Where to stay in Paris - first time young, solo female
 

Good afternoon,

I'm looking for some advice on which arrondissement in Paris to stay in for my trip this September. This will be my first time, and I'm going solo. I'm late 20's and single. My priority is to just relax and take it all in: people-watch, walk, eat/drink, read, I think you get the picture :) I will hit the big sights, but don't love museums and I'd rather spend my time on nice days walking through parks, markets, having picnics, sitting outside at cafes with books. I work in the F&B industry and have a deep appreciation for good food and beverage. I do love the nighttime, I wouldn't say I'm a huge partier - but I do love a long night at a wine bar or restaurant bar, talking to new people and getting lost in conversation. I am alone, so safety is a priority - won't take any risks. That said, I'd love to feel comfortable enough to be out at night and get back to the place I'm staying (if this is possible...I feel like it could be in the right location).

I'd love to get your ideas on which arrondissement to stay in. I am on a budget, so nothing too fancy. I'm pretty low frills and will likely Air BnB a room in an apartment (I do have sleep issues with noise so won't be going the communal hostel route in risk of ruining my trip).

I appreciate any help! Any ideas for cafes or things that sound up my alley, I'll take those too!

Also to add to this: I am an avid walker as long as it's a safe route. I don't intend on taking the metro unless I need to, so it's not a huge priority to be super close to a station. I can walk 10-12 miles a day, no problem, and enjoy the exercise.

You left out some important information: How long will you stay? (If you are staying at least 6 nights, I would give strong consideration to a studio apartment). What is your budget? Are you comfortable staying in a small apartment/studio or do you need the comfort of a concierge? All things being equal and based on your stated preferences, I would try for a place in the 6th, 5th or 4th (in order of preference). Close to everything (including places to sit, sip a beverage, watch the world go by and have something to look at while you are doing so), close to the river and its bridges and all the "main" sites, Tuileries, Luxembourg, Rodin, etc. VERY safe neighborhoods, even after dark. The 5th (aka the Latin Quarter for its proximity to the Sorbonne) is perhaps the most lively and appropriate for a late 20's woman (I am an early 70's male, but still enjoy its "vibe.")

I've been to Paris many times and sometimes as a solo female. I have always felt safe. I watch my valuables regardless of city/country. I wear my passport inside a silk pouch that I wear inside my pants. Don't walk around with a map -- that will surely mark you as a tourist. You'll find many security tips on this board.

My favorite area to stay is the 7th. The last time I stayed at: http://www.cujas-pantheon-paris-hotel.com/ very close to the Luxembourg Gardens and a train station. I used the train to travel in/out of the CDG airport. The rooms are small but efficient. A/C worked well and there was hot water all the time. My room (overlooking an alley) was extremely quiet. The people at the front desk spoke English. I like being within walking distance to Notre Dame.

If you are staying in an airbnb, you could also look at the 6th. As a more upscale neighborhood, it might be affordable while renting a room in someone's flat.

I found the area around Champs Elysee (sp?) to be too high end. Not the Paris I wanted to see.

Have a wonderful time. September is beautiful month for Paris.

Hotels can be isolating - Paris has a lot of youth hotels - and youth hostels which can be fun places as you'll be with a lot of folks your age from all over the world. check out Let's Go Europe for their advice as they critique many of these really neat places and safe too.

My first time in paris at your age I got a hotel and felt isolated - then I moved to a youth hostel and voila I wondered why I didn't think of that before - nice sitting around at night with folks to talk to - many Americans and Brits and Aussies and Ozzies and Frogs too and much cheaper than a hotel and youth hotels may even have private rooms.

https://www.mije.com/en/hebergement-groupe-paris

This is a very long established organization - the city of Paris long ago bought four old townhouses in the Marais section of Paris (Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Latin Quater are just across the Seine) -I stayed there several times with college-aged groups and everyone loved it - great location - clean, safe and much cheaper than most hotels - great meeting place and you are in historic ancient edifices!

My highest recommendations.

Except the OP is looking for quiet so she can sleep - probably putting hostels off her list and meaning she will need to ask for inside rooms in smaller hotels to avoid the inevitable street noise in any large ciyt.

It would help to know a specific nightly budget - not "reasonable" which can mean anything. And I would agree on the 5th, 6th and 4th as great places to stay.

Sorry I don;t see when you are going - if in the summer I would not take a place without AC (many apts do NOT have it) since you can easily get temps in the upper 90s.

Youth hotels also have single rooms at a higher price and they are not at all necessarily noisey. Well if she demands the isolation of a hotel room she is IME missing out on an opportunity only young people can have - the fabulous European youth hostel/hotel scene - more and more made to conform to no more rigid rules but client-oriented primses - IMO she will miss out on a lot of comraderie being isolated in a hotel room but if that is what she wants OK!

YOLO!

She is in her late 20s -- not that young, and clearly adult. Her idea of Airbnb is a good one and there are plenty of small, inexpensive (for Paris) hotels. It would help if we knew the budget.

Lots of folks in those youth hotels are her age - just that hotels are so isolating - but the airbnb is a good option to meet locals I guess.

http://www.universityrooms.com/en/city/paris/home/

University rooms are a good alternative to youth hotels or hostels and again let you meet folks your age.