yes, the Eiffel Tower was crowded and there were long lines. yes, the Louvre was crowded and seeing Mona and Venus were difficult. Yes, the weather was a little rainy and cool. Yes, the croisants were wonderful, the people great, the city fantastic and the lights at night on ET beautiful. We rented an apartment through Vacation in Paris and the service, apartment, information and all were wonderful.
Did we have a good time...no, we had a great time! Never stayed in the Pasteur area, but it was a French experience.
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3050 posts
Glad you enjoyed the Pasteur area. It's not terribly "exciting" from a tourist vantage point, but I find it to be convienent and affordable. And because it's not touristy, the restaurants don't overcharge and you can actually get a beer for under 6 euro at the bars.
Posted by
OP
Rochelle, IL
263 posts
The food at the Pasteur cafe was good and affordable. They also had some great wine at a reasonable price. Metro and bus were close and easy to use. Because my wife has difficulty walking, we did take a cab from the train station to the apartment. Surprisingly it was pretty cheap and the driver was very cautious and helpful.
Posted by
san mateo, ca, usa
53 posts
Call me stupid.....but where exactly is the Pasteur area of Paris? I have been to Paris 3x and never heard that particular reference. Thanks.
As per rentals, I am still leary. I realize that money changes hands before you arrive. If the apartment is not up to standards, aren't you left with less money and no hotel reservation?
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
I guess it's what's around the boulevard and metro station sort of northwest of G. Montparnasse. I've never heard it called an 'area' either.
Posted by
OP
Rochelle, IL
263 posts
The apartment rental people called it the Pasteur area, but you are right...located near gare Montparnasse. there is a Pasteur metro stop there, probably why it was called that. 15th Arr. Maybe it's like Chicago....there are neighborhoods and areas I never heard of when growing up in the city. Northside, West Side, Loop, Southside, Lake View was what I heard....now there's all sorts of little areas inside the big areas....can't keep up with all the names!
And this was my second experience renting, but first in Paris. I too was a little nervous. I read all the posts people made about rentals on the help line. I think that made it a little easier in terms of finding a reliable agency. Was the place perfect? No, but it generally met the descriptions and was clean. Plus it offered short term rentals, which was a plus on this trip.