Le Marais vs Ile Saint Louis

Both have pros and cons but my choice would be Isle of Saint Louis simply because of the location.

Le Marais is more lively, which would probably appeal to a 17 year old. Both are safe and conducive to evening strolls. Transportation options in Le Marais are probably better. I have rented from Cobblestone 3 times - in or near le Marais - and have been very pleased.

I agree with Carolyn... I love Ile St Louis but the Marais is my newest favorite area.... very fun, great energy, lots of fantastic places to eat, great cafés, packed with fun stores, wonderful parks and full of great history and historical sites. I'd choose the Marais and Cobblestone hands down.

Thank you all for your suggestions. The husband liked the look of the location of the Isle of Saint Louis. So there you go. It looks like not that long of a walk over to Le Marais so I am sure we will be able to experience that as well. Thank you for your input. Happy to know that Cobble Stone is a good place to rent from.

Can't comment one way or the other on the Marais, but we took an evening walk through Ile St. Louis two years ago and it was crawling with Americans. Many of the hotels, restaurants, and stores had prominent signs in English. We felt we might as well be in Chicago or something.

Our hotel in the Latin Quarter had a much more European feel, and the guests we encountered at breakfast spoke either French, German, Spanish, or UK English.

I think you'll be very happy with the Ile St-Louis, especially it's "village" feel relative to the busy Marais. Plenty to do there but not as crowded or dense.

On the other hand, Susan says she now prefers the Marais after years of ISL fandom, so I have to wonder.... ;-)

Now I am starting to second guess myself. I was reading a through older threads on the subject of the two areas and your right Dick- Susan was one of the reasons we looked at the St. Louis area. Having never stayed in Paris for pleasure I was a bit worried about where to settle. After seeing some of these comments though I wonder if I should email Cobblestone move locations. Ahhh!!! Trying to make this decision is somewhat stressful. First world problems....

Don't over think it. Wherever you are, you are in PARIS! Bon voyage.

I know that Paris has been cracking down on air B&B and other short-term rentals in Paris for several years. That said, my husband and I had a great experience staying at a vrbo rental, #79965 in the Marais. And this was after a crackdown. Mme. Jagou, the owner lives upstairs. We found her very helpful. There is a 2nd room with 2 single beds and a TV. Very close to a Metro stop. I have a client who stayed there with her husband and 2 young teenagers and it worked for them. I wasn't real clear about whether or not you had settled on a place but if not, you might consider this rental. Whatever you decide I'm sure you will have a wonderful time.
6 rue St-Gilles, 3 eme arrondissement (3rd district)
75003 Paris. Home: 01-44-54-03-06 cell: 06-61-72-03-06

island, I sent you a PM.

Dick, I still love ISL but the Marais has gotten even better than it used to be and is fantastic on so many levels. And the average teenager will like the Marais much more.

I think either would be ok. You can easily walk from one to the other. Choose one and next time you go to Paris, choose the other!

Lucky daughter! ialso vote for the Marais. Stayed on Rue St. Antoine - extremely noisy - and Rue des Francs Bougeois. The latter was lovely. It was a VRBO but was 4 years ago. Olivier the "manager" was a pleasure to deal with. Place des Vosges was gorgeous, as were all the little shops!

Both are nice, but I find Le Marais more lively, more earthy, more authentic.

Oh, and I should add that my last stay in Paris was 6 nights on Isle St Louis.

Don't over-stress on this. Both locations are great, and you really can't "lose" with either one. Go with the nicer apartment. If they're both equally nice - flip a coin.

We actually rented from Cobblestone in May/June 2016. Stayed at Le Diamant En Isle on Sainte-Loius, 15 Rue des Deux Ponts. Enjoyed it very much. Two boulangerie's nearby, a small grocery store a couple of doors down, a Bank & ATM nearby, Cafes, Ice Cream & Restaurants all around. Plan on staying there again when we return to Paris.
Enjoy your trip.

Thank you so much for all your feed back! We ended up renting through Cobblestone and for this time settled with the Isle St. Louis location. Next time we will stay elsewhere! Thanks for all your feedback!

Have been to Paris with my daughters when they were 17, 18 and 19 and, return each year on my own or with frienda. While I prefer the ambience of the 6th for myself, suggest St Germain area or the Marais would appeal to teengers most. Ilse St Louis is lovely as well and really, is just a bridge and a block away from the Marais so, would suggest choose the accomodation that you prefer and use it as your base. On The island, be sure to have icecream at Bertillon (their flagship atore, not just a place that sells their icecream...charming). The Shoah Memorial is so worth visiting as well especially important (in my humble opinion) history lesson for all of ua but perhaps especially timely for youth. regardless, will be a wonderful trip you will all treasure!

Thank you Patricia for your suggestions and feedback. You all have been so helpful.