I was looking for atmospheric, convenient, and fun. This sounds like a good spot for us. Paolo, since you know the area well, any particular streets that we should avoid staying or ones that would be really nice?
Generally speaking, the city center is pretty safe. The sixth, which is by the way my favorite area, is all beautiful! You should definitely check out the cafe Procope (where the French Revolution was basically organized) and the cafe de Flore (where Sartre used to write).
BTW we arrived at the Gare du Nord (via fast train from Lyon) and just caught a regular bus to St Germain ... it was no drama.
St Germain has atmospherics, convenience, and lovely streetscapes ... bars and other fun activities might be a bit stronger elsewhere, but I'm not a Parisien!
I was also thinking about Marais. Why do you love the 6th the most? Also, you mentioned the 11th. I had read that the 11th was very young and full of nightclubs. I'd like your input on these other areas. Thanks for your help!
We always stay in Ménilmontant, next to Belleville. We love it there but it's not everyone's cup of tea.
Are you aware of the crackdown on short-term apartment rentals in Paris in the past couple of years? The mayor's office is particularly targeting AirBnB. I wouldn't dream of renting an AirBnb apartment in Paris these days.
If you want young and full of nightclubs, you should look at Belleville, Oberkampf, and Bastille. The 6th is beautiful, but frumpy and way expensive, in my opinion, and the Marais has become such a tourist mecca it's almost impossible to hear French spoken or walk down the street without being mowed down by folks wheeling rollaboards. On the other hand, it's a phenomenally historic part of Paris and well worth visiting.
I was also thinking about Marais. Why do you love the 6th the most? Also, you mentioned the 11th. I had read that the 11th was very young and full of nightclubs. I'd like your input on these other areas. Thanks for your help!
The Marais is amazing too, slightly different from the rest of Paris because it hasn't been "reformed" by Haussmann. The sixth in my opinion is more quiet though, so it depends on what you are looking for.
That's exactly the reason I mentioned the 11th, because it's less touristic and full of bars (but if you stay in the sixth you could go to Pantheon, which is the University area).
Keep in mind though that Paris is relatively small and the metro/buses are very efficient.
Sorry if I wasn't clear. I was thinking of ruling out the 11th because I don't want "young and full of nightclubs". If there are a decent number of good, authentic bars and bistros, we're happy.
We're definitely looking for quieter place to stay since we are the type of travelers that are on the go from early am to late pm.
Oh sorry, I thought you were looking for something like that. Then I would suggest you stay in the sixth, which is a good combination between bars / restaurants and residential areas.
Yes ... after all the mayhem and cacophony of the touristed parts of the city, it was great to return to the relative calm of our St Gernain neighbourhood, where there were still plenty of places to discover.
And it may be frumpy and beautiful, but that's why people go to Europe in the first place, since they have all the sleek and modern at home.