I have an opportunity to spend a week with my adult children and one grandchild, age 4, in the Paris vicinity in July. We have been offered similar apartments close to each other, at a similar price, but one is in the city limits in the 12th arrondisement and one is in nearby Vincennes. They both border the Bois de Vincennes. Our plans include one day trip to Disney and 2 day trips to Versailles. The apartments offer similar sleeping arrangements. They both have elevators. They have the same appliances, washer, dryer, etc, but neither has air conditioning. The 12th arr. apartment is 85 square meters and appears to be older and quainter. The Vincennes apartment is 100 square meters, more modern and well-decorated in an understated fashion. The 12th arr. apartment has 1 bathroom, fairly typical, but the Vincennes apartment has 2. The 12th arr. apartment says it is 3 minutes from Metro line 1, which goes to the city center. The Vincennes one says it is 8 minutes from Metro line 1 and 10 minutes from RER A to Disney. The 12th arr. apartment speaks to my heart and my knees, but the Vincennes one is probably better suited to the tastes of my children and has the extra bathroom. Since they are so comparable, I need some advice from seasoned travelers about which area would be better. Note that the 12th arr. one is very close to the city limits, so it's not very close to the center city. The Vincennes one is only slightly further out. Do we need to be in the city limits, or should we choose the one that looks more modern and comfortable?
Posted by
2889 posts
I don’t know Paris that well but have traveled three times with adult children to Europe.
Go for the second bathroom.
Posted by
Paris
10422 posts
I live in the 12th, and can say that being three minutes' walk from the Line 1 (honestly I am wondering how close this apartment is to mine!) is a godsend for getting in and out of "central" Paris. Plus being here, you are one stop away from the RER A to/from Disney. And there are three other metro lines (2,6, and 9 that converge there at Nation -- again one stop away from the Line 1 station they are probably talking about).
Eight minutes' walk to and from the metro feels longer every time you do it.
But with a number of people, a second bathroom is not to be discounted.
Posted by
Paris
10422 posts
But really, as long as you ARE near the Line 1, it doesn't really matter if you are a stop or two further out. The line is so fast and frequent that it is a real bonus to anyone who needs to use it.
Posted by
Chicago
8698 posts
Can you see the floor plans to see if you have cross draft? July without AC would be a no go for me. I would not want to be too high up in the building and would want cross draft and fans.
The second bathroom with a group this size would be such a big plus that the long walk to the metro would be secondary to me. But with a 4 year old, the distance might be a consideration.
Posted by
Boston
214 posts
One other thing thing to remember: Line 1 of the Métro is arguably the most frequently used line by tourists and the pickpockets know it. The cars get very crowded. I'm talking sardines. Truly. You'll be crushed up against each other. On most other lines, you can wait for the next car, but on line 1, the next car will be just as crowded. I'd advise every adult about being pickpocket-proof before they get on the Métro. And keep a tight hand on the 4-yr-old in those crowded cars.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10758 posts
I have had a different experience because many times I’ve walked right in and even sat right down on line 1. Since I stay neat Gare de Lyon, that’s my primary line. All the metro lines can be packed during rush hours.
Good advice about being pickpocket proof on all lines but especially the 1 and 2, the lines most traveled by visitors, therefore the most heavily worked by the pickpocket professionals.
Posted by
Boston
214 posts
Elizabeth is right, I should have specified "on the way back". As line 1 starts out by VIncennes, you should have no problem getting seats to go into central Paris. It's on the way home that you'll be packed in like sardines. Bon chance!
Posted by
Paris
10422 posts
Exactly. You won't have any pickpocket issues or cramming joining the Line 1 down at this end, or by the time you are partway back.
Anyway there is no avoiding it, as it is one of the most useful metro lines the city has (and one of the few that keeps operating during a strike, since it is driverless).
And to me (who takes it every single day), the line 1 is nothing like the 8 or the 13 for crowding.