Is this Paris location good?
 

Well, I'm into my search for an apartment for next April, after all of your helpful responses to my initial posting.
I have identified a potential apartment (offered by Jim Braude, who, according to other posters, enjoys a good reputation here), on Rue Villehardouin (Near Place Des Vosges), in Arrondissement 3. This is generally the location we're interested in, but I could use a knowledgeable opinion of this neighborhood.
Thanks for your help.

I'd say yes. I was in that area last November. Lots of restaurants, shops, Place des Vosges is a true jewel. Also good selection of museums in area and there are quite a few old mansions that are architectural gems.

In terms of Metro, you have a station nearby (Chemin Vert), but a bit longer walk will take you to a better one (St Paul). To get to Central Paris, the CV station would require a change at Bastille, while the SP station in on the line that will take you directly to the main Right Bank sights (Louvre, Tuileries, Palais Royal,etc..

Check pagesjaunes.fr site, entre you address, and you will get 360 degree photos of your place, can "walk" up the street...

Mike

Les, I see it the same way Michel_Paris describes it. I rented an apartment in the 3rd earlier this year, just a bit northwest of the place you are considering. I've walked along both rue de Tourenne and rue St-Gilles (your street runs between the two). The neighbourhood is fine. In addition to the stop metro stops Michel mentions, you could easily walk to Place de la Bastille, with access to metro lines 1 (the one that goes through St-Paul), 5, and 8.

I'd also add that you are within a short walk of the Thursday and Sunday street market on boul. Richard Lenoir.

Anselm

moi, aussi. we love to stay in that neighborhood. lots of bus lines nearby as well as metro. and/or, you can walk anywhere.

Thanks to all of you for the replies.
You guys (all of you) have been a big help.

I might suggest a Paris Walks tour of the Marais (they have two). You can then walk to your appartment every day recognize some buldings from the tour and recall the stories. They pass somewhat near your location (Picasso and Carnavalet museums)

Thank you, Michael.
My wife can only walk short distances before she needs to rest (back and knee problems), but if the tour lends itself to that (such as frequent stops to discuss sights, architecture, etc.), it sounds like a great idea.

Sorry, I meant thank you, MICHEL.
I'm old, yeah, that's my excuse and I'm stickin' with it!

Mike will be fine!

The two tours split the Marais into two (your area would be #II). They last about 2-2.5 hours each. There are frequent stops to discuss things, but you do cover a fair bit of territory, and there were some longer "transit walking" to get from one stop to another. Some church visits, but mostly exterior stops. If I had to guess, a stop maybe every 10 minutes(?). Cost is 10 euro each. They also have some more concentrated ones (area wise) that might interest you. I found the guides to be very good.

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/pariswalking/