Question about arrondissements.

Good afternoon and bienvenue,

I would recommend staying in the 5th. This way you're close to Île de la Cité and walking distance to many places. If budget is important, check out Hôtel Familia or Le Home Latin. They generally have well priced, clean rooms

Why the 5th? Well, it's the cradle of Paris. You have so many historic sites here - more than you can shake a stick at. Plus there are also remnants of the Middle Ages. The Musée de Cluny is an absolute treasure trove.

Phil, you may find this website helpful

https://www.tomsguidetoparis.com/TomsGuideToParis.php

I chose the 5th for my visit to Paris in 2016, stayed at a lovely hotel called Hotel Legend on rue de Rennes--I really liked the neighborhood, felt safe and comfortable and well-located with one block either way to a Metro station so I was set for getting easily wherever I wanted to go. The beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg is nearby, plenty of shops and small restaurants, and most importantly, bakeries!

Bostonphil, some of the arrondisements are definitely more convenient than others and hotel prices can be quite variable. The St Germain area (the 6th) is popular but pricier, the Latin Quarter (the 5th) is less pricey but depending on where you are staying, there are some gradual inclines to consider. The Marais (the 4th) is popular, busy, and perhaps has a wider range of prices. Wherever you decide, consider using the bus and not the Metro. The bus system is excellent and while it can sometimes be slower due to traffic (there are bus lanes too), it is more user friendly for folks with mobility concerns than the Metro. St Germain in particular has several bus routes in close proximity.

For Le Havre, you can take the train from Paris Gare St Lazare to Le Havre and a taxi to the cruise terminal.

As I write this I am finishing up my 9th visit to Paris, staying at a CDG airport prior to my early flight tomorrow. This trip I stayed in a quieter part of St Germain (the 6th) close to the Jardins du Luxembourg. I took the bus everywhere as I enjoy seeing the street scenes.

Trains to Le Havre go from Gare St Lazare, then a taxi to the cruise port.

I agree with earlier posters... 5th or 6th. I'm a senior/solo and stayed in the 5th last month. I walked to the Cluny, Pantheon (5th) and Luxembourg Gardens (6th) and also to the 2 islands (Cité and St. Louis) and crossed the Seine to the Marais in the 4th.
I love to stroll so I only used the RER & metro on the day I visited the Marmottan museum in the 16th. I loaded 10 trips on my Easy card and came home with 8 trips still available. Guess I need to return since I have more to explore & Paris is changing the metro rates and my Easy card trips will expire.

I have been to Paris several times and am returning in January. I tend to chose the arrondissement that I want to be in by what I want to see/do on that particular trip.

The first trip, I made a list of what I wanted to see and then I plugged those sights into Google Maps to get an idea of distances from one another and from the apartment I had rented. That's a rather arduous task, but it was fun for me because I love planning. We ended up staying in the 5th near Notre Dame. It did involve a lot of walking, though, which was something we both (husband and I) could do. This time, I actually found our lodging [AirBnb] by what was available and in our price range--there aren't nearly as many options as there were even just four years ago, and the prices have tripled in my experience. So, we ended up in the 2nd arrondissement.
We will take the Metro to get where we want to go, but I am in total agreement that the bus would be easier to step up on and off--the Metro can have many, many steps both to enter and to exit. Furthermore, if you have to take two Metros to get to your destination, you might have to walk quite a distance between them which could involve even more steps. The bus can be very entertaining since you get to see Paris.
I know that you have been considering visiting Paris for a while. I'm excited for you!

Thanks to everyone for your feedback

Mary, Tom's guide looks to be very helpful and excellent.

I think part of your question depends on what you want to see and do. I would also say that Paris is easy to get around via bus and metro, though the metro does have stairs. Don’t stay in the 18th (Montmartre) as it is hilly.

Thank you Born a Travelin Man

tes, I need to avoid the hilly nighborhoods.

Learning about and really loving the arrondisements. It is making so much sense. So rational

One thing about the 3rd and 4th (Le Marais), is that it resembles more “old Paris” charm. You know how Paris is so gorgeous with the white similar buildings throughout the city. Well, the 3rd and 4th didn’t have that redone like the rest of Paris. That’s what makes it so popular and a favorite.

Hello Lulu348

"You know how Paris is so gorgeous with the white similar buildings throughout the city. "

I don't know because I do not know Paris but I would love to find out.

Even if i do not go on a cruise from or ending in Le Havre, I am going to have to spend a week in Paris just to experience it.

Thanks for your input.

It's interesting. I have never thought of Paris as having "white similar buildings throughout the city." There are Haussmannian buildings throughout much the city but they are not typically what I would call white. Other than Le Marais, you will find fewer Haussmannian style buildings in the Latin Quarter, and the islands if that is something that interests you.

I will be the voice of dissent. I like to stay anywhere but the single digit arrs.

You will bet a much more local feel and everything will be less expensive (with the exception of the 16th) outside those areas.

Might add, while many like to speak of the Arrondissements as a type of shorthand, all areas within one are not equal, bit like saying all of Manhattan is fine, or any "neighborhood" is cohesive. Keep an eye on access to public transport, main thoroughfares vs side streets, access to restaurant and commercial areas. Choosing an arrondissement is a start, but there really is no best, and there are great neighborhoods (and lesser) in any of the central ones tourists typically are interested in.

I am watching you tube videos about the arrondissements.

I have watched a couple about all of them and now I am watching a couple about each of the arrondissements. I think that I may be up to the 3rd arrondissements. Some of these you tube videos have been over 30 minutes long and almost all of them have been very good.

All the arrondissements look to be very good.

There is plenty of time since I have not even booked a trip to Paris but when the time comes, the cost of the hotel will be a factor. However so will location, convenience and most especially personal safety.

Thanks to everyone for all your input and feedback.

We stayed in the 14th at either end of our 2018 French trip. It suited us nicely. Quite residential, it was quite affordable too.

hello eatsrootsandleaves

why did you choose the 14th?

I will be researching each one but think I am now up to the 5th on youtube.

I agree that you should consider taking the bus to get around Paris. As to where to stay, that may depend on what you want to do most. since you will have only a few days, you will not be able to see "everything" - as if you ever could in Paris. My wife and I generally choose to stay in the 15th Arrondissement, as we like to get the feel of what it is like as a regular Parisian resident. the 15th is not really touristy, and because of that it is often cheaper to stay there. Peter

Hi adodd

If and when I go to Paris, I might go for an entire week. Usually I go pre or post cruise but I may choose to visit Paris without taking a cruise at all.

Still it will not be enough time.

I came across a hop on hop off boat ... and then there is probably some version of the hop on hop off bus.

of course there will be a few must sees for me as a first time visitor. but there are some beautiful parks and covered areas, churches and museums that I am only hearing about now as I do my research.

For a large city, Paris is coming across as very welcoming, warm and easy to navigate.Once it seemed so forbidding and now it seems so welcoming.

I am enjoying reading about everyone's favorite arrondissements. And then I do watch a youtube video about each one.

All of the arrondissments look very attractive with their own personality and character. All of them have some highlights. And they all seem to have nice shopping and eating places and coffee shops, but individuals do have their favorites.

The first time I stayed in Paris, I stayed in the 14th as I was on a stricter budget. This time, since I will have two grandkids with me, I'm staying in St. Germain close to the Jardins du Luxembourg (6th). It's closer to many of the sites, and since I only have 3 nights, I wanted the three of us to be able to walk around as much as possible to see most of the central area. But it is a more expensive area.

There are some folks here who prefer the Rue Cler area (like Pam; see her recent trip report), which is still central (7th) but has a pedestrian-only street and lots of fun shopping and markets.

Make sure you check to see whether you will have to walk up stairs or if there is a lift available. A lot of Paris hotels have a very tiny lift available that might hold you and a piece or two of luggage. :-)

For a large city, Paris is coming across as very welcoming, warm and easy to navigate.

I don't know that I would go that far, at least for a first-time visitor. It certainly has a very unique vibe and is a wonderful place to visit, but the metro and the buses can be confusing, and the locals may or may not be inclined to help you. What you might want to do is after you have booked your hotel, then figure out the sites you want to see, and plot out routes to them using Google maps in public transport mode. Look them over so that you have a good idea of how you will be getting to various places. Seriously, research is your friend here. You might want to consider doing more walking at first, which will give you a good idea of the areas you want to visit.

Arrondissements are a useful administrative tool, but for any other purpose, useless.

Get a good online map (open street maps, for instance) and look at neighbourhoods. We always used to stay in the 19th arrondissement, causing raised eyebrows amongst some, but that's because they only know the generalisations, not the locale.

All arrondissements have good and less good areas, and areas that are restaurant or transport deficient. You could find yourself in an arrondissement recommended here (e.g. any of them) and find your experience completely different to theirs

Hi Bostonphil.
Our decision to stay in the 14th was mainly hotel prices. I just checked the hotel we stayed in and it is currently offering a double at around $USD70, (90 with breakfasts included) per night. We travel on a tight budget and are not fussy about accommodation.
The area was quite low key, more residential than touristic.

Bostonphil, the 14th borders the 6th arrondisement and as others have said is less expensive. It has some good bus routes and Blvd Raspail and Blvd Montparnesse are busy streets in the neighbourhood with easy transportation and lots of restaurants. Earlier this month I went to the Institut Giacometti in the 14th to see the exhibit there and got there by bus and walking.

You mention the HOHO boat which is the Batobus. It can be a nice way to combine being on the river with getting off for some sights. However, it would be good to compare the costs of it versus a regular Seine boat cruise if you think because of doing a bit less walking day to day you might not get to as many of the associated sights. The website here
will give you more details including a map with the stops.

https://www.batobus.com/en

wow thank you all for your responses. I wlll get back with each of you later today or tomorrow.

While watching YouTube videos on each arrondissement is very interesting, entertaining and informative I think you run the risk of overwhelming yourself with too much information and getting into a whirlpool of indecision.

Some things I'd suggest you consider are the:
-mobility limits you've mentioned before in relation to your knee
-challenges you've mentioned in previous posts on using public transit
-similar challenges in being able to read/access maps to find your way around new locations

I think you will be spinning your wheels if you try to stay in one of the higher numbered arrondissements which are further from the Seine. Although you may find a room at a significantly lower rate, this means you would have to use public transit as it will be too far to walk to some of the big sites. I recommend you look only at 5 or 6 and as close to the river as you can manage with your budget.

When you do book your hotel, I suggest you book the refundable rate. Some hotels offer a lower price for a non-refundable rate. I don't take a chance on this in case something changes in my plans and I need to cancel.

If you are not going to spend the money on a cruise, you might consider the Road Scholar tour of Paris at a Slower Pace. The expectation of this tour's activity level is still that you would be able to walk up to 2 miles per day, stand for up to 2 hours per day and be able to walk on uneven pavement and cobblestones.

https://www.roadscholar.org/find-an-adventure/22235/Paris-at-a-Slower-Pace-Art-Culture-in-the-City-of-Light/

I hope you find something that works for you and your situation.

Hello Simon

Thank you for your input

Those who know me from this site know that I am very challenged when it comes to maps and directions. I am the one who can get lost when no one can possibly get lost.

I need to have. a hotel that is very easy to get to from the airport or the cruise pier. My hotel has to be centrally located.

And yes one person can have a wonderful time staying or doing something and another person the worst time doing or staying at the exact same place. Something like one person's junk is another person's treasure. Or just read the reviews on a site like booking.com.

Hi Pam and Mardie

You both know me by now.

You know that there are mobility issues plus I am challenged when trying to read a map or follow directions.

But I have learned to take notes!

I need a hotel that is very easy to get to from or to the airport and or to the cruise port.

it will probably be an area that caters to tourists and not to locals. Probably there will be a lot of Americans including older American, who will be glad to help this old and mobility challenged American.

Persons were very kind to me on my last trip. Maybe that is an advantage of being old and even looking it.

Both of you have been big helps in teaching me how to travel. It is a learning experience. And now I am eager to do it again but not take a cruise. I want to just spend a week in Paris.

I knew nothing when I began searching arrondissements. and now I understand or think that I do. When my time comes to visit Paris, I am probably going to stay in one of the lower single digit arrondissements. I may have to pay more but this will probably be my first and only trip to Paris.

As far as transport from the airport to your hotel, I just take a taxi. It's a fixed rate depending on which side of the Seine you are going to, Right Bank or Left Bank. We can tell you the exact amount closer to the time you are ready to travel. But if you figure into your budget 65Euro that is the current cost to the Left Bank (Right bank is a few Euro less). This is the easiest way for me when I am tired from a long flight, maybe not thinking 100% and am delivered right to your hotel's door.

To take a taxi from Charles deGaulle Airport - you wind your way thru Immigration, baggage pick up and customs and exit into a waiting area. When I came thru a few weeks ago it was evident that they had made clearer directions for getting to the taxi rank for the visitors to the Olympics. You follow the big blue circles (with feet in them, lol) that says taxi...out the door and to the zigzag line for taxis. Even if the line looks long it goes quickly as they load maybe 5 or 6 cabs at once. There is a manager at the head of the line and he will point you to a taxi. You ignore anyone who comes up to you and asks if you need a ride. Head down, looking at the blue circles, ignoring anyone.

I also suggest that when you travel to Paris you tell your airline you need a wheelchair assist. They will pick you (and others) up at the plane, take you thru Immigration and out to the taxi line.

There is a train into town and then the Metro BUT I think this will be too much for you to manage with luggage. Make this easy on yourself and budget the extra in for a taxi.

@ jojo/Fort Lauderdale.....Neither do I. Only once did I stay in a single digit Arrond. That was in 1977, my first solo time in Paris. I always stay in the 10th Arrond.

Boston Phil, that’s going to be a bit of travel time to get to the Le Havre cruise port from Paris. You will need to get to the Saint Lazare station, which is in the 8th A, and get a train or a bus from that area to Le Havre. I believe it’s anywhere from a 3 to 4 hour ride depending on when you go.

I would really research this thoroughly. I had a friend who traveled this a few years ago and she said it was difficult to get around at the station and it took her a lot of time.

"Neither do I. Only once did I stay in a single digit Arrond. That was in 1977, my first solo time in Paris. I always stay in the 10th Arrond"

AND this might be the right choice for some but is it a helpful recommendation for the OP? Over the last couple of years she's written about her mobility challenges as well as her challenges with transit and map reading.

I have taken care not to recommend "my" neighborhood because in my view, for her, it's too difficult to manage unless you are able to use the Metro or walk longer distances.

I agree with Pam. I know cost is a factor with BP but if she stays in an outlying area and is unable to get around much, that cost savings does her no good.

ETA: I just looked at your post and realized that you haven't booked a cruise yet, and are thinking of possibly not taking one. I do think it will be tough for you to get to the cruise terminal, so I would consider just seeing Paris without the cruise option. Would that give you more options with regards to cost, since you wouldn't be paying for a cruise?

Pam and Mardee and others

I am thinking of just going to Paris for a full week. No cruise. It is somehow in my head that I must take a cruise every year but in reality, I do not. I am thinking of going to Paris as early as this spring. spending a week in Paris and then coming home.

And yes it is quite a haul from or to Le Harve.

This is the best advice (from Pam) I’ve read yet:

If you are not going to spend the money on a cruise, you might consider the Road Scholar tour of Paris at a Slower Pace. The expectation of this tour's activity level is still that you would be able to walk up to 2 miles per day, stand for up to 2 hours per day and be able to walk on uneven pavement and cobblestones.
https://www.roadscholar.org/find-an-adventure/22235/Paris-at-a-Slower-Pace-Art-Culture-in-the-City-of-Light/

I’ve taken several outstanding Road Scholar tours and having a tour representative meet you at the airport, escort you to your hotel and provide guided city tours is a wonderful experience. I encourage you to read the website description of the tour and consider it.

Carole

Hi bostonphil.
Pam and Mardee are giving great advice I think.
Given your physical limitations I would think where we stayed in the 14th wouldn't work for you. On our full days in Paris my wife racked up 25,000 to 30,000 steps, me around 35,000. Also the added cost of using transport to visit places of interest.
For us Paris was a secondary part of the trip with other areas of France priority. This meant we weren't focused on seeing a lot in Paris. Only big ticket being a Louvre visit, otherwise just a walk around the main tourist sites.

As low budget travellers we save a lot of money by not eating in restaurants too often. Obviously in Paris you will want to have a few restaurant meals. But if you can find accommodation that provides kitchen facilities you will save a lot of money.
Not sure how likely that is in Paris though.

Cheers.

Staying in the 10th Arrond. I don't have to rely on the Metro or spend for a taxi to reach Gare St Lazare. The bus # 26 goes directly from Paris Nord to Gare St Lazare, after which it's the train for La Havre. I've taken this bus.

The 10th is not hilly if you know it well.

Hello Carole and Pam

I checked out Road Scholar . Like it. Good value.

For upcoming trips, all the single rooms have been sold out but I do not yet have any firms plans.

One thing of concern. The information says that one will have to stand for up to two hours at a time if I read it and understand it right.

I could not do that. I can walk a couple of miles total without too much difficulty but standing for up to two hours I could not do. However I can usually find somewhere to sit down although I then miss some of the talk / lecture

If I got lost, which probably will not happen, I could always almost certainly find my way back to the hotel.

Thanks for the information Fred.

I have a lot to learn but for me that is part of the fun.

So the bus #26 goes directly to Le Havre should I want to take a cruise after all?????

I assume that there are a lot of persons who go from Paris to Le Havre and vice versa. I feel that there must be a shuttle bus that would take me to or from the port.

Have to keep learning about the arrondissements.

As to food, I am not one to sit down at a restaurant for hours having a three or four course dinner. I would probably go with street food, food halls, buffets, take outs or grocery stores.

However if I go to Paris for a week, I might take one food tour.

So the bus #26 goes directly to Le Havre should I want to take a
cruise after all?????

Bus #26 goes to Saint Lazare train station in Paris, not to Le Havre.

Hello EatsRootsandLeaves.

I always find a hotel that offers breakfast. If possible I like one with a small refrigerator and microwave but that is not always possible. I love coffee and drink too much. That can add up so I look for. hotel with a coffee machine.

As to food, I am not one to sit down at a restaurant for hours having a three or four course dinner. I would probably go with street food, food halls, buffets, take outs or grocery stores.
However if I go to Paris for a week, I might take one food tour.

yes, besides being old, I have an arthritic knee which has been a real problem in the past. I had an injection this time that worked to mask pain but still have stiffness. There are some other mobility issues but the knee is the big problem.

Thank you JoLui

I misread Fred's post. He said something abut bus #26 to /??? and then the train to Le Havre.

I went back to Fred's Post and "The bus # 26 goes directly from Paris Nord to Gare St Lazare, after which it's the train for La Havre. I've taken this bus."

I think that he was saying I could take bus #26 to Gare St Lazare and then take a train from Gare St Lazare to Le Havre if I wanted to take a cruise.

Exactly, that is correct.

@ bostonphil....One can board Bus # 26 at Gare du Nord, which goes directly to Gare St Lazare, which i have done. Gare du Nord is connected to all of the Paris train stations with the bus # 91, the exception is Gare St Lazare.

For that you take #26. You naturally have to take the train from St Lazare, which I have not done.

I am a few years below you, mid-70s. As such I don't enjoy taking the Metro with luggage in tow to reach the other train stations, ie Austerlitz, Montparnasse, St Lazare, and Gare de Lyon. Instead, I go by bus from Nord or Est.

Bottom line: Between #91 and # 26 I can access all the stations without having to depend on the Metro or the RER.

Just to know that once you get to the Le Havre train station, you then have to make your way to the port at Le Havre.

There is another possible option for a cruise which incudes Paris. That is to take a River Cruise (as opposed to Ocean Cruise) from Paris to Rouen. Rouen is served by the Paris to Le Havre trains and the river cruise terminal is more central in Rouen than the Ocean Cruise Terminal. Although they are more likely to be RT Paris to Rouen to Paris cruises. Most if not all call at Vernon for Monet's Garden, and some extend beyond Rouen to Honfleur (on that section of the Seine Ocean and River cruises run in tandem with each other). Honfleur is across the river from Le Havre. Some also include the Normandy Beaches.
I appreciate that a river cruise may well exceed your budget, but it is an option.
If not an option for you then maybe for someone else who reads this thread in future.

Hi Fred

I would love to do a river cruise but it is out of budget because they do not offer cabins for the solo traveler. Well they do if you want to pay for two. I have only spoken to Viking but I am guessing that it might be the same for the other companies that offer river cruises.

Hello Kim

Yes it appears complicated to get to the cruise port at Le Havre but there must be thousand of cruisers who pre cruise or post cruise in Paris. I may have to start a separate discussion on this site or may have to try cruisecritic. Except for Roll Call, I usually do not ask questions in cruisecritic because I find the site too complicated.

Later today, I am going to call. Norwegian and speak to my cruise consultant. Norwegian offers a pre or post cruise package Paris but you can only stay two nights in Paris. Three days and two nights in Paris. No, I don't think so.

Fred and Kim,

I am now understanding how to get to Le Havre cruise port from Paris. It is not horrible but not as easy as I would like if there was a shuttle bus that took me directly from hotel to cruise port.

If I should take a cruise, I would spend the night in Le Harve close to cruise port and easily walk over there.

I stayed at ibis Budget in Southampton when I cruisedf London to Lisbon.

Interestingly there is an Ibis near the Le Harve Cruise Port.

BP the train station in Le Havre is a short taxi ride to the port area.

BP, you can make it to the cruise port from the train station in Le Havre by either shuttle bus or taxi. However, the shuttle buses are somewhat intermittent; at least that is my understanding from what I’ve read.

If it were me, I would take a taxi. It’s under 2 miles from the station to the cruise port, so it shouldn’t cost very much by taxi. And with luggage, I think it would be a worthwhile cost.

"One thing of concern. The information says that one will have to stand for up to two hours at a time if I read it and understand it right. I could not do that."

Actually Road Scholar means standing up to 2 hours cumulatively thru the day, not 2 hours at one stretch. They do try to have places for people to sit if it's a longer period of time to be standing in one place (say more than 10-15 minutes).

Even I couldn't stand for 2 hours at one time without moving or sitting!

Their single spots do sell fast. You can add yourself to a waiting list if you decide you want to o next spring. They also will match you with another solo woman if you are willing to share a room. I always go for a solo accommodation as I need time away from the group and would not do well with a roommate. I think I remember your mentioning you are insomniac so it might not work for you to be with someone else either.

yes, Pam, I need my own room. I am a severe insomniac but it is much better managed these days. Still I can never count on my sleeping and it does disturb other people.

Also, I love my solitude even though I enjoy being with others. I need a. lot of privacy and space.

Mardee, I am accepting that it will not be as easy as I would have liked to get to from Paris to Le Harve . If I do it own my own, I would probably go to Le Harve a day early and spend the night at a hotel in Le Harve. It is similar to when I was in London and went to Southampton overnight before my cruise.

But, I called my cruise consultant yesterday and spoke to him. There is an 11 day Northern European cruise leaving from Le Harve May 2025 and NCL offers a Paris pre-cruise. It is two days and three nights. It alone would cost me about $1,600 plus the price of the cruise.

But it is not even close to a week in Paris. Here is what it includes:

Pick up at the Paris airport and taken to the hotel. After check in, I have the rest of the day and the evening free.

second day is the only day of sightseeing'

Day 2: Paris Sightseeing
Breakfast at hotel

9:00 am Depart the hotel and enjoy panoramic drive of Paris

12:15 pm Lunch cruise on board Bateaux Parisiens

3:00 pm Board the bus to Versailles

4:30 pm Versailles guided visit

2:30 pm Reboard your bus and drive back to the hotel.

Overnight Accommodation: Overnight at the Hotel Mercure Paris Opéra Faubourg Montmartre or equivalent

Third day. .Breakfast at the hotel and than transportation to the Le Harve Cruise port to board the ship. Door to door.

This is only a tease of Paris, not the taste that I wanted but if a cruise becomes important to me, then I will still have seen something of Paris.

What do you think about the hotel??

And the 11 day cruise includes Bruges. If you remember, I blew Bruges on my last cruise and this time, I will make it right. Since my faux pax, I have wanted to return to Bruges and give it another chance

It would be the longest cruise that I have ever taken . It will include some ports that I have been to but that is ok. It should be interesting to go back a second time and do something different but it includes ports in what used to be called Eastern Europe

Also, I will be with my people, my own kind, meaning persons who love to cruise and are going to be sailing on the same cruise as myself. It is possible that there will be a NCL desk at the hotel.

But I also know that knowing Norwegian like I do, things do not always run smoothly.

so I don't know. If I renew my passport on line in March, then it is out of my hands until I get my new passport. But I can still travel on my current passport until Summer.

You are paying a huge amount for convenience. The 3 hotel nights on those exact dates cost £585, let's say $700.

Add on the activities and the taxi from CDG. Maybe $1000 if that. So paying $600 as a round figure for the transfer to Le Havre!!

I stayed at the Mercure Faubourg Montmartre once. It was fine. Nothing fancy, pretty lobby. And the locaton not bad.

at the beginning of this thread of where to stay, one of the first cautions was about Montmartre. It is the hilliest, and quite steep too, part of the whole city.

What Nigel said.

"so I don't know. If I renew my passport on line in March, then it is out of my hands until I get my new passport."

You do not need to wait until March to renew your passport. You will lose a few months by renewing it early but you'll have your new one ready to go. You can also renew by mail or online (if your passport was issued between 9 and 15 years ago).

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport.html

Hi Nigel

I was aware that it is very hilly but I would be doing very little walking.

I would be getting picked up at the airport and taken to the hotel. After check in, the rest of the day and evening would be on me. I would probably just walk around the immediate area. I would avoid hills and steps if it is possible.

The next day I would be picked up at the hotel for a long day of sightseeing. I would probably be back at the hotel very late afternoon or evening. I do not know that i would want to do anymore.

The next day I would getting picked up and taken to the port after breakfast.

So while I am very aware that Montmartre. is hilly and steep, I could almost avoid walking.

Hi isn31c

This is what happens when you are one person traveling alone. You pay more per person than if it were two.

I called my cruise consultant to get an idea of what it might cost but the land tour and the cruise cost just over $4,000 per person based on double occupancy. You can not just get the land portion by itself.

It is a complete package and I am uncertain what the package would cost me, probably in the $5,00 or $6,000 plus range.

If you and a significant other wanted to do the land tour plus cruise, it would cost you just over $8,000 as a. beginning.

Added: So I went back and looked at the cruise all by itself. It is $2,700 per person but based on double occupancy. I would have to find out if I had to pay for two and that would be a deal breaker.

Hi Pam,

I want to renew online if at all possible and I do not yet meet the requirements.

Here is one of the requirements for renewing online.

"We issued the passport you are renewing between 2009 and 2015. The passport was issued over 9 years but less than 15 years from the date you plan to submit your application. "

My passport was issued in 2016 so I am too early to renew online. I can probably renew in person but was hoping to do it online.

I assume that when we enter 2025, the requirements will be updated and then I hope my picture will be accepted. For some people, that is a stumbling block

Please don’t get me wrong, but why don’t you take a deep breath and first decide what it really is you want to do for your next trip? In little more than a week you went from researching Tokyo, Japan and New Zealand for a next cruise to wanting to spend a full week in Paris without a cruise to a 11-day cruise of Northern Europe.
Zoom out and take the big decision first. Then you can worry about small details as to which arrondisement or hotel to stay in.

My passport was issued in 2016 so I am too early to renew online. I can probably renew in person but was hoping to do it online.

You should be able to. My most recent passport also expires in July of 2026, and I plan on renewing my passport online soon after I get back from my Sept/Oct. 2025 trip, which will be right around the 9 month mark.

And Dutch Traveler is giving you excellent advice. I know the urge to commit to something you want quickly, but given all the issues involved, I think you would be better off doing some research and thinking about it a lot more. :-)

Agreed Dutch_Traveler

First I believe that I fell for Norwegian's marketing. i have been getting emails from Norwegian saying something about Black Friday deals (you probably know that our Thanksgiving is coming and then the next day is Black Friday and you may know what that means)

So I have been getting emails about Black Friday deals from Norwegian which do not seem to be real deals but I fell for them ... At least I did not buy anything based on them.

So I am going to take a deep breath but I will continue to do research. I am interested in a. week in Paris. And I am interested in another cruise as well but where and when.

Still am glad for all the information that I have been getting about Paris from my post. One of these days I may really get there. It seems so easy to go to Paris for a week after lanning the cruises that I have,

Thank you for your input

My apologies. I am embarrassed.

As I just told Dutch_Traveler above, I fell for Norwegian's Black Friday marketing. I was getting numerous emails about their Black Friday sale with cruises 50% off. I should have known better but I fell for the hype and got excited about taking a cruise from Le Harve with a land package in Paris pre-cruise.

I have returned to reality and continue to just look at Paris for a week.

Looking at weather in Paris right now focusing on April or May. I have checked out flights on American and it will cost me just over $1,000 round trip. Have not yet checked out Delta.

Been checking out hotels on booking.com.

And looking over CDG and how to get to train stations in Paris from airport

Still learning about arrondissements and which one might be best for me.

If you have not ruled out staying in the 10th, here is another piece of info.

Not only does bus line #26 goes from Gare du Nord to Gare St. Lazare but also bus line #43. I've not taken #43 to St Lazare , only the 26 but I do know where the bus stop is. At Paris Nord i familiarize myself with the several bus lines that make a stop there since I prefer avoiding the Metro.

"And looking over CDG and how to get to train stations in Paris from airport"

You don't need to make this decision until closer to the time. Whether you can easily manage public transit in to your Paris hotel is going to be dependent on whether your hotel is near the RER B line. If you have to change from RER B to the Metro to get to your hotel, then I seriously recommend budgeting for a taxi from the airport. There are almost always stairs in the Metro. Sometimes there is an escalator but sometimes they are broken and you will not know until you are standing at the bottom of a flight with your suitcase.

Hi Fred,

I have ruled out nothing. Thanks for the info.

Hi Pam,

I am learning.

Taxis have a fixed fare, don't they. I think that I would be able to afford a taxi.

And I have been learning about the RER B train.

I have also been learning about the stairs in some of the Metro stations. I watched one youtube video where there was something like 400 stairs in a metro station total for a couple to walk up and down. I looked at the stair and knew that I could not do them.

Here is my thinking.

First, I have to make a decision about my plans. Then comes booking air. And then the hotel.

If taking a taxi is too expensive and the thought of taking the stairs in the public transportation is exhausting, perhaps you should consider another destination. It does take some stamina to be able to get around in cities like Paris, especially on foot.

But if you are dead set on doing Paris, consider taking the Roissybus directly (16,60/ each way) to the Opera and stay somewhere close to there.

As per their site: RoissyBus stops at Paris-CDG airport: Terminal 1 - Terminal 3 - Terminal 2AC - Terminal 2D - Terminal 2EF.

RoissyBus stops at Paris: Paris-Opéra (Corner of "rue Scribe" and "rue Auber").

Hi Alexander

I usually take one cruise a year in the fall and that is it. But I have decided to possibly spend a week in Paris this coming Spring as an addition. I am pretty set on seeing Paris. There are. cruises that leave from Le Harve or cruises that end in Le Harve but it is just too difficult to get to Paris. And I want to spend at least a few days in Paris. So I have decided to spend a week n Paris, maybe .... and then I need to renew my passport. and then think about my next cruise.

I have been doing a lot of research and have come across the RoissyBus. The name is familiar to me but I do not really understand what it is . It is a bus and it takes persons from the airport to a few stops in Paris????

Is it like the aerobus in Barcelona where I was in October?

It is a bus that picks up at the airport and takes people to one spot in Paris.

Is it like the aerobus in Barcelona

Yes, the Roissy Bus is a shuttle that takes you to Paris place de l'Opéra (the Opéra Garnier, not Opéra Bastille).

Everything you want to know about the Roissy Bus is here:

https://www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/public-transport/roissybus

Please bear with me because for me this is like taking French II without having taken French i.

I have had no knowledge of this until now.

So the Roissy Bus is a shuttle that goes from the airport to the Paris Opera House which is in the 9th arrondissements

If I am right, that is very helpful information.

The Paris Opera House would be a great landmark. It would be easy to take the Roissy Bus from the airport to and then after my week back to the airport.

I have to investigate the 9th and then maybe would look for a hotel close to the Paris Opera House. I am learning that it is also called the Opera District.

Bostonphil - I have really picked up on these words in your posting... convenience, personal safety, old, mobility issues, and centrally located.
I am a retired senior with many of your same concerns except that I can still handle walking >18,000 steps per day and stairs are not yet an issue for me. I've learned to go at a slower pace and be more careful where each footstep is landing. Just one misplaced step on cobblestones or wet pavement could turn a vacation into a nightmare that I would have to navigate as a solo.
Last month in Paris, traveling solo, not on a tour, I ate at pleasant simple restaurants. I did not have to spend a lot for nice meals in quite settings, with both indoor and outside seating on the terraces. My hotel was centrally located so I used public transportation only once, to get out to the 16th arrondissement for the Marmottan museum.
I have friends who navigate the Roissy bus or the metro from the airport into the city center. I've never attempted it. For me the expense of a taxi is worth some comfort/peace of mind. I travel with a rollaboard and small tote bag. I have taken 2 river cruises down the Rhone. Both were organized & guided tours that began with a land portion in Paris. I have avoided Viking since the company prices their tours on double occupancy and is not solo-traveler friendly.
The Opera Garnier neighborhood puts you close to 2 famous department stores but would require public transportation or taxi to get to the tourist sights that are likely on your list. I prefer a hotel in a more central location that provides 4 things top on my list of "musts"... safe, quiet, breakfast included, and easily walkable to and through the 4th, 5th, 6th & 1st arrondissements. The Eiffel tower, Montmartre and Arc de Triomphe are not centrally located and require bus/metro/taxi.
Others are giving you what they think is good advice but have not always focused on your needs and concerns. Go back and read what Pam has posted as I believe she is best addressing your concerns with some great advice and points to consider.
Happy travels.

And yes we are back now to a recommendation of the 4th, 5th or 6th as good places to stay -- which is exactly what the first recommendations were.

I would take heed of those consistent recommendations.

Hello pj

Although I have some mobility issues, I can still walk some and even up and down stairs. I can not walk up and down stairs with luggage however. I never know about my walking. I have flare ups and then other times I am ok. For my most recent cruise, I was given an injection and this one worked. It is still kind of working but I think wearing off.

However, I think you are encouraging me to reconsider the 9th or 10th arrondissements. I think you are suggesting that I stay in a lower number arrondissement close to some of the major attractions. Am I correct? And you are agreeing with Pam that I should take a cab from the airport to my hotel.

Personal Safety is a must but the others that you mention also are important to me.

I am getting a lot of suggestions and am considering all of them. Listening to everyone. Doing my own research.

I appreciate your comments. Thank you

EDIT and Added.

I see that yu have responded to my post way up there. It is wonderful that so many people are responding.

One thing that you forgot or maybe that I did not make clear is that money is an important factor in my travel. I have a somewhat tight budget but I can splurge here and there,

Hello Kim,

Since you live in Paris, what arrondissements would you suggest for me knowing what you now know about me from this discussion.

Maybe you already have but I have received so much feedback that I can not recall all who have responded. But I am thankful for each and every post.

Thanks for starting this thread phil. I am finding it very helpful, as I'm sure others are, as I consider a first-time trip to Paris sometime in the future.

Whether you actually go to Paris or not, makes no difference to me. :-) The whole point of the forum is to learn about places we’d like to travel to. And sometimes that involves changing our minds after doing some research. I change my mind all the time. There’s no shame in that. It is part of the process.

Hello Carrie

Thank you for the nice response.

I hope to get to Paris for a full week eventually. It may be this spring or maybe another time. I never travel during the summer months or during the holidays.

But as you have said, I feel this discussion might be very helpful to to those who are planning a first time trip to Paris or maybe even a second time. It is not a waste of time or space.

Hello Kim, Since you live in Paris, what arrondissements would you suggest for me knowing what you now know about me from this discussion.

And yes we are back now to a recommendation of the 4th, 5th or 6th as good places to stay -- which is exactly what the first recommendations were. I would take heed of those consistent recommendations.

As you can see, BP, Kim already responded with her recommendation, noting that the 4th, 5th and 6th were good places to stay based on your mobility issues.

ETA: You might want to check the Sage Travel website, which has a lot of advice for travelers with mobility issues. They have one article specifically about Paris: https://www.sagetraveling.com/paris-accessibility-guide

Thank you Mardee

Thank you for the link and the information. It should be helpful not just to me but to others who are like me as far as mobility issues.

I am "slow". I do not think I fully understood Kim's last response to me. Thank you for helping me understand.

A friend of mine who knows both myself and Paris sent me this link which might be very informative and helpful to persons looking for their first or second time hotel in Paris. I find it very valuable.

https://www.parisdiscoveryguide.com/paris-arrondissements.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawGypYdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHban5IOGFg4jLtWwtJ7mILkGPLy9JSuIo2Fm84ySzbGCJ4MftvB9jXBIXA_aem_0RNoxSHy5GgjLFP1ZjWqAA

No worries. I think most are trying to point out to you that given your mobility issues, you would be better off in one of the lower arrondissements, even if you have to pay more. And especially since it's your first time. I know it's easy to get distracted by things like Roissy buses and lower prices, but in my opinion, if you're spending the money to travel, spend it wisely. Budgets that are too low can become a false economy.

Hello Mardee

The friend who sent me the link suggested the 3rd, 4th, or 5th arr...

I have been researching hotels on booking. There are so many that It becomes really tiring.

I think it would be so nice to have a cab take me right to the door of my hotel from the airport.

I think it would be so nice to have a cab take me right to the door of my hotel from the airport.

Sometimes this is money very well spent, especially when you know ahead of time how much the fix fare will be.

And indeed, that is one of the benefits of Paris having moved to fixed-tariff taxis back in 2016 or whenever it was. No longer do you have to worry about the meter spinning out of control if you are stuck in traffic. You know it is 56€ if you are going to the Right Bank, and €65 if you are going to the Left Bank.

Thanks Mardee for explaining what I meant ! Better than I did.

isn31c

I do not think that you will be coming back to this post but if you do, I want you to know that I have been doing some research on river cruises.

Viking is out because they are not solo traveler friendly but Avalon is. Possibly going to give Avalon a call this week.

BP- I will revert to any post if there is a need, but this one was rumbling away nicely with our France experts, and I was quietly watching them.

Do let us know how you get on with Avalon, on a very brief look they have a Black Friday deal on to 5 December of a case of wine for all new bookings!

It is now almost 5am in the UK, 9pm PT, and I am finally on my way to bed for about 3 hours having been up all night for a very important Advent service in Seattle, so this is just very brief.

But my strong suspicion is that there are also other operators on the route as well as Viking and Avalon.

Good Morning from Texas isn31c

I believe that I have now remembered your screen name

I called Viking a couple of years back. They are not solo traveler friendly and you usually have to pay for two if traveling with them.

On Avalon's site, they have a section for the solo traveler which includes no or little single supplement.

That is how and why I began to sail Norwegian because they are so solo traveler friendly. However their pre or post cruise offerings are still based on two.

I hope to call Avalon this week and will keep you updated but I think there are other companies that offer river cruises. There is AMA Waterways.

I know so little about river cruising that it is like going back to when i knew nothing about ocean cruising. It is sort of fun having to learn something brand new that really interests me. It is good because am having to use my brain cells and for an old person, that is so necessary.

I have tried to go to cruisecritic for reviews but I have difficulty with cruisecritic. It is too crowded a site for me.

R S has very few river cruise reviews and nothing from Paris to Paris.

I've been to Paris numerous times since 1976 and seem to always stay in different areas. I prefer to stay in neighborhoods where I find everything I need nearby; ie, pharmacy, supermarche, boulangerie, fromagerie, etc. If mobility is a problem, I would think this would be a better technique. IMO. Learn the bus system. You get to see a lot of Paris on the bus. Also, use taxis when you get tired, if necessary. Much of Paris is walking, feeling and seeing. The bus would be the next best thing and provide a rest, IMO, with taxis thrown in. I've stayed in 16, 17, 18, 14, 6? (I did try Rick's Rue Cler...I found it more inconvenient, oddly enough) and likely others. This next time I'm staying in Batignolles. I think that might be the 17th, but I could be wrong.

Anyway, no matter where you stay, I'm sure you will enjoy it. I agree with Pam, take a taxi from the airport to the hotel. It's much more relaxing and something I've adopted as a senior traveler. I think if you stay in Paris for a week, you will be saving money from a cruise so you can transfer some of that savings into taxis. Just my opinion. You need to weed through all these comments for what works for you.

Thank you, Wray

Why do you stay in a different neighborhood every time you go to Paris?

I have found a few hotels that I think will work. It will probably cost me about $1,300 - $1,400 for 6 nights. and taking a taxi to my hotel is a treat but a well deserved treat.

Sometimes, my walking is ok and other times it's not. I have flare ups and I never know. I would prefer to walk and when I was younger, I used to walk about 10 miles a day. I loved walking and I wish that I could still walk like I used to. Walking is the best way to discover a city.

I am certain that I am going to love Paris no matter what happens. Often there are glitches especially on a first trip but you have to use your patience.

bostonphil7,
One of the best things about Paris is being able to sit at a cafe when tired of walking and watch the world go by. Paris is a dream for pleasantly passing time this way.

and Judy

I love sitting and people watching. And I love coffee, too much.

I know that i am going to love Paris. i think that I am afraid it will be difficult to come home.

bostonphil7,
D'accord!

I know that i am going to love Paris. i think that I am afraid it will be difficult to come home.

How long are you planning to go for, Phil? I'm now considering going next year for a week. Going to bookmark/follow your Paris threads.

Hello Mary

If I go, I am looking at 6 nights.

I should add "If I go this Spring, I am looking at 6 nights" because even if I do not go this Spring, I might go in the Fall.

Feel free to follow.

Hi Phil, I just received my Rick Steves Paris book and am going to start my research. Earlier, you mentioned that you were watching you tube videos about the arrondissements. Is there a particular you tube channel you were watching? Or just various ones?

Why do you stay in a different neighborhood every time you go to Paris?

Because I want to experience different neighborhoods. A great part of enjoying Paris for me is walking and just enjoying the city.

Hello Carrie

I have watched hours and hours of YouTube videos about Paris and most of them very good. But I really liked Arielle in Paris. She does one on every arrondissements among others and I also like Les Frenchies. They have done hordes of videos on and about Paris. I am now even on their Facebook page.

Thanks Phil. I appreciate the info. Deciding where to stay is always a tough decision for me. I look forward to learning about all the different areas.