We can use 1 of 3 timeshares in Paris for 1 week. Can someone tell me which is the best one for tourists? Does anyone know about any of these? The first is Residence Porte de Versailles, 20 Rue Oradour sur Glane. The second is Metropole Opera at 2 Rue de Gramont. The zip for this one is 75002. For the 1st one it is 75015. There doesn't seem to be any arrondisements mentioned. The third is Club Royal Regency, at 69-71 Rue de France. Vincennes, 94300. The other 2 have Paris listed before the zip. Any comments or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mary

You can probably map these locations on various internet sites but if you want to actually see the buildings, look at this site:

http://www.pagesjaunes.fr/pj.cgi?lang=en

They have photographed Paris and you will get an idea about the neighborhood and the buildings themselves.

We're II members too, and when we were in Paris last year, we stopped by the Meropole Opera to check it out for future possible stays and were not impressed. Please post if you stay at either of the other ones as I'd sure like to know about them. Hopefully someone else will be able to tell you about them.

The last 2 digits of the 'zip' are the arrondissements... 75015 - 15th, and 75002 = 2nd...
Obviously, the 2nd is the most central of the three choices.

For the Porte de Versailles location, you would probably walk under (or cross) the busy periphique road to reach the Metro stop 'Porte de Versailles', which is a line that carries you north, through the 6th, across the Seine by la Madeleine, and on up to Montmartre. It's a little far out of center, but seems very easy to travel between the location and inner Paris.

For the Vincennes location, the nearest metro seems to be the 'Chateau de Vincennes' stop, which looks like it would be a little hike to reach. This stop is one end of Line 1, which is probably one of the most widely used (crowded) there is, so hang on to your wallet.

Someone else will need to chime in and tell you if any of these areas are unsavory in any way. . .

I don't know about unsavory, but I wouldn't consider anyone but the Opera location myself. The others are on the highway surrounding the city which is exactly what that sounds like, as well as being very inconvenient for traveling reasons into the city each day.

The opera location is about a block from the Quatre Septembre metro. Not an area I would choose to stay in for charm, as it's rather business-like, but it is convenient and acceptable.

Even if the Opera one isn't that nice, there's no guarantee the others are either, is there?

Christina has a good point--I don't know the answer. Anyone?

IMO, you might be better off using the time share for one of the II properties in southern France--we stayed at the one in Mougins and it was nice and a great location and I hear Residence Cap d'Ail is very nice as well and finding a reasonable hotel (or rent an apartment) in Paris. If you're with Marriott Rewards, you might try for the Marriott Champs Elysees. We stayed there for a week and it was wonderful and the location was great.

Thanks to all of you who answered my questions. What never ceases to amaze me is the level of expertise and concern everyone who uses this site shows. I could NOT take a trip without you guys! The only down side is you have shown me, that if we want to go to Paris, we're probably better off staying clear of II timeshares there.