I really have waded through old threads, I promise! But am still wavering as to which will suit our needs best (and honestly, am still considering Latin Q and Ile St. Louis as well...).
My husband and I will be in Paris for 4.5 days, and we want to be able to walk out and be in a cool neighborhood with cool, (relatively) affordable cafes %26amp; shops, but walkable to sites.
My sense is that Marais is a cooler neighborhood, perhaps more off-the-beaten track than St. Germain or Latin Quarter, but perhaps farther from the sights?
Any details that I should be taking into consideration?
Thanks in advance!
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I think that you may be asking an %26#39;..impossible..%26#39; question. Much depends on individual perceptions, preferences, priorities, and %26#39;..expectations..%26#39;. %26quot;..Cool..%26quot; is a highly relative descriptive.
In comparative, quantifiable terms, the neighborhoods of the 6eme-Saint Germain des Prés may offer more (not necessarily better), in the way of dining, interesting shopping , nightlife / activity options than the 3eme-upper-Marais. Some might say that the Marais is what Saint Germain was 15-20 years ago when %26#39;..gentrification..%26#39; set-in there (and what the near-eastern neighborhoods of the 11 eme and 12eme will become in another 10 years, as %26#39;gentrification%26#39; has its way with the Marais...some version of %26#39;..cool..%26#39; has moving east in search of lower rents). But there is nothing really %26#39;..off-the-beten-track..%26#39; about the Marais these days...they%26#39;re just different %26#39;tracks%26#39;.
But for what you seem to %26#39;..expect..%26#39; you may be better off with a hotel location up in the 3eme-upper-Marais. And if you want to venture onto the %26#39;..less-beaten tracks..%26#39;; then the developing %26#39;..cool..%26#39; neighborhoods of the 11eme and 12 eme--east of Canal Saint Martin, Rupublique and Bastile are within easy walking distances.
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%26gt;%26gt;. My sense is that Marais is a cooler neighborhood, perhaps more off-the-beaten track than St. Germain or Latin Quarter, but perhaps farther from the sights? %26lt;%26lt;%26lt;
I think this is a fairly accurate summation, though it is a bit subjective. I do think the Marais is overall just a little less touristy than the parts of the 5th and 6th close to the Seine. It is a little bit farther of a walk to many places too since it lies a short distance to the east of most of the major tourist sights. OTOH it has its own fair share of very worthwhile places to see and things to do, including a half dozen or more fine museums. And IMO it has the most interesting and varied architecture of any of the single digit arrondissements.
Rather than the 3rd (and I%26#39;m not quite sure what KDK%26#39;s rationale is for suggesting that) I would suggest the 4th, and probably the western part of the 4th. Yes it has become much gentrified over the last few years and it is no longer as far off the beaten track as it once was, but it still manages to retain a neighbourhood feel and it has a slew of good cafés and restauarnts, mostly moderately priced, some downright inexpensive, (and one at least in the upper stratosphere pricewise), and plenty of cool shops.
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Wonderful - thank you both so much. That%26#39;s helpful.
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%26gt;%26gt;%26gt; I%26#39;m not quite sure what KDK%26#39;s rationale is for suggesting that%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;
The Marais %26#39;..splits..%26#39; north and south, between the 4eme--lower-Marais %26amp; Îles and the 3eme-upper-Marais. As noted, there has been more %26#39;..gentficication..%26#39; in the neighborhoods to the south, in the 4eme...and ***perhaps*** more %26#39;..cool..%26#39; remaining in the upper-3eme.....but I suppose either lower or upper Marais would suffice for the purpose ??
The %26#39;..neighborhoods..%26#39; (it%26#39;s difficult to lump the whole general area together into a piece) up toward the north-east corner (heading toward REPUBLIQUE) have been %26#39;..chicing..%26#39; (that can%26#39;t possibly be a word?) up over the past few years with a couple of new %26#39;hip%26#39; hotels, %26#39;trendier- shops, local cafés and restaurants. The area has become %26#39;..cool-er..%26#39;, %26#39;..hip-er..%26#39;, %26#39;..chic-er..%26#39;...(pick a tortured descriptive).
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You%26#39;re welcome. Have a great trip!
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Ah, I see. Well in that case I would go the whole hog and head for the Oberkampf/Ménilmontant area of the 11th rather than the timid half-way house of the 3rd. (I%26#39;m being mildly facetious here so don%26#39;t go getting all upset...)
As you know I%26#39;m a HUGE fan of that area of the 11th but my impression is that that is not quite what the OP is looking for, about which I could be quite wriong of course...
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We went to Paris this fall and had the same questions. We opted for the 7th on Rue Cler. It was incredible! It is a pedestrian street and lots to do within walking distance and very easy access to the metro. There are lots of small hotels in that area, too. It%26#39;s a very locals neighborhood.
this link gives you an idea of what all is on Rue Cler: http://www.parismarkets.net/RueCler.html
here%26#39;s a little more:
ricksteves.com/plan/…ruecler0208.htm
and... from trip advisor:
tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187147-d1…
You can%26#39;t go wrong here. We visited everyone around Paris, including Ile St. Louis, Latin Quarter, St. Germain, and the Marais. We always loved coming back %26#39;home%26#39; to Rue Cler as we always liked it best of all.
we stayed at grand hotel leveque, but there are lots of others around.
hope this helps....
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Hi, in my opinion, you will not go wrong by staying in either St. Germain or the Marais. Both are lively areas that are filled with different cafes, restaurants, and sights. Some prefer one to the other however. I do favor the Ile St. Louis alot as it%26#39;s got its own charm. The main street, rue St. Louis en L%26#39;Ile does get crowded with many pedestrians in the daytime to early evenings but it quiets down substantially late at night. The Latin Quarter is very interesting as well and again it has its own charm. There are lots of sights to see there as well. Some people get discouraged as it is very crowded, but that%26#39;s because it%26#39;s a very popular area.
No matter where you choose you will enjoy your visit I am sure.
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I prefer Ile Saint Louis and the 5e and the 6 e. I love walking those areas.
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Thank you for your input! I must say I%26#39;m finding myself seduced by Ile St. Louis. I%26#39;ve been perusing the vrbo website, for example...
$550. On Ile St. Louis, 85Euro/night, cool/interesting looking but no guest reviews. Worth inquiring?
http://www.vrbo.com/112182
$597. Marais near Hotel de Ville for 460Euro/5 nights. Great price but not as charming. No guest comments yet.
http://www.vrbo.com/66646
$714. Marais good location (near Ile St. Louis), 110Euro/night, small but charming.
http://www.vrbo.com/116105
$876. Marais right next to Ile St. Louis for 115Euro/night, plus 100Euro fee for cleaning. No elevator.
http://www.vrbo.com/49484
$909. Marais right next to Ile St. Louis for 700Euro/week.
http://www.vrbo.com/55726
$1038. Ile St. Louis 800Euro/week.
http://www.vrbo.com/94988
So many choices... it feels overwhelming... basically, I want interesting but safe, lively but not tacky. More along the lines of the West Village in NYC or Dupont Circle/Adams Morgan in Washington, DC.
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