meaganc

Menachem - what area do you think is best for a first visit? We want to be able to walk as much as possible and get a 'Paris' feel. We will probably grab a drink in the evening as well - anywhere fun for our age group to go in the evening?

I get confused re: areas in Paris. I read a lot about the area Montparnasse as well. Do you recommend this area, Marais or Rue des Ecoles?

Thanks again sorry for being so annoying!

Mimar

For a first-timer Montparnasse is a bit far out, not very walkable. Both the Marais and the Latin Quarter (where the Rue des Ecoles is) are close to the Seine and the center of the city. The single digit arrondissements (districts) are the most central and best for newbies; here's a list of the most popular sights in Paris and a map of the arrondissements: http://www.planetware.com/tourist-at...-f-p-paris.htm. (The Rue des Ecoles address has a "zip code" or post code of 75005; the last two digits are the arrondissement, 5 in this case.)

Do look at a map, like Google maps. You can plot how long it will take you to walk from your proposed apartment or hotel to, say, Notre Dame or the Eiffel Tower.

Gretchen

I like the DK Eyewitness Guide to Paris to help visualize what is in each area of Paris, both for sightseeing and maybe for locating your hotel.

menachem

Totally agreeing with what Mimar says.

The cool thing about google maps is that it has streetview. You can have a look around and see what the quartier you'll be staying in is like, approximately.

The main difference between the two is that in the Marais you'll never have to look for a nice cafe or bar, or quirky restaurant or whatever. Getting to such places near Rue des Ecoles will take a bit of plannig, but only a bit. I'd say Marais is more vibrant. Rue des Ecoles is more of a thoroughfare with a couple of average brasseries.

When I am in Paris I'm in the Marais, mainly because it's conveniently central and because of the tiny bit of jewish infrastructure that's there and because I've got friends living there. Being within walking distance of a synagogue I love and feel connected to is the main draw. The Marais has changed enormously over the last 10 years or so and now it's never without crowds. That can be pressure or it can be exciting on a first visit. Maybe it's time to stop weighing the alternatives: St Jacques is fine: a shortish walk will get you to the Marais. Paris is so compact and public transport so good that you can get anywhere. But Montparnasse is simply too far away from anything.

meaganc

Any recommendations of a place in Marais to stay? We are looking at the 140 euro a night mark (200 Canadian).

Also, I am wondering, when flying from Paris to Venice, is it okay to do the Orly airport or should I be doing the CDG? It is 25 euro cheaper to fly from Orly but not sure if its the best choice location wise as we need to get there from our hotel.

Thanks a bunch and BTW we finally booked our flights into Paris out of Rome!!! Woo hoo!!! Its official that we are going!!!

menachem

A budget like that is tight for Marais: it's a hugely popular area so prices have followed suit. Why not have a look on booking.com and see what comes up?

Generally: anything with a review score over 8.0 is pretty nice. Bear in mind that in Marais the rooms are tiny and you need to be prepared to walk stairs. I'm also still seeing some interesting apartments for your dates, but a word of caution: if you pull up the map sometimes what seems like a great location for your apartment is actually the location of one of the apartments rented out by a rental agency and an available apartment may be outside your chosen location.


Do read the reviews! If people mention "stairs" a lot that does mean it's a hassle. You'll have to weigh that.

Nothing wrong with where you are now: it's all Paris. And St Jacques is great, really. I don't think you'll gain much by moving to Marais.

meaganc

Thanks Menachem! you are the best! If you think St. Jacques is great I am going to trust you and stay there! My wedding shower was Audrey Hepburn themed so it will be a neat story to tell, saying I stayed there!

Thoughts re: getting our flight to Venice? I am thinking of booking with Orly airport as it is 25 euro cheaper each and a better time but I am wondering whether it is difficult to get there, how to get there and the cost to get there!

menachem

Getting to Orly is somewhat of a pain

http://parisbytrain.com/transportation-paris-orly/

Mimar

Orly is closer than CDG, smaller and less crowded. I'd pick it over CDG every time, even without saving money on the airfare. If you don't want to take public transportation (useful link from menachem), there's always a taxi or a shuttle.

meaganc

Thanks guys! Here is a thought also, the flight from CDG is at 11:10 and the one from Orly is at 2:30. Not sure if its better to wake up early and take an earlier flight to get to Venice? We will be out late the night before but not a deal breaker waking up early. 50$ more to fly from CDG then from Orly however.

If we flew from Orly we would probably take a taxi. If we flew from CDG we would take the train. Any idea of how far of a train ride it is?

meaganc

Has anyone ever heard of an airline called Transavia? It flies from Orly to Venice. We have been looking at Easyjet flights but like the time on this one. Any thoughts?

Christina

Yes, I've heard of Transavia, it's a budget Dutch airline that is owned by Air France/KLM. It's perfectly reputable, if that's your concern.

I probably wouldn't spend $50 to fly out of CDG instead of Orly (which I prefer), unless those 3 hours were really important to me. I agree, it kind of wastes the morning, though. It depends how you intend to get to the airport. It will be more expensive to go to CDG, also, if you take a taxi. If you aren't going to take a taxi, it won't differ that much. If you plan to take the taxi to Orly but the train to CDG, than CDG would be cheaper transportation. I don't understand why you'd take a taxi to Orly when the flight is so much later, you have plenty of time to use public transportation. There is Orlybus for example, which leaves from Denfert-Rochereau metro/RER stop. Even the Air France bus would be cheaper and convenient. their line to Orly stops at the Etoile, INvalides and Gare Montparnasse.

If you have two people, though, taking a taxi might not be too much worse (maybe 10-20 euro) than the Air France bus, but it will be more. I just don't like taxis that much, you never know what the traffic will be like or what the fare might be, I take public transportation if possible and I have plenty of time, like you do. But I plan my stays to be near a stop for such things.

MarySteveChicago

Bookmarking. You have all made me think about the Amalfi coast!