Favorite Paris Neighborhoods

For wandering, my favorites are the Marais and the Rive Gauche. Lots of "ancient" (half-timbered buildings, time-worn churches); lots of "modern" (chic boutiques, trendy restaurants); and lots of Paris - tiny parks, crepes, Seine, sidewalk cafes. And always a few delightful surprises.

I agree with Chani.

Favorite neighborhoods - same as Chani. Another thing I liked to do was just wander along the Seine crossing the bridges back and forth and then finding a Metro to take me back to my apt in Marais neighborhood when my feet gave out. I also often packed a picnic lunch and wandered around in the cemeteries (lots of other people eating their lunches there too) or parks. Parc Monceau in the 8th was one of my favorites for walking and I had a couple of picnic lunches in Place des Vosges in the Marais and in the little park at the tip of the Ile de la Cite.

I love to wander the bridges, too up, over, and down, in loops, occasionally making short detours away from the River, then to return to where I'd stopped. It's great to look at the different views from each one. I like to wander Ile St. Louis (doesn't take too long). I explored Buttes aux Cailles (in the 13th) last visit it's lovely, and fairly absent of tourists/crowds. A stroll along the Canal St. Martin is also nice. The real fun in exploring is ... for you to do just that just start walking, with no destination in mind. I'll be there in early September enjoy your discoveries!

What a description, Chani! The photo tour I'm doing is based in Marais; I'm really excited! I like your line: "lots of Paris - tiny parks, crepes, Seine, sidewalk cafes." Reading all of the responses just makes me so excited to go. Nancy, I was planning on trying to visit Parc Monceau this time; I'll be staying in the 17th (with a friend) so it won't be too far. I'm glad to hear you love it. And picnics in the park sound like just what I'm looking for. Shelley, I love Ile Saint Louis, too! We rested in the park on the tip of the island (maybe the one Nancy mentioned) and watched some men play boules together. It's one of my favorite memories, and something I'm going to try and do more of. Thanks for your ideas, everyone (and keep them coming)! And Shelley, have fun on your trip, too!

All of the responses above have been excellent. I would add that I enjoy walking around the 6th arrondisement. There are plenty of great shops and cafes to visit here. Also close by in the 7th is Gran Epicurie which is a huge gourmet store next to the Bon Marche department store. Plenty of samples including several wine tasting tables in the wine section. We picked up goodies here for a picnic. We also enjoyed sitting and strolling in the Jardin du Luxembourg. This is great place for people watching on a sunny day. Also visiting the fantastic department stores in the 9th arrondisement on a Thursday evening. Printemps and Galeries Lafayette are fantastic and there is almost an holiday atmosphere when they stay open a little later on Thursdays. A great place to sit and listen to street musicians while watching the sunset over Paris is on the steps below the Sacre Couer. Enjoy your visit!

I agree with everyone. I like walking and exploring almost everywhere in the 1st - 17 th. My list of where I don't like is shorter than my like list. Last trip I checked out rue Montorgueil for the first time, and really enjoyed it. My most favorites though are Ile St. Louis, Ile de la Cite, the 5th and.. the Luxembourg Gardens (I can happily spend an entire day there).

I am going to second Shelly on the Canal St. Martin in the 10th. I would think biking along it would be great but strolling is just as fun. The neighborhood has changed so much in even the last ten years from what it used to be. There is also a canal boat ride you can take. And, if you haven't been to Pere Lachaise cemetery, go! A map there is vital for famous graves; it is bigger than it looks and a bit hilly but a great walk and a wonderful picture taking site.

We enjoy the area around the Pantheon. There are many different places to eat and they are not expensive because of the students at the Sorbonne. It is easy to walk to the Luxembourg Garden, the markets, the Arenes des Lutece, the Jardin des Plantes, the zoo and other places nearby. We have visited many other areas of the city but the 5th is still our favorite.

Thanks, everyone! Such fantastic responses, I'm taking copious notes. I'm realizing what I already knew, my meager 5 days in Paris just isn't enough. There's always a reason to return, isn't there? As an aside, one of my husband's co-workers was in Paris over July 14th, and said a week was almost too much--they ran out of things to do. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. :-) I could spend months in Paris.

"one of my husband's co-workers was in Paris over July 14th, and said a week was almost too much--they ran out of things to do. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. :-) I could spend months in Paris." I have spent a month in Paris, just last summer. I will probably not return as my travel budget is shrinking and I have too many other places I want to go. But if I win the lottery I will for sure return and I KNOW I could find plenty to do for as long as I was there.

Becca, the sad co-worker who ran out of things to do in Paris in a week, reminded me of the Samuel Johnson quote, "If you are tired of London you are tired of Life". That applies doubly to Paris.

When I want a change of pace in Paris I board a bus or Metro and ride to the end of the line. From there I look around; I may walk back toward the city center. This way I discover new neighborhoods and see things I've missed before. The RS walking tours of Paris are great starting points for discovering Paris. Also, staying in different parts of town will automatically bring you to new neighborhoods. I read Diane Johnson's book describing her life in the 6th; later I visited there and walked past many of the places she mentioned. I like to imagine that I live there. The commercial walking tours of Paris can open up new vistas, also.