Which arrondissement in Paris is the best to stay?

Question

I am thinking of renting an apartment. I want to be in a safe, affordable area, close to metro/cafes. Walking distance to some of the sights is preferable, but as long as I'm close to the metro that is ok too. Any suggestions? Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

I prefer the 5th and 5th. The cafes are numerous, accomodations can be relatively inexpensive (remember this is Paris) and has excellent access to museums, monuments and the rest of the city.

Answer 2

I always forget les Arrondissements, but I find great places (cheap and charming hotels) in Monmartre. Because it's climbing the rise to Sacre Coeur you often get a view of the city below you. I love walking in Paris but there are a couple of Metro stations (Abesses?) and I usually walk to Gare Du Nord to get the Eurostar back to London.

Answer 3

Unfortunately expensive places (16th, 8th, Neuilly-sur-Seine, 9th , 2th=Marais, 5th arrondissements) are safer. Montmartre is near Pigalle and Barbès, which are not as secure as it was. But you have to be aware that if you are unlucky, you may meet hooligans everywhere, especially in the metro and bus at nightime.

Answer 4

I prefer a neighborhood called Le Marais.  It's safe, right in the heart of the city and has lots of nice little restaurants and cafes.  The Latin Quarter is way overrated, expensive and noisy.  The Metro you'll want to stay near to is called St. Paul.

Answer 5

I live in Paris, near Nation...

This part of Paris is affordable, and in Nation you have several metros and RER to go everywhere.

But I think that if I didn't live in Paris, and if I wanted to spend some times for vacation in Paris, I'll rent something near Notre-Dame / Saint-Michel / Odeon

Very nice part, in the core of Paris, with a lot of cafés and restaurants.

Answer 6

I prefer the 9th near grand Boulevard,  Richelieu Drouot and Cadet. There is a lot of subway (line7,8,9) and bus.

It's very cute, with the passage, the galery..and it's not so expensive.