http://www.francehomestyle.com/prope...operty=P_50419

Just rented week after Christmas. Thoughts on neighborhood, safety? things not to miss-- will be there for one week
Thanks

Safety? What do you mean? This is prime Paris real estate, I've actually never seen a Paris vacation apt that wasn't in a safe area (it would have to be far out or some really unusual fringe area). But this is a great area, one I really like myself and I've stayed there several times. Well, it's right near rue Mouffetard which is very convenient for food shopping. There is a good roving market at place Monge on top of that a couple days a week, and tons of cafes and cheaper restaurants in the area, and bakeries. The cafes tend to skew young around place Contrescarpe, lots of younger people and students in that area (the Sorbonne has one part of its campus nearby).

Thanks so much! Never been to Paris before so just trying to accumulate as much knowledge from you experts as possible-- is transportation convenient is this area?

You'll be in the 5th Arrondissement. There are several metro stops nearby, but it just a easy to walk. One thing to remember, it will be quiet New Years Day, so plan accordingly, as a lot of restaurants will be closed. If you want to go out on New Years Eve, you'll need to make reservations well in advance.

Don't miss the Christmas crèches that will be on display around the city, including Notre Dame, Eglise de la Madeleine and Saint-Sulpice, where you might run into Catherine Deneuve, who lives in the neighborhood.

Watch out for gypsies. They'll rob you blind while smiling the whole time.

When you get back, let me know where the homeless people that live in the telephone booths sleep at in the winter.

You are near The Pantheon, Cluny Museum and also close to Notre Dame and Isle St Louis.

You will be plenty safe but always exercise the same caution you would in any big city.

If you love Diptyque candles (pricy but worth it), the original store is on Blvd St Germain near rue de Pontoise.