StCirq

Well, last time I went to Paris I stayed in Ménilmontant. I've often stayed in the 7ème, occasionally stayed in Passy, once stayed in the Marais. I've been all over. I'm guessing my current preferences wouldn't suit you, though, as I've been to Paris a zillion times and am now more interested in exploring out-of-the-way neighborhoods that most visitors wouldn't want to stay in.

And no, I wasn't confusing the islands. I know them both very, very well.

paris1953

I've stayed in Passy several times, which is very nice, residential with lots of very upscale shops. Doesn't have the same feel as staying around Champs de Mars area (which I also love to do). The advantage of Champs de Mars is proximity to Metro (since you don't like the hills). I'm staying at Relais Bosquet for the second time this spring. Loved that location and the staff. But there are plenty of other places, I am sure.

I guess I feel like it so darned easy to navigate the Metro and the bus system in Paris, that except for proximity to a nice cafe for a nightcap, I think staying anyplace near a Metro station is perfect.

kerouac

Well, I live north of Montmartre in the 18th, which is not a neighborhood that I would suggest for casual visitors, even though I like it a lot.

Areas that I would greatly approve of in terms of being authentic ("non touristy") and therefore not subject to price gouging would be Batignolles (17th), Gambetta (20th), Oberkampf-Bastille (11th), Porte Dorée (12th) and quite a few other areas. You lose perhaps 10-15 minutes in travel time to the central sights (because you take the metro rather than walking), but you gain a lot more in savings and charm. I think the fact that repeat visitors very much prefer the outer areas (unless they are filthy rich and don't care a hoot about what they spend) should help to guide you to find better places to stay.

VictoriaRose

I am truly grateful for this wonderful community of people who are willing to help me make this decision. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all of you. I am going to show my husband all of these entries, and see what he thinks. When I was young my parents (Germans, both) always had us stay in the 1st. So the first time my husband I went we stayed in the 2nd. But now - omg I would never think of staying over there, not for one second! We migrated to the Left Bank happily,and maybe now another migration is underway.......and maybe our visits should always be some evolving thing. Certainly delightful to contemplate, and I thank you again for being part of this mental and actual journey!

StCirq

<<I think staying anyplace near a Metro station is perfect.>>

I think that about sums it up.

PalenQ

Trip Advisor has 311 reviews and 207 rate staying there and their hotel as "excellent" - 93 "very good" and only one "average>

Vs Fodor's near unanimous condemnation of the island as a place to stay - seems that people who have ACTUALLY stayed on the island give near unanimous approval but the vast majority of Fodorites, who would NEVER be caught dead staying on the island, mainly condemn it - very telling.

justineparis

I think is silly to condem or bestow stars on any one area, some are more convenient then others, all have different feels. I too find it baffling that if you have been to Paris several times you haven't made it onto both islands, several times at least..

I don't care what people think about where I choose to stay, I find a hotel I like in an area I like and could care less if there are other tourists around me or not,, why do people care so much? Its like reverse snobbism almost "only real travellers" do such and such, the others are merely "tourists". Get over it folks. Its a holiday,, you aren't a local and staying in the most remote local neighborhood still doesn't make you a local, the only benefit to staying less central is that you will find cafes/restos with more reasonable prices.

I have stayed with family in Paris, I don't feel any more a local when I have to punch in my 2 codes just to get in the door, and sleep on their crappy hideabed,, lol then when I stay in the 1-7th and have a maid bring me clean towels every day.