Paris - Hotel in Rue Cler or the Marais?

Susan I consider Rue Cler very low key, especially in evenings. ( hey its one street not a whole neighborhood ) I would look at the Marais , Latin Quarter , or St Germain.

I would totally go for the Latin Quarter. Rue Cler is kind of boring if you ask me.

I stayed in the Rue Cler area my first trip to Paris. While it is a very nice area it was very low key at night and not walkable to most places. Since then I have stayed in the Latin Quarter (5th). The Marais and St. Germain area would also be desirable. The closer to the river the better as far as a good walkable location.

Marais fits your bill perfectly! You will not be disappointed with this choice. Happy Travels!

Nothing wrong with Rue Cler except it's a longer walk to most sights (other than the Eiffel Tower). Nearby Metro station makes this less of a disadvantage. If you like a hotel there better, might as well go for it. You will see a lot of Americans holding RS travel guides, but it's a pleasant, easy, convenient area for cafes, shopping, etc. Marais will have more nightlife, closer to more of the major sights, equally good Metro connections (maybe better since Chatelet is a major hub). As someone else mentioned, closer to the river means easier walking to most sights, priced accordingly. You'll do fine in either area, I'm sure. Have fun and don't stay out too late!

I have stayed in the Rue clear area twice and will stay there again the next time I am in Paris. Since the only thing I do at night is go to bed, I like the lack of excessive street noise that I find there. Although I have used the RS Paris Guide Book in my stays there, I do not walk around holding it in my hand, and I have seen very few folks doing so. I like the "feeling" of the area and I am sure you will get replies from folks who like the feelings of other areas in which you can stay.

For me, every time I've been to rue Cler 90% of the people walking around were Americans and an overwhelming amount were actually carrying the RS book. My son and I find it humorous. I wouldn't care to stay there. I don't go to Paris to be surrounded by Americans. I like the Marais, Ile St. Louis, 5th (Latin Quarter) and the 6th (St. Germain) and being close to the river, the best. That's the heart of Paris and the most central imo.

I have stayed several times in the Marais. It's lively in the evenings, but not loud or rowdy. It also has better metro lines and/or walking distrance to tourist sights. The trendy boutiques and restaurants bring out the locals more than the tourists, especially on weekends. Surrounding the St. Paul metro station thre is a good shopping area - chocolate shop, bakeries, mini-markets, wine shops, coin-op laundry.

Thanks so much everyone, I really appreciate all of your info and suggestions!

We took a city tour on the evening of the first day of summer, which is a big day of music and celebration in Paris. The whole city was alive with music, people in the streets, drinking, generally having a good time -- except in the Rue Cler area , which was quiet and calm. Two or 3 cafes had a band playing. That gives you an idea.

By now you've probably made your hotel/lodging reservations, but thought I'd make a comment: some of the American tourists claim to not want to be around other Americans while in Paris. That's all well and good as long as you're okay with the language gap you probably will encounter. In Rue Clerc area you will most likely hear the American language and if in a pinch, will feel comfortable if you have to ask a question such as directions perhaps. Point I'm making is Europeans and the citizens of UK seem to be well-versed in other languages other than their own and so they can manage much easier in most locales than others. I've seen Americans turn to strangers and speak English without really thinking. Prepare to learn some French beforehand - about 10-20 basic tourist type of conversation. For my next visit to France, I will know more than just the basic greetings/thank you and such; it just makes you feel more confident and capable. Even though plenty of French people speak English as well as French, they don't want to feel accosted by the brash and clueless.

Actually Trish, I'm not a tourist when I'm in Paris. I grew up there and consider it home.