Paris - need neighborhood suggestions

I love the Rue Cler area although you’ll get some here who don’t care for it. I like to look out the window and see Moms and Dads walking their kids to the schools down Rue Cler. I like to see the waiters nod and chat with the locals. Many say they see lots of people carrying around blue and yellow guide books but that has not been as true since Covid. Lots of 20-sonethings having apero on the terraces along Rue Cler.

I just take a cab to any train station. Next trip I’m leaving from Gare Montparnasse and returning to Gare Saint-Lazare. Cabs to and from.

If you want hotel recommendations, I like Hotel Muguet and Hotel Relais Bosquet. The Relais Bosquet prices seemed really high this Fall (October) so I’m splitting between Muguet and Hotel Beaugency. I haven’t stayed at Beaugency in a couple of years but last time I felt it needed a cosmetic reno so am reluctant to offer it to anyone before I get back there.

The cost of the cab from the Rue Cler area, since you mentioned cost as an issue, is nothing compared to the cost of hotels in the 7th.

I stay in the 15th for half to 2/3 of the cost of a hotel in the adjacent 7th.

It isn't so much the cost of the cab to the train station. Rather, I hate sitting in traffic when I could have avoided it with a better plan. Sometimes you just can't avoid spending a lot on a cab because of distance, and that's ok. Sometimes it's worth it for the convenience. I do appreciate the idea of staying in the 15th. That isn't an area I know - are there interesting shops, restaurants, etc.?

I like to stay in the Latin Quarter close to St. Germaine and Familia Hotel suits my needs. It is about 3 blocks from the metro and easy walking distance to many places. Its not fancy, but the staff is helpful, and the building charming. If you like the idea of Rue Cler, one option would be to stay near the La Tour-Maubourg metro stop. We stayed in the area once, and it worked well, but we liked the Latin Quarter better.

What time and day are you traveling? If you want to avoid sitting in traffic in a taxi, going across town close to rush hour which you will do getting from Rue Cler to Gare de Lyon, is just about a guarantee that you will be stuck in traffic. The second worst incident of city traffic that I have ever seen, I saw while in a taxi heading to Gare de Lyon from across town. I suggest staying in the Latin Quarter.

I do appreciate the idea of staying in the 15th. That isn't an area I know - are there interesting shops, restaurants, etc.?

Simple answer, yes. Most tourists don't know this area well, and that is one reason I like it because it is not overrun with tourists, but there are some fantastic restaurants and shops in multiple very "French" neighborhoods, good Metro access. The Commerce metro is two stops away on Line 8 from Ecole Militaire, at the foot of Rue Cler...

I would not hesitate to stay in the 15th neighborhood and taking a cab to catch a train at Gare de Lyon, I would just allow plenty of time. There is some overthinking going on in some of the responses you have gotten. Regardless stay in whatever neighborhood you want, allow plenty of time for a taxi transfer.

I once stayed in the Bastille / Republique area, plenty of decent mid range hotels...not my favorite place to be or spend time there other than as my place to sleep, but whatever, it will position you for your train, a good enough area for a couple of nights:

This one works: https://all.accor.com/hotel/3577/index.en.shtml?utm_campaign=seo+maps&utm_medium=seo+maps&utm_source=google+Maps

I've stayed in the Bastille neighborhood twice, closer to the column than Republique as a previous poster commented. There are several mid-range hotels along the Bvd Richard Lenoir, which also provides good Metro links, and getting to Gare de Lyon is a snap. This area also allows for easy access to the Seine and to the Left Bank around Place des Contrescarpe and the Pantheon.

There are several mid-range hotels along the Bvd Richard Lenoir...

Yes, that is the area I stayed in, can't recall the name of the hotel, but it was adequate (it was undergoing renovation), served my needs for a short visit to Paris about 6 years ago. Short walk to the Bastille column, good Metro access...

Thanks to everyone for your quick replies. I appreciate all the useful information.

I've also stayed in the 15th arrondissement, near the Pont Bir Hakeim (and where the replica Statue of Liberty is). It was great for accessing the Eiffel Tower, which at that time you could walk right up to, but in other respects I didn't much care for my surroundings. It is a very residential area, and in fact had the feel to me of a middle class suburb. I don't think I tried any of the restaurants in the area, so perhaps there's room for exploration. I know the 15th has its fans. Now the 16th, that's an area that I want to learn more about.

I've also stayed in the 15th arrondissement, near the Pont Bir Hakeim (and where the replica Statue of Liberty is). It was great for accessing the Eiffel Tower, which at that time you could walk right up to, but in other respects I didn't much care for my surroundings.

I know that area, and I would not stay there on a dare. Bad traffic, crowded...not pleasant...the "ugly" side of the Eiffel Tower (vs the 7th, Rue Cler, etc)...

The 15th is huge...look at areas closer to the 6th...much nicer.

Now the 16th, that's an area that I want to learn more about.

Parts are quite nice, some primo residential areas, but not a very good location for a tourist, metro access is more difficult...

I stayed just off Rue du Commerce in the 15th and really liked it.

I stayed just off Rue du Commerce in the 15th and really liked it.

Bingo! That has been my "home base" for the last decade. I mentioned the Commerce metro stop higher up in this thread...that was a hint...