Hotel/location advice in Paris

I’m not a fan of rue Cler, too far from the center where Notre Dame is and too many Americans concentrated in a small area thanks to RS. I like being in the center where i can just walk out of my hotel and walk to many places and along the river. Yes, you can take the mêtro or bus, but i prefer to stay in the most central area. My favorite areas are Ile St Louis (little island next to bigger island where ND is), the Marais - both of these in the 4th arrondissement, and the Latin Quarter (the 5th). You can tell what arrondissement an address is in by the last 2 digits of the postal code. I like staying and being near the river for the amazing views. Any hotel on Ile St Louis is great. Check in the Search bar for hotel recs in the Marais and 5th, there’s been several threads very recently.
And don’t miss spending some time in the Luxembourg Gardens (in the 5th and 6th). Beautiful park and an opportunity to be around Parisians that are relaxed and enjoying themselves.

We stayed in the Rue Cler this past June and loved it. Lots of nice restaurants and shops. We stayed at the Hotel de La Motte Picquet and it was great. It’s one of RS recommended places to stay. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Transportation is easy from that area.

Thank you for the advice! I will check that hotel out in the Rue Cler and research the 4th and 5th more. I liked being close the the Eiffel in the Rue Cler, but I could branch out and be close to other landmarks this time!

Nothing wrong with Rue Cler, particularly if you've already done all of the "tourist" stuff. It's still a nice walking neighborhood, near the huge park surrounding the Eiffel Tower, and lots of good places to eat, shop and people-watch. Hotel De L'Empereur is nice and conveniently located.

The 4th, 5th and the island where ND is, are the oldest parts of Paris and are very charming. The Marais and Ile St Louis are especially charming. Lots of great restaurants and cafés everywhere.
There are other market streets in Paris similar to rue Cler, rue Montorgueil is one. Rue Mouffetard is another and is my favorite. It’s the oldest street in Paris, built by the Romans.
Check out Place Dauphine on Ile de la Cité (where ND is). Place des Vosges in the Marais. Exploring different areas in Paris (not on the main streets) is very fun for me... you’ll discover many beautiful / charming gems.
Ile St Louis is my favorite area to stay.
Surrounded by the Seine river with amazing views every where. It’s like a little village unto itself with restaurants, cafés, a pharmacy, bakeries, ATM, grocery store, fun shops, and the world famous Berthillon ice cream. It’s only crowded in the summer on the first half of the main street - the rest of the island is quiet and very peaceful. Three good hotels i can recommend are Hotel de Lutèce, Hotel des Deux Iles and Hotel St Louis en l’Isle.
I think it would be enjoyable to stay in, and discover, a different area of Paris. But wherever you do stay, i hope you have a great time!

I stayed in Rue Cler and liked it. I like the Latin Quarter more (5th). The Latin quarter is more convenient to the metro and is easily walkable to more places--like the Ile St. Louis, Luxembourg Gardens, Louvre, etc. I also really like the neighborhood. Other areas that I would like but in my searches seem more expensive are St. Germaine and Ile St. Louis.

Thank you! Wow how many of you have described the 4th and 5th and the ile de la cite sound magical! I went to the pantheon last time and remember getting lost in that area and loving it. I have loved visiting ND as well. This forum is the best, you have me all so excited! I used this forum for months planning our month long trip and booked these tickets with only 1 month to plan... I knew the first place to come even all these years later was here! I will get researching all your hotel recommendations and checking for availability! I really appreciate it❤️

I just want you to have a really good time lindsay, and for me it starts with what neighborhood i stay in. Ile St Louis (the best imo) will not disappoint. Neither would staying in the Marais, or some parts of the 5th (closer to the river, ND and the Luxembourg Gardens). Being close to the most sites within walking distance is relaxing and fun, and easier to return to your hotel to get something or drop something off. The Marais, Ile St Louis, Ile de la Cité, the Latin Quarter and St Germain in the 6th are way more charming and way more fun than the 7th, where rue Cler is, imo.
Get a good map of just Paris and see where everything is. ND is the center point in Paris and where all distances are measured from in France.
Forgot to say rue Mouffetard is in the 5th... : )

Recent threads w hotel recs:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/paris-accommodation-expectations-realistic

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/marais-hotels

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/paris-summer-2019

Agree with Susan's comments about staying on Ile St. Louis. We've stayed at Hotel des Deux Iles and plan to stay there next trip. We've also stayed on Rue Cler and there is nothing wrong with that area. We just prefer being right in the center of the city.

We enjoyed our stay at the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles. in the Latin Quarter. During our last visit, we met a woman from Canada who has been coming to this hotel every year for the last 40!

She said: I have travellled all over the world, and this is my favorite spot.

Have to agree with Bob. Grand Ecoles is perfect ! A lot of wallpaper but who cares...

The courtyard is so quiet and delightful for sitting with a bottle of wine.

Cafes are all around you, the bus stop is around the corner and a 5 minute walk takes you to the Luxembourg Gardens and the Luxembourg subway.

And the lovely Rue Mouffetard is close. And it's only a few minutes walk up to the river.

We liked the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles a lot. Susan is also right about the Ile St-Louis, a self-contained little village in the heart of the big city. Or look for a place near the Luxembourg Gardens.

We've also stayed in the Marais (in an apartment) and found it a little too busy and crowded for the kind of strolling and park-sitting you're thinking about. Hard to stroll on those narrow sidewalks with people all around who aren't strolling but trying to get somewhere.

Rue Cler is nice but not central to the sights or close to the river. I've enjoyed visiting but wouldn't want to stay there.

You have to get off the “main” streets in the Marais, the majority of the Marais has very few people (even in June when i was last there) and the gems you discover meandering all the smaller streets are wonderful... from beautiful little parks, to centuries old mansions, and much more.

Thank you so much! I’ve had. Lot of fun researching the 4th,5th and 6th and all the hotels you’ve listed! Hotel des Grandes Ecoles That many of you recommended does look charming! They are booked one of the nights in the middle of my stay? Do you love it that much to split hotel stays? I am there a W-W and it’s booked friday😢 I hope to make a decision today and book and while I loved being so close to the Eiffel Tower, I think it would be good for me to stay close to so many other sites and neighborhoods!