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Is staying by Pont Neuf a bad idea?

Posted by on

We're heading to Paris the end of June for a week with our kids (9 & 12), and found a place right on the south end of Pont Neuf. The big plus is that with the kids it's very convenient, where we won't have to take the Metro everywhere. We're concerned that it's too touristy and busy, though - the kind of place where all of the restaurants are crappy and expensive.

We'd hoped for more a real neighborhood experience, but haven't found much that fits our requirements (AC, sleeps four, kitchenette). There was a spot in Faubourg-Montmartre we were also considering, and it's hard to tell whether that area would be much better.

Any thoughts on whether we should keep looking?

Posted by
4439 posts

my thought on lodging is, if you're spending a lot of time in your place and fussing about the details, you're wasting your trip. Get up in the morning and get the hell out sightseeing.

Posted by
1455 posts

I stayed near there, though not recently. It was fun being in the historic center of Paris. You can just walk to a lot of the Major sites such as Notre Dame and the Louvre. It was wonderful to be right near the Seine. It was surprisingly quiet at night. Do some interactive maps online. Meanwhile, if you haven't already, watch Emily in Paris, Amelie, and Alice in Paris on Netflix.

Posted by
321 posts

One of the show stopper "fussier details" for us elderly folks is a lift...

I suspect handicapped folks need a roll-in shower...

Posted by
6921 posts

The area is extremely convenient, walkable to many places, and frankly not that crowded. Sure, the bridge is crowded in daytime and so is the area around Odéon metro (day and night), but there are plenty of quiet side streets.
Faubourg Montmartre is good too, but not as convenient, and no less busy. Quite a bit of traffic around there too.

Do make sure that the rental is a legal one (it needs to have a 13-digit registration no.).

Posted by
3734 posts

Do you mean in the area near Rue de Nevers? Stay there and stop worrying about. It is very central and touristy but that has very real benefits for a week-long trip. You can walk to a lot of places. I like the Faubourg-Montmartre area but if this your first trip, the location you currently have is better. If your place is near it, look at reviews of the Citadine Saint Germain and see what people say about the area. By the way, what is a real neighborhood experience?

Posted by
1955 posts

Our first trip to Paris, we stayed right near the Louvre. It was fabulous to be so close to the Tuileries Garden and be able to walk around after dark there and visit the Louvre in the evening when was less crowded. We walked to almost all the shops and attractions.

While touristy, the central location and being able to walk everywhere was a big plus. I think you'll be fine.

Posted by
1442 posts

I stayed right by Pont Neuf years back in a budget hotel ( sadly, now no more) and found the location was awesome- near everything and surprisingly quiet at night with an interior courtyard facing room.

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