Having stayed previously in the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th arondissements, I'd really like to try a different neighborhood and have found these on VRBO:

176141 - Boul. Raspail in the 14th
http://www.vrbo.com/176141

209147 - Boul. Edgar Quinet in the 14th
http://www.vrbo.com/209147

232791 - Boul. Jules Ferry/Canal St. Martin in the 11th
http://www.vrbo.com/232791

I'm especially intrigued with the location on the Canal St. Martin, but don't really know that neighborhood, or the Montparnasse neighborhood where the others are located and would be very grateful for any comments on these apartments, or suggestions for others. Also, would really like to find something pas trop cher, €800-900/week or less.

I've been reading all the wonderful advice and opinions of all the generous and knowledgeable people here at the forum, and look forward to help with this trip we're planning for September.

GG

Both neighborhoods you are considering are good choices. As you've visited Paris at least 4 times before, I am assuming you will be back after this time as well. Go with your first impulse now and stay in the other area next time. If you decide on the 14th, I like the 209147 location slightly more than the 176141 but they are very close to one another.

I stay in that Montparnasse area most of the time I'm in Paris and like it a lot. It's very convenient transportation but has lots of places to eat, shop, cinema, etc. You have to decide on the apt itself and value, but the general neighborhood is great. I would not choose the one on bd Raspail myself, however, because that is a very major thoroughfare and can be noisy with traffic (bd Edgar Quinet has some traffic, but not nearly as much and is fairly quiet at night, it's next to the cemetery on one side, also. However, that particular location is also in an area a bit farther from metro, stores, shopes, etc and not as convenient to me (the one on bd Raspail). It's sort of in-between Raspail and Denfert metro stops -- Simone de Beauvoir used to live in that area, I believe.

The one on bd Quinet is just a few doors down from the hotel I usually stay in so I know that location well.

I'm no big fan of the Canal St Martin area but maybe I just don't know it that well. Everybody has their own neighborhoods they like, I just like Montparnasse better. It just seems kind of dull with narrow streets and I like the bigger spaces on the Left Bank and areas with broader boulevards and things (and more trees). If that is really on bd Jules Ferry as it says, that is really more near pl Republique, the canal starts north of there in the area that is supposed to becoming trendy.

It's just personal taste.

Thanks bardo1 and Christina. I've never heard back from the owner of the place on the Canal St. Martin, but Boul. Edgar Quinet is not available, and Boul. Raspail will have to let me know in a few days. If Raspail is available, I will certainly ask the owner about noise.

I would like to be in Montparnasse, but so far am not finding anything available in my hoped for price range. Now I'm looking at VRBO 22038 which seems nice and is certainly well-priced. It's in the 11e on rue Lacharrière across from Square Maurice Gardette. I actually found a good review on Trip Advisor from last summer. I'd love to know if anybody has had any experience with this apartment or its owner, who also lists it at www.rentparisapart.com .

More questions are coming about other parts of this trip. It's great to have the collected wisdom of so many nice folks to help me get this together. Thanks!

GG

We LOVE the 11th. It is a terrific location (we've been to Paris more than 5 times). I think you will find a wealth of restaurants and cafes plus excellent access by foot, Metro and bus! I do suspect next time we want to spend more than just a couple of days in Paris, we'll try to pick an apartment in the area as well. Good bakeries, wine shops, and local stores -- and of course the big market that sets up along Blvd. Richard Lenoir is a fantastic source for stocking a small kitchen.

good luck, I don't think any owner is going to tell you some place is really noisy. I looked again and it says it is on the top floor, so that will help a lot, actually. It never bothers me except at night if I'm trying to sleep and there is a lot of traffic noise. Also, if you aren't near any cafe or anything like that (with outdoor seating or people coming/going), it will help. It will be okay now that I see it is 6th floor. That part of the blvd isn't quite as noisy, either, it seems to me, although that may be my imagination.

Well, I've booked the apartment in the 11e on Square Maurice Gardette. www.vrbo.com/22038 and http://www.rentparisapart.com/Apart/...ppartement.php . The owner has been very responsive to my questions, the apartment has everything we need, and the price is certainly within our budget.

I'm sure we will love being in the 11e, uhoh_busted, since we have loved everywhere else we have stayed in Paris. Please let me know about any special places in the neighborhood you would recommend.

Christina, during this trip I certainly want to get to Montparnasse to look around and get a sense of the area. Next time I hope to have more lead time to find accommodations. It sounds like a neighborhood we would enjoy.

This will be our first trip in September. In the past we have gone in the early spring, and found availability much less an issue than this time. Many of the apartments I had bookmarked over the past year were not available for our stay.

Now, it's on to finding somewhere to stay for five nights in Burgundy. I'm starting another thread for that.

GG

We stayed in the 14th on our last visit to Paris and loved it. As Christina says, lots of cafes and markets -- we had a boulangeris, a fromagerie and a wine store, plus an Italian market within a block, plus there's a Monoprix not far away and one street with several wonderful creperies. We also liked it because it wasn't touristy, just quiet working folks, although the cafes were filled at night with everyone having a great time.

You might check out ParisBestLodge, we stayed through this agency and I think Thierry, who runs the agency, has a few apartments in the 14th.

Thanks jobo - I did check with Thierry and he had nothing available for our dates. Maybe next time.

Hi MaineGG, can't wait to hear about the apartment on your return. I've rented thru VRBO several times, not only in Paris but elsewhere in Europe and have always been pleased, I think I've even looked at this apartment before (on VRBO website). Have a great time.
Susan

Another fan of the 11th. I hadn't seen this listing before, but it appears they've been on VRBO since 2003 (odd that there are no reviews, however). I'd be very interested in knowing how you like it when you return, so please report back. (The apartment we usually use has been sold.)

Specifically, there is no description of the bathroom. Is there a tub? I also note the rate is 640e a week but, below that, it says it assumes the dollar = the euro and you should adjust as needed. I'd rather they gave a set rate.

Have a wonderful trip! You'll love this area of Paris. It's like coming home to a "real" neighborhood each night.

I want to know about the apartment when you return too. I like the 11th quite a bit, though have only stayed in adjacent areas of the 3rd. I did street view on Google for your pad and how lovely it looks with the little green square right there.

Enjoy your trip!

MelJ, I wondered about the dollar/euro thing on the VRBO listing too, but when I heard back from the owner, the rate offered for our 11-day stay was €1000. This apartment is also listed on the following site:

http://www.rentparisapart.com/Apart/...ppartement.php

There are more photos there, including two of the bathroom showing a shower over tub with a partial glass screen.

Suspaul and Leely2, thanks for your comments. I'll definitely follow up with a trip report.

GG

A charming neighborhood with a safe, village-like feel, that not too many travelers know about, is La Butte aux Cailles, in the 13e, not far from the large Place d'Italie shopping center, and where Metro lines 5,6 and 7 converge. My husband and I spend 5-6 months a year in Paris - we're there now - and although we haven't yet rented in Butte aux Cailles, I've looked at apartments there that I wouldn't hesitate recommending, and the prices are quite a bit lower than the better known areas. Sure, it's a bit farther out, but still only 7-8 metro stops from the Latin Quarter, Notre Dame, etc.