← Back to topic list
We have a 5 day layover in London on our way to Turkey (beginning of May) and have decided to take the train to Paris instead of staying in London.Due to very limited time I was wondering the best area to stay in. Is Gare-du-Nord (by the train station) a fairly decent area to stay in. All we are looking for is easy access to some of the main tourist attractions so we don"t have to spend the majority of our time traveling from place to place.Our budget will be approximately 75-90 USD per night. We will have 3 1/2 days in Paris one of those we will definitley go to Versailles. Thanks for any info and suggestions.
As to a location, it seems everyone has a favorite location, but in your price range for hotel I think it will narrow down your possibilities. Also please us € on this forum. Do a search on this forum and I am sure you will find some hotels that will fit your budget. The attractions in Paris are spread out around the city. Get a good map and guide book and put a plan together.
Go to the Versailles web site and find out when they open in the morning and the days they are open. Versailles is about a half hour train (RER) ride from the city. Try to be at Versailles when they open in the morning and head back to Paris early in the afternoon and then you can see more of Paris.
In general, do your homework before you go so that your can make the best use of your time while you are there. If you can, do not go up the Eiffel Tower, the lines can be VERY long and the line at the top can be as long to get back down. I did not go up unitl my sixth trip, The Louver can also consume a lot of the time you don't have. Try to have a plan of what you want to see, see it and get out. The Louvre is huge and you can spend days there.
for Versailles, RER C goes straight to the palace (you'll only need half a day there).
bd de Strasbourg (down Gare de l'Est, very close to Gare du Nord) is a bit hectic though and for some people, it equals insecurity. they're wrong but it's a rather common misconception.
And MTL, Quite frankly I'm offended that you suggest my point of view is one based on racism.
I fail to see which parts are dangerous. And like most posters here, I believe there aren't really any areas in central Paris that are dangerous. People often think areas are dangerous simply because tehy look different- and parts of the area around Gare du Nord have large communities of sometimes poor immigrants. I am sure that that has an impact on people's perception of the area.
I beg you to tell me which parts are 'nasty'
I suppose that I should add that I live only about 800 meters north of Gare du Nord, so I am an expert on the area. I am there each and every day of the year.
Essentially, I agree with MTL. My most recent trip: I spent 3 weeks in Paris last October, the first week in an apartment on the Canal Saint Martin and the last 2 weeks in the 12th arrondissement. I was very intrigued by the area around Gare du Nord and Gare du l’Est in my first week, about a 10 minute walk from where I ‘lived’. It was a rich and textured area. I loved Faubourg Saint Denis, rue Saint Martin, boulevard de Strasbourg, and especially, the Canal Saint Martin. Loved the non touristic feeling of the whole area and I always felt safe.
Nothing felt ‘nasty’ to me.
Your budget is modest, and you could easily find accommodation in this area. It is very easy to travel to the more ‘established touristic centre’, perhaps 10 minutes by metro. Or by walking….a half hour? And, en route, explore some great places. Possibly, a historic food market, the Marche des Rouges Enfants, or, Passage Brady is wonderful,http://www.geobeats.com/video/ce9dca/passage-brady
← Back to topic list
Area to stay in Paris
Hello Everyone,We have a 5 day layover in London on our way to Turkey (beginning of May) and have decided to take the train to Paris instead of staying in London.Due to very limited time I was wondering the best area to stay in. Is Gare-du-Nord (by the train station) a fairly decent area to stay in. All we are looking for is easy access to some of the main tourist attractions so we don"t have to spend the majority of our time traveling from place to place.Our budget will be approximately 75-90 USD per night. We will have 3 1/2 days in Paris one of those we will definitley go to Versailles. Thanks for any info and suggestions.
1
With the Paris Metro you can be almost anywhere in the city. The Metro is very inexpensive and can get you almost anywhere in the city in a short time.As to a location, it seems everyone has a favorite location, but in your price range for hotel I think it will narrow down your possibilities. Also please us € on this forum. Do a search on this forum and I am sure you will find some hotels that will fit your budget. The attractions in Paris are spread out around the city. Get a good map and guide book and put a plan together.
Go to the Versailles web site and find out when they open in the morning and the days they are open. Versailles is about a half hour train (RER) ride from the city. Try to be at Versailles when they open in the morning and head back to Paris early in the afternoon and then you can see more of Paris.
In general, do your homework before you go so that your can make the best use of your time while you are there. If you can, do not go up the Eiffel Tower, the lines can be VERY long and the line at the top can be as long to get back down. I did not go up unitl my sixth trip, The Louver can also consume a lot of the time you don't have. Try to have a plan of what you want to see, see it and get out. The Louvre is huge and you can spend days there.
4
Paris is small and you will never waste too much time in transport if you're located inside Paris so centralness is really not an issue. double check that métro is not too far. very convenient métro (or RER) lines are a plus (1, 8 or 10 for instance since they go to so many different touristy areas).for Versailles, RER C goes straight to the palace (you'll only need half a day there).
8
agreed with MTL.bd de Strasbourg (down Gare de l'Est, very close to Gare du Nord) is a bit hectic though and for some people, it equals insecurity. they're wrong but it's a rather common misconception.
9
MTL, clearly I didnt mean the station itself, but the areas around it. And I stand by my opinion: around that station there is a big variety - some parts are fine, some parts are as possop says "hectic" but otherwise ok, some parts are a bit iffy / sketchy / could be quite unsettling to a visitor, and some parts I certainly wouldnt recommend. So, I suggest that the OP takes a look at the reviews of other users of any hotels they are recommended, the street view of google maps etcAnd MTL, Quite frankly I'm offended that you suggest my point of view is one based on racism.
10
I always prefer to stay in 2, 5,7 and 9th arrondissement of Paris. I like the surroundings and the neighborhoods there. I can however suggest you a nice apartment Which I used during my stay at 9th arrondissement :http://www.lodjee.com/crecy-1-bedroom-montmartre-paris-apartment. Pricing was also good that time it was around 90 Euros I guess but now as I checked it has moved to 94. But as with good facilities I think its not a bad deal with 94 Euros even.11
And MTL, Quite frankly I'm offended that you suggest my point of view is one based on racism.
I didn't quite say that, but I can see why you would take it that way. I pass through the Gare du Nord once a week (well twice, given that it's a return trip) and go to that area every other week or so for lunch or dinner (South Indian).I fail to see which parts are dangerous. And like most posters here, I believe there aren't really any areas in central Paris that are dangerous. People often think areas are dangerous simply because tehy look different- and parts of the area around Gare du Nord have large communities of sometimes poor immigrants. I am sure that that has an impact on people's perception of the area.
I beg you to tell me which parts are 'nasty'
12
The Gare du Nord area is perfectly fine and ultra convenient. People who don't like it generally have information that is sorely out of date, because the area has been upgraded considerably in recent years (and the nearby Gare de l'Est area even more).I suppose that I should add that I live only about 800 meters north of Gare du Nord, so I am an expert on the area. I am there each and every day of the year.
13
I think that the area around Gare du Nord is decent, safe and very accessible to the ‘rest of Paris’ (!). Much, much more than that.Essentially, I agree with MTL. My most recent trip: I spent 3 weeks in Paris last October, the first week in an apartment on the Canal Saint Martin and the last 2 weeks in the 12th arrondissement. I was very intrigued by the area around Gare du Nord and Gare du l’Est in my first week, about a 10 minute walk from where I ‘lived’. It was a rich and textured area. I loved Faubourg Saint Denis, rue Saint Martin, boulevard de Strasbourg, and especially, the Canal Saint Martin. Loved the non touristic feeling of the whole area and I always felt safe.
Nothing felt ‘nasty’ to me.
Your budget is modest, and you could easily find accommodation in this area. It is very easy to travel to the more ‘established touristic centre’, perhaps 10 minutes by metro. Or by walking….a half hour? And, en route, explore some great places. Possibly, a historic food market, the Marche des Rouges Enfants, or, Passage Brady is wonderful,http://www.geobeats.com/video/ce9dca/passage-brady
14
Try Marais area. It's a decent and safe area, not too expensive and within walking distance to many good musuem and attractions. Check out my travel blog on walking in Paris http://thriftyrandomtraveler.com. Hope it helps.
