While in Paris last month we took a small stroll through a portion of the 20th and found it rather charming. Does anyone in the forum have first-hand knowledge of what it is like to make as a base in Paris? We do not have a need to be in the "center of the action" as we have been to the city many times.
I appreciate any feedback. Thank you.
We too have been to Paris many times for up to a month at a time and often stay next to the 20e in the 19e. The hilly area of Belleville is very interesting, charming and has a great neighborhood feel. If you are close to a well connected Meteo, the rest of Paris is easily reachable for visitors who want to experience some neighborhoods as well as get quickly into the city center.
We're planning on staying in the 20th next June. I've asked this same question on Trip Advisor. Seems like most were pro to the idea. We have a "French daughter" (our oldest daughter's best friend) who lives in the 20th. Our daughter will be staying with her (she has in the past also) when we go in June. We want to be fairly close to them so we can plan our days a little easier. Plus, I was going to use my IHG points, but both hotels I was looking at will be closed for renovations. Her apartment is just on the south side of the cemetery and they used the Alexandre Dumas metro all the time.
We spent a month in the 20th years ago and loved it but it is a poor choice for a first visit or even a second or third. Once you are no longer spending a lot of time around main tourist sights in the center, it is lovely to be further out.
We are in the 17th on the this trip and the last few trips have stayed in the 13th. We like being in neighborhoods less tourist driven BUT when you are early in your visiting to Paris, there is a lot to be said for stayin in the 4th 5th or 6th IMHO
To be honest it depends "where" in the 20th. Staying somewhere around Gambetta (i.e., near Père Lachaise) or towards Nation is quite convenient and has its charms. Places further out would add to transportation times - in some cases, to the point where some suburban locations would actually be more convenient and save more money!
Well, I’ve stayed there: We lived there for a couple of years . . . I agree with Balso (and Janet).
In addition, some parts of the 20th are a decent walk to a metro line, so you want to be aware of how far from a metro (and which metro) you are.
When we were staying in the 20th, it took about 45 minutes to get to the Eiffel Tower on public transport and we were right at a metro stop so didn't have to add a km trek to the station. Where we are now is inconveniently near 3 different stations -- the 3 stations part is great, but we have a 750 meter walk to each of them which adds a hunk of time to each trip and most places we go take at least 30 minutes to get to.
And when you’re in the Métro, which will be your fastest transportation option, you are underground and can’t see Paris. On a bus you can, but it will take longer. I agree with Janet that it’s not an ideal location for a 1st, 2nd, 3rd visit.
Janet has stated more clearly what I meant about being a somewhat-far walk from a metro in some cases.
I can remember someone coming on the Forum at some point and stating baldly that no place in Paris was more than 500 meters from a metro station— all I had to do was think of my apartment and the nearest metro to know that that was simply not true !!!
There are definitely some cool pockets in the 20th, and it certainly does get you away from tourist central — but I just don’t know if for a visitor it is a great solution.
I've stayed in the 19e, near the canal and Métro Riquet and enjoyed it fine, with good bus and Métro service,
Never tried 20e.
Yes, I'm definitely spoiled by my current apartment's fabulous location just a few dozen (?) meters from Line One . . . whatever it is, it's a two- or three-minute walk from my apartment to the metro.
Thank you for all the comments. We are considering a longer stay in Paris and looking for a base that is more like a neighborhood than being necessarily close to "attractions". The areas around Gambetta are charming.
Another area to consider is the one near the Pyrénées metro station.
