Keren

Julies, I love the Gobelins area. I stayed in a hotel there for almost 2 weeks and loved it. Here is something I wrote about it a few weeks ago:
It's a residential part of town, quiet and green, I thought it was quite charming and enjoyed it a lot. The nearby parc, Square Rene Le Gall, is beautiful.
There's a nearby restaurant that is often recommended here by Underhill, au Petit Marguery, at 9 boulevard Port-Royal, in walking distance from the hotel. The same avenue holds a market along Val de Grâce each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. A good chocolate shop on the blvd. is Jadis et Gourmande, at mumber 88, and there's also the large August Blanqui market on blvd. Blanqui near place d'Italie on Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
More restaurants I've read good reviews about in the area:
Marty,
http://www.marty-restaurant.com/
Anacréon, 53 blvd. St Marcel
Le Jardin des Pâtes, 33 blvd. Arago

Keren

Julies,
My message got sent too soon. The restaurant, market and shop on boulevard Port Royal are even closer to boulevard Arago than to the hotel I stayed in. There's also a cinema, on number 11, Cinéma Escurial, that shows English language films, among others.
And blvd. Arago is beautiful.
I like the area west of Bastille, but don't think you'll find much of a neighbourhood feel on Pas de la Mule street, Petit Musc is better, but I think Gobelins is the best as far as neighbourhood feel and peacefulness are concerned.

julies

Thanks again for the help everyone--

I am just waiting to get a reply from the Goeblins place. Their calendar indicates availability but I haven't has a response yet. I guess I'll give it until this evening and then try phoning. All things considered (size, price, locatiois, that is now in first place with Petit Musc 2nd (this is assuming they are all still available now tht I've spent so much time on research).