travling

In so many posts there is a mention of the Rue Cler area and how great it is to stay in a hotel in this area. As one who did just this in April, 2003, and wandered this street on a daily basis, I have yet to discover what is so special about the Rue Cler? Most of the time the stores were just opening up, the streets were being washed down and not much business was being made. I didn't notice any fancy restaurants that called out to me upon passing. What the heck did I miss or is this another example of over-hyping an area just because it was mentioned in a guide book?

usbeauty

See current posts about Rick Steves on this board.

suzy

I'm with you, travling. We spent 1 night in a hotel near Rue Cler, then beat it back to our favorite hotel in the 5th, where there are lots of restaurants & more going on in general.

harvey

We had one of the best meals of our vacation at the little cafe near the Leveque Hotel. It was just the plat de jour (le menu) for lunch and a lot of locals as Rick Steves calls them were having their lunch there. YOu can also grab a nice picnic (wonderful cheeze shop) and take it over to the Champ de Mars. That said, I would rather stay in the Marais--lots more going on. If you are going to sitesee all day and then crash then it would be a good location.

LVSue

I think to some it just seems more residential. But I really prefer the 6th.

bob_brown

Rick Steves wrote about it. Similar types of scenes are all over. Perhaps not exact duplicates, but similar.

LarryJ

I like the 7th arr. and that neighborhood in particular. With the Metro station "Ecole Militaire" so close I can get anywhere in the city very quickly but rue Cler as a market street is only average. I was just there last month and found produce prices much cheaper two blocks away at the super marche at "Ecole Militaire".

Larry J

hanl

The first time I heard people hyping Rue Cler was when I first visited this board. 3 years of living in Paris, and I'd never even heard anyone mention it!!

To me, it's just one of many "rue commerçantes" in Paris. It also has the "advantage" of being in an area of the city popular with American tourists and ex-pat residents.

Incidentally, the 7th arrondissement actually has a bit of a reputation among Parisians (especially younger people) for being extremely dull!!! So perhaps the Rue Cler stands out as an oasis ...

Bootman4U

Don't you all realize that the Rue Cler is on its way to travelmania SAINTHOOD thanks to all the enthusiastic posters on this board who divide their time in Europe between there and the Cinqu Terre? And please, don't anyone dare to classify either location as "touristy." Thanks, but in Paris I think I'll stick to my usual hotel on the Place des Vosges and when I go shopping will actually visit more than one street.

mamc

Because we used this board extensively while planning for our recent trip to France, I decided that a walk on the Rue Cler was a must. We walked, we've seen the Rue Cler and now can go back to discovering new places and enjoying old favorites. It was pleasant and I like the 7th in general and the many good restaurants but I felt an enormous letdown at my first experience with the highly hyped Rue Cler.

dumas1870

Besides all the attacking and defending, it sure would be productive if a few Paris travel pros would describe the location of some better alternatives to Rue Cler. A simple compare and contrast would be nice.

Ursula

Ok, some alternatives to Rue Cler:

The most upscale and very Parisian food market is on Avenue du President Wilson, 16th. Held on Saturday mornings and possibly another weekday too. Sorry, don't have info at hand right now.

Best bio food market, IMO, Blvd. Raspail, on Sundays (mornings).
Between Rennes and Sevres-Babylone metro stops.
My favourite. One should rent an appartment nearby with a kitchen, really.

Another small bio food market (no tourists at all) is held on Place Brancusi, near the new Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson, 14th arr., on Saturday mornings. NO tourists at all.

Blvd. Edgar-Quinet, 14th. Not sure about the days though. Sorry. Although I always stay in the Montparnasse area, I don't really pay attention about the weekdays.

Most of these markets (with info about what days) are listed in Pariscope, too.

dumas1870

How about Rue Moufftard in the 5th arrondissement (Métro Stops: Place Monge, and Censier-Daubenton) as a good alternative to Rue Cler?

Ursula

In my opinion, Rue Mouffetard is almost as touristy as Rue Cler. Not bad, but just too crowded and touristy as well.
We used to go there when studying in Paris and living on a tight budget.

Just thinking of the marche on Rue Aligre near the Viaduc des Arts. Never been, but some people here do recommend it as well.

Bitter

I'm not sure I understand travling's comments. Whenever s/he walked around the Rue Cler the stores were just opening up and the streets were being washed down? I experienced this early in the morning, but not all day, and I don't think it is odd for stores to open in the morning or for the poop patrol to be out at that time either. Gee, I hope other market streets get washed down, too. As for restaurants, we found a number of good restaurants on the streets near the Rue Cler, and there is this cool thing called the Eiffel Tower in close walking distance. Perhaps travling didn't bother "trolling" any of the neighborhood. Maybe travling was expecting the Rue Cler to be a sight unto itself; I found it a pleasant enough place to stay, though it is a bit far from the center of Paris.

hanl

Rue Lepic/rue des Abbesses in Montmartre. Best fishmonger in Paris - piles of the freshest seafood heaped on ice, beautifully displayed. Best pastries (les Petits Mitrons on rue Lepic). Best roast chicken from the Rotisserie on Rue des Abbesses. Most laid back, friendly wine bar (la Cave des Abbesses) where you can enjoy big plates of cheese and charcuterie with your wine. Great Italian deli (rue des Abbesses)...

dumas1870

RE: Ursula

The dilemma we face here is trying to identify alternatives to not one, but several groups of people: newbie?s or first time visitors, familiar visitors (perhaps a couple of prior visits) and seasoned visitors (perhaps many visits or a previous extended visit). Maybe one size doesn?t fit all. On my first visit to Paris, I thought Rue Cler was a good experience, but on my next visit I was mildly disappointed. It was nice to return to a familiar place, but it seemed too sterile and much smaller than I had previously remembered. I skipped going at all on my third visit. I?ve only read about Rue Moufftard, but it looks to be larger and more interesting than Rue Cler with cafes, open air market, a fountain, a church and many little restaurants. Maybe at my stage it would be a good experience, but I?m willing to bet there are other places I might enjoy as well or even more. I just haven?t found them yet, but again, seeking them out is half the fun of planning a trip.

Sue_xx_yy

Thank you dumas1870 for putting a productive spin on the debate.

I trust you found a street market to your liking on Monte Cristo? : - )

Ursula

Dumas,

If you haven't been to Rue Mouffetard, then you should go, of course.

My Paris recommendations are usually for the ones, having done most of the must-dos/biggies and are rather searching for special places.

dumas1870

RE: Sue-xx-yy

Thanks for asking. I spent far too much money on my beloved Le Domaine du Chateau de Monte-Cristo. Perhaps you have had an opportunity to view the famous estate and castle that caused me to flee from my many creditors? I chuckle at the thought that it is now a national monument and easy to reach via, car, train or RER when in Paris.