Montmartre safe? Any place close by to stay that is better?
Aug 9th, 2005, 11:34 AM
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Montmartre safe? Any place close by to stay that is better?
Hi I am thinking of speanding a month in France and the building I will be going to everyday is located in Montmartre, but have heard mixed reviews of the village. If this isn't a great place to stay, is there any district close by that would be better? Or anyone know of a great...reasonably priced hotel (since I will be staying for a month). Thank you for any recommendations.
Aug 9th, 2005, 12:26 PM
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I used to live in Montmartre, and I wouldn't say that the area is unsafe. The section between the Sacré Coeur and the rue Lepic is fine - in fact it's one of my favourite areas of Paris. The neighbourhoods to the east of Montmartre (east of Anvers metro station) are a bit more run down, however.
The area around Pigalle, incidentally, may be sleazy but I wouldn't call it unsafe, at least not in my experience. I used to walk along Boulevard de Clichy every morning/evening on my way to and from Pigalle metro station and I never had any unpleasant experience.
(In fact, the only really frightening thing that ever happened to me the whole time I lived in Paris took place in one of the more upscale suburbs.)
Where is it that you will be going every day? As Elaine said, an address would help people give you more specific advice.
The area around Pigalle, incidentally, may be sleazy but I wouldn't call it unsafe, at least not in my experience. I used to walk along Boulevard de Clichy every morning/evening on my way to and from Pigalle metro station and I never had any unpleasant experience.
(In fact, the only really frightening thing that ever happened to me the whole time I lived in Paris took place in one of the more upscale suburbs.)
Where is it that you will be going every day? As Elaine said, an address would help people give you more specific advice.
Aug 9th, 2005, 01:00 PM
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From the first post, Cotie plans to attend language classes. I suggested alternatives to a hotel, as well as schools ... but I really think you need to figure out where you are going to school first. You may get very tired of commuting clear across town, if the classes are far apart from where you stay.
Have you decided to forget the language classes and just want to stay in MOntmartre because you've read about it, of do you plan to attend school near Montmartre?
What exactly is your budget, I think you need to be clearer on that, I'm sure you have some range. I know a residence place in Montmartre that could work for you, for example.
Have you decided to forget the language classes and just want to stay in MOntmartre because you've read about it, of do you plan to attend school near Montmartre?
What exactly is your budget, I think you need to be clearer on that, I'm sure you have some range. I know a residence place in Montmartre that could work for you, for example.
Aug 9th, 2005, 03:57 PM
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Wow, this site it so great, thanks for the information. Christina you are right, I am thinking about the language classes, elfe-paris.com The address is:
8, villa ballu
Entrance 23, rue Ballu
75009, Paris
I think ideally I would like to spend around $2,000 on housing. I want to have opportunity to meet people, so maybe a hotel would be better. I am so undecided as you can tell! Thanks for any suggestions.
8, villa ballu
Entrance 23, rue Ballu
75009, Paris
I think ideally I would like to spend around $2,000 on housing. I want to have opportunity to meet people, so maybe a hotel would be better. I am so undecided as you can tell! Thanks for any suggestions.
Aug 9th, 2005, 04:00 PM
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I am not sure if you can directly email with a person on this site. Christina, if this isn't a great area for school, my second choice is the school you recommended, which is in the 15th district. (I must have looked at 40 schools!) Do you have any idea if this area is more hip/trendy than the one I am considering? I am only going to be there a month so I really want to make the most out of it. (27 years old, like to go out, etc.)
Aug 9th, 2005, 06:54 PM
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okay, that helps. I guess you are interested in ELFE school. That street is in the 9th arrondisement, a couple blocks south of place Clichy and metro Blanche. A place in Montmartre in the 18th does make sense in that regard. I stayed last summer not too far from there around St Georges metro which is a decent area, and I think you could consider places in the 9th (Trinite or St George metro stops).
As for the 15th, that school I suggested is around Motte-Picquet metro stop. You wouldn't have to stay right around there, but something in the 14th-15th perhaps would be convenient.
I would not consider the 15th more hip/trendy than the upper 9th, no. Ther are some clubs around rue Montmartre that crosses the 9th and 18th, and upper Montmartre has some nice areas. Your location is fine.
I checked the residence I was thinking of, and unfortunately, it has raised prices and is around 114 euro for a single, which I think is sort of a studio apartment. It's in a decent location in the 18th, though. $2000 a month is around $500 a week. Nowadays, I think that is only around 425 euro. That is not very much for a week, at least for a hotel, although you could get something for that (60 euro a night).
I think you will meet more people in some kind of a student group residence place, not necessarily a hotel, though. Also, you may really get tired of a very small hotel room over a month (you aren't going to get much for 60 euro a night). And even if you like to go out, you might want something at home to make breakfast or snacks.
This is a tough question for that rate, I'll have to see what I can think of.
As for the 15th, that school I suggested is around Motte-Picquet metro stop. You wouldn't have to stay right around there, but something in the 14th-15th perhaps would be convenient.
I would not consider the 15th more hip/trendy than the upper 9th, no. Ther are some clubs around rue Montmartre that crosses the 9th and 18th, and upper Montmartre has some nice areas. Your location is fine.
I checked the residence I was thinking of, and unfortunately, it has raised prices and is around 114 euro for a single, which I think is sort of a studio apartment. It's in a decent location in the 18th, though. $2000 a month is around $500 a week. Nowadays, I think that is only around 425 euro. That is not very much for a week, at least for a hotel, although you could get something for that (60 euro a night).
I think you will meet more people in some kind of a student group residence place, not necessarily a hotel, though. Also, you may really get tired of a very small hotel room over a month (you aren't going to get much for 60 euro a night). And even if you like to go out, you might want something at home to make breakfast or snacks.
This is a tough question for that rate, I'll have to see what I can think of.
Aug 10th, 2005, 01:03 AM
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Near Montmartre I know a little and very sweet hotel called Hotel Regent Montmartre, it is really clean and there are some backpackers regularly in the hotel so maybe you can make relations easily...
I found the area quite safe, never had a problem...
http://www.hotelregent-montmartre.com
It must fit your budget!
Anyway, spend a good time in Paris...
I found the area quite safe, never had a problem...
http://www.hotelregent-montmartre.com
It must fit your budget!
Anyway, spend a good time in Paris...
Aug 10th, 2005, 01:53 AM
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I´d say you should rent a room or a studio as they´re called in France. Almost anywhere on the left bank in Paris should do.
For ads look here:http://www.fusac.fr/en/annonces_deta...+Rentals%0D%0A
For ads look here:http://www.fusac.fr/en/annonces_deta...+Rentals%0D%0A
Aug 10th, 2005, 10:44 AM
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okay, I've thought about this and checked out some things, but this is a difficult one because of the location. Most student residences I know aren't in that area, they tend to be on the Left Bank (or east side of Paris). I saw that the school doesn't seem to have a regular residence for students, but says you can ask them about apartments or something. It doesn't sound very promising, but you could ask them and see what list they have.
You will meet people in your classes for one thing, so don't worry about only being able to do that where you live. One good thing about schools like that is that a lot of the students will be interested in meeting people and finding someone to do things with, as they will be foreigners in town, also. I did meet lots of people in the residence halls I stayed in (called foyers), and enjoyed that experience. It was very convenient, also, as a nice one has a good television room, washer and dryer, and sometimes a cafeteria. The French government often subsidizes some of that (for French classes to foreigners) so they are dirt cheap in comparison to renting a place on your own or staying in a hotel.
Okay, the national association for student residences (www.unme-asso.com for Union National des Maisons d'Etudients) now has a website, so you should check there as they are an official assn. of about 100 "foyers" or student residences/rooming houses in France. Their rates will be cheap. I think it is mostly in French, I hope you know a little already.
Start by clicking on "accueil etudiants). From the map you can see there aren't any in the 18th and only one in the 9th (most are very central or Left Bank). The one in the 9th is Le Home Familial at 14 rue de Calais and would certianly be convenient to your school. They charge only about 700 euro a month for room and board, which is complete pension in their case, it says (all meals). That is really cheap, so even when you don't want to eat there, you aren't out anything, it's a good backup to have that available. There appear to be better choices on the Left Bank. Foyer 44 Cherche Midi looks nice (www.foyer44cherchemidi.com), but appears to be full already. It's rate is only about 350 euro per month.
Here's another URL on foyers, dividing them a little more by sex, etc.
http://www.pariserve.tm.fr/logement/foyer.htm
This is yet another one, which has mostly hostels but a few foyers:
www.paris.org/Accueil/Foyers
As a bit of advice, these places usually say you must be less than age 22 or 24 or so, but that isn't always a strict requirement as long as you are an official student. They just don't want to become a hostel for tourists or anything like that, and want a cohesive community. One I know is adequate is the one on bd St Michel which will accept your age, I know (www.fie.fr). That isn't near your school, however.
You may want something a little more upgraded than those, however. For your budget, I do think you should consider renting an apartment rather than staying in a hotel. There aren't a lot of great apartments at that rate, either, but there are a few, and the 9th is a cheaper area.
www.lodgis.com is a website with French owners on it, but beware of the agency markup on monthly rates to get the full price. I didn't see any great deals on there for the 9th or 18th, but there are small studios for around 900 euro a month (plus 200-400 agency fee), such as no. 1184840 near Lamarck-Caumartin metro in Montmartre. That is a good area. The problem is that if you don't know Paris, you are going to be in the dark about the areas, although you can always ask on here if you narrow it down. Don't rent a place in those areas without finding more out about the exact location, as there are lots of parts of the 18th or 9th where you will not want to be.
I did find one cute studio apt. in your range in a decent location near Abbesses metro on the owner-advertised web site VBRO. That's about the only one on there in your price range in those areas, unfortunately, that I saw
www.vrbo.com/37840
You will meet people in your classes for one thing, so don't worry about only being able to do that where you live. One good thing about schools like that is that a lot of the students will be interested in meeting people and finding someone to do things with, as they will be foreigners in town, also. I did meet lots of people in the residence halls I stayed in (called foyers), and enjoyed that experience. It was very convenient, also, as a nice one has a good television room, washer and dryer, and sometimes a cafeteria. The French government often subsidizes some of that (for French classes to foreigners) so they are dirt cheap in comparison to renting a place on your own or staying in a hotel.
Okay, the national association for student residences (www.unme-asso.com for Union National des Maisons d'Etudients) now has a website, so you should check there as they are an official assn. of about 100 "foyers" or student residences/rooming houses in France. Their rates will be cheap. I think it is mostly in French, I hope you know a little already.
Start by clicking on "accueil etudiants). From the map you can see there aren't any in the 18th and only one in the 9th (most are very central or Left Bank). The one in the 9th is Le Home Familial at 14 rue de Calais and would certianly be convenient to your school. They charge only about 700 euro a month for room and board, which is complete pension in their case, it says (all meals). That is really cheap, so even when you don't want to eat there, you aren't out anything, it's a good backup to have that available. There appear to be better choices on the Left Bank. Foyer 44 Cherche Midi looks nice (www.foyer44cherchemidi.com), but appears to be full already. It's rate is only about 350 euro per month.
Here's another URL on foyers, dividing them a little more by sex, etc.
http://www.pariserve.tm.fr/logement/foyer.htm
This is yet another one, which has mostly hostels but a few foyers:
www.paris.org/Accueil/Foyers
As a bit of advice, these places usually say you must be less than age 22 or 24 or so, but that isn't always a strict requirement as long as you are an official student. They just don't want to become a hostel for tourists or anything like that, and want a cohesive community. One I know is adequate is the one on bd St Michel which will accept your age, I know (www.fie.fr). That isn't near your school, however.
You may want something a little more upgraded than those, however. For your budget, I do think you should consider renting an apartment rather than staying in a hotel. There aren't a lot of great apartments at that rate, either, but there are a few, and the 9th is a cheaper area.
www.lodgis.com is a website with French owners on it, but beware of the agency markup on monthly rates to get the full price. I didn't see any great deals on there for the 9th or 18th, but there are small studios for around 900 euro a month (plus 200-400 agency fee), such as no. 1184840 near Lamarck-Caumartin metro in Montmartre. That is a good area. The problem is that if you don't know Paris, you are going to be in the dark about the areas, although you can always ask on here if you narrow it down. Don't rent a place in those areas without finding more out about the exact location, as there are lots of parts of the 18th or 9th where you will not want to be.
I did find one cute studio apt. in your range in a decent location near Abbesses metro on the owner-advertised web site VBRO. That's about the only one on there in your price range in those areas, unfortunately, that I saw
www.vrbo.com/37840
Aug 10th, 2005, 11:09 AM
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I just made reservations for an apartment in the 18th with Lets Paris (www.letsparis.com) for two weeks next June. Most of their apartments are in the 18th, but has apts in the 9th, 10th and 17th and the price is very reasonable. Good luck.
Aug 10th, 2005, 11:57 AM
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Dear Cotie,
The hubby and I own an apartment very near your proposed school in the 9th, and I can tell you that as a 30-something woman, I do not feel threatened or afraid in the area. In fact, I love it. I love the energy and the activity even late at night, which does not appeal to some people -- I know. Our apartment itself at the back of our building so it is very quiet, which makes for a nice contrast. Our property manager is a single woman younger than us who lives in a culturally-diverse part of the 18th and feels very safe. In fact, I love her neighborhood, too - she's on a small pedestrian-only market street!
I should tell you, however, that part of the reason I personally feel our neighborhood is safe is because is something of a 24-hour neighborhood, and all the activity in the area makes me feel comfortable. I am the kind of person who feels that there is safety in numbers and can't really remember the last time I was alone at night on the street in the neighborhood.
And while I love the 16th, the most nervous I have been in Paris was when I was the alone on a street late at night, headed to my apartment, and a young man was walking toward me. I'm sure he was just walking to his apartment, but the sheer solitude of the situation made me nervous. Of course, I am of the mind that pretty much all of Paris is perfectly safe, and would NEVER tell someone not to stay in the 16th. It is a truly lovely residential neighborhood. I'm just using it as an example for perspective.
In the end, just ask lots of questions about the apartment and be honest with yourself about what would make you nervous. Parts of the 9th/18th (really just one small area) have nudie bars -- if this would make you uncomfortable, steer clear of these specific areas. But that does not mean you have to steer clear of the 9th and 18th entirely -- perhaps just certain streets.
Also, if you do look on VRBO or other sites, the published weekly rate will often be reduced for a monthly rental, so it's worth asking.
I hope this was helpful, and please post about the school/classes if you do attend.
The hubby and I own an apartment very near your proposed school in the 9th, and I can tell you that as a 30-something woman, I do not feel threatened or afraid in the area. In fact, I love it. I love the energy and the activity even late at night, which does not appeal to some people -- I know. Our apartment itself at the back of our building so it is very quiet, which makes for a nice contrast. Our property manager is a single woman younger than us who lives in a culturally-diverse part of the 18th and feels very safe. In fact, I love her neighborhood, too - she's on a small pedestrian-only market street!
I should tell you, however, that part of the reason I personally feel our neighborhood is safe is because is something of a 24-hour neighborhood, and all the activity in the area makes me feel comfortable. I am the kind of person who feels that there is safety in numbers and can't really remember the last time I was alone at night on the street in the neighborhood.
And while I love the 16th, the most nervous I have been in Paris was when I was the alone on a street late at night, headed to my apartment, and a young man was walking toward me. I'm sure he was just walking to his apartment, but the sheer solitude of the situation made me nervous. Of course, I am of the mind that pretty much all of Paris is perfectly safe, and would NEVER tell someone not to stay in the 16th. It is a truly lovely residential neighborhood. I'm just using it as an example for perspective.
In the end, just ask lots of questions about the apartment and be honest with yourself about what would make you nervous. Parts of the 9th/18th (really just one small area) have nudie bars -- if this would make you uncomfortable, steer clear of these specific areas. But that does not mean you have to steer clear of the 9th and 18th entirely -- perhaps just certain streets.
Also, if you do look on VRBO or other sites, the published weekly rate will often be reduced for a monthly rental, so it's worth asking.
I hope this was helpful, and please post about the school/classes if you do attend.
Aug 10th, 2005, 12:22 PM
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so, Lutece, what does your apartment rent for, as an example? You said it was a really tiny studio and that isn't an expensive area. I also liked that area very much (I was right off place Toudouze).
However, I don't really agree that most of the 18th is going to be desirable or great for Cotie, and that is not just because of the sex stuff right around bd de Clichy and Pigalle nor just a very small area. I'm sure you know that the 18th is a very large arrondisement, and I personally would not want to rent a place for Cotie's purposes anywhere east of rue de Clignancourt probably, for one thing. I just don't think it a very good idea for someone completely unfamiliar with Paris to rent some place just because it is in the 18th arrondisement and thinking that is the Montmartre of cliches and movies. I think the 9th is a safer bet, actually, sight unseen. If you don't know Paris, you aren't going to be able to get a gut feeling for a place, unfortunately, nor know what makes you nervous--especially if you've never seen it and are doing it long distance.
I tend to err on the side of caution when advising people who have never been to Paris before as to what neighborhoods to stay in long term, and I don't think it's just a couple streets one can name in the 18th to avoid.
However, I don't really agree that most of the 18th is going to be desirable or great for Cotie, and that is not just because of the sex stuff right around bd de Clichy and Pigalle nor just a very small area. I'm sure you know that the 18th is a very large arrondisement, and I personally would not want to rent a place for Cotie's purposes anywhere east of rue de Clignancourt probably, for one thing. I just don't think it a very good idea for someone completely unfamiliar with Paris to rent some place just because it is in the 18th arrondisement and thinking that is the Montmartre of cliches and movies. I think the 9th is a safer bet, actually, sight unseen. If you don't know Paris, you aren't going to be able to get a gut feeling for a place, unfortunately, nor know what makes you nervous--especially if you've never seen it and are doing it long distance.
I tend to err on the side of caution when advising people who have never been to Paris before as to what neighborhoods to stay in long term, and I don't think it's just a couple streets one can name in the 18th to avoid.
Aug 10th, 2005, 12:26 PM
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oh, I am getting forgetful-- I forgot to ask Cotie, unless you want to remain mysterious, as to whether you are male or female? A lot of the foyers are for females only, as you can tell by the descriptions, so if you are female, there would be more choice in that regard.
Aug 10th, 2005, 12:44 PM
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Christina, I think it's good to give her different opinions of the area(s). I don't disagree at all that some people won't/don't/will never like the area, and perhaps you are right and the 18th is not right for her. Hopefully she will come to a decision she feels comfortable with, based on all the great input she receives here.
As for your question, our place rents for $625 per week - we just raised it a whopping $25, but we are also now accepting credit cards, due to all the great info/input on the "Truth About Apartments" thread!
As for your question, our place rents for $625 per week - we just raised it a whopping $25, but we are also now accepting credit cards, due to all the great info/input on the "Truth About Apartments" thread!
Aug 11th, 2005, 05:54 AM
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Lutece, I think your apartment is the studio offered by Lets Paris and it looks great for the price. I wouldn't hesitate to rent it if we are on a tighter budget but we are renting the Damremont apartment, glowing review on SlowTravel, and we want the space.
I liked dealing with Lauren, she was upfront with her recommendations based on what we are looking for. I also like the fact that we can send payments in $$ or pay by credit card for most of the apartments offered, makes it so much simplier.
I liked dealing with Lauren, she was upfront with her recommendations based on what we are looking for. I also like the fact that we can send payments in $$ or pay by credit card for most of the apartments offered, makes it so much simplier.
Aug 11th, 2005, 06:46 AM
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Baby2 - Damremont is a great street and that apartment looks adorable! I know you will have a fabulous time, and Lauren is a great host. There is a resto we really like called La Preuve Par Neuf at 5 rue Damremont (01-42-62-64-69) that you might want to check out -- it's certainly nearby! It has a fixed price menu (somewhere around 30E) but may also have alacarte. I'm sure we'll be going there later this month when we are in Paris, so I'll post back.
As for comparing our studio to any of Lauren's others - there's really no comparison! They're all fancier and bigger than ours!!! I'd be happy to stay in any of them! Believe me, when I first saw her website, all I could think was, "Boy, we better hope there are some people on a budget, because these places are super cute!"
It's OK, though. I think we're doing a good job at being "budget cute." ;-) And frankly, not only could we not have afforded to buy a place any bigger at the time, but we definitely couldn't afford to even buy our place now because of the dollar sinking and real estate prices appreciating -- and it's only been about three years!
As for comparing our studio to any of Lauren's others - there's really no comparison! They're all fancier and bigger than ours!!! I'd be happy to stay in any of them!
Believe me, when I first saw her website, all I could think was, "Boy, we better hope there are some people on a budget, because these places are super cute!"It's OK, though. I think we're doing a good job at being "budget cute." ;-) And frankly, not only could we not have afforded to buy a place any bigger at the time, but we definitely couldn't afford to even buy our place now because of the dollar sinking and real estate prices appreciating -- and it's only been about three years!
