I wouldn't call the area around Sacre Coeur "unsafe," at least during the daylight and early evening hours. However, it always pays to be cautious.

"I was told" = zero credibility

FYI Kerouac, the concierge at my hotel in Paris was the one who told me to avoid Sacre Coeur, so I took him at his word because he lives in Paris and I don't. That's enough "credibility" for me. I was only trying to help Jet stay safe. If you're not going to bother to take the time to make sure you have all of the facts before you post a criticism of me, then kindly direct all of your comments to the OP that you are responding to instead of me!

That doesn't make it good advice. I wouldn't call any area that a tourist might visit in Paris "unsafe" much less "very unsafe." Like tourist sites in any major city of the world one should be aware of their surroundings.

Kerouac also lives in Paris and is a good source of unbiased advice.

I've been to Sacre Coeur a few times, yes duting the day, and have never felt unsafe there or in that neighbourhood. The fact that Place du Tertre exists with its kitchy portrait painters geared to tourists should be an indication...that there are lots of tourists around.

Safety wise..if you live in a City...it is like any other City, though I'd guess safer. If you live in the Country, it means making adjustments that you would have to make visiting any City.

MrNuke, any advice that someone who lives in the city that you're visiting gives you about safety is good advice to follow. You're being irresponsible to say that it's not.

Michel-Paris, Kerouac has "zero credibility" with me because he posts rude comments, so I would never follow any advice that he gives.

Im still looking...
Has anyone rented this apt???
http://www.vrbo.com/250968

Bus/metro tickets you can buy at any Metro/RER station and some stores. A carnet of 10 tickets costs 11,60 euros for adults

a few questions about rue Mouffetard and its market?
Do you like it?
What days is it open? Hours?
Do you like the area?
If we get the vrbo apt. it will be right near there.
************
in regards to Kerouac's comments..
I think we are over protective of our "loved ones"

BTW, it's <B>Pont d'I&eacute;na</b> (that first letter is an "eye" not an "ell." This information might be useful when trying to locate it in a guide, for example.

I still need help with r/t shuttle service from train station to apt.
Which service do you recommend?

Kerouac has been a font of reliable information about Paris - I say this from personal experience and I am sure many on this forum who have followed his advice will agree.

PamEwing,
Kerouac has lived in Paris for a number of years. I lived in Paris for over a year and have visited the city every other year for 2-4 weeks at a time to visit family and friends. It isn't as if we (or others that have disagreed with what you said) don't know what we are talking about. I am not being irresponsible in anyway for disagreeing with what you were told.

These forums are full of differing opinions... they aren't meant as personal attacks. There are many very knowledgeable people here who have travelled for years, and many who live in the cities on which they offer advice. Pam, on 2 threads that I've visited in the last 2 days you've accused some very knowledgeable longtime posters of being rude to you. People are allowed to disagree with other posters and to question their advice - that's what a forum is for!

Anyway, jestsetj, I second the Musee D'Orsay as a must-see (I like it better than the Louvre) - the building is lovely and the art amazing. I love the Musee Rodin as well... especially when the roses are in bloom in the garden. If you're there on a clear day it's possible to get a great photo of The Thinker, surrounded by roses, and with the Eiffel Tower off in the background.

I wouldn't think of visiting Paris for a first time and skipping the Sacre Couer/Montmartre area! I find the begging and scamming and pickpocketing around Notre Dame to be worse than anything I've seen in Montmartre...

Make sure you spend some time wandering around the St Germain area in the 6th... nice window shopping and people watching, if nothing else. And do make sure you spend some time just sitting at a cafe, strolling, and soaking up atmosphere.
You will love Paris!!

can people stop disagreeing and pay attention to MY questions :)
After all this is MY thread :)

Has anyone stayed at this apt?
http://www.vrbo.com/250968

Can anyone tell me about the Mouffetard Market?
What days are fruit and veggie vendors there?
What are the hours?

Any recommended cafes in that area?

MrNuke, Taggie, and Basingstoke: My point is that I deserve to be shown the same common courtesy as everyone else who posts here. The polite way to disagree with someone is to simply say, "My advise is ...." without trying to make the person you diagree feel bad.

where in the 5th would I find the best croque monsieurs?

thanks

I'm not sure how it is in the fall, but in the summer, the lineup for St. Chappelle was ridiculously long due to the security check (it's the same entrance to the law courts so it's more strict, I guess). It's best to arrive when it opens and even then, there was a line. The chapel is tiny and doesn't take too long to see.

do you go through metal detector or something?

Do go to a neighborhood market. There's a web site if you do a search for "district markets of Paris" that will show you days and times. Not only is the produce beautiful to see, there are incredible cheeses as well. I have bought nice little wrap skirts, linen blouses, and lovely soaps for very reasonable prices as well. Nearby shops had sandwiches, more cheeses, wine, and a bakery about a block away whose relatively long line tells you just how good it is.
Last time I was at the Place Maubert market (Tues, Thurs and Sat 7 am til 2:30 pm), a friendly Parisian lady had me wait to take a picture until she had picked up armfuls of radishes and stood there like a queen with a gigantic bouquet.
I'd lke to add that at d'Orsay it pays to start at the top and work your way down. Most people go to see the Impressionists, and they are at top floors. If you are there early, everyone else will be on lower floors.
If you have bought a 2 day museum pass, you can see d'Orsay (closed Monday)and Rodin on same day, use it to visit the top of the Arc de Triomphe at dusk, for a wonderful view of the city.
On this site, someone recommended the following bus for great viewing of the city.
Just past the Eiffel Tower, take a right on the Blvld and catch the #42 on the next street. It will take you down ChampsElysses, past the Grand and Petit Palais, though the Place de Concorde and the Madeline. Get off at the Opera stop. Use same metro tickets for buses.
You ask the attendant for a carnet of tickets. I think that's 10 and you save a little, plus you buy more and split between your group as needed.