Paris Areas - Les Invalides / Eiffel Tower vs St Germain-des-Pret
 

Trying to compare the area near Metro Ecole Militaire (7th) vs St Germain the area around Metro Saint-Germain-des_Pret (6th).

The former appears to be a quieter more residential area and the latter more alive and noisy (not a bad thing).

Am I reading this correctly?

We have stayed several times near the (somewhat infamous) Rue Cler in the 7th. Quiet, residential but with lots of Rick Steves tourists - its fine with me. I like to sit at a cafe on the Rue Cler in the morning and watch the residents shopping, taking kids to school, meeting for coffee. We have a number of restaurants in the area we like. My impression is the 6th is busier. We've been out in the 7th around 10 pm and there's little going on - the area does have decent access via the Metro to other areas - just depends on what you are looking for!

It is St. Germain des Pres.

St. Germain des Pres area is very chic. Lots of high-end shops (Louis Vuitton, Jerome Dreyfuss, Yves. St. Laurent) and flashy cafes like Deux Magots and Flore.

I, personally, love this busy area, especially the area around St. Sulpice and the Luxembourg Gardens.

I really don't care for the area around the Champ de Mars. I think it lacks charm. The streets in this area VERY WIDE, like Ave Bosquet. Many of the streets in the 6th are tiny alleyways and you get a feeling of intimacy whilst walking here. You almost "fall" into the shops near Rue Lobineau. (I would love to fall into Gerard Mulot!)

If I were going to Paris for the first time, I would either stay in the 6th or around the Place des Voges.

Thin, whose grandparents lived on Avenue Kleber for over 30 years.

Myer, I think so, in general. Hubs and I stayed in the Montparnasse area and enjoyed not having to walk so very far to most things.

We loved Rue du Cherche Midi. If you google the following, several hotels pop up:

hotel on rue du cherche midi

Our hotel appears to have been renamed La Belle Juliette. It was in need of rehab when we were there so I can't say how it is now. But, it's a great local area within easy walk to Montparnasse, Grand Magasin and Ave. Raspail and the restos mentioned above.

For somebody like me, choosing between those two areas brings to mind the French expression "having to choose between the plague and cholera." :-)

I prefer the working class and petit bourgeois neighborhoods.

If I was one of those people who went to Paris 3 times a year and considered my self a Parisian, I might pick a different area.

I'm amused when people want advice about a destination but don't want it to be "touristy".

We've been to Paris three times over the years and we've spread ourselves among many other destinations.

I consider myself a tourist. I have no problem being a tourist among tourists.

Of those two areas I would choose St Germain des Pres.....better transportation options.

Myer - where are you coming from [not figuratively, literally I mean where are you travelling from?] and what do you want to see while you are there?


for me, good access to the RER B is pretty important if not essential as we will catch the RER from CDG and hope to have tickets for the France v England rugby match at Stade de France, also on RER B. but you might just as easily want to be towards the west of the centre because of your interests or transport options.

just something to consider.

There are touristy areas, and then there are areas that I call "tacky/touristy".

We hate the tacky/touristy region in the 5th/Latin Quarter around R de la Harpe/Pl St Michel. We "passed through" there this year, and I would never want to stay in that area again - trinket shops, fast food, cheap eats - not what I want to experience in Paris.

However, the St Germain des Pres area not far away is quite different. Much more "classy", although there are a lot of tourists there.

I usually suggest that first-time visitors do what we did - stay in the St Germain des Pres area on your first few visits (close to the major sites), then move to the Marais, then to the 7th/15th/Montparnasse into quieter/more residential areas. Also, as we've gotten older we value "quiet" more and don't want the noise/crowds that are in the Marais or areas of the 5th/6th. We stayed in the 1st once & didn't enjoy it, and I try to avoid the Les Halles & R de Rivoli as much as possible.

Stu Dudley

annhig,

We'll be coming from Avignon on the TGV so we'll arrive at Gare Lyon. I guess a taxi from there.

We'll end up flying home from CDG after 3 days in Paris.

We've been to Paris before. We've stayed in the Opera district and enjoyed it and we've stayed near Procope (ate there over 40 years ago) and enjoyed that as well.

Other than the usual wandering around my wife mentioned going to Giverny.

On our last trip we went to Place des Vosges and stop in to an art gallery. The owner gave us a poster that my wife framed and has hanging in the house. We may want to stop by that area.

On our first trip (about 40 years ago) we were walking around Saint-Germain and my wife went into a little store. After making her purchase she asked the two old men who ran the store to come outside for a photo.

On our last trip a little over 10 years ago we stopped at the same store. There was a young girl running the store who told us her mother had bought the store for her seven years earlier from two old men.

I imagine the old men aren't around anymore but it will be interesting to stop by the store.

Many stories over the years.

I think people say those things about them (your initial capsule), but it really depends where you are in these arrondisements. There are quiet residential areas in St Germain, also, these areas are really big, you know (an entire arrondisement).

So it depends where one is, but if you are choosing a hotel, you are going to be near the main streets of St Germain, pretty much. Although I stayed in the Hotel St Thomas d'Acquin once and that is not in a hectic area at all, it is more a quiet residential street (relatively, I think there was a school nearby that wasn't always quiet, of course). If you are considering a hotel right near metro St Germain des Pres, that is a tad more lively and noisy than the other one, but not really that much. Because being right near a metro stop is never that quiet. And there are some blocks right near the Ecole Militaire that have restaurants and shops on them, also, there are just aren't as many right near that metro stop (rue Cler is nearby with lots of shops) as in St Germain. No Armani shop near the Ecole Militaire stop, for example, and not as many tourists go to sit in a cafe right there. So it is less hectic, I'd say.

I have stayed in both areas and like them both for different reasons as they each have their charms. The St. Germain des Pres area is livelier with great shops and restaurants but the 7th is pleasant to return to after a long day and also has great restaurants.

Love St Germain des Pres...have stayed in that area twice; great boutiques, close to sites and great cafes. Would be happy to stay in the area any trip, especially close to the Odeon Metro stop.

Am trying out the 7th and an apartment this trip. I think it will feel more residential and I am looking forward to it. Agree with StuDudley on the tacky/touristy comment!!

In the end, it is Paris and I think I will always feel lucky to be there no matter where I stay.

Just saw your disease comparison, kerouac. You have such a way with words!! I know these areas are your nightmare. Keep posting your reasons and photos to venture out of them!

First trip - another vote for Saint Germain des Pres.

Seasoned Paris visitor - Ecole Militaire since its close to a major bus hub.

Well, it's definitely not our first trip and we're not seasoned Paris visitors.

We've been to Paris three times over the years. The first time in the late 1970's and the last a little over 10 years ago.

mmm - i think i'd therefore go for the st. germain option, as you are probably going to be spending more time walking around the centre and using the metro than using buses.

Both areas are "alive", but I'm with Annhig, Myer. As a family of Paris lovers, we may have "moved in" to the 7th, more or less, but that's after over a dozen trips to Paris where we now just mosey on over to wherever, whenever. I'm voting that between the two, a nice hotel in St. Germain is what you would like the best.

As you've gathered by your map, your transportation options the area is very Seine-oriented, part of the biggest charm of Paris. In our early trips when we stayed either there or on Ile de St. Louis, I began and ended each day with a walk on either side of Ile de la Cite/Ile de St. Louis, yet had access within minutes to a myriad of Metro, RER, and bus stops. I could get anywhere with ease.

You don't have to stay in the middle of St. Germain tourist traffic--lots of quiet sidestreets, as Christine noted. I am a total NON shopper, so I don't need Armani access.

But I have to give full disclosure--my favorite part of the 7th now is watching moms as they pick up the kids after school and head straight for a favorite bakery.

Sidenote: I loved staying in the Marais. Like St Germain, great access to the Seine and great Metro/RER access, but has nice unique identity. If you are a shopper, Sunday shopping is superb there (or so my family shoppers tell me).

>>Marais. If you are a shopper, Sunday shopping is superb there (or so my family shoppers tell me)<<

And also very crowded. We now avoid that area on Sundays.

Stu Dudley

Thanks. We're staying in St Germain so that's settled.

Now I hve to get back to spending some time planning a trip to Glacier National Park.

Just too many places to go and not enough time.

Although we didn't know it, our first hotel ( http://www.hotelceramic.com/index.php ) was very close to the metro at champs elysee and the RER to Versailles. Perhaps that location would be slightly more convenient for you?

Stu, in last Paris trip this Sept, visited Marais on rainy Sunday so I could watch the shoppers shopping (still am without a purchase).

I am also always a sucker for the Russian musicians that hang out at the Place de Vosges--I come from a US area with a heavy Eastern European heritage, and die-hard capitalists that we all are, we managed to fall in love with the sheer wall of sound of the Red Army Chorus circa 1965ish when they toured the US. These guys at the Vosges number eight or less, yet they manage a really huge sound with the square's natural accoustics (they use the overhang to advantage more than any sound equipment).

Myer, happy planning. Loved Glacier National Park. We are hikers/bikers. Our first experience ever buying bear pepper spray. NEEDED it! I told husband to buy two medium cans for our family of four (kids were under 13). He scoffed about my alarmist personality, especially since that stuff costs $$$. Then he passed two grizzlies eating a cow or something in a ditch on way to store. Came home with two large economy size. As all wives like to say...
...Winning :)

Two hikers attacked on one trail mere hours after we left it. We had gone so far, observed a heck of a lot of eaten-up turf and thought, "You know..." We turned back that day. Good thing. I'd do it all again, though, for the sheer beauty. Have fun!

Alessandra,

On our last trip to Paris a little over 10 years ago we went to the Marais and wandered thru Place des Vosges. We stopped at an art gallery and the owner gave us a print that my wife framed and has hanging in the house. We want to go back and see if it's still their.

From there we decided to do some of the obligatories. The Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, etc. Since it's downhill to the Tower we figured we'd go in that direction.

The subway going was kind of smelly so we decided to take a cab. Just across the street a girl was about to get into one. I called out asking if she wanted to share it. We got in and within a couple of minutes were in front of the Louvre where another cab back-ended us. The two cab driver stood there yelling at each other and nobody asked if any of us was hurt.

We got out and before walking away to get into another cab I took a picture of the back of our cab. At that point both of the drivers ran over and started yelling at me. I still have that photo.

The girl we shared the cab with was from Seattle. She told us that she was in Paris for a day and then meeting up with some friends somewhere else.

Nobody from her family had ever been out of the U.S. so she promised them she'd go and seev the Eiffel Tower. That meant we'd have the cab take us there instead and work our way uphill.

While driving I pointed out Maxim's, Place de la Concorde and up the Champs. We then went thru a tunnel and shortly after got out at the Tower. Before parting I asked if she knew about the tunnel we had just gone thru. Diana had just been killed a few months earler. On our way to the Champs we crossed the Alma Bridge and there was a fountain there with many cards written by children.

The stories we remember.

= = = = =
Wrong board but who cares.

Bears are special. I've never come across a grizzly but have been nose to nose with black bears several times: Yellowstone (actually Grand Tetons), Yosemite and Banff.

You can see photos of them at:

www.travelwalks.com

Wait, are there Russian bears in Paris?

I'm so confused....

What wonderful Paris memories, Myer. Hope the shop is still there.

Love your black bears.

tuscan,

That's called digressing.

tuscan: I was wondering the same thing, since the Place des Vosges is nowhere near the 6th nor the 7th.

That's called confusing.

Do many posters here actually READ what they comment upon?

From Myers' post:

"On our last trip to Paris a little over 10 years ago we went to the Marais and wandered thru Place des Vosges. We stopped at an art gallery and the owner gave us a print that my wife framed and has hanging in the house. We want to go back and see if it's still their.

From there we decided to do some of the obligatories. The Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, etc. Since it's downhill to the Tower we figured we'd go in that direction."

I foolishly assumed that the "From there we decided to do some . . ." meant they left PldV for ET area.

apersuader65: Do some posters have no sense of humor?

Never mind...

Guess we have to overuse the smiley face :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

:)