Paris yet another question
 

I have been reading with great interest all the posts about where to stay in Paris, and have learned a lot - thank you all so much. But I still have a question! Our family (parents and 2 college-age daughters) will be spending a week in Paris in Jan. We are planning to rent an apt. and are considering the 10th arrondisement because it seems less touristy and less expensive. However, I recently read a comment about this area having more crime than others. Our daughters will be going out on their own for some Paris nightlife and of course, we all want to be comfortable with them getting back to the apartment on their own late at night. Any comments, opinions, thoughts etc.? Thanks!

The 10th is changing; it's becomming one of the new "hot arrondisiments" in Paris with locals. Throughout the city the crime you need to be most aware of is pickpockets and other petty crimes. However if you're concerned and it isn't too late you may want to switch to another area. With college age daughters looking for nightlife I would stay in the 4th (Marais), the 2nd/5th or perhaps the 9th.

LOJO - We have only stayed in the 10th once at The Holiday Inn on Rue L'Echiquier, a small street running parallel with Blvd. de Bonne Nouvelle.
A super hotel - The best room we have ever stayed in - wide passages with thick carpeting leading to the rooms.
At the time I new little of the area and had not done my research properly. We had one disappointing meal at a restaurant in the area but a few days later it closed for renovation so that's probably why.
Nearby in Rue Thorel we ate twice at a super little chinese place.
I wish we had known Passage Brady was just behind the hotel off Rue du Faubourg St Denis! My DH loves curry & spicy food.

I don't know where exactly you will be staying but we never ever felt threatened or in danger.

Kerouac would be the right person to answer your question in detail.

agree with the above. I am quite a bit beyond college age and still get a bit paranoid when I walk in this area after dark..yes it is really changing but I would choose another area esp if the girls will be returning late at night by themselves.

Also for the distance to all the regular sight-seeing. I think the 4th, 5th, or 6th is more convenient all around for what you describe.

I am not familiar specifically with with the 10th, but generally speaking, if rents are lower in certain neighborhoods, there's usually a reason.

I think I said that (at least I believe I did, don't know what others said in that post) and that wasn't just an impression, I've read the crime stats published by the Paris police dept, by arrondisement. I think a lot of it is around or in the train stations, though (but not all, although as in many cities, a lot of local crime doesn't have anything at all to do with tourists and wouldn't imply they were in any danger from some of the local crime). But as with any arrondisement, the area is not just a couple streets, the arrondisements are large and cover areas that vary in terms of ambience, crime, convenience and other things.

I guess the 10th is less touristy, certainly parts are compared to the areas right near the Seine on the Right and Left Banks, Champs-Elysees, etc. But there are a lot of cheap hotels in the 10th near the train stations where cheap package tourists may stay, or perhaps more European or tourists from other areas, but not the US usually. The 10th is less expensive, of course. I personally wouldn't choose to stay there as I like other parts of Paris, including other areas that are not touristy where I have stayed. Lots of Paris isn't that touristy, actually, if you get beyond the area right around the Seine (Marais, St Germain and Latin Qtr right near the Seine). So if that is the goal, there are lots of areas in other arrondisements that would also fit it. There is actually nightlife in the 10th, some good local and jazz clubs and theater, but probably not where you or your daughters would be going. It really depends where the apt. is that you want to rent and how far from the metro stop and which metro stop. If you don't know any of those parameters, I think it might not be the best for you if you really think your daughters will be out on their own late at night in Paris and wandering around the neighborhood and the metro late at night in the 10th (including Republique, the train stations, etc.).

One of my best Parisian friends has an apartment in the 10th... one he inherited last year from his grandmother. So, this is a new area for him to actually live in. The area is changing though. The apartment has been in his family for over 4 decades and his family was used to visiting his grandmother there. The area has gotten better. But, we were talking about it and he said there are still areas of the 10th to be more cautious in.

He showed me his new apartment in March, when I was there, and even walked me around the neighborhood. I felt fine in the day.. even liked it...but at night it depends on the area . Since he lives on a big Boulevard...Layfayette....it's not as bad to walk at night since he's close to the train station and it's a short walk ( 3 blocks) from the bus depots at the train station and about one block from one of the metro stations although I personally wouldn't be too keen on being on the metro very late at night going back to his place.

He's told me that I can stay at his place next spring and try it out and not have to rent an apartment as I did this past March. I've taken him up on his offer.

I've stayed all over Paris, since around the mid 70s when I first started going. However, since the early 80s, I've exclusively stayed in the 6th as I like to be able to walk to a lot of places and walk more at night. I'm female and travel alone.

As for college-aged daughters, I once was the same college-aged daughter (smiles) and was traveling overseas alone and as a female had to ALWAYS think of safety. My best male friends, who were also traveling at the same time, were able to travel by different rules. I was first out traveling alone when I was 17...almost 18. I understand your concerns as my parents had them for me, but it was part of using life skills to stay safe and since I'm from L.A. area, I'm used to having to be on my toes. Smiles.

So, I think that if you stay in that area, then it would be best for your daughters to take TAXIS to and from the apartment late at night depending on where they are going. There's also the bus. I take the bus a LOT and prefer it over the metro. But, of course, it depends on where the bus lets off in relationship to where the apartment is.

Things are a changing in Paris. I've been vacationing there, almost annually, since the mid 70s, and things felt different this past trip.

I was followed, in the daytime, in the Concorde metro station and could have ended up in the middle of an attempted mugging, but was on my toes. The man left me alone, as I gave him the look and body-language of death, He then turned and walked in the opposite direction.

He had been walking in the opposite direction when I first noticed him and then turned he stopped, turned, and very obviously started to follow me.

I've been out and about for decades and luckily have remained safe due to intuition and never letting my guard down. I was in Paris for a week and some other little "odd" things transpired. Your daughters need not be paranoid, but aware. And wear a money belt with emergency money in case the purse gets snatched. I'm in my early 50s now and thank goodness have been lucky that nothing major has happened to me and I've been on all of the continents and in a LOT of different situations. So, just stay smart and aware. Happy Travels!

I forgot to add that since you're going in January, I really don't think it's going to be that touristy and you should get a cheaper apartment rental rate at that time and can choose a more convenient area. I was in Paris, a few years ago, during Thanksgiving time and it was pretty dead in my area of the 6th. Plus, the weather is cold and folks are inside more. There are other months when it's VERY touristy.

As for the apartment I rented, it was through vacationinparis.com ..apt #122. The company is in New Jersey and I paid everything in U.S. dollars. I've written a whole report on it that you can pull up by typing in my name in the Search box and scrolling. This apartment is in the heart of things, and even next door to a movie theater if they wanted to take in a film. Plus, going out late at night would be a lot easier since the apartment is one block from Blvd. St.Michel which is the official area of the next district, the 5th, where the students are. There are little clubs throughout the 5th. They could walk. Happy Travels!

This is all great information - Thanks so much! It sounds like there are some areas of the 10th where the girls might not be comfortable alone late at night. And, as was pointed out, since we're not familiar with the area, it is probably better to stay somewhere else than chance it. We're still looking at apts. and have not committed to anything, so I think I'll concentrate on a different area. I've been using the Parisattitude site (which seems to me to be the easiest to use - I really like the way it is set up) and we are looking into #1749. Anybody familiar with the apt. or location?

As a bit of additional information, I'm not concerned with the general idea of the girls being out at night. The 21 year old was on her own in Copenhagen, Prague and Vienna last summer, and they are both experienced at getting around New York, Boston and Philadelphia, so they have a good amount of "street sense".

More comments are welcome! Thank you!

I lived in Copenhagen for over 20 years of summers, but Copenhagen and Paris are like apples and oranges as far as safety issues. Copenhagen is quite safe. I haven't been to Prague, so don't know about the safety issues there, but have been in Vienna where I had no problems.

It's good that your daughters are American, big-city street-wise though because trust me I've seen and heard of college-aged kids going through all kinds of stuff while abroad because either they weren't street wise or just too trusting (as in my Scandinavian friends at the time...too trusting). MANY things could have been prevented.

A mugging and separate theft happened to the niece of a close family friend of ours. She lost EVERYTHING...plane ticket, passport, and money and was totally stranded. And I had tried to talk to her before she left for Europe as her aunt told her to call me, but she really didn't want to listen. She was 22. And of course, she didn't buy the money belt that I had told her to buy before she had left.

I'll look up the apartment that you've mentioned above. I've heard of that agency, but haven't rented from them. What price range are you looking to rent in? That would be helpful in giving advice. Happy Travels!

OK. I looked it up. It looks like a nice location and apartment. I've been in that area before.

When going to Paris and selecting accommodations, location is far more important to me than the apartment or hotel. Anyhow, it's good that the metro is on Line 4 as Line 4 is a good line to get around on and connect to other lines. Plus, you have Lines 8 and 9 which I've been on many times. So, with Lines 4/8/9 nearby, you have a very good selection of metro lines.

However, unless things have changed, I remember that metro Strabourg St. Denis was one of the metro stations to be cautious in late at night. I've taken the metro to and from that metro stop in the day time without a problem.

So, go for it, if the price and apartment is right for you. I would rather be in that neighborhood, and close to metro Lines 4/8/9 than to be in the 10th and possibly have to go through huge Gare de L'Est to catch various metro lines depending on where you are in the 10th. Happy Travels!

So, keep posting other apartments and if I know the area, I'll get back to you. Happy Travels!

Sorry for the above, I accidentally hit post before finishing the editing. Happy Travels!

One more thing LOJO - When you do settle on an apartment, even look at the one you may have chosen in the 10th, go to http://photosdevilleparis.pagesjaunes.fr/ and take a walk around the neighborhood and look at all the shops, cafes, building in the area.
This is a lovely way to see Paris - even if you're not actually there!

The 10th arrondissement is an excellent choice for young people, as most of the interesting venues are in the north of Paris, and there are lots of cafés and restaurants that attract a young crowd along the Canal Saint Martin or Place Sainte Marthe.

Cycling along the totally separated bicycle paths along the canal is pure pleasure, and the streets along the canal are completely closed to traffic most of the day on Sunday. It is a fantastic place to see Parisians rather than tourists.

Just slightly north of the 10th arrondissement, along the Bassin de la Villette in the 19th, is the new up-and-coming spot for entertainment and restaurants. However, it should be noted that it is so popular now that it is often impossible to get seated at a restaurant after 8 p.m.

Now that the "BRIC" group of countries has overrun the center of Paris, the Parisians are retreating from the center and going to places where they can enjoy themselves.

As for security, the main thing to know is that it is an old part of Paris. It would not be considered clever to wander alone through poorly lit alleys at 3 a.m. However, on the main avenues and boulevards, there are plenty of people out at all times and nothing to worry about.

What are the "BRIC" group of countries? I haven't heard that expression. Happy Travels!

Brazil, Russia, China and India. Bedfellows of some sort.
Interesting!

The BRIC countries are the ones now filling up all of the luxury hotels and top restaurants in various parts of Western Europe. I read that 8 Bollywood movies were filmed in France in the past year, and it's the same for Switzerland -- and you know what popular movies due to tourism!

For more BRIC information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BRIC

Thanks for the info about the BRIC countries. I know that in Bangkok, where I reside about twice a year, there's been a lot of talk of the so-called "invasion" of rich Russians. So, I guess this is part of a trend. Happy Travels!

"just slightly north of the 10th arrondissement, along the Bassin de la Villette in the 19th, is the new up-and-coming spot for entertainment and restaurants. However, it should be noted that it is so popular now that it is often impossible to get seated at a restaurant after 8 p.m."


Yes. To the dismay of people who have been living in this area for a long time. Like me, for instance.

Not only I can't get seated after 8 pm, but the nearby convenient stores are being replaced by different kind of businesses more appealing to people with higher incomes or to visitors, and people of modest means are being driven out by the always rising cost of renting an apartment.

I've recently seen some actress marvelling at this area where she now lives because of the wonderful "social mix" that is to be found there. That's not social mixing, that's the so-called "bobos" ("BOhemian BOurgeois") like her kicking out one by one the blue and white collars who used to live there.


Sorry, that's a pet peeve of mine. I liked my neighbourhood so much more when everybody believed that you'd probably get slaughtered by hordes of drug addicts and assorted miscreants if you dared to set a foot here, when you could walk along the "bassin" during summer nights without being prevented from doing so by security guards keeping an eye on "Paris plage" equipments, when the price of a drink had not risen by 50% after the bar has been mentioned in some trendy magazine, when the book seller and the hardware shop haven't been yet replaced by a perfume shop and a cell phone shop, when my neighbours actually knew me and each other, and so on...


I've known for a very long time this was a great place to live in Paris. Unfortunately, a lot of people recently noticed it too, and it seems I'm doomed as a result.