Paris - Montparnasse neighborhood??
 

Any comments on what this neighborhood would be like to stay in?

I know it's not ideal, but it's not our first trip to Paris. we have spent several nights in paris, and are pretty familiar with other neighborhoods, but haven't stepped foot in this one!

We need to stay on Starwood points, and the Le Meridien is half the points per night of the Prince de Galles (on George V) and the Westin Paris (near Jardin Tuilleries). Have stayed at the Westin before, but not the Prince de Galles, and if Montparnasse isn't recommended, we are considering the Prince de Galles.

by the way, the Le Meridien has mixed reviews on tripadvisor, but apparently is right next to a metro station.

All comments very appreciated!! Thanks!

Someone else asked a similar question here last week.

"What do you think of the Montparnasse area?"
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35178625

And this was my reply:

Author: yk
Date: 01/23/2009, 08:06 pm
I'm a Montparnasse convert. It's a great neighborhood with more affordable restaurants, and the best part is the ease of transportation. There are tons of bus lines from Montparnasse that go everywhere in Paris, and that's not including all the different metro lines.

We stayed in Montparnasse on our first trip to Paris as well. Loved it! We were about two blocks from the metro and never felt like we were too far from anything. Our kids were only 7 and 10 at the time, and even with them it was very easy getting around to the main sites.

Hi dina4,

We stayed in an apartment on Ave du main a couple years ago. Loved the neighborhoos. Excellant couscous restaurant on Draguere. Nice pedestrain street off of main. Buses from Montparnasse excellant. Usually stay in 11th, but enjoyed this area also.

What would be "ideal" is a matter of opinion, I prefer to stay in Montparnasse and probably would not want to stay in areas many others consider "ideal."

It's just an area that is a combination of residential, business, and entertainment, and a bit "newer" in terms of Paris history, of course, than Ile St Louis or areas around there. Of course there is the train station which takes up a big area. If you don't want to be there, you can just take the metro a few stops to be somewhere else. There are lots of restaurants and nighttime activities, so you don't have to go far for that, unless you want to.

Thanks! That's all such great news.

can anyone recommend any cafes or good places to eat closeby ?

has anyone stayed at the Le Meridien?

the address is 19 Rue du Commandant Mouchotte.

thanks so much for your comments. i really appreciate it.

dina