I'm planning on returning to Paris in May (6th visit--so I know the city), and because I'll actually be going there twice (two or three nights first time, five or six nights second swing through), I want to stay someplace different for the first, shorter jaunt. (The second I will be in Quartier Latin, my normal neighborhood.)

I took a Paris Walks walking tour of Montmartre when I was there this past May, and loved the look of the TImhotel Montmartre on the Place Emile Goudreau (just northwest of Abbesses metro stop). The area around Rue Lepic et al seemed so charming and interesting; loved the ambiance. But it was Sunday morning...so it might not always be so calm--I don't know!

I'd be a solo female on this voyage. I don't usually stay out past ca 9 pm because I like to get up early and get going, so I wouldn't be walking around Montmartre at midnight.

Would this be a good neighborhood for me? Again, it'd be two or three nights. It's fine that it's a bit of a schlep on the Metro to Louvre et al.

Also, if someone has stayed at the TImhotel Montmartre and can comment on it, that'd be swell.

Merci -- DejaVu

We first stayed in this hotel when it was named the Hotel Paradis and the bottom two floors rented by the hour. It now has an elevator, and still has impressive panoramic views of Paris from the top floors. Everything you could possibly need is within one block; restaurants, cafes, bars and shops. Keep your expectations low(price/value ratio is poor) and you will love it.

Montmartre is a very interesting area to me as it delivers more of a "real", unvarnished street-vibe I often like to experience in cities. I feel safe enough there, but I'm a not-easily-intimidated male. Once I considered staying at that TimHotel but opted for something more central -- and having just read a review dated July 26, 2006 on Tripadvisor I probably wouldn't in the future. (not that I would be stupid enough to leave anything of real value in a room, esp. a bankcard...but still...) Room security could be an issue.

If you do stay there you might like to read the general guidelines that the Paris Police Dept. offers for safety. Jotting down the location/phone #s of area stations could put your mind more at ease:

http://www.prefecture-police-paris.i...e_in_paris.htm


And for daydreaming about being there here is a nice little vid by a Montmartre resident:

http://www.turnhere.com/city/paris.aspx

(the vid following that one, Tumbleweed, is interesting too)

DejaVu...on a side note, how is the weather in May? We just returned from Paris a week ago and loved it, now I want to go back in May with friends, but my DH is concerned about the weather

It is an excellent area to stay and completely safe. However, you will not want to linger if you walk down to boulevard de Clichy at the bottom of the hill. You are at no risk, but some of my female friends have sometimes been asked "how much?" while waiting for the bus.

If you plan to use the Metro, be aware that the Abbesses metro station is currently closed for construction (and the Montmartrobus stops in the area have been relocated a block or two in each direction). There was no completion date indicated on the signs, but you may find additional information on the RATP website.

However, Bus #80 runs within a short walk of Place Emile Goudreau and is very useful for going to/from Montmartre.

In my observation, north and west of Abbesses in Montmartre are just fine, with many great, moderately priced, places to dine.

I was in Paris for a week and a half this May and last May. Weather was mostly chilly (high 50's-mid 60's) with quite a bit of rain, with scattered warmer, sunny, days. But, the days are longer which is nice. We just returned from a week and a half stay. Weather was absolutely fabulous - around 70 and sunny every day, only rained twice. But, sun rose late and set early every day.

On the Metro issue, I was just there, and the Abbesses stop is closed from now until some time in December. The Pigalle stop is not far, however, and that is open.

ttt

My wife and I stayed at the hotel six years ago. The room was very tiny with no room for luggage. We had a streetside room on a lower floor and with the necessary open window had off and on traffic noise all night. Very tiny bathroom. Everything was clean and the breakfast was very good. The neighborhood is safe but not very exciting and the restaurants aren't that good.
But-Sacre Coeur is just a walk up the hill and Montmarte is a very different experience from the Latin Quarter. For two nights give it a try. We sat on a bench and watched them film a commercial around the fountain in the Place.

I know the area very well and have walked around there on my own (I'm female) many times, daytime, evening and night. Don't remember ever having a problem or feeling unsafe.

With regard to the area round Bd de Clichy, mentioned above, I'd say that as a woman I get a lot less hassle round there than men do, as they are the ones being targeted by the hostesses at the entrances all the XX clubs!! (Certainly in 2 years of living in the neighbourhood, nobody ever asked me or my female flatmate "how much?"!)

My mother and aunt stayed at the Timhotel a few years ago when they came to visit me in Paris. The plus points were the wonderful view (they requested a room with a view) and the location next to the old Bateau Lavoir (lots of history for art-lovers). The downside was the small size of the room and the breakfast room which they said was tiny. They still managed to have a great time there, especially my aunt who'd never been to Paris and was thrilled to be able to see all the Eiffel tower from her hotel room!

Here's the route for the 80 bus:

http://www.ratp.info/picts/plans/gif/bus_paris/80.gif

It goes up to the Mairie of the 18th on rue Ordener [Metro jules Joffrin]. La Chope de la Marie is right down the street. Nice little bistro with music on Friday and Saturday nights.

I'm currently staying in Montmartre about 2 blocks from the Abbesses metro for a few months and have been staying here a few times before. I have had no safety issues walking alone, day or night, and I am a petite (short) female. Hope that helps. Just wanted to also recommend Coquellicot, boulangerie/restaurant located near the Abbesses metro. I love this place for the food and the ambience.

Thanks all for the posts.
Tlucey: the 11 days I was there in May it was a little chilly and drizzly, but I actually don't mind walking around in that kind of weather too much. Apparently right after I left a big heat wave came to town.