We loved our time in Paris' 7th on our last trip and enjoyed many quiet evening strolls to the Eiffel grounds. We are thinking of the 1st on this trip and wondering whether the atmosphere is the same. Don't mind lots of tourists (since that's what we are also), but hate the thought of busy streets and partying until all hours of the night. The 1st seems to offer more areas with easy evening walks: the Louvre, Notre Dame, and St.Chappelle for evening concerts. Should I be worried at all about safety in these areas at night?

I would choose the 1st over the 7th. I feel that the 1st is closer to Notre Dame, etc.<BR><BR>No, no worry at night about safety. People are out quite late.

First, Notre Dame and St Chapelle are not in the first. The Tuileries by the Louvre are beautiful for walking or just walking along the Seine is as good as anyplace. There are also plenty of quiet streets at night after the shops have closed. I don't see where choosing one or the other will affect your enjoyment of Paris.For more Paris information go to www.anamericaninparis.com

Fred, who said they were? Both posts indicated that those attractions were closer or more convenient to the 1st, which they are, or at least that's how I interpreted ellen's comment, and certainly Jean's. I agree that the 1st is a better choice, partly for that reason, but it still doesn't hold up so well compared to my favorite, the 6th.

Dear Mr. Know-It-All Fred Min, I know that Notre Dame &amp; St. Chapelle are in the 1st district! Ellen knows this also. Did you read our postings carefully???<BR><BR>

Dear Mr. Know-It-All Fred Min, I know that Notre Dame &amp; St. Chapelle are NOT in the 1st district! Ellen knows this also. Did you read our postings carefully???

Regardless of which district holds which attraction, my point was walking safely in the evening to these places. Thank you, Jean and Fred, for your assertions that the 1st would be better than the 7th. Also, Patrick, I hadn't even considered the 6th since the two hotels I've narrowed down to are located in the 1st and 7th. Eeeks, I think I'll have to do more homework! What do you like better about the 6th?

My husband and I stayed in the 7th, this past September. We loved the area... walking under the covered Rue de Rivoli, strollingin Tulleries Gardens. St. Germain, the Louvere and Notre Dame are all within walking distance. We walked at night and never felt nervous. There were always other people walking along the streets. Also, there were some very nice bistros, cafes and restaurants close by.

Hi Ellen,<BR> Given my druthers, I'd stay in the 6th. More interesting ambience and still central to the sights.

I must say I don't understand the remarks about Fred. He was certainly a tremendous help to us as was his web site and his posts have been extremely helpful. At any rate, Notre Dame is in the 4th arrondisement and St Chapelle is right on the border of the 1st and 4th. Unlike you people I'm giving my address and not hiding in the cloak of anonymity like you are.

<BR><BR>Hi Ellen. First of all, unless things have changed, I really wouldn't be concerned about safety -- in terms of violent crime -- in any of the inner, lower-numbered Paris arrondisements. Petty crime like pickpocketing, of course, is more common and one needs to take the usual precautions (money pouch, etc.) <BR><BR>I stayed in the 7th once and, while I like the markets on Rue Cler and, like you, the proximity to the Eiffel Tower grounds, it just felt too far away from the heart of Paris (some people, of course, may like that feeling.) As you noted, the 1st is much closer to places like the Louvre, Notre Dame, and St.Chappelle. (While I'd take the 1st over the 7th, I prefer the 6th, followed by the 5th.) <BR><BR>If you're concerned about street noise, I'd recommend you request a room that's in the back of whatever hotel you're considering.

Ellen<BR>We stayed in the 1st last September and loved the convience. Perfectly safe area. Try it---you will like it.

You asked what I like better about the 6th. I like the general ambiance there. It is a bit busy and boisterous, perhaps that's what I like. It has a lot of charm and character, more small hotels of charm than anywhere else, I think. As we've established it is very close to Notre Dame, the Louvre, St. Chappelle, and the delightful Isle St. Louis as well. I usually stay there for a week minimum and learned long ago that a metro pass just isn't necessary. This year we walked nearly everywhere for the whole week, and I think the two of us still had two tickets left over from 2 carnets -- that means we did just a total of 9 metro trips in a whole week.

Ok, I'll risk asking here...which hotels in the 6th have &quot;charm&quot;. Any favorites someone is willing to disclose? I'm busy doing the research and willing to change, but not if it will break the ever shrinking bank. Thanks!

Noooo, Ellen, oh please don't ask for everyone's favorite hotel in the 6th - lol, we have been around that lamp post so many times I'm getting dizzy! I know it won't do any good, but could I simply whisper in your ear - psssst research! Just 'tween you and me. Oh, my god, I can hear footsteps, tons and tons of posters descending upon us with their hotel suggestions. I must run. Either way, good luck. And isn't ND in the 4th, or did I miss that part of the lecture. Anyway, I do know how to find it - do I get part credit?

RnR,<BR>You definitely get credit! And some extra for at least being cheerful

What am I reading wrong? How come people like RNR keep mentioning things like Notre Dame being in the 4th? Whoever said it wasn't? In fact the posts above keep mentioning that fact while mentioning which other areas are NEAR or CONVENIENT to it, not necessarily in the same arrondisement.

Patrick, read the original post. I think ellen mentions the Louvre, St Chappelle and Notre Dame being in the 1st.<BR>

o, now I cannot get that darned tune outta my head ... whatever lola wants, lola gets! My god, do I see a red dress!<BR><BR>Oh, Patrick, &quot; ... people like RNR ...&quot; just when I was hoping you'd think I'm special. The wrinkles in my old Michelin Plan de Paris suggest ND crossed the river into the 5th, can that be posible?

6th is the place- I have been to 2 charming hotels-<BR>1) Le Sainte Beuve<BR>2) Hotel Pas des Calais<BR><BR>Both have web site- take a look.<BR>