Suggestions for areas of Paris to stay for 5 nights

We traveled there for 5 nights in 2014 with another couple. We found a two bedroom apartment in the Saint Germaine area. It was very convenient to everything and had lots of bakeries, grocery stores, pharmacies in the area. We also stayed in the Rue Cler area. in 2012. (just my husband and I) While I liked the area, I found the Saint Germaine location to be more central. There are many nice areas (Marais is another central location.) We are walkers, so we were able to walk to many things and were need a good underground station that took us directly to places that were too far to walk. I would look on apartment web sites like Airbnb and Home Away for what you need at your price point. We were on a strict budget, so I had to search awhile to find one that met all my criteria (2 bedrooms, good location, about $100 a night per couple) The downside to ours was that we had lofted beds. (We each had our own room, but had to climb a ladder up to the second floor to go to bed) Not for everyone, but worked for us. (You can see the ladders in the picture of the bedroom) If your interested in seeing it:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1029425?check_in=2016-09-05&check_out=2016-09-10&guests=4

Just fyi, it's "St. Germain", no e at the end and the n is silent. Americans often mispronounce it.

My favorite neighborhood is Ile St. Louis (4th arrondissement), the little island next to the island where Notre Dame is. It's like a little village in the heart of Paris, surrounded by the river and amazing views. It has a nice grocery store, produce store, cheese shops, bakeries, pharmacy, post office, ATM, lots of fun stores and good cafés and restaurants. It's easy to walk from here to many places and sites you'll want to see.

We are leaving soon to stay in Paris once again (our 11th time there!) Over those 28 years we've stayed in hotels and apartments. Some apartment owners require a minimum of a week's stay. This will be our 5th time staying in apartments and our third time with a company that has worked very well for us, Vacation in Paris, based out of New Jersey. They handle apartments all over Paris, you deal with a company here in the U.S., pay U.S. dollars, and they send you the keys ahead of time so you don't need to make meet-up plans. We are also very pleased with their service to you while in Paris. The local manager, at least 2 years ago, is an American and is very involved in making your visit a pleasant one. You would also fit their requirements of a 5 night stay. You can stay for less time but less than 5 nights you are charged an additional fee for a short stay ($100 for the apartments that we have rented). Even then the price was worth renting through them. One question about your travel plans: are you planning on traveling from Paris to Alsace and then back to Loire Valley? If you are continuing on to somewhere else you might want to consider going to Loire Valley first and then Alsace. Also definitely visit Colmar which is called Little Venice and plan to take lots of photos. Have a wonderful trip!

Thanks for your suggestions. We did find an apartment for 5 nights around the 12th Arrondissement that had great reviews. I'll let you know how it is.

Lois B: We are traveling from Paris to Alsace Lorraine (staying in Colmar for a few nights) then stopping at Beunne for one day/night on our way to Loire Valley where we wil stay for two days/two nights. Then we are heading back to Paris with one night in Chartre and then stopping at Versailles on our way back to Paris to fly home. You mentioned we should go to Loire first and then Alsace Lorraine. Was that only if we were traveling someplace else before returning to Paris? We could switch directions if it makes sense to go the other direction.

I would organize the trip so you finish in Paris. Planning to rush back the final day wastes time and ends the trip on a hassled note. Do the road trip first and then dump the car on the way into Paris and spend your last 5 nights in Paris. (I would make it 7 but you do what you can to get the trip you want)

I think you will be pleased with the 12th. I have often stayed in the 11th, 12th and 15th and they are lively arrondissements. with many, many shops and cafes. If you fancy street markets, there is one at Pl. de la Bastille on Sundays and at Pl. de la Nation on Saturdays. Across from the one at Nation is a Printemps department store and there is a Monoprix close by as well. Google the addresses. And if the weather is fine, the Promenade Planteé is just behind the Opera at Bastille.