Which Apartment- Paris
 

So many of you helped me out finding an apartment in Paris... well I finally found one (or two, really). However I'm worried about the location of these apartments. One is in the 5th arr. and the other in the 7th arr. I've done some research on both of these neighborhoods, but still haven't come to a conclusion. So, question is, which apartment (with neighborhood being my primary concern). If it helps, I want a safe, clean, "pretty" neighborhood with lots of shops nearby.

5th arr: http://www.parisianflat.com/rent-a-p...n-quarter.html
7th arr: http://www.parisianflat.com/rent-a-p...invalides.html

I am also considering these apartments if we are able to stay later in July.
6th arr: http://www.parisianflat.com/rent-a-p...-des-pres.html
Unknown: http://www.parisvacationapartments.c...two-bedroom-2/

<< So, question is, which apartment (with neighborhood being my primary concern)>>
I mean: So, question is, which apartment should I chose?
And, by shops I mean restaurants and things to do.

None of these neighborhoods are bad and all are safe. Of the ones you list, I would say that the 7th on rue de l’universite and the 1st Palais Royal would fit your described preferences.

7th: This area on the edge of St Germain has tons of galleries, cafes, restaurants, near the muse d’Orsay, and is nice and central – walk over the bridge to the right bank to the Louvre. Good metro access. A mix of charming small streets and near large blvd of St Germain. Good metro options.

5th: While the rue de Cardinal Lemoine option is near the jardin du Luxembourg, Sorbonne, and rue Moffetard – it’s a pretty spread out area and you won’t find the same concentration of amenities. Not as central.

1st: Palais Royal is one of my favorite spaces – a lovely interior park and great historical building. Also central – not far from the Louvre, and great restaurants/wine bars in the area: Les Juveniles, Willis, Le Rubis, Les Fine Gueules, Verjus. A favorite Bistrot Vivienne nearby in a great vintage covered mall. The 2nd is not too far with bustling pedestrian street of Montorgueuil with close by Frenchie empire on rue de Nil. Okay metro options.

6th: The rue de Vaurigard is less central with wider boulevards, more residential – less concentration of amenities of shops, cafes, etc.

If it were me, I'd take the one on Cardinal Lemoine. Within walking distance of Notre Dame, Ile st Louis etc., Rue Monge nearby, two markets at walking distance. Rue des Ecoles with great specialty shops

IMA is near with a good restaurant with stunning views.

I've never liked St Germain

The one on Vaugirard, less desirable to my mind.

I've stayed in the last apartment and can highly recommend it. It is in the 1st which is as venturegirl described.

If I remember correctly, the beds in that unit do not separate, though that may have changed. Stayed once with my husband and one daughter and wanted to rent again but with 2 single friends and had to take the apartment upstairs.

1. Between the 5th and the 7th, I'd choose the 5th. Just up the street is Place de la Contrascarpe with a few cafes for a late night dessert or drink. Continuing on is rue Mouffetard, a wonderful market street with lots of take out foods plus the usual market produce and roasted chickens. There are lots of restaurant options off this street as well as in the area.

The area of the 7th is busier than the 5th. What type of shops do you want? There are shops in both areas but it depends on what you're looking for. There is a large Monoprix on the corner of rue Bonaparte and St-Germain.

All of central Paris is clean and safe. The street sweepers are out at 6:00 every morning cleaning the streets and I've never felt unsafe walking around alone in the evening (even late in the evening) and never had any bad experience.

2. Rue de Vaugirard is a busy wide street in that location and not what I consider charming. But it's near the Luxembourg Gardens and lots of restaurants. And, most of all, it's not far from the shop that makes my favorite lemon tarts!

I'd take the apartment in the 1st as it's just lovely and overlooks the garden but I'm not thrilled with that area to stay in - just my opinion.

In terms of shopping, if you mean staples for the apartment, there are grocery stores all over and there are lots of small convenience stores if you need paper products, wine, yogurt, etc. to have on hand. Many of them stay open late.

It's a tough decision, I know. Good luck and have a great trip!

Not sure when your trip is scheduled but you mention July. I'd look for AC so the apartments in the 5th and 1st would be my choices.
As you need twin beds, looks like the apt in the 5th might be your best option..

BTW - you put "unknown" on the last apartment. It's in the 1st with the entrance under the Palais Royal arcade.

Thanks so much! I've been trying to find the apartments on Google Earth. I think I'm still undecided, although leaning towards the apartment in the 7th (as Judy pointed out, the one in the 1st doesn't have single beds).

This one in the seventh is a good location.....easy walk to Musee d'Orsay and St Germaine area and fairly easy walk to the Louvre. There is a Monoprix on rue Bac. I don't see air conditioning mentioned for this apartment but that may not be an issue for you.

We have stayed in one in Palais Royal - 2 floors above the one you've flagged --and loved it. We walked about 2 blocks to Monoprix and did our grocery shopping. I also loved walking out into Palais Royal as we exited the apartment.

One of my favorite things is to go out at sunset and shoot photos - I loved walking to the Louvre at sunset and getting it through the glass pyramid and reflecting off the pools. And then walking across the Seine. If I had to take the metro to do that, I probably wouldn't have bothered.

I can also vouch for the management company - PVA is great - we also rented with them in London.

It might be worthwhile to ask PVA if the beds in the Palais Royal can be separated. It has been quite a while since I stayed in the apartment. They have several apartments in that building so maybe something could be or has been switched out.

Good point Judy. The only issue is that the apartment is booked out for June/early July! It all depends on when I get time off, and I am more likely to it in June/early July.

I just didn't want you to rule that apartment out based on my information which could well have changed. That apartment is an excellent value.

We are retired now and have the luxury of booking well in advance. It is much more difficult not being certain of dates and having to wait to book.

I'd much prefer the one in the Latin Qtr on rue Cardinal Lemoine. I can't imagine why anyone would say that is less central than the one in the 7th. I think it's a much nicer neighborhood myself, not as institutional and with more neighborhood local feel. I am not a big fan of the 7th arrondisement, though, too sterile and institutional for me in many parts (such as around the Musee d'Orsay as well as all those govt buildings over there like the Assemblee Nationale, Defense ministry, etc.). But this is personal taste, the area in the 7th is for wealthier people, the other neighborhood is more regular.

Boy you have found some really nice looking places. I like the second one near Rue du Bac. We stayed near there on our last trip and while technically it is in the 7th...it is very close to some charming areas in the 6th and so walkable to sights. While I like them all I can say this location has great metro and walking access.

a couple more things as I read through the responses...a/c...well for me in summer it would be required so that could impact a decision...usually ones without will be the last to book...also from a decor standpoint I love the first one. If you hit a good hot spell not sleeping well can impact your stay.

We have stayed all over Paris and I haven't found a location that we didn't enjoy. Any of those apartments will be great.

Personally, I would chose one with air-conditioning. I hate being too hot and I find most Paris apartments do not have good cross ventilation.

All these apts look great. BTW, one side of the rue du Bac is in the 7th; the other side is in the 6th. Think I prefer that one, but any of these would do.

I think I'm leaning towards the one in the 7th. Also, I sure hope these apartments come with A/C. Personally, that's what I would expect for the price. I'll contact the manager and ask, though. I definitely do not want to be boiling hot all the time.