Gretchen

The Champs is just so "sterile" and while a beautiful avenue with the wide vistas, is just not a lot of fun. It has traded its soul for franchise shops and car dealerships. "Posh"--maybe. Hitler--puhleeze. It is iconic. I prefer to stay elsewhere,which WAS the question.

WeisserTee

Where EXACTLY did the OP say the CE itself? The OP said the CE area -- which is why I asked the OP to explain what was meant. Some people include Passy as in the CE area and it is mostly definitely NOT full of car dealerships and franchise shops (and there are plenty of chain stores in other areas of Paris).

It just seems that asking about areas to stay in Paris draws out responses full of holier-than-toi snark if the OP isn't asking about one of the "approved" areas.

OReilly

Hi Cali:

I have stayed in many areas in Paris, including twice just off the Champs - not my choice, I was traveling with others who insisted. Really did not like it much at all. The area has lots of expensive 4-5 star hotels, which is why my companions chose it. We ended up just sleeping there, and eating elsewhere.

St. Germaine is far more interesting IMHO, but there are lots of other areas you might consider. I quite like the 14th Arr. (around Montparnasse) - generally cheaper than St. G. If you are looking for upmarket hotels/area, then I'd prefer the 1st Arr over the Champs.

It does on depend what kind of experience you are looking for and what you want to do. Perhaps if you post your requirements, budget and decision criteria that caused you to down-select to the two areas, those that know Paris far better than I do, can assist in making the best decision for you.

Best regards ... Ger

kerouac

I'm afraid that if my budget could afford such a place, I would choose the Champs Elysées over Saint Germain-des-Prés, but it is perhaps because I worked in that neighborhood for more than 30 years and know everything there is to know about the area, so I know where to find bargains and authentic cafés and restaurants. A casual visitor would be clueless.

mamcalice

Another vote for St. Germaine. If not, SG, the Ile de St. Louis, the Marais or the 7th, near the Eiffel Tower. The 7th is a little less central but nice. We always stay in the St. Germaine area because we like the vibe, the restaurant choices in nearby areas and the central location.

OReilly

We were clueless in the Champs Kerouac! I had many trips to Paris previously, but always based on a Four Star experience on a reasonable budget, which is why I stayed in the 14th in lovely boutique hotels, but ate in really excellent restaurants.


Would love to know your secret places. But even then, I'd still not like to stay in the area, given the experience I had.

kerouac

Oh well obviously the 14th is superior to the Champs Elysées as a place to stay but that was not a proposition in the question by the OP. But just as an example I had a hot lunch for a grand total of 6.60€ on the Champs Elysées most days.

It is amusing to note (?) that yesterday I accepted to have lunch with some former colleagues in the area and the cost was 28€ per person, which they all seemed to think was perfectly normal.

seafox

Well here's my two cents. Consider what you want to do/see while in Paris and then look at the METRO map While connecting trains is easy you can chew up time getting around the system. Is this your first time? A place close to a Line 1 stop may make the most sense. I'm a "right banker" so St. Germain is nice, but I'd rather be in the 1st, the Beauborg or the Marais.... But that's just me.... I do agree the immediate CE area has little appeal.

Gretchen

Kerouac, you are SO superior. LOL Give it out!

AND I think the Champs area IS hard to navigate for the Metro--not so much for the bus, so seafox has really good advice

cynthia_booker

Not one mention above of the Latin Quarter, which is my strong preference. Especially the southern areas, which are in my mind the perfect mix of residential Paris without being too far to the main sites a tourist would want to see. Good bus routes throughout, which I prefer unless I am going very far out when I take the Metro.

justineparis

Kerouac, where does one get a hot lunch for 6 euros on or near Champs , why not just tell people the names.. instead of taunting them with " I know where to eat and sleep so cheaply" but you never NAME NAMES,, ever, its an "hotel in your area" or a "place near I work" ,but its always nameless..

denisea

I love kerouac and would gladly have a drink with him in any area of Paris! I trust he will forgive me for loving St Germain....the Champs is too crowded and full of stores I can get in any American mall.

Cali

Thanks everyone. I had kind of narrowed it down to these two areas because of what friends and family have told us about their trips to Paris. No, I was not thinking of being right on the Champs Elysee, but am now thinking I might totally eliminate that area. We have traveled a lot, but have never been to Paris so we just plan to see as much as possible while we are there and we do plan to do a lot of walking, so the St Germain Area does sound like a better area for us. However, I have enjoyed all the comments and now will think about some possible areas. Any other opinions are welcome.

Guenmai

Paris Hotels

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ank-thread.cfm



http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ank-thread.cfm



Jump to the bottom of the thread and then scroll up to Dec 31,2010. In that section, I have categorized the recommended hotels, by district, and have provided websites.

Happy Travels!

Cali

Thanks Guenmai.

kerouac

I have often given the name of my 6.60€ place on the Champs Elysées -- Chez Quan -- it is a Vietnamese hole-in-the-wall in the back of the shopping gallery at 66 avenue des Champs Elysées. The only problem for me is that I could rarely finish the food because there was so much of it. On Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday, they have a <i>pho</i> to die for. It's just a lunch place, but it stays open until around 7pm because so many locals go and pick up takeaway dinners when they leave work.

One thing that always amused me there and showed how they had adapted to hungry workers over the years was that they have a big basket of sliced baguette on the counter where you order, and plenty of people take 3 or 4 pieces to supplement their lunch.

OReilly

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/201...k-paris-hotels
http://www.greatsmallhotels.com/fran...ue-hotels#list
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ul...s-Reviews.html


Cali: I prefer boutique hotels to large chains, so I am posting some links for you to check out. Don't know your budget, but if you were thinking of the Champs and St. Germaine, I am sure you can find something within your budget.

If you are willing to open up the decision on the areas, I like the 14th and 1st, and the 5th, 6th and 7th are always popular. Also am fond of the 4th (but you need to be a bit careful, as some of it is a tad 'ordinary', and parts of the 11th. Don't like Montmartre (18th) to stay in (but well worth a visit), as I have stayed in some pretty depressing hotels there.

Best Ger

WeisserTee

There are also some charming hotels in the 16th, a lovely residential area that is close to the CE. For example, we often stay at Hotel du Bois: http://www.hoteldubois.com/uk/index.php

Despite some of the posts above, I do not have to leave my soul behind before staying in the area and it's not "sterile"

Gretchen

But I also find the 16th to be remote and hard to get to. My parents formerly lived there (Villa Montmorency) and we have spent some time there. It is VERY charming, upscale, quiet. I just don't find it "convenient". Just another opinion of an area.
Personally I like the 7th. The last time we did stay near Republique and it was very convenient for transportation, and lots of places nearby. I do think having small cafes and bakeries, etc. nearby "helps" in the convenience category, not to mention Metro and bus lines.

hulal

St. Germain is safe and beautiful and not so touristy. Great restaurants and galleries, chocolate, and cheese shops.