2 women and teen daughters going to Paris in March. Have found many apartments in the Marais area, several in Montmartre (Abesses quarter), and one in the 2nd district, Rue Montorgueil area. Anyone have any thoughts on what we'd like best? All of the apartments are nice.

I wouldn't choose Montmartre as it's a bit far out. As for the others, can't say what YOU'd like best, but I'd probably pick the Marais.

For a first time visit...
I'd say the 4th - Marais / 5th - Latin Quarter /or 6th - St Germain.

Montmartre is fine to stay in, but almost all of the sites you will want to see will be more central. The 4-6th will shorten your commute time, and allow you to walk to some of the sites.

Montmartre could well be cheaper in terms of accomodations, and is not unreasonably long to get into the hub since the Metro system is quite good.

I would definitely stay in the Marias or Latin Quartier / St Germain areas with teenage daughters. these are the 3/4/5/6 arrondissements. The Il Saint Louis is alos lovely but a bit quieter. I have stayed in all three areas and would recommend the following hotels which I have personally stayed at:

1) Hotel Il Saint Louis ( recently remodeled) in the 4th on the Il Saint Louis. I also liked the Lutece.

2) Hotel St Germain in the 6th. Very nice, Great location in the Saint Germain area

3) Hotel St Andre Des Arts ( More budget friendly...really lively area in the 6th very close to the 5th)

4) Hotel De la Fleurie: in St Germain area and has larger rooms for three people. this could be a great option for you!

Hsve just switched over to the Marais and the right bank after being a 40 year left Banker. Very lively and lots of good transportation options for getting around qiuickly!

I like the 6th best. It is close enough to top sites that you can walk to St. Sulpice, Luxembourg Gardens, Orsay, Ste. Chapelle, and Notre Dame.

There are plenty of nice shops in this area, especially Laduree on Rue Bonaparte, Jerome Dreyfuss on Rue Jacob, and the fabulous Deyrolle on Rue du Bac. There is a good Monoprix on Rue de Rennes at Blvd. St. Germain.

My grandparents kept an apartment on Avenue Kleber for over 30 years so I kind of grew up in Paris.

The Great and Powerful Pippy, just back from Wengen

Hi Deb,

PP says, "My grandparents kept an apartment on Avenue Kleber for over 30 years so I kind of grew up in Paris".

That puts him at a fairly rarified level.

I, also, like the 6th.

From what you have written, I suggest the Marais.

Enjoy your visit.

Just wondering if some posters actually READ what the OP posted -she gives 3 APARTMENT choices that she would like feedback on, but we digress?! I say, go for the Marais -I also have stayed in other parts of Paris but it sounds as if she has already done her homework and is now looking for feedback.

We love the Marais - close to the river, good transport (though all of paris has good transport), and lots of people on the streets at night.

Metro from Abbesses to most sights is not so good. No really convenient lines IMHO.

SS

I would guess that it would be most likely you would like the Marais area best. Montmartre is more inconvenient, and the 2nd is not as scenic in many spots and the Montorgueil area is apparently used very loosely by landlords from recent posts to mean the area right in front of Les Halles. That's true for any apt., of course, Marais could really be up near pl Republique.

Thanks, everyone, for your feedback. Have chosen the Marais area. It was a difficult choice!