Is anyone familiar with the Right Bank 9th Arrondissement in Paris? Is it a good, safe place to stay/shop/walk around? <BR>Thanks

Lola? A Showgirl? The 9th contains the pigale - and the famous Moulin Rouge - on the north side, by the 18th arrondisement. The south side borders Place de L'Opera. <BR>That said, it is not an unsafe area if you follow the usual tourist guidelines. There are more dangerous places. I had a really good time there. As with everywhere in Paris - Watch out for the Arabs - they're very persistent and thick skinned, so you can be as rude as you like.

Lola <BR>I don't think of it as the most central or attractive area of Paris, <BR>and some of the area is a bit on the sleazy side, so I would choose another area to stay in, assuming you're not already locked in. <BR>The other comments from the above poster are not ones I agree with.

Lola: I would avoid North of the 9th (Pigalle and Clichy red light district) as mentioned by Jeff. South is ok. Thre are the big Dept artment Stores Galeries Lafayette, Le Printemps, Marks & Spencer... and everybody goes there. <BR>There is the Opéra de Paris, and Musée Grévin (Paris' Tussaud's). <BR>Just be alert, especially after business hours. <BR>But that's an advice for all areas in Paris and all big cities anyway!

Ursula makes a good distinction; the southern part of the 9th, around the Opera Garnier is very busy <BR>and upscale; it's the northern part that <BR>I don't think as much of.

My Wife & I just returned from Paris. We stayed in the 9th at the Hotel Gotty Opera. We never felt threatened. We walked up to the opera a few times feeling quite safe. There are a lot of resturants & people milling about. Further north in Pigalle be aware.

<BR>Lola-- <BR>The 9th! <BR>Goodness! <BR>On every street corner under street lamps there are Apaches waiting to jump on your bones <BR>You can tell who they are <BR>They wear berets and candy striped shirts==the girls wear slit skirts mesh stockngs and spike heels <BR>Their accomplice usually stands in the corner under the lamppost playing an accordian <BR>Youll also find these sex fiends in all the other arronidsments <BR>except the 7th because thats <BR>where Rick Steves will protect <BR>you. <BR>(oh why do the wrong people travel?--Noel Coward) <BR>