danacarrie

first of all, excuse my punctuation. my shift buttons aren't working.
we have a chance to stay in a studio in montmarte for 50 dollars a night. we are on a budget, so this is sounding really appealing. i was wondering what people on the board thought.
i did a search for montmarte on the boards and read some of what people had to say- anything you'd like to add/suggestions are welcome.
one specific question i have is around transportation...is montmarte hard to get to, or does the train go there like it goes everywhere else/- that's a question mark...
thanks.

francophile03

No. It's not the best of areas although certain parts may not be as bad. But I still wouldn't want to stay there.
There are budget places located in the Latin Quarter which would be a better location.

martytravels

Personally, no. Montmartre is is definitely worth a visit, if nothing else for the views. My gripes are A) It's overrun with tourists and doesn't feel very Parisian. and B) Montmartre itself is fine, but some of the surrounding areas, particularly Pigalle to the south, are kinda sleazy and not necessarily the places you'd want to stay (unless flashing neon body parts are your cup of tea). But to each his or her own.
But if price is your big concern, there's nothing wrong with Montmartre and there's good metro access (Abessess, Anvers and Pigalle stations are there)

StCirq

Although there are appealing aspects of Montmartre, it is at the bottom of the list of Paris areas I would stay in. The $50 a night price tag is attractive, but does that mean it's in a dicey neighborhood? The Montmartre area encompasses some fairly seedy areas.
But as for public transportation, that's not a problem. The métro serves the Montmartre area as well as other parts of Paris, as do buses. There is even a special Montmatre bus, the Montmartobus.

elle

Depends on where exactly in Montmartre the apartment is.

I would stay in the rue Lepic/Place d'Abbesses area in a heartbeat (and have done so). Other areas are less appealing.

Budman

We stayed in Montmartre Feb of last year, up at the top on Rue Cortot, directly across from the Museum. We loved the area. Took the funicular up and down, wondered around Rue Lepic and Place d'Abbesses, and had a great time. Lots of markets, cafes, and restaurants to explore.

Maybe it's different in the summer and all the wackos come out, but we had a great time and never felt threatened, including my wife who is afraid of her shadow. You really have to go out of your way to get to Pigalle.

We mostly walked down to the Anvers Station and headed into town. When we returned, got off at the Moulin Rouge Station, I believe it was Blanche, walked up Rue Lepic, thru the markets, picked up a roasted chicken off the spit, some cheese & bread & dessert, and headed back up to the top of the hill for dinner. The movie Amelie was filmed in that area.

I'd go back there in a heartbeat. BTW, where is the studio located?

hanl

Agree with elle.

Some parts of Montmartre are lovely (and quite "Parisian&quot and certainly sought-after - the high rents in the area bear witness to that! Indeed, several times I spotted French celebrities doing their shopping on Rue Lepic when I lived in the neighbourhood.

On the other hand, some parts of Montmartre, particularly in front of the Sacré Coeur and around the place du Tertre, etc. are way too touristy, and others (round Pigalle, and east of the Sacré Coeur) are downright seedy.

There are plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, market stalls etc. in the neighbourhood, and 2 metro lines nearby (line 12 and line 2).

Beatchick

I'd stay in the area north of Sacre Couer or to the east, or around Place des Abbesses, but not near Pigalle to the south and west. Also, I think it depends on the time of year you go that determines it's touristy feel. Definitely around the Moulin Rouge & immediately around Sacre Couer & Place du Tertre are very touristy but there are areas that are peaceful (such as east of Sacre Couer down rue Utrillo- a staircase that extends down to a pretty cobbled square).

What street is the studio on?

Gretchen

As I did on another thread I suggest you enter the address in Pages Jaunes and see what the street looks like and exactly where it is in relation to what other posters have said are not too bad.