Getting a whiff of the annual Fête de la Musique (Paris Street Music Festival, means I may change my dates, to catch this.

Thoughts on the festival for those who have participated?

Leilasong and Valery, thanks for the info!!!


Thanks,
DJ

Bardo, thanks for that information.

I stayed in the Latin Quarter last time I visited, and loved it, but I have decided to take an apartment next time I go, because I was surprised at how reasonably priced it was.

DJ, I haven't been in June, and I'm sure it will be crowded, but I would go to Paris any month I had the time and money to get there. The people I met are lovely; you're smart to want to soak up the feel rather than make sure you hit all the sights. My most frequent suggestion to people is: if you don't already know it, learn a bit of French and practice it while you are there. I ran into so many people who swapped mini-lessons with me.

Have a wonderful trip!

Add me to the list who want to dissuade you from booking in Montmartre. Not only is it somewhat "far away" but it is poorly connected by metro. You will be doing a lot of walking, much of it on hilly ground.

Here is a studio apt. we stayed at for less than 99.00 per night. Nadine's Studio - 30 sqm Paris 9e near Montmartre/Opera E-mail : [email protected] Website : http://locationparis9.canalblog.com

We paid 650 Euro for 2 Weeks - that is 325 Euro per week, plus a small cleaning fee might be charged and you will have to buy renters insurance- about 12Euro per week.

I was staying in the 5th when, upon exiting our hotel one eveining, we heard music. Across the street, on the curb, was a drummer and a guy playing guitar. Didn't know why, were they pan-handling? Keep walking and we hear a violin. A man was playing and a crowd of all ages was sitting and standing around him while he played. That's when we knew something was happening. We made it to Blvd St Germain and there was a stage set up. A band was playing popular french pop songs. When we arrived it was a song by Vanessa Paradis (aka Mrs Johnny Depp) The crowd was singing along loudly. Orderly crowd, all enjoying themselves.

It was a fun time.

The apartment I'm checking out is on 3 Rue Cortot (Montmartre). $950 for 7 days. Sound reasonable? I've read in the forums from someone else who stayed here and they provided good feedback. All inclusive fee from what I gather.

Brushing up on my French.. :)

DJ

Why would you want to leave Paris? If you like Monet, you must see his garden (Giverny). I always stay in the Marais district. I love the area and would live there if I could. You might like the left bank but I've never stayed there.

If you aren't committed to Montmartre, you may be better off getting a tiny cheap hotel room in a great neighborhood. You might like Versaille or Fontainbleu? (never been, so not sure if Fontainbleu is the other place in the area) or find something else that's near by.

Eeek. Why go to London? It's crazy expensive. Go flea market shopping or get lost in the heart of Paris instead.

Going out to Montmartre is a day trip in itself.

This apartment?
http://www.paris-apartment-rent.com/studio/satie.html

I love the tub, but otherwise I don't see anything else about the apartment that would recommend it for a first stay over one that would be more centrally located.

Love the Fête - music and dancing in the streets and everyone is in a good mood. I've been three times - this year will be my fourth - and I'm really looking forward to it.

As far as the day trip to London goes, we did it last year, and it was do-able but we were exhausted. So much left unseen. I'd probably stay at least three days next time. However, we only had a week in Paris so we could only spare one day for the "Other" city.

Paris is full of tourists in June (well, it is full of people like me) but it stays light until 10 or so and there is just something about the summer there that I love. You'll have a great time!

You're getting lots of good advice so I'll just comment about June. I loved Paris in June - light until 10 is great fun.

Just one more suggestion that you not stay in Montmartre on your first trip to Paris. While I have visited Paris 10 times, I have only been to Montmartre twice. It has a great view of Paris but is otherwise pretty crowded with tourists and not at all my favorite area of Paris. Try one of the apartments suggested above; they are less expensive and more conveniently located for seeing Paris.