elaine

Brava Jennie, I'm a current New Yorker and I agree with every word, especially about wanting to discourage visitors from staying in, or especially, (shudder) eating in, the Times Square. area. <BR><BR>As for Paris, I've stayed in the 6th a couple of times, have stayed many more times in the 1st and once in the 4th. I've loved Paris every time, but all other factors being equal, I'll pick the 1st every time. Just as central, even more so for the Louvre and other right bank attractions. Not as many moderately-priced restaurants to be sure, but I don't let my hotel location limit where I go to dine anyway.<BR><BR>I don't pretend that the 1st is any less touristy than the 6th, I just like it. I know full well I'd have to venture into other areas to mingle more with the residents of Paris, I just prefer on all my travels to have very centrally-located hotels so I can pop back there on a whim, easily.<BR><BR>Should I ever have the luxury of visiting Paris more often, or for longer periods so that I feel less pressed for time, I would certainly consider staying outside of the single digits.<BR><BR>

carol

Hi Elaine--where do you stay in the 1st, and which eateries there do you prefer?

mustbestupid

Duh...sorry to have to ask this but what is an &quot;arrondissement&quot;

Notastupidquestion

Arrondisement is a district. Sort of like in a city you may live in one zip code, except not as spread out as a US city would have. So within Paris the best way to describe an area is by the arrondisement. Hope that helps

mustbestupid

Duh...sorry to have to ask this but what is an &quot;arrondissement&quot;

elaine

<BR>arrondissement=district, with its own number and postal code<BR><BR>carol<BR>in the 1st, I most recently<BR>(ohmigod, it's almost two years since my last visit, gottagobacksoon)stayed at the Regina. Old grand hotel, though at the time a little worn around the edges--some rooms very much needed updating and refreshing. Almost across the street from the Tuileries metro station, another block or two to Place de la Concorde. In past years I'd stayed at the less expensive Louvre Montana and the St Romain, both on rue St Roch which is also near the Tuileries metro station. <BR><BR>Friends have stayed at the large Hotel du Louvre and liked it very much. <BR><BR>Restaurants in and around the 1st that I've liked<BR>Le Souffle, rue Mont Thabor<BR>lots of tourists if you dine before 8pm. Food very good, but the prices have been creeping up and I'm not so sure that it's such a good deal anymore.<BR>For the same money, there are lots of other good places to try.<BR>I went there the first time many years ago when I read about it in Gustafson's book &quot;Cheap Eats in Paris&quot;; it ain't cheap no more.<BR><BR>Lescure, rue Mondavi, just around the corner from place de la Concorde. MIght be over the border into the 8th.<BR>Small menu, a little hole in the wall place, moderately priced. Food not extraordinary, but a good value for the price, and when you finish you can walk a block to the lights of la Concorde, or go have an expensive drink at the Meurice or Crillon hotels.<BR><BR>Very expensive but divine:<BR>Les Ambassadeurs, in the hotel Crillon.<BR>It is not possible to be too dressed up for this ornate restaurant. Excellent food, and a luxury experience.<BR><BR>And there's Angelina's on rue de Rivoli and Laduree on rue Royale, both for pastry or light food, but I don't have my map in front of me so I guess they might be over the border in the 8th, Laduree for sure.

Erin

Elaine: did you like the Hotel Louvre St Romain? My mother and I stayed there in 1999 and for the location, the price could not be beat!!

mustbestupid

Duh...sorry to have to ask this but what is an &quot;arrondissement&quot;

Teacher

You are probably not stupid, you just can't read. Go back to school, then come back here. You'll enjoy it more.

carol

Elaine,<BR><BR>Thanks so much for the prompt, detailed response. Last year I stayed at the Washington Opera hotel right behind the Palais-Royal, and very much enjoyed being back on the Right Bank after 10 years on and off on the Left Bank, but I was a little disappointed on the hotel--it was more like a 3* than the 4* rating it earned and charged for. But I definitely will return to the RB and appreciate your input.

SA

I've always stayed in the 3rd &amp; 4th so I guess you are presuming a lot. I'm going back in March &amp; will be staying in the 4th as well. I guess it is a matter of personal taste &amp; what area you enjoy the most. Several of my friends prefer to stay by the Arc &amp; another group close to the Eiffel Tower. None of these are in the 6th. ??? Why does it matter where one wishes to rest his head ??

elaine

Erin<BR>I very much liked the St Romain, and since you have been there more recently than I, I'm glad to hear it is (was) still good.<BR>The hotel itself was pleasant and of course clean, decor was bland, but I agree THAT location is priceless!