Montparnasse area

Hi, I have stayed in the Montparnasse area twice in the last couple of years. Here are the pros: Close access to major transportion centers, lots of restaurants nearby, market 2-3 days on Edgar Quinet, the cemetery, 15-20 minute walk to St Germain, Place St Michel, etc. Cons: 15-20 minute walk to St Germain, Place St Michel, etc. I like to be a little out of the way, as you get to see other neighborhoods on your way to the major sites. Enjoy your stay.

I love staying in the 14th, Alesia to be specific. It's close to everything through the metro (helpful having the HUGE Montparnasse metro stop near by). I also like that it feels like a neighborhood and not touristy.

Nothing wrong with the Montparnasse area but I'd choose staying in the Marais over Montparnasse. I like the Marais much more.

We stayed in an apartment on the Rue du Chateau, about a block from the Pernety metro stop, in Montparnasse. We liked the place and the neighborhood, lots of eating on Rue Raymond Losserand, market on Rue Daguerre, good metro connections everywhere, feel of a real neighborhood. We like the Marais, have never stayed there but will this fall. Other things being equal, Montparnasse should cost less simply because it's farther from the river and major attractions, but between walking and metro that doesn't matter much.

My wife and I stayed in the Montparnasse area last September. Specifically we stayed at the Le Fabe Hotel close to the Pernety metro stop. It was my wife's first visit to Paris and the slightly slower more "neighborhoody" feel of the area captivated her. The Montparnasse Bienvenue Metro station has 4 metro lines that converge and I swear we walked 100km in between those 4 lines. That station is murder. I concur about the Losserande eateries. We lived at the Pernety/Losserande corner every morning to get our daily bearings. So, while the Marais is definitely more hip, the Montparnasse will give you the feeling of living as Parisians live day to day. We'll be going back next summer.

Thank you all, I will take your answers into consideration. We have been there before but are looking for an area not too touristy and this might be the fit. Want to do some wandering and enjoy the "locals".

I stayed in a Blvd Raspail hotel for two nights a month ago. The area is perfectly fine, walkable with plenty of hotel options and restaurant options near and off the Ave du Maine. I purposely chose the area for convenience to Gare Montparnasse. One evening I walked from Montparnasse, thru Luxembourg Gardens, over to Notre Dame and then back thru St. Germain. Granted, I wasn't in Paris to see the sights, and was using it as a layover stop, so it depends on what you need/are looking for, but I liked the area.

On our first trip to Paris last year, we stayed a week in the Marais and a week in the 13th (Butte aux Cailles area). Next time, I'll probably choose to stay in a more outlying area like the 13th. The neighborhood feel is lovely.

Hi Shelly, yes I have stayed in the 14th, but only once.. at Hotel Royal, near the Vavin metro stop so pretty close the border of the 6th. I liked the area very much, good places to eat, a tad less frenetic feeling once you get off the busy streets.. and I would have no problem staying in the area again ,, except for one thing, I am a huge walker , and even I found that staying in the 14th meant a bit more time on metro to get to sites then walking to them . So if I had a choice between two equally good priced hotels I would likely choose the Marais,, but I am always on the look for deals, and I like things like a/c and mini fridges and cheapo prices.. so really it would still come down to cheapest place of the two..
Have you narrowed down your hotel choices,, that might be the tie breaker.

Pat Thanks for your views on the 14th. Have not begun to look at hotels yet as I wanted to narrow down the area. Stayed in the Latin Quarter the last time so very easy to walk to museums etc. Would like an area more conducive to Parisian lifestyle. Have you ever stayed in the Rue Cler area? Hubby liked the area the Luxemburg Gardens and I am looking into that as well. Any good suggestions for hotels in this area?
Thank you for any suggestions.

If you want to be around the Luxembourg Gardens (aka my favourite place in Paris ! ) I have what you need !
Check out the Saint- Jacques hotel : http://www.petitfute.uk.com/accommodation/hotel/hotel-saint-jacques/e-21707.html

If you're looking for something economical, I suggest the Ibis Styles Alesia Montparnasse. http://www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-8078-ibis-styles-paris-alesia-montparnasse/index.shtml
It's part of the Ibis chain, but it has "trendier (what I consider IKEA like) decoration. It also comes with free WIFI and breakfast. The location is perfect. It's a residential neighborhood with a fabulous patisserie just down the street and a charming restaurant, Au Moulin Vert http://www.aumoulinvert.com/. The Alesia cinemas are also very close by and Dunfert Rochereau area is just down the street. There's a monoprix just down the street as well as a epicerie (late night store with some last minute groceries). Normally I go for something more old world, but when I'm on a budget and I don't want to give up charm or quality, I stay there.

Shelley, Rue Cler is a very nice shopping street with nice hotels where you'll meet lots of nice people carrying Rick Steves guidebooks. It's also right handy to the Eiffel Tower. Nothing wrong with it, but there are many other choices where you'll find more Parisians and fewer Americans. Speaking of the ET, I'll risk it again and recommend the Tour Montparnasse as an native way to get a birds-eye view (well, a lower-flying bird I guess). Much less crowded, and you get to see the ET from there instead of the Tour (not a great-looking building) from the ET.

On my trip last week, I stayed 3 out of 6 nights near Montparnasse. I thought it was a nice area, and didn't seem as mobbed with tourists, which to me is a big plus. The Hotel Aviatic was within walking distance of some places, and otherwise was located pretty much smack in the middle between three different metro stations. As for the Marais, I absolutely love the area, and ate at Chez Marianne, le loir dans la theiere, and the falafel place. Between the two I'd probably pick Marais, but if price is an issue, I think hotels in Montparnasse often have better deals. Also, I have to say I agree with Dick about Rue Cler. I went to two cafes there recommend by RS, and the majority of the people at other tables were speaking English. To me, this is always a red flag. I know some tourists like to be among other tourists, but I'm not among them. To make matters worse, one waiter seemed to be deliberately over-charging Americans, resulting in a couple of loud arguments during the course of the time I was at the restaurant.

Whow thank you all for you insights. I have to agree with most of you that I am adverse to an area too touristy and I am leaning to the Marais area with a day trip into exploring the Montparnasse for maybe another trip.