Planning my first trip to Paris... for a single female who is adventurous, albiet cautious. I have reservations at both the Le Regent in the 6th and de le Bretonneire in the 4th for eight nights starting in late October. Would love to hear from fellow Fodorites regarding their recommendations for my trip to Paris in these areas RE: which hotel to choose. Am I safe at night in the neighborhood or on the metro? ... also, I will be there on 11/01/02, a holiday. Does anyone care to comment on museum, restauraunt and store openings on this day?

Eve,<BR><BR>Both hotels are nice. I stayed at Bretonnerie, and know very well Le Regent's location, as I've stayed three times at Rue Dauphine, once at Hotel Dauphine, twice at D'Aubusson.<BR><BR>For a female solo traveler, I would recommend Rue Dauphine over Rue St. Croiix de la Bretonnerie. There are plenty of restaurants, some stores that remain open until 8 ( have a look at Rue St. Andre des Arts), sometimes 10 PM, many jazz clubs, and everything you could wish for. I felt perfectly safe when I stayed there, also as a female solo traveler. Is not that I don't like the Marais, I just like Saint Germain the best, and feel safer there than in the Marais area.<BR><BR>Enjoy your stay in Paris, and good luck,<BR><BR>S

Hi Eve,<BR>I was just in Paris in July. Like Surlock, I would recommend the Le Regent. I'm a huge fan of the Marais and would recommend taking time there, but for a first trip to Paris you can't be St. German. I find both areas safe, though St. Germain probably more so. both areas have great shopping, restaurants, cafes. I just think the 6th would be more central for the first time visitor.<BR><BR>There are so many things to recommend here are my top 3<BR>By all means get a museum pass it will pay for itself immediately.<BR>Tried to avoid the Chatelet Metro stop, not because its unsafe but because its huge, confusing and time consuming to transfer there.(so is Montparnasse)<BR>Do take a Paris Walks tour of Montmartre. Their tours are in Time-out and they have a website. Its the best 10 euros I spent this last trip and I thought I knew Montmartre.<BR><BR>Enjoy Paris! I already miss it.<BR>

Well, rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonnerie, you will certainly not be hassled, since you will be in the middle of the gay area ! Which, on top of that, by definition in a European city, is always charming and safe. Both areas are lively and full of restaurants, shops, etc. Le Marais might be a bit more "bobo", while the 6th is more on the traditional bourgeois side. November 1 is All Saints' day, an important holiday for Catholics, which means that most museums are likely to be closed, but not shops. Of course, the place to be on that day is the Pere Lachaise cemetery, full of families with chrysanthemas (sp ? ), actually not a sad atmosphere at all...

I was in Paris last year at the start of November and didn't notice any extraordinary closings because of All Saints' Day. I went to the D'Orsay Museum on that day as well. France is Catholic but it ain't that Catholic.

Vincent, what is "bobo"? Do you mean "boho" as in bohemian?? Thanks!

Bobo = bohemian bourgeois. People who "live right and vote left", as they say in France. For more info, see the well-known book 'Bobos in Paradise'.

Thanks to all for you feedback...I have confirmed my stay at the Hotel Le Regent and look forward to my stay in the 6th Arr., with exploration of the Marais. Also planning to explore Montparnasse with Paris Walks (thanks Betsy!). Will post my trip after return.