Best area in Paris to stay

This is a personal choice. You need to choose the area that has the things you enjoy!

I know its a personal choice. I want to hear what people like about each area.

http://www.aviewoncities.com/paris/arrondissements.htm

This site has a description of all 20 arrondissements of Paris. Bon Voyage!

Well, we stayed in the Rue Cler area. It was nice enough but nothing fantastic to tell the truth. It was convenient to transportation (Ecole Militaire metro I think), some relatively inexpensive resturants and small bakeries and cafes, and a short short walk to the Eiffel Tower. My experience anywhere as time goes by is to stay near convenient transportation and cheap food. We do not look to our hotel as anything more than a place to sleep and shower, and never really spend any time in the area anyway, as we leave early and stay out all day. You'll love Paris wherever you are.

Joseph - A lot depends on your bankroll. Saint Germain des Pres is a great area to stay - it is walking distance to the 2 islands, latin qtr., louvre and mussee d'orsay; has great places to eat, drink, club, shop...but it is pricey. Just like real estate you pay for location - and, proximity to the god stuff. A small hotel in SGdP (and there are loads of them) will cost about 250usd p/night (and, you're getting a bed, bath and that's it) this time of year. ANother thought is to look at the metro map and stay near a RER station. the RER trains can get u downtown in one or two stops - so you can be where the action is in less than 10 mins.

the marais
awesome restaurants, cafes, and it has a distinct vibe and feel.
I would never stay anywhere else

I don't necessarily believe there is one "best" area to stay in. Each Arron. has something positive going for it, and maybe even something not so positive.

Personally, I've stayed in the 10th which a lot of travelers avoid because they feel the neighborhood is seedy. Actually, if you walk about 4 blocks from the train station, you'll be in the middle of an everyday Parisian neighborhood with working white collar and blue collar Parisians. Lower lodging costs, good restaurants, services and easy access to all areas of Paris via the Metro or RER made it the right choice for that particular visit.

I did spend a good amount of time in Paris and explored many different parts of the city. If I was to try staying in another section on a future visit, I would probably either try the Marais, parts of Montmartre or the 6th. But ultimately, it would be decided by my budget and how one particular location would fit into my rough itinerary.

My first trip I stayed in a hotel just off Rue Cler (7th), mostly because Rick always speaks so highly of it. While it is a perfectly nice area, it is a bit far from everything except the Eiffel Tower in my opinion. Over this last New Year's we spent 10 nights in an apartment in the Latin Quarter (5th) because I felt that area was closer to more things and easy to walk to places. There were also more metro stops for different lines. If I had to choose between those two areas I would choose the 5th again. I would also choose to stay in an apartment again instead of a hotel. But that wasn't your question... :)

I have stayed in the 4th(Marais), the 5th(Latin Quarter) and the 7th(Rue Cler) and all have their own pluses. But I would tend to agree with Andrea. The 7th is a little too tame for my tastes. I really liked the Latin Quarter because it was a short walk to so many attractions and while there were many tourists there, it had a lively atmosphere because of the young students heading to class or hanging out in the cafes. Also can take a walk to Luxembourg Gardens which is a great place to spend a sunny afternoon people watching.

I have stayed in the Rue Clair area every time i've gone. It is not as crowded, more of a family area. right around the corner from the E. Tower, there are a few great cafe's on the corners, a post office, grocery store and outside market. There's also a small laundrymat if your there more than a few days. It feels like a safe family area that you can have breakfast in the garden of the E. Tower or take a jog. It's a wonderful relaxing area at the end of a hectic day of sightseeing. (coming from a young 30's person) If your 22 you may want the marais area as it has more clubs/bars.

Dean explained it so much better than I did, but those are among the reasons I like the 5th better than the 7th. I'm sure I would like the 6th too. And I am definitely older than a 30something...

Perry...I'm not sure the rest of us on the helpline care that you've sent a private message to someone. They'll know they've received it when the e-mail notification arrives. Personally, Joseph, we prefer the area along the border between the 5-6 and 14-15 arrondissements mainly because you can find some nice apartment rentals or a nice Ibis hotel (among others), it's not too far via metro from anywhere, but it's away from the regular tourist haunts. Cambronne between Vaugirard and Lecourbe has lots of nice little restaurants and various food shops for self catering.

I prefer an area that is central.
My first 2 visits I stayed at the outskirts. It was quiet but difficult to get to the big attractions.

This last time we stayed 1/2 block from Notre Dame. It was noisy, and crowded, and touristy... but at least we could get to the places we wanted faster.
The downpart is.. there's too many tourists!

The most common mistake self-reported on this forum by first-timers to Paris, regarding where to sleep, is: sleeping too far out from the center, in areas not well served by the Metro--with the result that getting to the major attractions takes longer than they thought it would. (see Michelle's post above). These travelers have reported that they wished they had located closer in, and located too far out under the mistaken assumption that the slightly lower lodging cost would be worth it--but have reported it was not.

I thought those areas with smaller no.s are more central hence closer to many main attractions. There are lots of factors to impact your choice, i.e rates, level of quietness and personal taste. The most improtant is the closeness to the Metro.

I stayed right across the street from the jardin du luxembourg i believe that is the 5th. I love it there. Lots of good restaurants, close to the metro, and near most of the major sites. I didn't notice it being real touristy, I was also there in December. Another time I stayed in the 13th I believe it was. It was ok, defintely liked the 5th better

How about 1st and 2nd near the Louvre Museum?

If it's a first trip, I'd definitely stay on the Left Bank. I've stayed in the Hotel Voltaire, which has a tiny balcony looking over the Seine,across from the Louvre and near the Musee D'Orsay; have also stayed in the ancient Hotel Esmeralda and loved it, over by the Shakespeare book shop; it is looking a bit run-down lately, but you can't beat the top floor loft if you are into character. Last summer I stayed in Rick's Rue Cler hotel and it was quite nice - more so than the two above-mentioned. It was fun seeing and eating from the market carts, and having such close access to the Eiffel Tower, especially for the nighttime lighting which I could see reflected from my bedroom window. But I spent most of my time on the L. Bank - that is the true Paris to me!

Go up to RS headquarters in Edmonds and have a session with one of their counselors who specializes in France.
I have found them less opinionated than some of the folks on this web site being that you are not likely to be like anyone else here. I got back yesterday (5/30) from almost a month in France including 10 days in Paris and stayed again in a location that many folks here distain. Happy travels.

Hi Joseph,
I personally prefer the Montparnasse area. It's close enough to St. Germaine, the Latin Quarter, the Luxembourg Gardens, etc. but just slightly out of the way so it's not too noisy at night. I love walking around the cemetiere montparnasse and admiring the beautiful and haunting sculpted angels and the small family chapels. Also, there are some good restaurants nearby (my favourite is La Rotonde and nearby is also Oh! Poivrier! for cheaper, healthy fare). I usually stay at the Hotel Le Royale Montparnasse (after staying there on a RS tour once) but this time am trying another nearby hotel just to switch it up a bit. On the return leg of my trip to Paris, I rented an apartment near Place St. Michel so I could be nearer to the shops, cafes and central to major sites/metro stops.
D-

Thanks for everyone's input. Due to the high amount of positive reviews of the Latin Quarter (5th District), I booked an apartment through VacationInParis 1 block off rue Mouffetard. My wife really loves the idea of being close to a Farmer's Market.

The Marais, the marais, the marais. The 5th is too noisy for me (but then I'm an early to bed person)

Joseph,
I think that you have made a good choice! I really enjoy staying in all different areas! I want to explore all of Paris! There is so much to see. I have been lucky enough to have been there many times.
I especially like the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th. The 9th is great because all the department store shopping is on the grand blvd. I say experince as many arroundes. as you can! Then you decide for your self what your favorites are! You can't go wrong in any that I mentioned really. The further you get away from the city center, you will find more residential areas, which aren't bad either.

Happy Travels!

Joseph, I think you will be happy in the Latin Quarter and even happier in an apartment. I myself hope to never stay in a hotel again if I am staying somewhere long enough to rent an apartment!