I am going to spend several days in Paris in Mid December and am wondering where would it be better to stay, in the Latin quarter or in Montparnasse? Any comment will be appreciated.
Bill
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Bill (or Hans?): I'm sorry to have to inform you that a condition for using this site is that you are only authorized to sleep in the two areas of Paris approved by Our Master, Rick Steves, which are rue Cler and the Marais.
:-) It's a joke, of course, an inside joke (the regulars here need a little change of pace from time to time).
Actually, we commend you for wanting to sleep someone other than the rue Cler.
And I'm sure some helpful person will be along, shortly, to give you a recommendation for the Latin Quarter and/or Montparnasse.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
2745 posts
I have stayed in both. There are pros and cons.
Latin Quarter is much more centrally located. Lots of affordable food, lots of tourists. It's a younger crowd IMHO then you find in Montparnasse.
In Montparnasse I stay at a big "business hotel" (the kind Rick hates, but it's FREE :) ) So that does change my view. The area I stay in is more residential then the Latin Quarter and of course there are fewer tourists, but it's a little commute to the tourist sites.
December is going to be cooler so the "location" being central might be a postive as you might not be out as much if the weather was bad.
Is there something special you want in your area, that might be more help then just listing two differnet areas. Why are you considering them? Things to help us figure out what you are looking for!
Either way, you are in Paris!
Posted by
Grapevine, TX, USA
875 posts
If you are travelling for business, I'd recommend Montparnasse; otherwise, I'd say the Latin Quarter.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10230 posts
We stayed in the Latin Quarter last Dec/Jan for 10 days and I did not find it overrun with tourists at that time of year. I loved the location (as opposed to Rue Cler, where I have also stayed) as an area easy to walk to sites, but also it has good Metro access for those cold winter days/nights.
Posted by
Mission Viejo, Calif., USA
1010 posts
Hello. My husband and I are in our 60's. We stayed 6 nights at the Hotel Le Litre (6th arron.) in Paris, in June. We loved the hotel and its location. We are returning there next May. Elaine
Posted by
Austin
973 posts
I've stayed in the Latin Quarter twice and like the neighborhood. Lots of people out at night, restaurants, sufficient metro stops, and easy to catch the train from CDG.
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga, USA
2023 posts
Here is another vote for the Latin Quarter. We did not find it to be touristy at all--love the restaurants, shopping on Rue Mouffetard, stopping for crepes on the street, etc. And it is very walkable over to Notre Dame. Rue Cler does not compare IMO and it has changed in the last few years or it seems that way.
Posted by
Fox Island, USA
88 posts
I have stayed twice (December 05 and October 09) at the Hotel Cluny Sorbonne in the Latin Quarter, recommended by Rick Steves in the Paris book, and it was great. It is not far from the St. Michel Metro stop that the RER train from CDG stops at and it is close to the Luxembourg Gardens and the Museum of the Middle Ages (one of my favorites!). The people at the desk are very nice and helpful, the rooms are small, but clean and it is right across from the Sorbonne.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
2745 posts
I have stayed in both... Pros and cons. Most of my stays are in Montparnasse since I can trade in Marriott rewards for "free" nights! I like that it's a little less "touristed" then the Latin Quarter, but...
Paris's metro is so good that I go with the 'best' deal for me and then commute if I want to go someplace in the evening.
Posted by
Oshawa, Ontario Canada
80 posts
Bill, I stayed 3 nights in the Latin Quarter last month, I loved it! Yes, it's a bit 'touristy' but very close to the Metro, walking distance to Notre Dame, the Louvre .. and fun, fun, fun at night when you're looking for a good restaurant.
Enjoy! Paris is magic ...
Joanne
Posted by
San Ramon, CA, USA
34 posts
I am staying at Rue Cler right now, and I hate to say that outside the Eiffel Tower, Invalides and maybe D'Orsay a lot of the other sites require a lot of walking (which I don't mind really) or public transportation. I guess I was expecting something else here but I look outside my hotel window, I see the top of the Eiffel Tower and a newly installed lighted sign (like Christmas lights) that read "Beinvenue rue Champ du Mars", which seems really gaudy (lol) and the restaurant "La Terrasse du 7eme" which we just had dinner at (only because we were really hungry and it was the first restaurant we saw when we exited the Metro) had Rick Steves 2009 Paris book next to their menu (scared the hell out of me to be quite honest lol). Definitely staying somewhere else other than Rue Cler when I return to Paris. :p