Paris- We arrived at Paris Nord on the Eurostar. A very pleasant journey. We waited about an hour in a long que for a taxi to get to our Airbnb in the 19th Arrondissement. The taxi wasn’t expensive, and the driver was nice, but we took the Metro back to Nord when we left because it was simple- station near Airbnb location. Home was an early to mid-1900’s row house style with garden area in front and then a gate to a walkable footpath which led to a ‘regular’ street. Our host was pleasant, and the breakfast was fine. Our bedroom was small, which was acceptable. The garden had chairs, a table and a clothes line, which was great. The shared (one other guest room) toilet/shower room, on the other hand, was tiny- smaller than many 1980’s era Irish En-suite B&Bs. If you stay in this style of Airbnb home on a Friday or Saturday, expect sounds (open windows) from neighbors enjoying summer life on their patios until early morning hours. This was our first trip to Paris and we really enjoyed all the sites and the broad boulevards- magnificent design. I also highly recommend a visit to Parc des Buttes Chaumont, close to where we stayed. Beautiful!
Posted by
Honolulu
14 posts
That's a great park - we'd never been until this summer, but wow, so pretty.
Posted by
North Carolina
1 posts
We are looking at a VRBO in the 19th on Rue d'Aubervilliers a few blocks north of the Stalingrad station and just east of Gare du Nord and Jardins d'Eole. I've heard mixed reviews of the neighborhood. We are big city dwellers and don't mind grit and some big city challenges but want to get some insight into safety. Any info is appreciated. Merci beaucoup.
Posted by
California USA
4100 posts
Joe, thanks for the report and heads up about “living with the locals”, not for everyone and something to consider..
@Steve have you done google street view? We typically stay in the 19@ one block from the main gate to Parc Butte Charmont. We used Stalingrad metro stop once this summer and I must admit that is only the second time I’ve ever felt unsafe at a metro in Paris as we witnessed an escalating conflict between two groups of young men one evening. We have also walked with a friend up into the neighborhood north of Stalingrad on another visit and it was beyond my comfort level.