We are going to be in Paris in June and we are very confused about where to stay. I was in Paris 5 years ago and stayed at The Ambassador Hotel in the 16th Arrondisement. This time I would like to stay in a different Arrondisement, and would like some input. I am considering the 5th Arrodisement and the 8th Arrondisement...any suggestions would be appreciated. <BR> <BR>Thank you <BR>Arlene

The 18th. Place Clichy. Montmarte. Sensational. Behind is the Sacre Couer and God only knows. So full of History

Arlene, <BR>It is very confusing is it not? I have recently gone through this process also. There is alot of good information on the internet about the different arrondisements so I would suggest you look those over. Someone also posted a commentary about them on this thread. It does not address the tourist attractions in each one though. I finally decided that I wanted to be where the majority of the things I would be going to were which is somewhere around the 8th, 7th, 6th & 5th it seemed. Good Luck!

Hi Arlene - <BR> <BR>Yes, the 18th has lots of Bohemian history and is home to Sacre-Coeur and Moulin Rouge but I'm afraid it is very north of everything else. No bad feelings toward Dorsett, we all have our opinions. <BR> <BR>As for me, I would stay in the 5th or 6th. We usually stay in the 5th but have decided to try the 6th next time we go. Lots of people like the 7th but when we went by there at night it seemed like a ghost town. Not too many people around. If you like quiet, I would go for the 7th. If you like to be in the middle of the action and within 1 mile or so of many sites, stay in the 5th or 6th near the Seine. Place St. Michel is a very central location. Also, make sure you are near a Metro stop. My rule is 1 block or less, preferably less. After a day of walking, you'll appreciate a hotel with a close Metro stop even if it is a little more expensive. <BR> <BR>Good Luck

I just returned from Paris and stayed both in the 7th and 6th Arr. In the 7th, I was on rue Cler, a wonderful pedestrian street filled with meat shops, fruits and vegetable markets, cheese and wine shops, etc. We were about a 10 minute walk to the Eiffel Tower. In the 6th, I was near the Odeon metro, blvds. Saint Germain and Saint Michel; a 10 minute walk to the Seine and all the action in that area. This was my favorite area. Notre Dame, the Cluny museum, and D'Orsay are also close by. If/when I return to Paris, I will go back to the 6th and even choose the same hotel (Balcons). <BR> <BR>Have a great time!

Arlene, I've been to Paris 4 times and liked each of the neighborhoods that I've stayed in(including the Marais and rue Cler). So i'm convinced that you can't go far wrong. But my best trip was last summer -- we stayed at the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles in the 5th and loved both the hotel and neighborhood. The area has the feel and spirit of Robert Doisenau's(sp?!) photos of Paris in the '50s.

Arlene: Everyone has a favorite neighborhood it seems and so much depends on what your interests are. I stayed at the Hotel du Danube on the rue Jacob in the 6th arondissment one block away from the Blvd. St. Germain. I couldn't have been happier with the hotel( room was great and staff very accomodating and helpful) and the location was great. I walked everywhere and it was so easy to catch metro on St. germain. 5 min. walk to Musee D'Orsay, 20 mins. to Les Invalides and 10 min. to Louvre. The neighborhood jah alot of great restaurants, jazz clubs, bookstores , a monoprix and it was 5 mins. from the rue de Buci street markets which were high calorie heaven. It suited my needs perfectly and I was glad I did so much advance research before choosing the 6th and the hotel.In my opinion, I found parts of the 5th a bit noisy and dirty but many great restaurants and hotel's abound there. Good luck and feel free to email me if you have any specific questions. <BR>

Our favorite neighborhood for sleeping is the 7th. There are wonderful hotels, conveniently located, in every price range and there are fabulous restaurants, reasonably priced (for Paris) throughout. To me, this is quintessential Paris. Streets lined with food shops of every variety and charming boutiques. It's very quiet and very safe at night. Not hopping with nightlife, but a quick taxi ride away. Because it's an upscale residential area, one really feels like they are "living" in Paris. However, each neighborhood has it's unique atmosphere. But, no matter where you stay, you'll want to go all over. So, my advice is always to find a hotel in your price range with the ammenities you need and as close to a metro stop as possible. After walking all over all day, an extra block or two can seem like miles.

What wonderful information! It all sounds too good to be true. My husband and I are leaving for Paris on 5-24 and when we return we will add lots of notes. We are staying at the Hotel Victor Hugo and are just crossing our fingers and hoping for the best. Thanks to all who post!