Hello,

My husband, 2 sons (15 and 10) and I will be spending 3 days in Paris at the end of July. We like to do the typical tourist stuff, as well as eat and shop (unique things and not chain stores but nothing extravagant or by top designers). We have narrowed down our apartment search to 4 apartments, in the following areas. What are the pro's and con's of each neighborhood? Which would you choose? Thank you.

Apartment #1: 4th district, rue de pernelle, near chatelet metro station

Apartment #2: 3rd district; one block from Place des Vosges, near intersection of Rue de Pas de La Mule and Bd Beaumarchais; near metro breguet sabin

Apartment #3: Near val de grace hospital; 5th district?

Apartment #4: Rue Montmartre, Paris, Île-de-France 75001, France; near Saint-Eustache church

We would appreciate any and all input. Thank you!!!

The only area I know at all well is the one for Apt #2, which is fine in itself, though Bvd Beaumarchais is a busy main traffic route lined with a lot of motorbike shops, so there might be noise if the flat overlooks the street. Also, the last time I was in Paris, although I'd have said the Marais would fit your style, some of the shops there seemed to be changing hands away from the distinctive and quirky towards more generically upmarket offerings. The antique musical instrument shop in Rue du Pas de la Mule has gone, for example.

I'd pick 2 or 3 for location.

1 and 4 aren't too far apart, I just don't like that area near Chatelet metro stop very well, at least not to stay in. I go to concerts sometimes t St Eustrache, but this is a very old and congested area of Paris, not really super residential. It is very busy and crowded and not that attractive. I do go to the Chatelet Theatre sometimes, also. It would be close to lots of things typical tourists want to see, I suppose. I hate Chatelet metro, also and taht whole area pretty much.

The one near Val de Grace is a nice enough area but not near a metro stop. It is near an RER stop (and a E-W bus line that goes over to Bastille), but that isn't as convenient optimally. There is no large grocery store around there, either, but that doesn't matter if you don't intend to shop in one. There are the usually small corner grocers.

I've stayed in a hotel near Chemin Vert, that's a convenient location for about everything you want.

oh, apt 1 is on a smaller side street north of rue de Rivoli so it better than being right around place Ste Opportune, Les Halles, etc., but I still don't like that area that well

Hello,

Are any of the areas unsafe or are they just congested? For example, I likely wouldn't want to stay in Times Square in NYC but that would mainly be because it would be noisy and crowded, but the area is generally safe.

I guess what I am asking is that you just don't like 1 and 4 due to personal preference?

Thank you.

I would actually put in a vote for #4, for a couple reasons. It's close to rue Montorgeuill, which is a market street with a couple cheese shops, a couple boulangeries, meat shops, cafes, restaurants and good peope watching. You have a good selection of Metro stops (Etienne Marcel, Les Halles, Chatelet for RER B). And it's close to E. Dehilleran, my favorite kitchen store (that looks more like an old hardware store). The wine bar O'Chateau is nearby too. It's certainly safe, and while it will be busy, we're not talking Times Square busy. It will depend some on where exactly the apartment is located (Etienne Marcel is a busy street, but again, busy not crazy.)

All four apartments are in safe and convenient (though #3 is too far from the river, IMO) locations.

I have to disagree with the characterization the area of apartment #1. It's on a quiet street, joins pedestrianized Rue Saint Martin, is near a park, and is very convenient to boutique shopping, dining, and tourists areas.

It would be my suggestion to you. My pick by a long shot.

Thank you all for your help. Unfortunately, #2 is gone, so we are going to go with #1.