What's the real scoop on Montmartre?
 

As some of you kind people know, I'm searching out an apartment rental for about a week and a half. There seem to be quite a few cheap ones in Montmartre. No one has mentioned Montmartre as a possibility. Why? Is it grubby or scary or too far out for the casual tourist? Some of the more positive things I have read say that it has a village feel, and this appeals to me. Or, is this a bunch of hooey? Thanks.

It's not very convenient to other things. Some of it is very gritty while some of it is charming. I think more grit than charm. Have you looked at jack-travel.com? Good descriptions of the diff. arr. and also listings for inexpensive apts. and hotels.

If the apartment is off rue Caulaincourt/Abbesses area, that is a decent neighborhood...
I like to stay out of the center but I look for locations with more than one metro line (just in case), and have been learning to use the buses, too.

Ha, the "village appeal" is often appealing for those walking about with their cameras (me) but maybe not so much for those living in the "quaint" interiors .. :)

Have you looked at any apartments around Denfert Rochereau (14th)?.. good transportation, the usual cafes, shops, post office, etc.. rue Daguerre...

Several places use Montmartre in their name or describe themselves as in or near Montmartre, so it's not really a reliable indicator. You are probably better off looking at the actual address if possible, or at least the nearest Metro stop to assess the neighborhood.
Parts of the area are a bit grubby, others are fine. It is not my favorite part of town in which to stay, but it does have a unique charm.

I love Montmartre! The last 3 times we've been to Paris we stayed in or near (the 9th) there. We've rented an apartment twice. As long as you're near a Metro stop, I think it's convenient. I love the quirky charm.
The last time, we rented an apartment in the top of the 9th from www.letsparis.com and had a wonderful time.
If you look at the site, we rented the Clichy 1 bedroom and it was lovely. Plus, the woman who runs the site is an American and was very helpful.

Hi Julies: I had the same issue two years ago. A friend of mine, who is a travel agent and who was born and raised in Paris, told me that I would be best avoiding those cheap (meaning cheap rates) Monmartre hotels. She told me that while Monmartre is fine in the daytime there are areas that are pretty bad at night. As I was a solo female traveler, she correctly assumed that I would not be comfortable in that environment. Of course one might be fortunate in finding one of these hotels in a decent section, but I decided not to do it.

As to Monmartre being too far out, I personally wouldn't have a huge problem with that in the daytime. The Metro system is great, and although I only took a bus once, they are also a good option. Depending on the area, going back to the hotel at night might be scary.

Good luck, and have a great trip.

For what it is worth and perhaps not much but "at night" or "after dark" sometimes when you have saved a;ll this money it is definitely "worth it" to invest in a cab ride to your DOOR to increase the "safety factor."

It depends on where in Montmartre and whether the apartment is convenient to a good bus or metro route.

Montmartre is very hilly - with those sidewalks that are staircases...which could not be more charming.

There were some terrific scenes of Montmartre in the movie "Forget Paris".

So, in other words, it's pretty spotty. And, since we're looking for the beginning of March when days still aren't too long and night comes pretty early, we might be better off in a different neighborhood. It's my husband and me rather than just a bunch of women, but we still would like to be able to feel safe walking after dark.

julies:
I can't help but think you'd be happier closer to the center. I haven't stayed in Montmarte, so take this for what it's worth. But it just seems kinda like going to San Francisco and staying in Oakland. Yes, one can get there by BART, but it still isn't the same.

Have you looked in the Montparnasse area? I seem to recall there were some good apartment options there.

Were were in Montmartre in February, doing the apartment rental thingy. It was my wife's first trip to Paris. It was just the two of us (we speak little to no French).

We loved the area and the night life. Never had any fears and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. I would definitely go back. It wasn't grubby or scary, but of course we never walked down any dark alleys -- wouldn't do that here in the States.

Loved the area around Rue Lepic and Ave Abbesses. Lots of markets, cafes and restaurants. ((b))

How about the area just NE of Sacre Coeur near the Jules Joffrin metro station? Anybody been there? There is an apartment up there that looks rather intriguing.

Armchairtraveler--that's a great analogy and food for thought.

What's the address -- that might help. ((b))

didn't like the area at all. gritty, dirty and too far away from everything else.

38 Rue Ramey Paris is the place I saw.

Several years ago my husband and I stayed in a B&B-type small hotel on rue Lamarck, quite close to Sacre Coeur. We had a lovely room at a good price, but it was a good walk to the nearest metro station.

Since your husband is with you, I wouldn't worry about walking at night. We certainly never had a problem.