Right or left bank. Where to spend the time and which hotel on which bank.. Paris fans you know the way... lead on!

They both have merits.

Is your purpose to sightsee or other? What do you most want to see?

Try searching for the Paris Superthread for starters.

thanks oh moldy one we are going to walk down the seine and sightsee and would love a nice middle of the road priced hotel

I've done both and loved both. Having said that, many people here recommend the 5th or 6th arrondisement for first-timers, which are both on the left bank. There are countless reasonably priced hotels in those areas.

I vote for the left bank particularly the Saint Germain de Pres arrondisement. I have stayed in this area several times and have found it to be the most relaxing and atmospheric. Paris is a great city and it is important to taste the true flavor of the city. The left bank offers this.

We've enjoyed both and, to tell you the truth, I'm not sure it mattered. We've done four stays in the first arrondisment, one on the Ilse St. Louis and three in St. Germaine. I cannot say that any one trip was "better" than the others.
You're in Paris...it's all wonderful!!

Left. Just get close to bus lines and a Metro station or two.
Rarely matters, because I am elsewhere anyhow.

The most active areas of the Left Bank, such as the Latin Quarter, appeal to a younger, less affluent, more animated crowd, whereas the active areas of the Right Bank appeal to a more affluent, older, more fashionable crowd. However, this is quite a generalization, and applies mainly to the best known areas on each side of the river (Latin Quarter for the Left Bank, and Champs-Elysées and such for the Right Bank). If you move off the beaten track, the two sides of the river resemble each other a lot more. In general, west is upscale in Paris, east is down, and most of what made the reputation of the Right Bank is to the west of that bank, whereas most of the reputation of the Left Bank is to the east.

Most of the visitors I've had really liked the atmosphere of the Latin Quarter. The Champs-Elysess is fun for some of them. I get the impression that the Right Bank has places they like to see, whereas the Left Bank has places they like to be. But it all depends on the exact area: after all, Montmartre is on the Right Bank, and the Eiffel Tower and Invalides are on the Left Bank.

don't discount the marais (3rd/4th arr.) which is on the right bank. it is a hip, happening, affluent place to be - and extremely well-located for getting to other areas of the city. many convenient bus and metro lines, and maybe a bit less expensive to stay than the 6th or 7th on the rive gauche.

We have stayed on both the right and left banks and have settled, for our last several trips, on the left. We stay in the 6th, near the Blvd. St. Germaine, the Seine and adjacent to the 7th. We find it a wonderful location, central and near Metro lines. If you are walker, this area is very convenient to many of the major sights.

For a first trip, the 6th near the 7th ie L Bank given your reason for the trip.

Agree that 6th or 7th is a good home base for a first-time visit. That said, you'll definitely "spend time" on the Right Bank if you want to see the major sites of Paris.

Left or Marais

Definitely the left bank and the 6th district unless you want to be in a more student oriented district as the 5th. Happy Travels!