Two week Paris trip - thoughts on spending time/staying in the 10e?
 

Hello. I’m planning a two week trip to Paris in April and wanted to hear thoughts on staying in an apartment in the 10e arrondissement. As a bit of background – I’m a woman in my 30s and will likely be alone for some of the trip. I also know Paris relatively well. I lived there for six months about 10 years ago – my apartment was in the 14e, and I worked in the 11e. I have visited 4-5 times since then and have generally stayed in the 5e, 6e, or 3e. I’ve read a few articles about the 10e lately and thought it might be fun to investigate, since I don't know much about the area and my trips involve more wandering through neighborhoods than your traditional sight-seeing. I’m also planning a few day/overnight trips and thought it might be nice to be closer to the train stations. Any thoughts on staying in the 10e? Even if I don’t end up staying there, any suggestions for restaurants or fun streets to wander?

(Note: I don’t have a particular apartment in mind yet – trying to decide on the neighborhood before booking. I’ve already read many of the threads regarding which apartment rental agencies are best.)

On our many trips to Paris, our stay in the 10th was one of our favorites. It seems less touristy and if you have a place near a metro stop, access to the rest of Paris is very easy. Places to stay are a little cheaper in the 10th versus some more centrally located. We loved wandering through the neighborhoods and will definitely be staying in the 10th again.

Where in the 10th? I've stayed around République, which is practically the Marais (but not so much of the rapid gentrification that's happening further south), and along the Canal St Martin, which can be attractive; but parts of the 10th are around the Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est, and (in my general prejudice) anywhere immediately around a mainline station tends to the noisy and scruffy.

It would depend where it was, but if you've been to Paris so much, I woudl think you have been in the area and could decide for yourself. I don't understand someone who claims they know Paris so well, has been there so much, and doesn't know anything about one part of the city.

We will be staying in the 10th near the Canal St. Martin in May. We had an apartment just south of there a couple of years ago near Oberkamph, and we loved the area; lots of local restaurants and a youngish vibe. Actually, I would have preferred to be even further out around Belleville/Menilmontant area. As long as you are near a Metro station or bus lines getting anywhere is easy.

If it is this April you are planning to go, you should book quickly as the good apartments go fast. We booked ours last September, and the calendar is now solidly booked.