I'm trying to decide between the following apts. for my 1st week in Paris (2nd will be spent at an apt in the Marais). Had originally planned to stay in 3rd-6th, but then found this apt. in Montmartre that looks awfully pretty! My primary concerns are safety (I know, Paris is generally safe), and having shops, bistros, boulangeries, etc. nearby. Would appreciate any comments/thoughts about the two areas from anyone familiar with either/both. FWIW...this will be the last week of Feb09 and this is my 3rd trip to Paris, (previous 2 trips amounting to a whopping 6 days, so have just a little experience with Paris).

http://www.vrbo.com/209658
Address: 4 rue La Vieuville in the 18th (ground floor, very near Abesses metro)

http://www.vrbo.com/5586
Address: 11 rue de la Huchette in the 5th (very near Seine & rue Saint-Jacques

Many thanks!

While the first apartment looks nicer, I prefer the second apt because of the location. There's something great about being close to many of the attractions which you can walk to without relying on bus and/or metro.

My only concern is there is no photos of the bed or bedroom in the second apartment.

Rue de la Huchette is a very busy pedestrian street, also known by some as Rue Ptomaine. I'd make sure the windows are double glazed or if going in summer that the apt was air-conditioned.

Thanks for the comments thus far. I'm leaning towards the Monmartre apt at the moment, even though the location is a bit less central. Is anyone familiar with that particular area?

Hi Sidny,

If you don't mind my asking, are you female and are you staying in the flat alone?

I'm female and I've have take a couple of solo trips, and for what it's worth I make it a general rule for myself <b>not</b> to stay in ground floor properties regardless of the neighbourhood.

The Monmartre looks lovely but I'm not familiar with the area so I can't comment on that, and it being on ground level would concern me if I were alone in any event.

The rue de la Huchette flat looks nice too, and it certainly is central but like avalon I would wonder about the noise level as well.

Did you notice the view of the bed in a loft in the bedroom of the rue de la Huchette apartment?

Montmartre apartment--you mention safety and it is on the ground floor. Not an area I know well but if your second week is in the Marais, the fact that this isn't as central isn't much of an issue.

It looks lovely but hope if more than one person is staying there you are good friends because I don't see any doors on sleeping areas.

I like the 5th and 6th arrs but Huchette is teaming with people into the wee hours so seriously check on double-glazing on the windows. Frankly, overall it didn't look that nice and the loft bed might be an issue.

I would definitely stay on Huchette. You can walk over to Notre Dame in 3 minutes. The bouqinistes are right there along the Seine. Bakery Paul is close by on Blvd. St. Michel. An easy stroll up Blvd. St. Germaine to Flore or Deux Maggots and right down Rue Bonaparte to Louis Vuitton and Laduree.

There is a Monoprix and a Starbuck's (sorry, I am addicted) on Blvd. St. Michel at Blvd. St. Germaine.

Thin

I'd 100% take the one in the 5th over Montmarte. I've stayed just around the corner from rue de la Huchette a couple of times and I love being that close to the river, Notre Dame, StMichel metro station etc. It says it is on a courtyard so I seriously doubt noise would be an issue.

I rented the rue de la Huchette apt in April 2001(4th trip to Paris). It is utilitarian, however the location was the reason for our choice. You can hop onto the RER at CDG, get off at St Michel and walk 2 blocks to the apt.

As the VRBO listing states, you are on a courtyard, I have no recollection of any noise, either from the street or other apartments.

It's a loft bed, the mattress was sooo comfortable, I slept like a baby, LOL. Yes, you have to manuver up/down the ladder, probably not ideal if you need a middle of the night bathroom trip, but there was a light in the loft. A single bed is situated under the loft.

Enjoy your trip, wherever you choose to stay!

Both areas are safe. But if you are traveling alone, I think you will like the 5th better. It is the Latin/College district and will have that type of atmosphere. Lots of people activity.

The apartment in the 18th appears to be a stone's throw away from Pigalle area (Paris' redlight district). Not to say this area is unsafe, but it all depends on what you feel comfortable with. Hence, which will make you feel more relaxed and will give you piece of mind so you can enjoy your vacation.

Thanks to everyone for their input. It looks like the Huchette is winning in a landslide, but I must really want that Montmartre apartment because I feel myself pushing back! Apres-you're a real downer (but you read my mind)!

The apartments are probably going to be booked by the time I make a decision. I'll come back sometime and let you all know what I decided.

Maybe there's something else in Montmartre?

I'd go for the one on Huchette for the convience of being able to walk to many sights in such a short time.

Monica

Some friends of mine and I rented one right around the corner from Huchette on Xavier Privas. Sure, it was in a great location but you can still hear the noise all night long with the windows closed and trash pick-up starts before dawn. Not much sleep going on.

My sister and I rented this one this past summer and I loved it - great location and the owner was really nice.
http://www.all-paris-apartments.com/...ductId_772.php

And I would like to try this one at some point because the owners were nice even though the place was rented for the time I wanted.
www.mylittlehomeinparis.com

The flats I've rented in that area (also including one on r. Xavier Privas) have not had any noise issues at all -- except for trash collection in one, but that happens all over the city.

I never heard any street noise at all. Being pedestrianized, there is no motor traffic and the inside courtyards completely muffled any revelry/restaurant noise.

Just wanted to follow up...I ended up renting the Montmartre apartment, and was happy with it. Even though it was ground floor it felt quite safe as there were bars on the windows and the double-security entry doors and the actual apartment door made it feel like Fort Knox. I think the apartment would be especially great in the summertime because it was quite cool being ground floor with concrete floors. But there were plenty of space heaters provided to keep it warm in the winter. It was fun to be able to spend more time in Montmartre than my usual quick visit to Sacre Coeur, and the apartment was self check-in so very convenient and the agent, Jean-Noel, was very easy to work with via e-mail. Also, the apartment is spitting-distance from the Abbesses metro stop, so very quick and easy to get all around the city. There was definitely some street noise though since that's a busy area. Not a problem for me b/c I sleep like a rock and actually enjoy hearing snippets of conversation as people walk by, but could be an issue if you're a light sleeper. Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to share your thoughts. BTW...I'll add to the Paris apartment thread about my current apartment in the Marais...absolutely fabulous and I love this area around Place des Vosges!

I'd love to hear more about the place in the Marais you were so happy with as I am planning a week long trip to Paris and have been trying to decide between the Montmartre place (vrbo www.vrbo.com/209658)or somewhere in the Marais. The Abesses apt appeals because of the price and the how nice it looks and I've heard Montmartre has a village-like atmosphere. However, I know the Marais is more central (but seems to be more expensive).

Bronwyn

Bronwyn-- Here's the listing for the apartment in the Marais: http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p212082. Although I liked the Montmartre apt very much, I preferred the Marais apt after I moved over. It overlooks a courtyard but seemed to get more light than the Mont. apt. And it's beautifully decorated as you can see in the pictures. The owner, Isis, was absolutely wonderful to deal with. Her husband met me to give me the key and show me around the place, she called once to check in on me during my stay to see if I needed anything, she was very accomodating when I wanted to add a couple of extra nights at the end of my stay, and even called to arrange a cab for early morning transport to CDG.

Overall, I did prefer the Marais location...the apt is a half block from Place des Vosges which is beautiful! And there are plenty of shops, groceries, etc., nearby. You can walk nearly anywhere in central Paris, whereas I usually took the Metro from Montmartre. For that reason, I'd probably choose the Marais over Montmartre. But you can't go wrong in either location. BTW...I didn't feel like the Marais was more expensive. The rental prices were basically the same on the two apartments I rented, and I don't think there's significant differences in grocery prices between the two neighborhoods. For other things, you're probably shopping all over Paris so it doesn't matter where you're staying. And you can find "inexpensive" restaurants in any neighborhood.

Sidny-The apartment looks beautiful and I've written to ask about availability. Thanks for sharing the information--it's one I had not seen (and I feel like I've looked at every apartment in Paris on the web!).

Does it have a dining table at all (didn't see on in the photos)?


Bronwyn