I read a little paragraph in Rick Steve's France guidebook about this area that I'm considering staying in next summer. Just wanted to get opinions on if this is a good place to stay. It looks like it overlooks Paris and isn't close to much but is it easy to get to the Eifel Tower and other places? We are only spending about 3 days there. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
Kathleen, Montmartre is a nice area, but it is not close to the Eiffel Tower. It is close to Sacre Coeur, of course.... For the first time in Paris I would recommend staying closer to the center of town, in arrondisements 1-7. Montmarte hotels may be a bit cheaper but you will spend too much time commuting to where you want to be to see all the major sights. For three days, I would try to stay in the center where everything is within walking or short metro/bus ride.
Posted by
OP
Lawrenceburg, Ky, USA
119 posts
That's what I was worried about. Thanks.
Posted by
Ohio Valley, USA
123 posts
Hello fellow Bluegrasser! I am going to Paris in 2 weeks and we are staying in the Latin Quarter. This seems to be a great place to stay: upbeat, good restaurants and shops, and close to the main attractions. I will definately update everyone when I get back about our journey!
Posted by
OP
Lawrenceburg, Ky, USA
119 posts
Hi Laura, will be looking forward to your post. I was thinking about Montmartre because I found a fairly cheap apartment that all 6 of us going on our trip can stay in.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9251 posts
Riding the metro for a short 10 min. or so is not a hardship. Stay in your neighborhood of choice. The view there is fantastic. Make sure you walk up in the dome of the Sacre Coure. This was the highlight of my Paris trip.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Yes, Montmartre lies a bit farther out from most of the core areas of interest to tourists (and some sketchy neighborhoods lie in between), but with the Metro, you're only about 15-20 minutes or so from most points in Paris- this is Paris, not Los Angeles! If this area interests you, I say go for it... just make sure your lodging sits on top of the hill, not the bottom (HUGE difference in ambience).
Posted by
Pantego, NC, USA
1014 posts
Ride the bus some instead of the Metro. That way, you get to see Paris as you ride by. If you see something you like, ring the bell, stop and walk a block or two back, visit, then catch the bus and continue. To me, the bus is more convenient than the Metro.
Posted by
XXX
1170 posts
And when you go to Sacre Coeur look out for those guys who try to grab your wrist to put one of their woven bracelts on. They will harrass you no end to give them money after that. We had to be quite blunt with them again this past summer.
Posted by
Pantego, NC, USA
1014 posts
Also around the Sacre Coeur there are lots of artists trying to get you to pose for them for a sketch, then they want you to pay for it. If you want your picture sketched, bargain with them. I saw them ask for 60E and were bargained down to 25E to 30E, and even less.
Posted by
OH, OH, USA
1158 posts
You can reach Eifel Tower easily from Montmartre by subway or bus. It will be faster by subway, but taking the bus you'll see much more.
If you go up to the Sacre Coeur you will be able to see a portion of Paris. Howeevr, be careful in that area beacsue it's very crowded.