Staying & Traveling alone in Paris
 

Hello,
Trying to round up ideas for my trip in mid-March to Paris...
Been there last summer for 4 days and spent my time with locals, in March-- plan to do a little tourism this time.
Last time, I stayed at a budget hotel in 11th arrondisement, but I didn't see much in that area. Thought about staying there again only because I know the hotel and it's cheap... I've considered staying in Montmartre.
How safe would it be to stay in this area as a young, female, traveling alone?

Any suggestions on great restaurants in that area besides Le Progres (where I know I will be returning). I just need to figure out what the street is that the bottom of Funiculaire is on...anybody know?

THANKS! : )

It's safe.

The street at the base of the funicular is the rue Tardieu.

May be safer but it seems to be a more run down part of the city.

If you have any interest in looking around as much as possible, it seems being more closer to the Seine would serve you better.

Sure the Carte Orange gives you unlimited Metro rides and the reach of the Metro is great. But from Montmartre, you really take longer rides so you're spending more time in transit.

First time I went, I stayed in the 16th. Since then, I look for places in the 6th.

The 6th would have more appeal for females I would think, unless you're not into shopping and prefer the faded Bohemian vibe of Montmartre.

There's nothing bohemian about Montmartre these days, but I wouldn't say that it's unacceptably far from the sites. Line 2 will take you to the Champs, and getting to the exact center of town requires only a single change. It is a bit seedy, but that is somewhat the reputation of the area around Pigalle.

ttt

Following a different plan, we rented a one-bedroom apartment in the only arrondissement that does not have a single "name" tourist attraction and yet has the largest population of Parisians. Thus, fewer tourists. Lower prices, too. The 15th. And we loved it. Plenty of small places to eat, abundant transportation, clean and quiet side streets off the main thoroughfares. Only minutes from the faster-paced districts and tourist magnets. The Eiffel Tower beckoned from our front door, day or night. Having been to Paris many times, we now are hooked on the 15th.

USNR, do you remember how you came across this apartment, and how much it cost?

Mais oui. We used vrbo.com and took it from there. There are plenty of good places listed. Why suffer a postage-stamp hotel room? Cost about $700 a week -- 700 square feet, one bedroom, fully-equipped kitchen, lovely furnishings (including an on-line computer), full bath, half block to the metro, bakery across the street, super market down the block. Very secure, very quiet, completely modern and immaculate.

From another post I know she is hoping for only 50 euro per night and only 5 nights stay.

My impression may be incorrect but I thought most apartments rented with a one week minimum?

Suze: 50 euros is about $60. I wonder what kind of place one would get for that kind of money in one of the world's costliest (and most popular) cities. Granted, Oslo is #1 but Paris is not far behind.

There are plenty of places in Paris that rent for, say, three days. Check vrbo.com and see.

USNR, Thanks. I know that!! And it is exactly what I said on other questions from with this poster.

Smilinsnoboarder, I do recall threads about really cheap hotels in Paris but didn't find easily find them. You can maybe take the time to use 'search' with the words Cheap Hotels Paris and check out some of the older threads.

I will probably just stay at the cheap budget hotel again...too bad the apartment situation is not as cheap as I'd like. Thanks!

You have to spend about 100 Euro. Sometimes, if you do one or two weeks, they might give you a real low per day rate.

You get what you paid for, whether it's location, amenities, space, etc.

That is a really cheap rate for a vacation rental apt. in Paris, so I wouldn't expect much look in finding anything. I think you would do better just finding a budget hotel in that price range (no, most Parisian apts. do not require a week's stay -- I've never found one that did, although I'm sure some do -- but it's not the norm).

This apartment is in the poster's price range:
http://www.slowtrav.com/cl/detail.asp?l=1208

I remember reading about one in the Marais for 55 Euros per night, about two years ago. That was found on the Beau-Paris.com site, I think.

If you pay 100-150 euro a day, you have a good chance of finding a place which is bigger than most hotels at any price range and fairly well-furnished.

Plus living in actual neighborhoods and actual buildings is part of the experience. You could then make use of the food markets, buy bottles of wine at the markets, which is much cheaper than what they charge at the wine bars and restos.

Thanks WillTravel!

i have gone twice in the past year and stayed in montmartre. i really liked the area. i was also alone. my hotel was right on rue de absesses. it was a great street. several cafes, a couple of bars, clothing boutiques, live music, etc. i really liked this area. in fact i am returning in a few weeks to run in the half marathon again.