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-   -   Paris Location question - Rue de Bac (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/paris-location-question-rue-de-bac-315261/)

AmyChow May 9th, 2003 11:38 AM

Paris Location question - Rue de Bac
 
Does anyone know if Rue de Bac is in the 6e? I'm leaving in one week and have narrowed down our accomodations to an apartment that's described with a location of Rue de Bac between the Seine and Bld St. Germain.

Would love anyone's opinion on this location for a first trip to Paris. (thanks to everyone for helping me on my other posts!)

logandog May 9th, 2003 11:52 AM

Great neighborhood. Lots of shops, cafes,etc. Safe and interesting.

elaine May 9th, 2003 12:02 PM

yes, a preferred neighborhood imo.
Walking distance to Musee d'Orsay, etc etc. There are several blocks between the Seine and the Boul.
My only other thought would be that it could be noisy if the flat is on a low floor and faces the street.

cigalechanta May 9th, 2003 08:23 PM

LUCKY YOU!!

StCirq May 9th, 2003 08:36 PM

Great location, but as Elaine mentioned, could be noisy.You're definitely in the thick of things, though, in a great spot. Yes it's in the 6me.

francophile03 May 9th, 2003 10:35 PM

Very good choice

Cluny May 10th, 2003 02:48 AM

Get a copy of Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik to read while you're there.

JeanneB May 10th, 2003 03:14 AM

Amy:

That's a terrific locale.

Could you share the info on the apartment?

Betty1 May 10th, 2003 07:35 AM

Hi, Amy. Many years ago (76-77) I lived in an apartment at the intersection of rue du Bac, Bd. St. Germain and Boulevard Raspail. I agree with others here that this is an excellent location - safe, reasonably quiet, but with lots of cafes, restaurants, shops, transportation options, etc. and within easy walking distance of many prime tourist attractions. It is also within walking distance of one of my favorite restaurants, La Petite Chaise, at 36 rue de Grenelle.

I checked your other post about this apartment and it seems you are getting a pretty good deal. And the apartment looks lovely. If I were you I'd snatch it up in a hurry! In my opinion the extra space of an apartment for a week is more than worth the 150 euros difference and if you cook in a couple of nights you will easily recoup the extra expenditure. I don't think you have to worry about noise as it is actually on an "impasse" and all windows open on to the courtyard. If you'd like to take a look at your street, go to http://photos.pagesjaunes.fr/ and type in "Impasse Valmy" (you don't need the street number). You will see a detailed map of your neighborhood and pictures of the street and the the buildings, probably including the one this apartment is in. You can use the arrows under the pictures to "walk" up and down the street.

As for the arrondissement, I thought that I remembered ending my address with Paris 75006, which would mean I was in the 6th, but my Michelin Paris map indicates that the entire rue du Bac and my old intersection are in the 7th (with the line between 6th and 7th going down the rue des Saints Peres 2-3 blocks to the east). Maybe the line has moved in recent years? It doesn't really make much difference where the actual line is, this area "feels" like the 6th.

Whatever you decide, I hope you have a wonderful time in Paris. Be sure to come back and give us a report.

AmyChow May 10th, 2003 12:20 PM

Thanks to all for your advice. I've decided to go with the apartment. I'll be sure to report on it when I get back.

Jeanne B- the apartment (and the others she rents) can be seen at www.parisleftbankrental.com.

Scarlett May 10th, 2003 01:44 PM

Ahhh Amy, wonderful wonderful neighborhood! On Rue de Bac you will see lovely shops for kitchen wares from Provence, lingerie, The Maeght Gallery, the Post Office:) and some great pharmacies where you can buy Roc products for much less than the US.
Off of rue de Bac is rue Jacob, many galleries, antique shops and good restaurants,cafes and bistros.
You couldnt ask for a better neighborhood ( but someone will surely disagree:)
Also, there is a wonderful flower shop where you can buy some lilacs and lilies to scent the apt..that is what I do when we stay at the D'Angleterre, nearby.
Have a great time!

Beatchick May 10th, 2003 02:11 PM

Amy, don't know if you're a big fan but just wanted to let you know that James McNeill Whistler stayed at 110 rue du Bac from 1892-95.

Hope you have a faboo time in Paris!! The apartment looks lovely & very cozy - you should have a great time in that area. : )

AmyChow May 10th, 2003 03:40 PM

Scarlett - thanks for the tip on the Roc products! Having just paid $18.99 at Walgreens for a bottle of anti-cellulite cream (on my way back from the Taco Bell drive thru) I will be sure to stock up in Paris.
Now that I've got the accomodation issue out of the way I've moved on to the other details - like river boat cruises, day trips, cheap airport parking in Detroit, etc.
thanks again!

francophile03 May 10th, 2003 04:04 PM

Hi Amy, I viewed your apartment and you sure picked a great one! Nice apartment, nice location-you can't get better than that. Have a great trip!!

Patrick May 10th, 2003 05:15 PM

I just took a peek at this, and yes, I too think it is a great deal. So nice to find an apartment with some charm, nicely furnished, and an upper floor in an ELEVATOR building. Did you get the actual address? I love looking at the pagesjuanes site, but need an actual address. I love that neighborhood, and am renting an apartment this summer at St. Germain at Rue de Buci. Yours looks equally nice and is a great price.

AmyChow May 10th, 2003 05:45 PM

Hi Patrick:
The owner states that the apartment is located at 40 Rue de Bac between the Seine and Blvd St. Germaine.
The only thing I'm a little concerned about is that the renter is requesting a wire transfer of funds and is not able to accept a payment via PayPal or credit card.
I found this place thru VRBO and her website looks legit but without being able to find any references, I'm just a little worried (not worried enough to back out though). I'll be sure to post about the apt when I get back.

MaisonMetz May 10th, 2003 07:17 PM

Amy, we've stayed in three different apartments on the rue du Bac, and the neighborhood is one of our favorites. As Betty1 indicated, it's in the eastern part of the 7e just west of the 6e.

A restaurant we've enjoyed close by is Le Telegraphe. To get there you'd walk toward the Seine until you get to rue de Lille and turn left to #41. The food is good, and the Art Nouveau decor is beautiful; there's also a lovely garden for good-weather days.

Bree May 11th, 2003 03:59 PM

There's a very nice tea room called Nuits des Thes not far from the rue du Bac, at 22 rue de Beaune. The last time I was in Paris, we went in there at about 4 p.m. on the day we arrived because we were desperately hungry, and of course it was much too early to go to a restaurant for dinner. They weren't really set up to serve anything but pastries at that time of day, but when the owner heard our story, she very kindly made up plates of sliced ham, goat cheese, and tossed green salad that I still remember as one of the best meals I've had in Paris.

Bonjour Paris has an archived article about the neighborhood that mentions a lot of great places to explore. The article is at http://www.bparis.com/old_bp_article.php?articleId=2047 (If that link doesn't work,you can just google "nuits des thes" and "paris" together, and it's the second of the two hits you'll get.)


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