Paris for 5 nights - solo 25 yr female
 

Hi there. I have 5 nights to spend in Paris on a first time trip to France. I feel very drawn to the Marais and Montmartre districts however does anyone have any advice for a 25 yr old solo traveler looking for a safe yet exciting district for both day and evening attractions. I plan to spend fewer time in Museums and try to live more like a local. thanks!

First off, I doubt you'll want to stay in Montmartre on your first trip to paris. It's a ways out from central Paris, and it's got a seedy side to it that you wouldn't want to wander into unsuspectingly at night. Go and visit there during the daytime.

The Marais is delightful. And I think a 25-year-old would also very much enjoy the Latin Quarter, where there are plenty of students and bars and dance spots and so forth.

I endorse StCirq's advice. Montmartre has many charms: it's rather like a collection of villages -- but you really need to know your way around.

I doubt very much if you can get much of a flavour of living like a local in only five days. If you are really interested in that dimension, you might be able to observe everyday Parisian life more easily that live it. I imagine there will be a bit of conflict between trying to do that and also seeing some of the great sights.

You are only a little past typical student age, so you might tune in easily to student areas like the Latin quarter. Perhaps you should look for something near Rue Mouffetard.

Walk as much as your feet will allow you. Visit as many cafes as you can. Pop into neighbourhood shops and popular chain stores like Monoprix. Look and listen.

Hi Yannette,

I think the Marais area would be a perfect place for you to stay. The area is safe and lively with locals. There are wonderful places to eat and shop, and the nightlife is fun but not too wild. It is also very central for exploring Paris.

Enjoy your trip!

Zoe

I stayed at a hostel in Montmarte when I was 22 (about 4 years ago). I didn't want to take the metro so I walked to the 7th and 6th daily. It was a long walk, but nice. It was boring in Montmarte at night. I wouldn't say it was seedy, just grafiti some places. Lots of stairs!! In three weeks I will be staying in the 7th, which I know is also slow, but it will be closer to everything I want to do. Gauging from what I have read in books and on here I would stay in the latin quarter if i wanted some excitement. good luck!

Hi Y,

I also suggest the Marais (4th Arrond), Latin Quarter (5th) or the East side of St. Germain des Pres (6th) near the LQ.

What's your hotel budget?

((I))

Another vote for the Marais.

thank you all for your helpfull input. I have now reconsidered the Montmartre district as a base and am now considering two hotels (Hotel Famillia) in the Latin Quarter and (Hotel Tiquetonne) in the Chatelet/Marais district. Anyone have any experiences with these hotels? thank-you.

you should pull up some reviews by searching with those names in the search feature above.

Hi Yannette,

I have never stayed at either hotel, but the location of the Hotel Tiquetonne does not look ideal. I think you would be happier with a hotel in what I feel is more the heart of the Marais area.

Try the Hotel De Nice-

http://tinyurl.com/3ydtwq

or one of these-

http://tinyurl.com/2vtxnj

http://tinyurl.com/374lkh

http://www.carondebeaumarchais.com/

Chatelet is one of the few areas of Paris that I wouldn't feel totally comfortable in at night, espcially near the métro/RER. Pick the other one - but do check reviews of it.

my 23 yr old son even felt uncomfortable with a FRIEND in the chatelet area at night. they took a turn into the square and got the h.. out of that area fast.

a busy,tough neighborhood at night, it seems .. or at least it gives that impression. maybe nothing actually happens there but there are plenty of undesireable males doing their thing.

not a place i would want to come home to at night, especially alone. a main street in the latin quarter or marais would be better mix of people.

Try the 6th arrondisment. It has enough people to the point where you won't feel isolated at night walking down a street.

The woman who's cut my hair for umpteen years was going to Paris a couple of years ago with relatives asked me where to go. Her niece did a pre-emptive and booked them into a Montmartre hotel. My HD said that it was pretty bad, even though it was a 'business' hotel. They felt isolated from Paris.

I've stayed all over the 6th and love it. My last trip was near the Seine, but close enough to the ATMs on St. Germain. Lots of people and lots of restaurants. Walking distance to the Musee d'Orsay and Notre Dame.

Stay on the left bank, the Marais may be good for some, but you're youngish and want some action, and you won't find it on the right bank.

As a sad note, I actually (on business) stayed at the Hotel California on the right bank. Deadest area of the entire City.

Joe Bob says check it out.

i thought the hotel california was near rue des ecoles on left bank? are there two?

Yes, there are (were) two Hotel Californias. My business associate and I were there in the French equivalent of a dust bowl (right bank at night), staying at the 'corporate' Hotel California.

The good / bad news is that our first night there was on my birthday, and a metro strike, and torrential rain. My associate had never been to the Eiffel Tower (or even out of the country) before, and insisted on going. The HC was 3-4 blocks from Le Georges Cinq. Those of you who know Paris can imagine the walk from the ET to the Georges Cinq and 4 more blocks.

I believe there is another HC in the 6th, but I haven't stayed there.

There are 2 rules I have about Europe, and they are as follows: never travel with an idiot and never travel with an idiot who has never traveled before.

The bad news was that there was no good news.

Hi,
The Hotel Tiquetonne isn't really in what I would call the Chatelet/Marais area. It's on rue Tiquetonne, which is just off rue Montorgueil, a bustling pedestrianised market street, a little north of Les Halles. Although I like the Montorgueil area a lot, if it was my first visit to Paris, it's probably not where I'd choose to stay.
It's worth noting that rue Tiquetonne joins onto rue St Denis - a street which is rather seedy (particularly the northern end) with XXX cinemas and sex shops, etc. So while probably not unsafe, not my area of choice as a lone female!

Another vote for the Marais, and I would disagree with Rastaguytoday about "no action". The Marais is a very lively quarter, with lots of cafes, bars, trendy restaurants, etc. It's the gay-friendly area, so there's plenty of night life. (Note "gay-friendly", not "gay-exclusive", so it's very much a mixed crowd.)

I've stayed at the Hotel Familia (assume you're talking about the one in rue des Ecoles, right?) It's in a good location in the Latin Quarter which fulfills your "safe yet exciting" requirement. One drawback: the rooms are tiny, but that's a common problem with Paris hotels.

this has been very helpfull! I now cant decide between the Marais and Latin Qrt - would it be an annoying task to split the trip between two hotels and therefore spending three nights per district?

Hi Y,

There is no sense in staying in 2 hotels for only 5 nights.

Paris has an excellent public transportation system that is safe to use at night.

Just to muddy the waters.

We always stay at the Hotel Bonaparte, 61 Rue Bonaparte in the 6th. From 95E sngl w/bkfst. It is located near 3 metro stops. Has AC and an elevator.

Tel 33 1 43 26 97 37
FAX 33 1 46 33 57 67
www.hotelbonaparte.fr

For more info, enter "Hotel Bonaparte" in the "search this forum" box.

Photos are at http://tinyurl.com/ludgd

Enjoy your visit.

((I))