Republique area
 

Any info please?

in Paris.topping

Perhaps if you narrowed down what you are trying to find out, people might be more inclined to respond.

Excuse me.I am wondering if it is an interesting area.I am also interested in the area's nightlife and restaurants.I booked a hotel there (near the metro Oberkampf) for one night.

It doesn't get rave reviews here, by comparison to other Paris neighborhoods. It's not all that bad and the circle is a metro hub, so you have good access to all of Paris -- it's just that it has nothing in particular to recommend it. I frequently stay several stops down near Place de la Nation and the advantages are probably similar: leaving the tourists behind and staying in a Paris neighborhod where the prices are reasonable, etc. I've walked through the Republic area and it varies somewhat. I like it less as I go to the north and more as I go south (being VERY general here). I wouldn't worry about staying there; the closer to the circle or south, southeast, etc. the better, IMHO.

"Interesting" is a very subjective qualifier. In any case, the Republique area is like an arbitrary boundary line between a Paris that tourists are familiar with & one that they are just getting to know (and gradually becoming gentrified). Definitely not as posh or commercial as central Paris, but the area around Rue Oberkampf has seen its popularity rise in the last

An observation: Republique is now home to many Chinese and North African immigrants and the neighborhood is rundown and getting worse, not yet improving as neighboring areas have done. Republique is a good transportation spot, but long walks between connections. There are some decent places to eat as you head toward Oberkampf and the back of the Marais. Like Flyboy wrote, stay where you can see the Republique statue.

...couple of years.

But I digress. To answer your question, the place is "interesting" for nightlife, I suppose. Like I said, Rue Oberkampf area has become quite fashionable. There's a place called Nouveau Casino (behind the Charbon), which plays minimalist techno and house, if that's what you're into. I think the weekly listings, Pariscope (available at kiosks for .40 EUR, comes out every Wed), will further help you in your quest.

Thanks a lot Flyboy for responding.I have just found that Libertel Republique gave the special internet rate of 65euros/night and I booked for one night.The other 2 nights I am going to stay in Libertel Quartier Latin.So, while being for 1 day in the Right Bank I would explore Marais,Bastille,Republique,Nation.
Could you please tell me Flyboy in which areas of Paris young people like me (24) entertain themselves?

thanks all of you.The hotel is situated in Rue Jean Pierre Timbaud.I read different opinions about the area,I will probably walk down Rue Oberkampf and spend the night in Marais or Bastille.
But which are your favourite adresses there???

...and I am going to buy Pariscope!

Pariscope is a good idea, but I must confess that my own mode in Paris is one of nearly total serendipity. While I occasionally make plans to go somewhere, I prefer to simply stumble onto interesting places and people as they happen. I read the menus as I walk along; watch, listen, size things up. Happy accidental finds are plentiful in Paris. I think you will find the Marais area very interesting.

Ackis, I read your other post and was going to say that your location is just as good as being near Bastille for nightlife. You don't have to walk down there, rue Oberkampf is nightlife central. Just walk east from the Oberkampf metro and you'll find plenty of bars and clubs.

I haven't been around Republique at nighttime but in daytime I enjoy ambling around there. The Place de la Republique itself is a very large attractive "place" with a huge statue (republique triomphant or something) and lots of people are around there, including families and a carrousel. There are various small shops and cafes around the place, and going SE from it, bd Voltaire is a popular spot for people to stroll and even roller blade.

I'm not that familiar with the area north of the place but don't think you'd have a reason to go up there. There are several metro lines through Republique so it's a convenient transportation point.

If you're there only one night, you don't need anything more than this, but I do like the Clown Bar near Cirque d'Hiver just a little south of there. It's at 111 rue Amelot and is a good wine bar, but also has decent cafe-style food. It's gotten awfully popular, though, as the last time I was there a couple months ago almost every table had a "reserved" card on it around 7:30 pm, but it's an institution.

I read your other post that you were staying in Libertels. I just stayed in a 2* Libertel in June in the Latin Quarter and was very impressed with their quality, professionalism and service, so I think you'll be fine with that. One nice touch they had that I've never seen before in a hotel is that they had free copies of Pariscope in the lobby for all the guests so don't buy one until after checking in to see if they have them where you are.

Flyboy is right. While Pariscope might be helpful, perhaps you just might want to "go with the flow." Which reminds me: there are places around the Canal Saint Martin. Friends of mine used to hang out at La Mercerie (98, Rue Oberkampf) & Café Charbon). I also love the Chez Prune off the canal, on Quai du Valmy.

Funny you should mention Chez Prune, since it is one of those places that I have stumbled upon, too. It has a pleasant ambiance about it; a great place to just hang out for awhile.

For nightlife, it depends on your tastes really - are you looking for café culture, pubs, trendy bars, chill-out spots...?
There's a lot of choice in Paris. One idea would be to head to the rue Oberkampf (which is quite long by the way!) around the metro station Parmentier. It's a popular part of town with a variety of bars and cafés (such as La Mercerie, 98 rue Oberkampf).
Another popular area for barhopping is near Bastille, along the rue de la Roquette and rue de Lappe.

There's quite a good article on Frommers about the Paris bar scene: http://www.frommers.com/hangingout/p...013024679.html

I'll second Christina's recommendation of the Clown Bar (close to the Cirque d'Hiver) but you need reservations and they do not accept credit cards.