Best arrondissement to stay in Paris

I would recommend you stay in the 7th - the Rue Cler area, which is one of Rick's favorite areas. I have stayed there and like it, but on subsequent trips have found other areas of town that I like as much or better. But it will be among the most quiet of areas in central Paris. Note, since Rick's recommended hotels there are popular, if you want to stay in one book as early as you can. (there are others also) I've also stayed in the 16th, which is an upscale residential area, though there are some hotels, shops and cafes. Very pleasant.

The 7th would be good as recommended above, but some of the hotels there are on major streets so there is a noise factor. Another good option is the Islands. Very quite and very nice. I stay in the 14th. And while I am a few years younger I am not out much pass 10 :) A lot of the "noise" factor depends on the hotel so do some reasearch to make sure it's not on a major street, near a party spot etc... Google maps and Trip Advisor are your friends...

Thanks for those suggestions. I have actually been looking at apartment rentals in the 7th near the Musee d'Orsay or in the Ste. Germaine des Pres area between the Seine and the Luxembourg Gardens. Any thoughts on that?

We always stay in the 15th arrondissement, at l'Hotel Hameau, 48 rue de Passy. For folks who aren't used to city noise, it is perfect - it is located off-street, behind tall doors, on a cute little courtyard. There is NO city street noise at all in the hotel. L'Hotel Hameau is a 7 minute walk from Trocadero and the Eiffel Tower. It is convenient to Bus #72, and is directly between the Passy and la Muette Metro stops. The neighborhood is clean, safe, friendly, and full of families. It is also full of folks in their 60s and 70s, many of whom live up in the more upscale area around the La Muette Metro stop - it's quite swanky up there. Along the main draig (rue de Passy) there are plenty of sedate restaurants, good bakeries, and upscale shops. There's a giant Monoprix, several cafes, a dry cleaner, and even a street market one day a week. The neighborhood is quiet - there's no loud nightlife anywhere near the hotel. It would seem to be perfect for a couple in their 60s who don't want to do any clubbing, and will probably want to get an early start. The Eiffel Tower is a 7 minute walk (max) from the front door. The hotel is clean and friendly and quiet. Rates are not expensive, and they do a discount for three nights or more. The staff is helpful and polite and charming. They answer emails promptly. The WiFi is free. The pix of the rooms on their website are accurate. I have no explanation for the very weird faux fur bedspreads - but they are cozy, albeit odd. :D http://www.paris-hotel-hameaudepassy.com/ As for all of "RS loves rue Cler! Stay in rue Cler!" replies - I think rue Cler is lovely, but I also think it is too expensive, AND that it was "discovered" by American tourists long ago.

Yes, I stayed at the L'Hotel Hameau, mentioned above. I thought it was in the 16th, but it may be the 15th. In any case it was a nice peaceful hotel. I don't believe it has an elevator, so you may want a lower floor room if this is an issue, but it is very nice.

Tehelia,, The area you mention in the 6th(st Germain) would be a good choice as you could walk to many sites from there In almost any area there are quiet streets and noisier ones,, I have stayed in quite a few arrondissemonts and its all about specific street location more then just area in many of them as to how quiet your hotel is. I think its nice to stay in an area where there are many cafes etc to walk to,, and walking to sites is fun,, you see so much as you wander. I am not a rue cler fan, I see nothing special about the street, there are nice areas all over. Don't limit yourself, RS tours do not all stay in that area( I know for a fact having been on one, and a friend on another, and neigther of our tours stayed on or near Rue Cler, ,so even Rick knows there are many other nice areas) Do note if you choose a hotel without an elevator, the French count the first floor as one up,, so if you are on the second floor its like our third floor,, and often steps are steep and windy. Not a deal breaker for everyone , but something to keep in mind .

My husband and I have stayed in the 5th arrondissement each time we have visited Paris. We have been at the Claude Bernard once, the Hotel St. Jacques twice and the Sainte Christophe once. The prices have varied as have the size of the rooms. Last October, when we were at the Sainte Christophe, breakfast was included in the price. All three hotels have elevators, albeit very tiny ones, but the elevators beat walking up or down stairs. The 5th is the Latin Quarter area and close to the Pantheon and Sorbonne. There are street markets near the Maubert Mutualite and the Place Monge metro stops. There are several other metro stops in the area. In both areas, there are self-service laundromats that we have used. The Musee de Moyen Age is near the Bernard and St. Jacques. The Pantheon and Sorbonne are close to all three hotels. The Arenes de Lutece, Jardin des Plantes and Jardin du Luxembourg are all within walking distance to the hotels. We much prefer the 5th arrondissement instead of the Rue Cler area. There are tourists in the 5th but not everyone is clutching a blue and yellow guidebook. We also are not "night owls" and don't like a lot of noise at night. I believe the Sainte Christophe was the quietest of the three. Good luck with your choice!

Tehelia, my wife and I (both in late 50s) stayed in the Odeon Theater neighborhood near Luxembourg Gardens, at Grand Hotel des Balcons. Nicely appointed room, small elevator, professional staff, and served hot breakfast buffet (extra) in the a.m. Very quiet at night. Within walking distance of the Gardens, shopping, Notre Dame, The Pantheon, the Sorbonne, and lots of quaint shops and cafes, even a great internet cafe near the Pantheon to keep in touch with the family. Good metro and bus access.

On my last trip I stayed in Montparnasse. I loved it. I want to go back and explore it further.

Jenufa, what did you enjoy about Montparnasse? I am thinking about staying in a place called Hotel Agenor. Thoughts?