First time visit to Paris - what is your favorite district?
 

We will be heading to Paris for 3-4 nights after a week in Provence. What is the best district to stay in and why? We want to see the Louvre, Notre Dame, Eiffel tower, etc.. Want mostly just want to be in a beautiful city and see the beautiful sights.. We enjoy good food, wine... a little shopping.

It isn't real important where you stay--Arr. 1-8 is central Paris and easy to get from one place to another using the bus or Metro--or walking.

Is it important to be on the Left or Right Bank?

I would limit the choice to the 4th through the 7th <i>arrondissements</i> for first time visitors.

Michael - why is that? Easier to get around, or more tourist sights in those arrondissements?

The arrondissement numbers radiate out from the centre in a spiral. So 1-7 are central, the higher numbers further out. 1 and 2 cover the main governmental and commercial areas, so are a bit lacking in character, and bars and restaurants tend to be expense account places. I wouldn't discount all of 3, but parts of it are cut up by a major traffic route and include a rough-ish bit around les Halles. So 4 to 7 put you closer to the places you plan on visiting, and a better chance of the kind of atmosphere you're probably hoping to find.

Agree with Michael on where is best to stay for first time. It depends on if you are looking more for luxury, nightlife, cafes...your on desires for the trip.

That said, I love the 6th, close to the major sites, lots of cafes, easy Metro access great boutiques. I love the Carrefour Odeon area, several great little hotels, (nice but not luxury like many in the 1st and 8th), the Odeon metro station is right there, Gerard Mulot is right there for pastries, great little restaurants...

You will get lots of differing opinions...want quiet, maybe Ile St Louis is for you...quaint and charming but quite and Metro access isn't great; the Marais may be younger and livelier....you will see

Enjoy!

I have spent YEARS NOT staying in the centre of Paris.

then last winter, we only had tine for a 2 day trip so i picked a hotel in the 1st and it was a revelation. so EASY. close to the metro, notre dame, the ile de la cite, st germain, les halles, everything.

but st germain [the 6th] would also be a good 1st time choice.

I would choose the 6th St. Germain area. But what a wonderful decision to have to make!

Byrd

<i>why is that? Easier to get around, or more tourist sights in those arrondissements?</i>

I think that they have more food amenities than the first or second and better transportation than the center of the third. The second and third have fewer tourist sites than the others. Remember that I am suggesting areas for a first-time tourist; I personally do not stay there.

My favourites ARR.S are the
1rst-oldest in Paris- isle de la cite,the Louvre, Pont Neuf etc..,

5th- Latin Quarter
6th- Saint Germains de Pres

I have visited Paris several times and have mostly stayed in the 6th (Hotel du Danube, Hotel des Deux Continents and Hotel le Madison). The last time I was there, I stayed in an apartment in the 7th near the Eifel Tower and found a hotel over there where I would stay the next time I go: Hotel Tulipe. I think the 5th - 7th neighborhoods are within walking distance to everything, or a quick metro ride to everything. Have fun!

Lots of great feedback. The 6th seems to be a popular choice to start looking... Thanks to all of you for the input!

bookmarking

The accommodation prices also reflect the popularity of the 6em.

Agree with denisea & Micheal, 5th/6th for a first timer.

Not only for the "wow" factor of being in the mix, but also the ease of transportation. You can easily walk to many of the sights if you want to.

Hint: when you are looking at hotels, look at the availability of several separate metro lines in the vicinity. We like the St. Germain area/Odeon rue Seine/buci area because of the St. Germain/Odeon/Mabillon metro stops as well the frequent bus service.

personally i always stay near to the Opera, as i like the area and the proximity to the big stores and the Grand Boulevards

I too prefer the 5 and 6th, especially for a 1st timer, lots of shops cafes, and great transportation options and so many things in walking distance. I find the 7th boring, except for some good restaurants.
From the 5th-6th you can walk to Notre Dame and the Isles. Louvre. D'Orsay , Eiffel Tower, Rodin , Champs de Mar , etc.

The last 2 trips we have an apt in the Marais. From there too it's a short walk to the Seine aaand I have 6 bus lines and a metro right outside my front door!

If it helps the OP plan, here's the official interactive map of public transport in Paris:

http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/

our last 2 trips to Paris, I have picked hotels near to RER B stations.

that has made the choice a lot easier, and worked well for us, whether we arrived at CDG or the Gare du Nord, as it saves changing lines with luggage.

you might like to factor that into your choices.