Paris metro help?

I'd say it's about equal walking distance to Etienne Marcel on Métro Ligne 4 or Sentier on Métro Ligne 3, maybe a minute or so farther to Sentier. It's quite a convenient location. Can't help with buses, as I either walk or use the Métro to get everywhere, but someone else will no doubt have the answer.

Yes, it appears that is the closest Metro stop. Buses run on both rue Etienne Marcel and Rue Reaumur, but can't tell where the stops are. Have you checked out the neighborhood on Google Maps? Street view will show you the bus lanes on the streets. What's hard to tell from the bus map I have is how the buses work on the one way streets; eg, if I take a bus one direction, where do I go to get the bus for the return trip. Guess I'll figure it out when I get there.

Carolyn, Kris for ease of using the buses, when you get here, buy a mapbook (blue book) entitled Le Petit Parisien 3 Plans par Arrondissement, l'Indispensable. It has . . .3 maps for every arrondissement, one regular, one with the metro lines overlaid on it, and one for the bus lines overlaid on it. Thus you can look at your area and where you need to go, and you'll see exactly, for example, where the bus runs on one-way streets, etc. The book also has in the back an overall Metro map, an RER map, a overall bus map, etc. about 7€ and well worth it. I've lived here 8 years and don't go anywhere without mine.

It matter less where the stop is than which bus number you are enquiring about. There are several bus routes that pass or terminate close to that metro stop. A good bus map when you get to Paris will be of help. In the meantime, can you ask the apartment owner?

Basic guide to all Paris mass transit systems: http://www.ratp.fr/en/ You can find routes, plan itineraries and consult basic tourism advice. Be patient, as it takes a little practice to master all its resources. For some questions the blog www.parisbytrain.com can offer simplified advice.
As well as Google, the rival source for street maps is www.viamichelin.com, sometimes with exploded diagrams of the landmarks.

Thanks all, I have written back to each personally. I'll buy the map book! I hope we don't get lost! I'm sure we will be expert by the time we leave! So much to see I don't want to waste too much time being lost. Kris

Unless you're up against a deadline, getting lost in Paris can be a delightful way to discover places and things you'd never have experienced otherwise. The city invites strolling, with or without a destination. A good map is really all you need, for when you decide to stop being lost. ;)