Hi,

My husband and I are spending a week in Paris in September and are looking at renting an apartment. Which area do you think is the best as far as safety, proximity to tourist attractions, etc?

Thanks for any advice!

Karen

We liked the Marias. It was in a good location and it was easy access to all parts of the city on the subway.

http://www.hotelstravel.com/france-paris.html has a small map of the arrondissements.
www.webscapades.com/france/paris/paris.htm good descriptions of arrondissements and neighborhoods

a better one is at http://www.concierge.com/paris/resou...hborhoodguide/

Generally, the single-digit arrondissements are the most central.
The Left bank areas numbered 5,6,7 are the most popular. Those of us who like the Right bank as well also recommend the 1st, 3rd, 4th.

Elswhere here at fodors.com under the Paris Destination info, you will also find suggestions.
I have a file on Paris; if you'd like to see it, email me at
[email protected]

Karen:

I take it this is your first trip to Paris? It's hard for one person to advise another on exactly where to stay.

But if you do a search for "paris apartment" and choose "France" as the country, you should find many discussions on this subject.

Once you narrow it down a bit, come back and ask questions...especially if you have a specific street or neighborhood. People will be much better able to provide information then.
Good luck!

zoecat:

Generally speaking:

1. Paris is a safe city.

2. It is also a small city, and the tourist sites are spread out all over it, so "proximity to tourist attractions" really doesn't count for much as a criterion.
3. The métro and buses are ubiquitous - you will always be within a couple of blocks of one or the other or both, and can get anywhere in the city in a matter of about 20 minutes at most.
4. As someone else mentioned, the single-digit arrondissements are probably the ones you want to concentrate on.

The Marais is a good choice, very central, very chic (note there is a fairly large gay community there in case that should bother anyone in your party - don't flame me, I'm just letting you know - it has contributed greatly to the current refurbishment of this part of Paris). The 1me Arr. is very central but in the heart of the commercial district, so possibly noisy. The 5me is the Latin Quarter - many people love it; I find it way too boisterous and too full of bad restaurants. The 6me is St-Germain, a big favorite with many people because it has all the charm of Paris on the main boulevards but also some quiet neighborhood streets. The 7me is my personal favorite, because it really is like living in a Paris neighborhood yet close to many sites, but a lot of people think it's too quiet.

That's just an overview, but maybe it will help narrow down the choices for you.

St Cirq:
Thanks for posting. That was very helpful. I can't wait to go some day - hopefully sooner rather than later.