2 adults, 2 kids on a budget. Want to be near centrally located. Looking at these two apartments (both glorified studios):

http://www.vrbo.com/5586
(11 rue de la Huchette)
I found some good reviews. Only concern is it is right in the Latin Quarter and it is about $50 more per night than the next one:

http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_180.htm
(12 Rue Seguier)

I can't seem to find a review of the Seguier location (anyone have one?!) and from what I can tell (from Google Earth) this is in the middle of Seguier, which appears to be a long narrow block. Should I be concerned about safety? Anyone stay or spend time on the block? Thanks!

Paris hotels? I meant Paris Apartments. Ugh. I can't even get that much straight!

I stay in hotels and like the Latin Quarter with the exception of Rue de la Hucette; it's a noisy street lined with cheap restaurants with touts standing outside trying to convince customers to enter.

I think if you do a search you'll find many recommendations for Paris apartments. I've seen some recently but don't recall the thread titles. Probably asking about Paris accommodations.

I wouldn't be at all concerned about the safety of the Seguier apartment -- it's in a busy 6th arr. neighborhood (I stayed one street over on Git le Coeur, one year), but I would not want a fourth floor walk up.

I think you should keep looking and you'll find something better.

I just read the reviews and am surprised that some people like that street. So, I could be wrong but hope other folks who stay in Paris post about the location.

Both are wonderful, central locations. yes, rue de la Hucette is noisy - but the flat is on the inside (courtyard) so noise should not be a problem at all.

I wouldn't eat in any of the restaurants on and around rue de la Hucette - but there is a small grocer and a good bakery/creperie.

Pick which ever one fits your budget/is available for your dates. I'd probably choose rue de la Hucette simply because it is larger. When a flat is that small, every square meter counts.

I'm a little dubious about the loft bed in the Rue de la Huchette apartment but I can't really tell from the photos how easy it is to get up and down. I like the other unit better but don't know how much inconvenience climbing to the fourth floor will be for you. I wouldn't be worried about safety on that street. It looks like a nice quiet street and is in a very good location.

Have you looked at the Paris Best Lodge apartments?

BTW - I haven't stayed in rue de la Huchette, but twice I've rented flats just around the corner in rue xavier privas

I don't know that I would rent an apt on rue de ptomaine ( Huchette). It would likely be noisy. Did you look to see if VIP #122 on rue St Andre des Arts is available? It is nearby but quiet and has all the advantages of this area and none of the drawbacks

The description clearly says the flat is on a private courtyard. That would solve the noise problem. That is why I enjoyed my stays on xavier privas - courtyard flats w/ no noise from the pedestrians/partiers/restaurants

I would be happy in either flat and both locations. Both are near St Michel metro and the river/islands -- so I personally think either one would be fine.

Huchette is colorful and noisy, but fun to see. I'd probably choose the Seguier location, but we had one apt. that was 67 long steps up and that got very old.

You're in the right area though. Perfect to get around, walk to many sights and convenient to Metro, a lot of night street entertainment that the kids will like----how old are they?

I'd look a little more also. Have you tried www.homeaway.com ? Very similar to VRBO, we've used both with great success. What's your top budget?

http://vacationinparis.com/apts/id_122.htm

Here's a link to #122 that avalon mentioned above. It looks great.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ent-thread.cfm

And here's a link to one of the apartment threads.

Hope it helps.

Thank you all! VIP 122 doesn't want our children (smile) and it is $90 more per night (over Seguier). But I really appreciate the leads and the comments.

Seguier has 3 flights of stairs (if I understand this correctly). That is a little disconcerting but more so is whether we'll feel comfortable coming back at night, particularly with kids (10 and 6). On street view, it just looks dark (during the day) and narrow and the apartment appears to right in the middle. Anyway, thanks again and I appreciate any more input!

My suggestion would be to call VacationinParis, they are located in NJ to discuss which apartments are best for a family with 2 children. Not all apartments will rent to families with young children. No sense choosing apartments that don't want to rent to families with children.

I spoke with Donna Reynolds who was very helpful with my apartment rental for next month. She should be able to help you find just the right rental.

I also liked the idea of working with a company in the US so I could use my credit card and the fact that I didn't have to pay a large security deposit.

Good luck

Bitter, I understand your point about walking down a narrow street in the dark. While I haven't stayed in that specific area, I can tell you that I have walked alone down many narrow streets late at night in the 3rd, the 1st, the 4th, and the 17th and have never felt any anxiety whatsoever. If I liked the apartment and the price were right, I wouldn't hesitate.

Anselm

I stayed in the Rue Seguier apartment in November of 2008 with my husband. Street was SO quiet, building was quiet and everything was super safe. The stairs were never an issue for us. It was a great great apartment for us.

The only concern I would have for you is the size. It was just right for the two of us even though it has the pullout sofa. I am not sure how 2 adults and 2 children would do in there, I think it might be fairly cramped.

We have also stayed in an apartment on rue Séguier, several times actually. The street is narrow, but adequately illuminated at night, with frequent pedestrian and occasional auto traffic. It's a long block, with busy streets (mostly pedestrian on St. Andre des Arts to the south) on either end. We never felt unsafe walking along, no matter the hour; of course, you should always be aware of what's going on around you no matter where you are.

I just stayed at 2 Rue Seguier, a 17th mansion on the banks of the Seine next to Notre Dame. Delphine Olivier is a gracious host and speaks English since she was raised in the US as a guest of her relatives. She has lived in Paris for 40 years and knows every nook and cranny of the city. The close proximity to metro St. Michel and the RER train service from Charles De Gaulle made our stay so convenient. The views of St. Chapelle, modern bath, and totally equipped kitchen and dining room, plus 2 bedrooms made this apartment ideal for my parents for a week. Wish we booked two weeks in retrospect.

You can't go wrong. She also owns another apartment at 15 Quai de Bourbon ( Arrondissment 4th ) on the Ile St. Louis where the famous artist Emile Henri Bernard once painted in the 1880's in case Rue Seguier is occupied. Check out web sites with plenty of maps and photos here: www.rueseguier.com and www.quaibourbon.com You can book directly with Delphine Olivier by phone 011+33 (6) 11 690 526 and tell her Tom Brady sent you. She will smile. Enjoy!