dmlove

We always stay in the 5th or 6th arr. Last time, our hotel was in a decidedly "regular" neighborhood in the 5th, with lots of places non-tourists would go - shops, restaurants, laundromats, butcher, baker and probably a candlestick maker, too. We love the energy and ambiance.

sam17

We visit Paris frequently and always return to the 6th. To us it has the best combination of location, beauty, charm, and restaurants. Having said that, Paris being Paris, nothing is very far, either by foot or metro

Guenmai

Personally I don't care who is in a neighborhood...I care more about the conveniences the neighborhood provides. Happy Travels!

danon

"Last time, our hotel was in a decidedly "regular" neighborhood in the 5th, with lots of places non-tourists would go - shops, restaurants, laundromats, butcher, baker and probably a candlestick maker, too. We love the energy and ambiance. "
Right

I don't see why some people find it so offensive if certain parts of the city are more popular with tourists - it does not mean the residents (French) have moved out.
Most of those people would not go to New York and stay in the Bronx, no?

dmlove

<i>Right</i>

I have no idea if you're being sarcastic (or not).

danon

&quot;I have no idea if you're being sarcastic (or not).&quot;

Not at all. I agree with you, but at the same time don't see anything wrong with staying in more &quot;touristy&quot;
spots.

dmlove

Thanks and sorry I didn't understand. I don't mind staying where tourists go/stay....but I do prefer to stay in a neighborhood that is more than just a tourist attraction. For example, here in San Francisco, I would stay in Union Square or on the Embarcadero over Fisherman's Wharf. That's what I love about the Left Bank -- there's plenty of tourist attractions nearby, but there's also plenty of just &quot;being there&quot;.

danon

agree about Paris and SF !

Robespierre

My comment was about 70% in jest and 30% earnest. The fact is that there are an awfully lot of tourists staying, shopping, and eating (and I've done all three, thank you) in the central arrondissements.

yk

My feeling is that for a first time traveler to Paris, it's probably better to stay in the touristy neighborhood.

I personally like the 6th because the area is relatively quiet at night, yet very walkable to many attractions (be it Louvre, Ile de la Cite, Jardin du Luxembourg, Marais, Orsay). It was very helpful for us last year as we were in Paris during the strike!

Now that I've &quot;been there, done that&quot; on our next trip, we'll stay in the 11th and the 14th eme. They're not as central, but that's fine with me.

An analogy would be first time tourists to Manhattan who prefer to stay in/near Times Sq. For me, who have been to Manahattan dozens of times, I avoid TS like a plague.

danon

Over the years I have stayed in 1/8/16/14/9/10/5/6/7 and outside the city ( on the RER
line - in a private home) .
Next time ,we'll be staying in a friend's apt. in the 11th .

I just got back from Paris ; encountered more French speaking people ( maybe they were tourists from other parts of the country ??? )
in restaurants , cafes , shops, etc. all over 6/7 and 8 arrondissements than anyone else.

kerouac

There is the matter of budget for some people. As a long time Parisian, I would estimate food and drink in most of the 6th and 7th arrondissements (and not just those arrondissements) to be on the average 20% more expensive than some of the more normal neighborhoods.

Price is the main reason that more people stay in the 9th and 10th. And I would imagine that most of the Europeans staying there are a lot more comfortable with the public transportation system.

danon

&quot;There is the matter of budget for some people. As a long time Parisian, I would estimate food and drink in most of the 6th and 7th arrondissements (and not just those arrondissements) to be on the average 20% more expensive than some of the more normal neighborhoods.'&quot;

no doubt about it, not only food and drink, but most of all :
housing.( not a concern for tourist, of course).