We are trying to plan our evenings...we'd like to have a "neighborhood" planned for the evenings. Can you recommend some lively areas of Paris in the evening? We won't be drinking on this trip, so not neccessarily a nightlife area. Just a good area for people-watching, having dinner, walking around. We will have 7 nights. Thanks!

Blvd. St. Germaine in the 6th.

Blvd. St. Michel near the Pont/Fountain St. Michel in the 5th.

The area around the Pompidou Center

The area around the Madeleine

These areas are all very busy at night.

Thin

Thank you- I will definetly check those out.

I don't know how old you are, but if you are over 25, I really would not recommend the area around the St Michel fountain/sculpture mentioned. It is simply a zoo and full of very young people who are not always behaving in a manner that you might find enchanting or worth watching. I also would not hang around the Pompidou Center at night, there are some odd people around there, and riff-raff, so to speak. I was just walking by there a few months ago when it was still very early evening, and some either deranged or simply violent person just came by and hit me for no reason at all. He hit me on the back, hard, with his fist. I was just walking by the Nikki whatever fountain, as I recall, minding my own business.

Bd St Germain is okay -- I'd also recommend simply Ile St Louis or the area around Pont d l'Alma (which has a nice view of the Eiffel Tower from several cafe/restaurants). The Marais around Place de Vosges is another good one.

I agree with Christina that the Stravinsky Fountain near the Pompidou has some odd characters hanging about. Be careful if you go there.

There is usually some sort of street performance going on in front of the Fountain of St. Michel--break dancing usually. It is interesting to watch and the area is packed with people. However, I don't think the area is dangerous and there are lots of shops and cafes around, including the baker PAUL and the bouqinistes right there along the Seine.

The Ile St. Louis was ABSOLUTELY AS DEAD AS COUNTRY CHURCHYARD when I was there one night in November. It is nice to stroll around but no people watching whatsoever.

The Place des Voges is a good suggestion.

Thin

Rue des Lombards off Blvd de Sébastopol, runs parallel to Rue de Rivoli one block north, is a narrow street chock full of restaurants (many with outdoor seating for people-watching) and jazz clubs and bars - lots of comings and goings, truly something for everyone, from students to families to tourists...

Christina

A woman hit me on the steps of a church in Naples! What is it with this hitting stuff? I don't think I've ever been hit by a stranger in the US. Weird.

I think the Trocadero is fun at night, but it too can seem young, noisy and with some not perfectly behaved people.

I think it is hard to know.

I have been at Places des Vosges at night, and it too seemed totally DEAD.

I would hit any of these places, but I would also be prepared to move on if I didnt like the looks of the crowd.

I have never been hit in the US on the street, either, but I'm sure it could happen. It was a young man, and while he did not appear overtly mentally ill, he was on edge of some kind -- sort of a crazed behavior and aggressive towards lots of people, walking around rapidly, etc.

I don't know about the Place des Vosges per se, I've been there in early evening when it seemed there were enough people around, but there are lots of people on the streets in that area in the evenings -- say around place Ste Catherine, rue de Rosiers, even place de la Bastille, there are some good people watching cafes around there. As well as I think rue du Temple.

I like to roam around the touristy part of St Michel at night - lots of people and activity. Never noticed any 'untoward' behavior by young people. Several clubs operate around there.. Do some research before dining there, however.

We walked in the 6th one evening (Nov) down rue de Buci and rue St Andre des Arts - it was very busy, even shops were open rather late.

On Friday night, you can line up somewhere near blvd Montparnasse (10pm) to watch the "Pari-rollers" crowd skate by. The route changes often, but always starts at base of Tour Montparnasse. Check here during the week to see where you might want to position yourself:
http://www.pari-roller.com/index.php?p=18

The amount of activity at any one place at night I think depends on the time of year. In the Winter it is a lot quieter at night, pretty much everywhere.

The Bastille/Marais is quite close to the Place de Vosges there are many, many small shops, restaurants and cafes in the area; The Rue Moufftard leading up to Place Contrescarpe is often lively at night with lot's of places to eat; An evening on the Champs Elysee from the Arc de Triumphe down to the Place de la Concorde. The Seine is right there and you can walk on to the St. Michel area; The Illes are interesting places at night with lots of eating choices. The Ille St. Louis is usually quiet but a must see. I like it at night. The area where the two islands connect will have the most people watching and restaurant choices; Rue Cler will have many Americans, but many locals as well with several cafes to choose from. Afterward you can walk to the Champs de Mar and watch the Eiffel Tower light up.

I never felt unsafe in the Marais coming back to my hotel after midnight.