[PattiP65]

I am ecstatic!. My Husband (49 years) and I will be going to Paris in early September. We are planning on renting an apartment for a week. My problem is trying to choose an area. Can anyone make recommendations as to the best area to stay in? We want to be near a Metro station as well as a grocery market and some restaurants and some of the major sights. Any suggestions?

 

[Knitophile]

Montmartre.
http://www.aparisguide.com/montmartre/

 

[dorfor]

Montmartre.
http://www.aparisguide.com/montmartre/

We stayed in Montemartre for a week in 2010 and it was wonderful. Easy access to train, buses and an easy walk up to Sacre-Coeur and the fascinating Church of St. Pierre.

Our daughter-in-law booked a small apartment on-line and it was quite cheap compared to staying closer to the city centre. Lots of accommodation sites to choose from - the apartment we had is now rented out on a permanent basis. Always read some of the reviews though, a friend didn't have as much luck as we did!

We took the second option from the above website and ventured a bit further to a very interesting old cemetery in an old quarry, http://www.pariscemeteries.com/pages/montmartre.html
Don't get caught with the sketch artists - they charge a lot! Some of them are very pushy!!!

Be prepared to walk a lot and it is quite steep in places but sooo fascinating. I hadn't had my hip done then but used my walking stick and managed quite well. Fell into bed exhausted each evening though!

We chose to eat in small and interesting restaurants - the Onion soup is mouth watering! Check out the small local bakeries too! The people are friendly and very helpful.

We did all the usual sightseeing in Paris - Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Rodin museum (my favourite), etc, etc. Took the hop on/hop off bus and walked many kilometres too. Again, we chose to eat in interesting smaller places - Middle Eastern, French, Japanese. All fabulous and not too expensive. Don't forget to try the wine too!

 

[Jedmo]

Any place in Paris is exciting. Most of the areas have easy access to the Metro.

 

[BiDDi]

Any place in Paris is exciting. Most of the areas have easy access to the Metro.

Make sure to see Saint Chappelle(query spelling) It is exquisite on the same island as Notre Dame. The metro is every where and very easy to use. Enjoy.

 

[Wombatnomore]

Montmartre.
http://www.aparisguide.com/montmartre/

:thumbup:

 

[Gullasel]

I spent 4 years in Paris from 1976 to 1980 .. some time ago .. I cannot imagine it has changed that much for in that era every arrondissment had ample restaurants and markets in their respective areas.

I frequented the Isle St Louis and enjoyed great meals at reasonable rate at the "Nos Ancetres les Gaulois" on the main street on the Isle, and at the "Brasserie sur l'Isle" kitty corner to the back of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Foreigners called that bar/restaurant "The Oasis" as it was kind of an unofficial gathering place and a lot of international visitors could be found there ... if u got nostalgic to hear some English spoken


Paris is a "restaurant" society .. Parisians do entertain, rarely at their home, but generally it is at a restaurant of particular flavour. I arrived with no French, but ventured out on long walks to "discover" the city, and got acclimatized very quickly ..

The more expensive areas in Paris is the 8th 16th 15th sectors ..

Sunday's most of the museums are Free entry and are invaluable to assist one in getting a "sense" of the culture and all that is France

Congratulations on your voyage and enjoy yourselves