Paris Travel Forum

   
Get Paris travel and vacation advice from over 1,000,000 VirtualTourist members. Post a Paris travel question and get unbiased, timely answers and insights from real travelers and Paris locals.
Browse by Location: Paris
Search for a Forum Location:
> Advanced

Featured Paris Travel Deals

Best Paris Hotel Deals: Save on hotel + air
Expedia Vacations Get the lowest price on your vacation with our Best Price Guarantee

Hotels in Paris: Save money, Book now !
Booking.com Excellent choice, Low rates

Paris Hotels: Book now for big savings!
hotels.com Outstanding choice of hotels all over the world at fantastic prices.

Paris Hotel Specials: Save up to 50% off Hotels Everyday
Expedia.com Photos, Reviews and the Guaranteed Lowest Prices

Hot Paris Hotel Deals: Plenty of choices
agoda.com Save up to 75%, Don't miss! Live support, Instant confirmation.

Sponsored Links

Back to Paris Forum

Forum Question Posted By: Replies:
Paris
Which Area to stay for first time Paris trip?
Posted: Sat August 7, 2004 12:44 AM UTC
Hello,
I am planning my first ever trip to Paris in November and am trying to decide which district would be best..
At first I was looking at a liitle hotel on the right bank(right down the block from the Louvre)..but then I thought perhaps the area around Invalides & Tour Eiffel (as the french call it!) might be a better choice since I'll be doing a majority of my sightseeing over on the left bank....
But how safe is the area near these big monuments?
I am a female traveling on my own so safety is a concern...I am not a party-person so I'm not looking for an active bar-scene or anything like that...I just want the traditional , authentic Parisian experience with plenty of old world charm,,that's fine with me.
Any advice would be most welcome,,along with suggestions of moderate priced hotels if you know of any you like..
Thanks everyone.

Amy B
Report Advertising or Inappropriate Posting
 Click Picture to enlarge. 8 replies

[Reply]

Paris
Re: Which Area to stay for first time Paris trip?
Posted: Sat August 7, 2004 01:01 AM UTC
We just stayed in a small hotel called Hotel la Bourdonnais (www.hotellabourdonnais.com) that is close to the Eiffel Tower and on a quiet street, with the Rue Cler area nearby. I felt very safe walking near the hotel, and I didn't feel unsafe walking around the Tour Eiffel area either. It's also close to the Ecole Militaire and within easy walking distance of Invalides. The hotel staff was very helpful and friendly. We'd stay there again!

Was this reply helpful?yes no 

Add to your Do-it-Yourself Travel Guide
Report Advertising or Inappropriate Posting
 Click Picture to enlarge. [Reply]
Paris
Re: Which Area to stay for first time Paris trip?
Posted: Sat August 7, 2004 01:10 AM UTC
Hi Amy
I just got back from my first trip to Paris also. I stayed in Hotel de L'Avre, ten minutes walk from Tour Eiffel. I think it was a very safe area, quiet and relaxing (as opposed to St. Michel area, more party central) and it was right by a great metro station (always a good idea when considering hotel location). You can walk also to many sights, my last morning I walked to le Tour Eiffel and had breakfast in the Champ de Mars, it was such a nice way to say au revoir to Paris. If you want more info on the hotel email me I will tell you all about it, (definitely a winner for charm and comfort).
Check it out online if you want. www.hoteldelavre.com I think...
Tiffany

Was this reply helpful?yes no 

Add to your Do-it-Yourself Travel Guide
Report Advertising or Inappropriate Posting
 Click Picture to enlarge. [Reply]
Paris
Re: Re: Which Area to stay for first time Paris trip?
Posted: Sat August 7, 2004 02:41 AM UTC
Amy,
Have no fear. Unless you are out extremely late at night, you will be very safe where you will want to go. Just use the same caution that you normally do in your daily life. The major sites and monuments will have plenty of security both in uniform and plain clothes, so you will be extra safe in these places.
Enjoy the Magic of Paris...
Best regards,
Sky

Was this reply helpful?yes no 

Add to your Do-it-Yourself Travel Guide
Report Advertising or Inappropriate Posting
 Click Picture to enlarge. [Reply]
Paris
Re: Which Area to stay for first time Paris trip?
Posted: Sat August 7, 2004 03:09 AM UTC
Try Hotel Grand Malher ( FAX: 01 42 72 25 37; email ghmalher@yahoo.fr) on Rue Malher in the Marais. we stayed there 3 times, last in Nov. 2002- $100 US. It is quiet, clean, small modern rooms, 3 star rated run by a charming English speaking couple - Pamela & Didier Fossiez. The Marais is the old medieval part of Paris and the Hotel is close to Place des Vosges - Paris' oldest square - quiet arcaded, good restaurants, galleries, antique shops. Many other small art galleries & good restaurants within easy walking distance. Close to Place de La Bastille and the Paris Opera (very low price tickets available just before each performance). Many beautiful 16th & 17th century buildings nearby - a quite walk along these narrow streets admiring these building is a real treat. Be sure to visit the Picasso Museum and Museum of Paris' history (Carnavalet) during this walk. The hotel is 1/2 block from Rue St. Antoine and the St. Paul Metro stop. The Louvre is 3 or 4 stops from St. Paul. Also on this Metro line are Place de La Concord (stop at the Hotel Crillon for a drink - a piano player in the lounge most evenings - and admire the the wonderfully ornate restaurant and rooms just off the lobby) . The Tuilleries Gardens, Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe also on this line. HAD TO STOP HERE

Was this reply helpful?yes no 

Add to your Do-it-Yourself Travel Guide
Report Advertising or Inappropriate Posting
 FrankandBrenda [Reply]
Paris
Re: Which Area to stay for first time Paris trip?
Posted: Sat August 7, 2004 05:20 AM UTC
Hi, the Invalides area is-according to comments I've seen elsewhere-safe but dead at night in comparison to the other "touristy" areas like the 4th-6th districts.

Are you doing most of your sightseeing in the Invalides district? It is in the 7th dist. and on the left bank but not near Notre Dame and the Seine part of the left bank. Because Invalides and the Eiffel Tower are pretty much all there are there except maybe for the Rodin Museum.

Was this reply helpful?yes no 

Add to your Do-it-Yourself Travel Guide
Report Advertising or Inappropriate Posting
 Click Picture to enlarge. [Reply]
Paris
Re: Which Area to stay for first time Paris trip?
Posted: Sat August 7, 2004 08:00 AM UTC
I would recommend to stay anywhere in the inner circle of Subway/underground trains and find a cheap hotel nearest to the train station. Paris is so big and its must to be situated close to a underground train station instead of a good location.

Was this reply helpful?yes no 

Add to your Do-it-Yourself Travel Guide
Report Advertising or Inappropriate Posting
 Click Picture to enlarge. [Reply]
Paris
Re: Which Area to stay for first time Paris trip?
Posted: Sun August 8, 2004 12:36 PM UTC
Hello from an American living in Paris,

I'd have to second what someone else already said: stay in one of the central arrondissements (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). That's my feeling anyway.

Safety shouldn't really be an issue as long as you're not out too late.

I'm surprised that you say most of what you'd like to see is on the Left bank. We own an apartment rental in the Marais neighborhood and we love the Right bank ! ;-)

As far as having an "authentic Parisian experience", look into getting an apartment rental. Please don't take that as an easy advertisement. There are plenty of good rentals out there. Give it a thought.

Best of luck.

Matt

http://www.parisiandream.com

Was this reply helpful?yes no 

Add to your Do-it-Yourself Travel Guide
Report Advertising or Inappropriate Posting
 ParisianDream [Reply]
Paris
Re: Re: Which Area to stay for first time Paris trip?
Posted: Mon August 9, 2004 01:57 PM UTC
Hi
we were recommended the Hotel Grand Leveque in Rue Cler which is a quaint street, cafes, street stalls etc near everything, ...checked out the reviews and they are very good. Cost is 92 euros for a double.

Was this reply helpful?yes no 

Add to your Do-it-Yourself Travel Guide
Report Advertising or Inappropriate Posting
 Click Picture to enlarge. [Reply]
Back To TopPages: 1

Paris Hotels