I'm into an extensive studio apt. search. I've got plenty of time before the trip.

I found a steal on the Ile St. Louis. What would you think of staying there? Would it be wierdly removed from the life of the city or blissfully peaceful?

Help me out here. I've only been for a three day stay several years ago.

My husband wants a central location as his big thing is returning to the lodging for short rests between outings.

We found it blissfully peaceful last spring. Loved staying there and would definitely do so again.

As much as I would not stay in a hotel on the crowded main street of Ile St. Louis, I would grab a chance to stay in the beautiful residential area of the small island. It is a convenient area close to everything, so you have your choice of both "the life of the city or blissful peace."

I think the island is charming, and I'd love to have a place looking out to the river on either side of the Ile. But to be honest, your comment about husband wanting a central location for returning for short rests, has me a little concerned.
Ile St. Louis is not THAT convenient. There is a metro stop across the river on the right bank, but it is a line that requires transfers to almost anywhere and the stop itself can be a bit of a walk from some parts of the Ile. And it's a pretty good walk from it to say the busy area of St. Germain or Latin Quarter. I don't mind that walk, but it might not be what you're looking for if he thinks it's a place to just pop back to for a short rest then pop out again.

Staying on the Ile is really wonderful...I have been to Paris many, many, many times..staying in many locations, hotels, apts. etc. I rented a charming apt. of the isle..check ou www.paris-sleeps.com...2 on the ile, I believe...

Easy access to wherever.....

Go and enjoy....

a bientot

I agree with Patrick. Sure, it is as central as you can get, but there is no metro stop on it and the line 7 which is across the bridge doesn't go anywhere you want to be, probably.

It also depends what part of the island this apt is as to how convenient it might be or the ambience, or even how close to the metro stop. It would be closeby when you are around Notre Dame and Hotel de Ville, but not that close to a lot of other things you will want to be doing, probably. Nothing really is going to be within 10 minutes of everything, though. I'd probably pick a place with better transportation options if that is his big thing.

Hmmm. Thanks for the interesting comments. He may need to give up the idea of returning to the room anyway, but I am concerned about easy access to transportaion. Then again, the Ile sounds lovely.

The apt is on rue Le Regrattier. Does anyone know if that is one of the quieter streets?

Thanks for all your help.

It is one of the cross streets, not along the water and not the main center one lengthwise. It's also not the one that crosses the island between the bridges which can be very busy. So, yes, it is a very quiet street. And it is also nearer the "Notre Dame" end of the Ile, so not too bad location wise. Hey, if it looks great and you've really gotten a "steal" on it, I say go for it.

Do you know about pagesjaunes.com (yellow pages) where you can plug in an address & see the outside of the building & then get a virtual tour up & down the street?
Might help you decide.

BTW I'd LOVE to stay on the ile. As for "central" location, how much more central can you get? If the apt is a steal, DH can use a cab to get there, non?

You will not have any problems with the metro system to go wherever you would like to go from l'Ile St. Louis..if you have a good deal..go..you will enjoy...l'Orangerie is probably the best local restaurant..a short walk to Atelier Maitre Albert, which is a new Guy Savoy off shoot....

a bientot

... and you will be near that hole-in-the-wall ice cream store that everyone raves about! B-something.

Last August when I stayed at Hotel St.Louis on the Ile, I found a bus stop nearby, at the other side of Pont-Marie(?)where we took a direct bus to the foot of Montmartre, which we found very convenient. I try to take bus where it's possible, rather than metro so I can enjoy the scenery too.

And we really enjoyed a early morning walk on this island. That's a great location to stay.