Paris- which area?

sweetpeas_2

Hi guys,
I have just booked flights to Paris for me and DH in December, and I am now looking for a hotel.
We have never been before and therefore we're pretty clueless on where to stay. I gather it's quite a large place and we don't want to end up too far out of the action.

We are flying to CDG airport, and are looking for something very cenral. I have found a few places, starting at £77/night, but have no idea really if they are central!

Is there like a main street where lots of bars are? Or can anyone recommend a hotel/area to look at?

Any help would be very much appreciated, as we are really utterly clueless!! :rotfl:

Thanks everyone

xx

sodamnfunky

We have this booked for October
www.hotel-paris-regenceetoile.com You couldnt get more central

Voyager2002

The central zone of Paris is fairly small, and public transport is fairly good.

Bastille is near enough to all the action, but not so fashionable as to be ridiculously expensive.

Montmartre is where you find all the night life, but it might be a little noisy for you.

Beware of staying too close to Gare du Nord and Les Halles (market) since this turns into an unsafe red light district after dark. Not dangerous, but not really pleasant.

arealbasketcase

Stay at Disneyland Paris and get the RER in and out.

May not be the most sensible answer but I'm sticking with it.:D Although I will admit to a tinsy winsy teeny tiny bias.

MancBrel

I know Paris well. In fact only yesterday I booked an apartment for this October. I've stayed in many parts of Paris, but my favourite place is around Place d'Italie. You will not find this area mentioned in the travel books, as it's not really that much of a Tourist area. That said, it has everything you need (and there are plenty of hotels around). Transport links are good, there are plenty of restaurants, bars & a big shopping mall kind of thing. On Sunday morning there is a great foodie market, which is very polular. Rue Mouffetard is within walking distance, and China Town is on your doorstep.

Oddly enough, one of the hotels where I used to stay (Mercure Gobelins) is next door to the Lonely Planet offices for Paris. They don't mention the area in their guidebooks though. I don't think they want it spoiling?

Montmartre is good for a visit, but to be honest the hotels around here leave a lot to be desired, and represent bad value for money. As said previously, you don't want to be near to Gare du Nord, as it's not the best part of Paris (although it's getting better).

sweetpeas_2

Thank you very much for all your replies everyone
You have given me some brilliant info and I'm now going to go back and have a look at some hotels again.

Glad a few of you mentioned that Gare du Nord as a place to avoid, wouldn't want to wind up finding myself anywhere like that...:eek:

Thanks again, I'm very grateful

xx