<p>Any suggestions on which arrondissement for a three night stay? Last time, I stayed in the 14th, which was nice. I would like to try a different area this time. Also, any recommendations on shopping? I didn’t do too much before, however I did make it to les galleries Lafayette which has the most amazing shoe dept EVER!!! I will definitely make another trip there. </p>
<p>I like the 6th, St. Germain.</p>
<p>This Dec. we are staying in the 8th near La Madeleine. It’s very convenient but also relatively quiet, so I’ve been told.</p>
<p>Last month we stayed in the 14th, but the 6th is where I think we’ll stay next time. Both are nice.</p>
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<p>Ditto.</p>
<p>Google search THIS site. There are numerous threads about Paris. Your interests and travel arrangements influence your location in Paris. </p>
<p>Last time I was in Paris we were in the Latin Quarter (5th Arrondisment) with a view of <a href=“Arènes de Lutèce, Paris”>http://www.aviewoncities.com/paris/arenesdelutece.htm</a> from our hotel window. The hotel was kind of shabby, but I liked the location.</p>
<p>3 days are not long enough to justify apartment rental. You are much better off staying at a hotel. We stayed at the Renaissance and really liked it! The restaurant was very good (and open late), and we walked all over the place.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187147-d1229799-Reviews-Renaissance_Paris_Arc_de_Triomphe_Hotel-Paris_Ile_de_France.html”>http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187147-d1229799-Reviews-Renaissance_Paris_Arc_de_Triomphe_Hotel-Paris_Ile_de_France.html</a></p>
<p>A few years ago, I stayed in the Westin Paris (near the Louvre) and really enjoyed the neighborhood and the hotel, and would stay there again. I was there earlier this year for business, but I’m not recalling the hotel other than that it was nearer the Eiffel Tower, which isn’t as good of a location IMO. </p>
<p>We stayed at a B&B near Rue Cler, recommended by Rick Steves. Other than having a room at the very top of all the flights of stairs, we loved it (fortunately we were younger and fitter decades ago). It was convenient to the Eiffel Tower and all the attractions. We walked pretty much everywhere! Loved all the little food shops in the area, including take out food they would heat for you upon request.</p>
<p>I tend to like the smaller boutique hotels when staying in Paris.</p>
<p>However, it’s hard to go wrong anywhere you stay. I’m jealous.</p>
<p>Last year I stayed at the Hotel Brighton. Very nice with a view of the gardens and the eiffel tower in the distance right out your balconey. You can walk to the Louvre and there is a metro stop across the street - so basically you can get anywhere. Yes it is in a very touristy neighborhood (tourist cafes and souvenir shops line the street), but with only a few days to spend in Paris I would recommend it.</p>
<p>I second the recommendation of the 8th. The neighborhood around Place de Madeleine is lovely, and it’s near the shopping area of the Grand Magasins on Boulevard Haussmann, and a short walk to Opera and the Louvre.</p>
<p>I just returned from a 10 day trip to France with 5 nights in Paris. We stayed at the Hotel Muguet, actually not far from the Rue Cler where we had breakfast every morning rather than the 13.5 euro breakfast in the hotel. The hotel was fine(we had a superior room so a little larger) with a great location on a small quiet street in-between Motte-Piquet and Rue Mauburg . Easy distance between two metro stops, walking distance to Eiffel Tower and hotel located right near Invalides and Rodin Museum. Very helpful at the front desk to make dinner reservations and shuttle service to CDG for return flight (sadly we did have to come home). Hotel does have the smallest elevator I have ever been in, with the exception of hotel we stayed at in Rouen, as we began our trip there. There is a sister hotel, Emperiour on Mauburg. We had fine dinners at two restaurants, one on the corner of Mauburg, Restaurant Pasco and the other, Le Florimond on Motte-Piquet but there are many restaurants and cafes in the area. Paris was as beautiful as I remembered it from my $5.00 a day travels back many moons ago. It is very easy to get around and people were very helpful. The museum pass is a good value if you are visiting many museums, especially as you can go right in and not wait on long lines. </p>
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<p>That would also be my preference, but I am afraid that it is among the costliest. Others might also find the areas “on the other bank” more lively. Again, I think it is important to establish a list of objectives for the trip to Paris, and then decide where to spend the evenings and nights. </p>
<p>Picking the wrong district and the wrong hotel is the surest thing to ruin a visit to Paris. I happen to think that the key is to have a substantial budget and convert the dollar to one euro! I’d rather spend fewer days and spend a lot more than trying to stretch a budget with subpar lodging (the norm in Paris) and adopt the Bohemian lifestyle. </p>
<p>^^^^My first stay in Paris, I was rather naive. It didn’t occur to me to ask if the hotel had an elevator. It did not, and I had to schlep my luggage up five flights of stairs (nary a bellman in sight). I also did not know to ask if it had a private bathroom. Thank goodness my particular room did, but there were other rooms which had a community bathroom. Also, it never occurred to me to ask if it had the special windows which provide a noise barrier. The constant buzzing of motorcycles, cars, sirens, etc., kept me up all night. I was bleary eyed after a few days in that place.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for the many tips!</p>
<p>It’s been many years, but I had one of the best food experiences eating in the food section (on the 2nd floor?) of the Galleres Lafayette. Totally genuine and non-touristy, the food was freshly prepared in front of you from the food being sold there. </p>
<p>@novadad99 thanks for tip, as I will definitely be there buying shoes!</p>
<p>We liked the Hotel Abbatial St Germain. We are not shoppers, however, so the location close to attractions such at Notre Dame was good for us.</p>