Where to stay? Rue de Galande or Rue de Buci?
 

We'll be spending 5 nights in paris and are deciding between 2 apartments - 1 in Rue de Galande and the other in Rue de Buci. This is our first visit so we'd like a true paris experience.

I love the area around the Rue de Buci. Nice markets, good restaurants, close to a lot of attractions, but the Rue de Galande is not very far away so I am not sure it makes that much difference. I would think the details of the apartment might make the biggest difference.

Rue de Buci is a bit more upscale. Rue Galande is in the more busy part of the Latin Quarter. Lots of nightlife nearby. Both are very lively areas in which you will definitely know you are in Paris. I would happily stay on either street. It is true that they are not terribly far apart.

Either would be great - only about 600m between them - so it depends on the apartment. I like what I've seen of the Buci area - and I'm staying in rue Galande at the moment, quite possibly in the apt you are contemplating - one of now three in the same building, managed by Paris Bestlodge. This is the first time I've stayed in an apt in Paris so I can't make first hand comparisons, but from what I've read on this forum and elsewhere I'd highly recommend both the superbly appointed property with its magnificent view of Notre Dame and also Paris Bestlodge for value for money, the ease of making arrangements and its super helpful and friendly on-the-spot owner Thierry. Noise was a potential concern with a couple of music venues very close by and the bustling super touristy rue Hachette/ Harpe just a block away, but I've got to say that at this time of year at least it's amazingly quiet (and the property has double glazed windows and cooling/ heating in any case).

My daughter and I stayed in an apt. on rue de Buci last fall, and will do so again this fall. Not that the apartment was so fabulous, but the location was. We loved it -- 2 metro lines, bank, grocery store, market, and dozens of restaurants within a 2 minute walk.

I am a foodie, I would stay on Buci.
Don't miss the chickens roasting with potatoes cooking in the drippings.

We stayed in an apartment on Rue de Buci for a week last November and absolutely loved the area.

Our teenage granddaughter was with us, and the area was perfect for a first visit to Paris-the shops, the cafes, the people were just right.

We walked to many places, and easily took the metro to many more.

Byrd

Although I've stayed all over Paris since the mid 70s, my regular neighborhood has been in the rue Buci area since 1981. I've stayed more than 20 years, of trips, on rue de Seine either between Blvd. St.Germain and rue de Buci or between rue de Buci and rue Jacob. I have also stayed in a lot of other areas of the 6th, as in the south end of the 6th; south of Blvd. St.Germain. I rent an apartment in the 6th.

I prefer the rue Buci area as it's very convenient. The supermarket is right at rue Buci and rue de Seine. And there are plenty of other food places; restaurants, cafes, outdoor green grocers, etc... and within a few steps of each other. So, personally for me it's about "convenience" as it is a vacation and when I'm on vacation I want to be able to relax and have things handy. I drive enough in L.A. to do basic things....like a 20-minute drive to the nearest Whole Foods market to me. I like being able to leave the Paris apartment and be at the market in less than a minute by foot.

Plus, in that area of the 6th, there are very good bus routes, two metro lines, #10 and #4, and I can just walk to a lot of places that I like to go to. It's an easy walk to the Louvre, Notre Dame , and the D'Orsay museum for example, just to name a few. Happy Travels!

I have to agree with Guenmai. I am a yearly visitor to Paris and stay only in the 6th Arrondissement for the very reasons she has described. The Buci Market is my "go to" area for just about everything close to my little hotel. Just try to avoid the tourist trap restaurants with diner greeters on rue Gregoire de Tours and rue de Seine within the market. Try the south side of Blvd. Saint Germain for lovely little bistros and cafes. The Grille Saint Germain on Rue Mabillon and rue Guisarde has moderate prices and very good food. And the Golfe de Naples in the same vicinity has great pizza and homemade pasta. But as logandog has mentioned, the roasted chicken and potatoes from Buci Market is outstanding.
Enjoy!

I'll let you guess what my preference would be :)

I would say on rue de Buci unless on street front, which could be noisy.

Thank you all for your feedback. Rue de Buci it is!!

@Farrermog - i was looking at a different appartment. I tried parisbestlodge but they are already booked for September.

@Farremog
I am assuming (but if you are lucky I'm wrong!) that you must be back home by now. Would you mind sharing your impressions about your stay on Rue Galande? Was it fairly quiet at night? How long to walk to the Marais? Oh and how was your apartment?
Thanks so much.

Vero - after spending 12 nights at rue Galande nothing really to add from what I said above after five - the apartment, location and Paris Bestlodge all worked out very well. I'm one who actually prefers the anonymity/ arm's length relationship (if you know what I'm getting at) and easy booking of hotels rather than stuffing around with owners, but fully intend to rent again in Paris with Paris Bestlodge. The apartment was remarkably quiet and an easy walk to the Marais and much else.

Thanks Farremog. I have been reading up on rue Galande, and there is a LOT of interesting history associated with this street. I'm happy to read that you had 12 great days / nights in the apartment. We will be staying there for our next trip to Paris, so this came as welcome news.

We also stayed on rue Galande (Esmeralda) in Jan/Feb for 12 days. It was great and fairly quiet. The apartment on the 3rd floor (Fleur de Lys) was under construction at the time so there was a little construction noise - it is now ready for occupancy.

Great to deal with Thierry and Michel. Michel even had a box of Laduree macarons one night on our door to apologize for the construction noise. We enjoyed them - loved the violet ones.

Vero29, you will not be disappinted. It is close to everything!

Vero29 - I meant "not be disappointed"

Merci Framboise- your post helped to raise my level of excitement about our trip up a few more notches,if that's possible! I am now very happy with this location, as it seems not to be in the "thick" of the Latin Quarter. That's what I was worried about.
Oh and Laduree macarons? What a way to win your heart (and your loyalty!) forever! Could it get any better than that! Just cannot wait to get back to Paris.

evhandbag,

You're an idiot and every one of your postings prove it.

Kyliesw,
I think you will love rue de Buci. Have stayed in the 7th and the 4th but have always
come back to the corner of Buci and rue de Seine. I don't even mind the noise. And you can walk almost everywhere in a short time.
Bonnes vacances.