'm not sure it really matters. It depends where, as most people don't even call the 8th the Opera district as the Opera isn't in it. However, if you are talking about the Queen Mary hotel from your other thread, it is near the Madeleine and the Opera.

I am not a big Marais fan, just don't like it that much. For your situation, I'd prefer the Opera.

zoecat

No question for me. I prefer the character, beauty and central location of the Marais.

Christina

just saw your other thread and see that you are considering the Hotel Queen Mary versus Caron Beaumarchais, that is important info on location, if nothing else. The Caron de Beaumarchais is a pretty little hotel, but I hope you understaned it is not remotely like a Westin. The rooms are extremely tiny -- I think the interior ones are roomier, I forget the deal on that one, someone whose stayed there should know. Also, it is in an extremely noisy location, right on the corner of two very noisy, busy streets. So maybe a room that didn't look over the street would be better for that reason, anyway. Well, you can read reviews on that hotel and figure that out. It is cute, though, and lots of folks like it. It's just small, and it is a busy corner.

I think either of those locations would be fine for you, really. I think the Caron de Beaumarchais might be closer to some smaller restaurants and things like that.

JillDavis

Christina - I know you understand a lot of the history with the previous threads and what I want. (btw - I have given up the fact that I will have a small room unlike the Westin.) As long as the hotel looks chic and has an understated elegance. I don't need anything over the top considering my budget is limited. A lot of people say the Marais has a lot of character. Which part of town do you think I will like better? Also, I am curious on your opinion regarding which hotel you like better too.

Michel_Paris

Few year's back stayed at the Bretonnerie in the 4th. Good location, old buildinfg, large wooden beams in the ceilng, nice place. Anyone been there lately?

JillDavis

Michael - I heard that hotel doesn't have AC.

BettyBoop

I’ve read your hotel posts and would like to comment on the desire to see the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Notre Dame. As long as you are staying in Paris you will be able to see all three, in the same day if you have stamina and pick Thursday (the day the Louvre stays open until 9 PM).

As St. Cirq and Christina have pointed out, Paris was built over an extended time frame; your big three span 700 years, from the 12th century Notre Dame to the 19th century Eiffel Tower. Spread out across 2.8 miles per Google maps (walk from Notre Dame to the tower). But as someone once mentioned on this forum Paris is a bit like Disneyland for adults. Bright eyed and bursting with enthusiasm, you can ride a boat down a river and see some amazing sights (your big three among them), you can ride an elevated train to get a glimpse of the city from a different perspective, and you can stop here and there to grab a delicious crepe or pastry as you stroll from sight to sight. And after the sun sets watch a brilliant light show starring the tower.

I envy you your visit, pick a hotel you like, grab a Paris map and start planning your days. And don’t overlook the Rodin museum garden.

And thank you for teaching our youth.