St. Denis is Paris -- Is it a problem?
 

We have an apartment reserved on Rue Etienne Marcel, about a block from the intersection with rue St. Denis. It's 5 rue Etienne Marcel.

There have been a number of references to the "red light" and "peep show" influences of rue St. Denis which runs north and south across Etienne Marcel.

Questions: Is this particular neighborhood overrun with a problem, or is this an activity further away, or virtually invisible unless people really look for it?

We're not prudes, and all cherish the diversity of Paris, but if this really is a problem there are other neighborhoods we could choose, and avoid spending our week bumping into this clientele, if you get my drift.

Thanks,

JimF

I've seen the main street there St Denis Blvd i believe wall to wall hookers in the street and at other times nearly none.

recently haven't seen much but haven't been in the area at night

in any case just avoid that one street, which is a main pedestrian drag and not dangerous it seems and the rest of the area is fine - not the toniest in Paris but well located and ssafe though Parisians can comment better on that

Rue St. Denis is not at all dangerous but the girls you see there are good for a laugh. Nobody will bother you.

Close by is Rue Montorgueil. This is a very nice pedestrian street with some nice restaurants, fruit, vegetable, meat and fish markets and just all in all a nice area. Though close to St. Denis it is an upscale area.

Have a great trip. I spend much time in this part of town and like it a lot.

Larry J

Stupid me, the title of this post should be St. Denis IN Paris, not is...

Sorry.

JimF

I think a lot of guys spend a lot of time in that part of town and like it a lot....


I've been on that street in the daytime -- it's just kind of trashy and nothing particularly pleasant, and nothing is on it I had any desire to go back for (shops or anything). It just happened to be the most convenient route to where I was going. It's like the low-class or crummier areas of Times Square, if you know where they still are. Maybe like some areas up in Pigalle, it's just not as big. I think it's worth at the northern end.

It's not virtually invisible, they wouldn't make a lot of money if it were (businesses or prostitutes). Haven't you ever been in a city with prostitutes on the streets and sex shops, etc.? I used to work in Hollywood, so I guess it seems any city has that type of area and I'm used to it. I sure wouldn't want an apt. right on rue St Denis or any street like that.

No, the neighborhood is not overrun. It's pretty much confined to that one street and rue Etienne Marcel is perfectly fine and quite "hip". If you're not made uncomfortable by the existence of street like rue St-Denis nearby, there is no reason you should be affected at all.

For the last couple of years I have rented an apartment that required me to walk past rue St-Denis at rue Réaumur, just north of Etienne Marcel, and I barely knew it was there. As a woman alone I never gave it a thought at any hour of the day or night.

We rented an apartment in that area as well and had no problems. We weren't walking around late at night or anything, but during the day we liked strolling Montorgueil and there are a couple of grocery stores there if you want things for the apt. There's also an internet cafe and across the street from that is video renal if you need down time. It's within easy walking distance of the Seine and the Louvre also (if you're a walker). I was just travelling with 2 other women and would definitely stay there again.

I always love it the week before the July 14th military parade when all of the commerces of rue Saint Denis put up a "military discount" sign in the windows.

This is very helpful input. Based on this, I think we will retain our reservations and stay on Etienne Marcel.

Thanks much,

Jim

There's a very good restaurant in Rue du Faubourg St Denis, Juliens. I think the area is very convenient, as it is not far from Les Halles and Chatelet Les Halles.

The faubourg Saint Denis and rue Saint Denis are actually the same street, but the areas are totally different. Once you pass the crossover point (the Porte Saint Denis arch), it becomes a fascinating Turkish and Pakistani neighborhood with lots of great ethnic restaurants. I prefer Derya, at 16 rue du Fbg. St. Denis -- next door to Julien.

I'll try Derya next time - it's Turkish, is it? We walked to Julien from Gare du Nord, passing very interesting neighbourhoods.

JimF - You can easily stroll around the neighborhood right now from your computer desk!
Log onto PagesJaunes/Photos de Villes and put in your Etienne Marcel address or rue St.Denis if you like, and go sightseeing.
I think you,ve made an excellent choice.