Is the IIe-St. Louis too touristy ?
Sep 14th, 2004, 10:31 PM
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Is the IIe-St. Louis too touristy ?
Trying to decide where to stay in Paris with family ( 2 teenagers ) next June for our first trip to France. A friend who has been there thinks the Ile St. Louis is touristy ? I suspect all of the Left Bank probably is to some extent . Is this a bad thing ? The Hotel Lutece sounds good, but also considering the Hotel des Ducs de Bourgogne and Hotel de la Place du Louvre on the Right Bank. We would like to be able to walk to good cafes and restaurants. I would appreciate some advice.
Sep 15th, 2004, 02:23 AM
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No, it's not too touristy--depending on what you mean by "touristy," and "too" for that matter. And touristy might or might not be a bad thing--depending on the type and degree of "touristy."
Sep 15th, 2004, 03:37 AM
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No, it's not too touristy at all.
The area was, however, the basis not only for the general feel of the France section in Epcot, but also for all of Epcot. In other words, a giant tourist mecca was based on the feel of this neighborhood, and perhaps it's possible your friend was confused by seeing the "real" thing.
Street entertainers have long held sway (see where Uncle Walt came up with the concept) on the bridge between Ile de la Cite (Notre Dame) and Ile de St. Louis, but once you pass them (and I certainly enjoy them) you enter what is basically another Paris neighborhood in historic Paris. Restaurants and hotels on the Ile de St. Louis feel "tucked away".
And personal preferences count for a lot. The other hotels that you are considering are fine, I'm sure, but the area where they are is not my favorite by any means.
The area was, however, the basis not only for the general feel of the France section in Epcot, but also for all of Epcot. In other words, a giant tourist mecca was based on the feel of this neighborhood, and perhaps it's possible your friend was confused by seeing the "real" thing.
Street entertainers have long held sway (see where Uncle Walt came up with the concept) on the bridge between Ile de la Cite (Notre Dame) and Ile de St. Louis, but once you pass them (and I certainly enjoy them) you enter what is basically another Paris neighborhood in historic Paris. Restaurants and hotels on the Ile de St. Louis feel "tucked away".
And personal preferences count for a lot. The other hotels that you are considering are fine, I'm sure, but the area where they are is not my favorite by any means.
Sep 15th, 2004, 03:53 AM
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It depends on your definition of touristy.
On being a tourist or not being a tourist
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34505043
When is touristy too touristy?
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34411750
If, by touristy, you mean some place that tourists like to go, yes, it's touristy. Why? Because it's beautiful, <i>centrally located</i> and near a lot of good "stuff." It has a famous ice cream shop too that attracts tourists.
If you mean some place that's a bit tacky and created JUST for toursists (Disney), it is not. All the very wealthy people who live there evidently don't think so.
If you really want to avoid "touristy" pick a double digit arrondisement. Less central, less convenient (maybe) but more locals.
On being a tourist or not being a tourist
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34505043
When is touristy too touristy?
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34411750
If, by touristy, you mean some place that tourists like to go, yes, it's touristy. Why? Because it's beautiful, <i>centrally located</i> and near a lot of good "stuff." It has a famous ice cream shop too that attracts tourists.
If you mean some place that's a bit tacky and created JUST for toursists (Disney), it is not. All the very wealthy people who live there evidently don't think so.
If you really want to avoid "touristy" pick a double digit arrondisement. Less central, less convenient (maybe) but more locals.
Sep 15th, 2004, 04:48 AM
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It always puzzles me why tourists seek to avoid the places that draw other tourists. After all, you are going to Paris to see all it has to offer and to see and do the things that attract tourists in the first place. Face it, we're all tourists.
The Ile de St. Louis is a charming and rather "apart" place right in the middle of the city and convenient to everything while being a little out of the mainstream. I think it would be a very pleasant place to stay. We also like the 6th and the 7th and don't consider the Left Bank especially "touristy".
The Ile de St. Louis is a charming and rather "apart" place right in the middle of the city and convenient to everything while being a little out of the mainstream. I think it would be a very pleasant place to stay. We also like the 6th and the 7th and don't consider the Left Bank especially "touristy".
Sep 15th, 2004, 04:56 AM
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I totally agree with mamc about not understanding why people seemingly want to avoid anyplace that's touristy. As I've said many times, the nicest places are going to be visited by tourists. If there are no tourists there (at least in a major tourist city) it is because there's nothing there to attract them
That said, I've sure seen Ile St. Louis change a lot in the past 15 years or so. When I first saw it, it seemed so remote and such a quaint living area. The main street was primarily little shops obviously for locals. Today there are about 12 times as many restaurants as in those days, clearly aimed at tourist business, and most of the shops are for tourist shoppers, not locals buying their daily wares. But is that bad? No, not necessarily. Virtually all the restaurants and shops seem to be "quaint" and have character. And that is only the main central street. It is all residential when you walk along the two side streets along the water.
That said, I've sure seen Ile St. Louis change a lot in the past 15 years or so. When I first saw it, it seemed so remote and such a quaint living area. The main street was primarily little shops obviously for locals. Today there are about 12 times as many restaurants as in those days, clearly aimed at tourist business, and most of the shops are for tourist shoppers, not locals buying their daily wares. But is that bad? No, not necessarily. Virtually all the restaurants and shops seem to be "quaint" and have character. And that is only the main central street. It is all residential when you walk along the two side streets along the water.
Sep 15th, 2004, 05:45 AM
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I find the Right Bank with the larger hotels to be more touristy.
Paris is the second or third Top City in the world as a Tourist destination, so you might want to give up thinking about all the other tourists
The Ile St- Louis is one of those last quiet in the middle of all the bustle places in Paris (IMHO)
We stayed in the Lutece one year, actually, the first time I visited Paris, so I have very fond memories of the hotel and the Ile. Every time we go back, I imagine how wonderful it would be to live there.
You can walk everywhere from the Ile.
Paris is the second or third Top City in the world as a Tourist destination, so you might want to give up thinking about all the other tourists
The Ile St- Louis is one of those last quiet in the middle of all the bustle places in Paris (IMHO)
We stayed in the Lutece one year, actually, the first time I visited Paris, so I have very fond memories of the hotel and the Ile. Every time we go back, I imagine how wonderful it would be to live there.
You can walk everywhere from the Ile.
Sep 15th, 2004, 05:55 AM
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There's usually a good reason why tourists flock to certain places and avoid others. I wonder if the Louvre, Notre Dame, the E-Tower are also "too touristy" also..enough so that you wouldn;t dream of going there. And so you are staying in a neighborhood that attracts a lot of tourists..yes, people jst like you. Does this mean that the area isn't "really Paris" like that poster who said she didn't like the Via Veneto because it "isn't the real Rome"???
And apparently you'll be in very good company considering all the people who responded and said that it isn't too touristy which means THEY have all been there, too.
Personally, I think you're worrying about the wrong thing but to each their own.
And apparently you'll be in very good company considering all the people who responded and said that it isn't too touristy which means THEY have all been there, too.
Personally, I think you're worrying about the wrong thing but to each their own.
Sep 15th, 2004, 06:03 AM
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I honestly don't think the Ile St Louis is "too touristy". There are tourists, but not nearly as much as say, on the very close "Ile de la Citee".
By the way anecdotically, following Scarlett post, I believe Paris is the second most visited place, indeed, the first one Being Las Vegas.
By the way anecdotically, following Scarlett post, I believe Paris is the second most visited place, indeed, the first one Being Las Vegas.
Sep 15th, 2004, 06:16 AM
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Actually, okoshi, I sent my daughter to the Ille St Louis last March when she decided to take a long weekend from Brussels to Paris. She loved it and now plans on doing it for a week. She went, as we do, during an off time as far as hordes of tourists, which can be June, but I think you will still find it a little more quiet and serene than other parts of the city.
Sigh, I wish I were there, crowds or no~
Sigh, I wish I were there, crowds or no~
Sep 15th, 2004, 06:27 AM
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OK, then I don't know what 'touristy' means... If it means "lots of tourists go/stay there" that will apply to what, 75%, of Paris hotels. If it means "fake/scam/preying on tourists", that is what I mean by 'tacky'.
