Champs Elysees or Le Marais

I enjoyed the Marais when I stayed there a few years ago. I liked the access to restaurants and to tourist sites. I would go back. Pam

Absolutely no contest,, the |Marais,, you will be able to walk to many sites, you will be in a lovely old section of Paris , filled with cafes, little bistros, bakeries, shops selling unique gifts,, just lovely. The Champs is not nice. Sure, walk up it, see the Arc Du Triomphe( go up it, the view is great),, but its lined with chain stores, and totally overpriced cafes( anyone want a 5 euro coke!?), and of course,, there is McDonalds! The street has tons of beggers and pickpockets just wandering around fishing the tourists..

Thanks for the advice exactly what I was looking for!!

Definitely the Marais. I prefer the nightlife and you can find some excellent, affordable restaurants.

My vote is not so much for the Marais, although it is a very good area to stay in, and we usually stay near but not in, as much as it is a vote <against> the Champs Elysees for the same reasons as Pat.

Thank you for your insight, we have found an apartment on Rue Saint-Louis-en l'isle that we are looking at there seem to be so many choices that it is hard to narrow it down.

When we travel to Europe, we prefer to stay in an apartment when possible. European hotel rooms can be so small and it just gives us a little more space. We then have coffee and a light breakfast in the apartment before we head out for the day.

No doubt, Marais is the best choice. So much to experience. Be sure and check out Paris Greeters to meet with a resident of the Marais and be escorted on a 3-4 hour walk through the area, free, but we chose to make a donation of 25 euros. Best money you can spend. Take a ride on the Canal St. Martin and don't miss the Bastille market, delicious horse meat sausage and all manner of booths, or the Red Children's market, both with websites but few tourists. We usually stay on the Ile de la Cite but spend most of our time in the Marais.
Caution, you will never be the same after Paris.....

Melanie, if you found a nice apt on rue Saint Louis en L'Ile take it! That street is on Ile Saint Louis (the little island east of Notre Dame) and it's my favorite neighborhood in Paris. It's a charming island surrounded by the Seine river, and you can't get more central. Of the Marais and the Champs Elysee, I would definitely choose the Marais for all the reasons Pat mentioned. But Ile Saint Louis is the best of the best, imo.

We did find an apartment for 80 euros a night on the island! The host has been extremely prompt with all correspondance, the apartment is upstairs in the Berthillion building.

Wow Melanie! That sounds like an excellent deal in a great location. Congratulations! Would you mind posting a link to the site as I'd like to check it out for a future trip! Thank you!

Thats a great great price,, which company did you use?

I'd like the link as well. We stayed a month in an apt a few steps away from Berthillon and loved the location. There is a produce shop on the corner (almost) opposite of Berthillon that makes the best fresh squeezed oj we've ever tasted. A great patisserie is also on that street as you walk towards Pont Marie. The two on rue Saint Louis en L'Ile aren't very good. There's also a great little grocery store on the main street next to Hotel de Lutece. There's also a post office, ATM, and two pharmacies on the island. Cafe Med, on the main street is a wonderful and very inexpensive restaurant.

I found her on www.homelidays.com. Our host has been very prompt with all messages. Good luck, will post on how our trip goes after we return!