I am so confused about the districts in Paris! How is one to know whether a district is "good" to stay in? I realize people have different tastes and goals. I found a good deal on an apartment in district 10 (for my family and me), but I don't really know if that district is "good" for a Paris visit!
Posted by
Redlands, Ca, USA
358 posts
Since the metro/bus system is easy to use in Paris I book my hotel by finding a hotel I like and a price I think is fair. I make sure the metro is close by and not really concerned what arrondissement I am staying. My next trip to Paris in oct am staying in district 3 near the marais. This past june I stayed at the Le Meridian Etiole and not even sure what district I was in although the metro line was #1.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
There's nothing wrong with the 10th Arr at all. Some people might not like it since it's not in the midst of most of the tourist sites (Notre Dame is maybe two miles south), but there's always the metro. I've even started staying outside the peripherique to the north since I've found a little area I really like - - chug in on the metro in the morning and back out at night. You'd be hard-pressed to find an area anywhere near the central core of he city that was unsafe.
Posted by
Land of La
9580 posts
Not sure the merry go round ride is over just yet. This link provides great insight into the arrondissements.
http://www.parislogue.com/paris-neighborhoods I realize the farther away from the sites the more affordable accommodations might be but for a first time visit I'd stay closer than the 10th. With a little more research you could find comparable lodging in 1-7 for your family stay.
Posted by
Land of La
9580 posts
Not sure the merry go round ride is over just yet. This link provides great insight into the arrondissements.
http://www.parislogue.com/paris-neighborhoods I realize the farther away from the sites the more affordable accommodations might be but for a first time visit I'd stay closer than the 10th. With a little more research you could find comparable lodging in 1-7 for your family stay.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
1068 posts
I am congenitally unable to remember addresses, directions, etc. - have NO sense of direction AT ALL - and in all the many times I have been to Paris, the fact that I don't generally know what arrondissement I am in has made ZERO difference. And, what Ed said. :D
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
11054 posts
We stayed in the 10th for 6 months a few years ago. Most of it is good, but I can think of two streets that are "picturesque". However, even if one street is a bit grungy, you can walk a different way to avoid it. Only two really yucky places come to mind: from the corner of rue du Chateau d"Eau and Blvd. Sebastapol to one block down there are slew of African hair shops, which is picturesque but tons of people are hanging on the sidewalks and all the cut hair extensions are floating all over the sidewalk. I got a bunch of hair wrapped in my suitcase wheels one day. But it's a safe street. The other is at the top of the Canal St. Martin, where the metro passes over, metro stop Jaures I think. The Salvation Army sets up there every evening to feed the homeless. Some of the men are Paris clochards, hardened (poetic) drunks, while others are people just way down on their luck or societal outsiders who have a hard time finding work.
Posted by
Park Ridge, IL
524 posts
Bill What Claudia said. Closer to the 2 islands is always better. Evenings in the center of Paris are fabulous. If you provide the exact address and how you found the apartment, maybe someone can respond more specifically. The usual recommendations are for a Metro stop within 5 minute walk, food nearby (market, grocery, and/or restaurants), park for children? , etc. Good luck! Bobbie