Rue Saint Louis en l'Ile (4th) or 154 Rue du Temple (3rd)?

Promise, last question for me regarding location. Locals...which would you personally choose?

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I%26#39;m not a local, but without hesitation I%26#39;d pick the rue St-Louis-en-l%26#39;Ile, all other things being equal. It is right in the middle of the Ile St. Louis, as filled with charm as almost any street in Paris, and very central to everything.

The other address is much less central, and in a less interesting area. Its only advantage that I can think of is that it is closer to the Oberkampf nightlife scene...

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I second Irish%26#39;s recommendation.

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Marais for young, fun, full of energy... especially for the Jewish and gay crowd.

The Ile for the quaint, romantic, charming, %26quot;Parisian%26quot; feel.

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I would agree with the Rue Saint Louis en I%26#39;lle enthusiasts. I have stayed in all but one of the hotels on that street and am staying at the third one this summer. I wouldn%26#39;t stay in any other part of Paris!

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i would stay rue du temple because it%26#39;s not too far from rue des francs bourgeois (i mean the 154 rue du temple) and all the little streets in the marais. i don%26#39;t know really rue du temple, more the streets near francs-bourgeois, but i suppose it%26#39;s the same style. ile st louis is really beautiful also, but not many shops like in the marais, less restaurants (i love place du marche st catherine but during the summer, when some people come tomake spectacles). if you are young, rue du temple, if you are less young ile st louis.

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phread -

I think 154 rue du Temple is fairly far north in the 3rd, about where the rue du Temple and rue de Turenne intersect.

Correct me if I am wrong, but that is a bit away from the lively parts of the Marais, is it not?

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Just a note of thanks to everyone for their help we really appreciate your individual input. We have decided the rue saint louis was probably the best way to go because we are on our honeymoon, even though the Rue du Temple apartment was tempting. If you are interested here are the links to the 2 diff apartments....

Temple:

paristay.com/fiche/…VSS_paris_apartment.html

St Louis: paristay.com/fiche/…VSS_paris_apartment.html

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Irishrover,

The idea of being a bit far away from the action of the Marais is relative... two blocks from some of the best contemporary art gallery hopping in the city and four from the crowds of the Marais. I prefer being near the thick of the things, but not to the point where I open my door to the masses, so it would suit me, but I know that it is not for everyone.

Bambino,

The Ile St Louis is the perfect choice for honeymoon.

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As all the Parisians, I say rue du Temple is better. You can find a lot of restaurants, museums, jewish and gay areas,...

But, just a small tip : go to Rue st Louis en L%26#39;ile and taste the Most wonderful ice cream of Paris : Glaces Berthillon. You can find it everywhere in the street and it is very very delicious !

Regards

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I absolutely understand why all the resident Parisians are voting for the rue du Temple, while the visitors are tending to vote for the rue St-Louis-en-l%26#39;Ile.

phread explained it exactly when she said that she liked being close to a lively area but not right in the middle of it. I think many visitors think of this perhaps a little differently. We are thinking only in the short term. We will be there only a week or two perhaps, and so stepping out of our hotel (providing that it is at least quiet) into a busy, lively scene is exciting. To someone who thinks in terms of living there that would probably quickly get on one%26#39;s nerves.

My thinking was that the Ile is almost as close to the Marais as the upper end of the rue du Temple (I know it is not quite...) and I love the walk between the two and across the Marais. But I certainly understand the other point of view.

And now that Bambino has finally come clean and told us that this is a honeymoon trip, I think the rue saint-Louis is the PERFECT choice!

Have a wonderfully happy honeymoon, bambino, and an even happier marriage!!

Hotel Muguet

Planning our first trip to Paris in August and having read forums will book at the Hotel Muguet. Have been told no rooms available with views of Eiffel Tower left. Is there another %26quot;good%26quot; room to ask if available or alternatively a %26quot;bad%26quot; one to avoid or are they all okay? Also is there a lift (elevator) at the hotel. Thanks for any assistance available.

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I don%26#39;t know about %26quot;good%26quot; and %26quot;bad%26quot; rooms. My single room looked out into a courtyard surrounded by lots of other apt. buildings. It was really nice.

There is an elevator, but it is small - fits 1 person and a suitcase quite uncomfortably. As a side note, one day when I was there, the elevator was broken, but they got it fixed immediately. It%26#39;s a great hotel.

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The %26#39;..trophy..%26#39; room to score at the HOTEL MUGUET is supposed to be #51, with spectacular views of th Eiffel Tower...but from all reports, rooms are assigned on a %26#39;..run-of-the-house..%26#39; basis. But it never hurts to ask.

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We just returned from Paris and stayed at the Hotel Muguet for 5 nights. We enjoyed it very much. The rooms are small (not for Paris) and immaculate (large fresh soft towels every day). Our room was on the third floor and overlooked rue Chevert. I loved being able to open the windows and look out onto the street. It was very quiet and centrally located to all sites. They had internet access in the lobby (2euro per 1/2 hour) and a great iron (I called it an iron on steroids) that was available for use in the basement. We didn%26#39;t partake in breakfast as we always got an early start on the day and found many places for coffee and pastry close by. We tried a number of nearby cafes for dinner and found a couple worth mentioning. Cafe Constant (located not far from the hotel and near the Eiffel Tower) was great and was less than 100 euro for a complete meal for two including wine. There was another place that was pretty lively at night and one could tell that it was popular with the local young professional crowd starting at around 9pm. The menu was limited but the food was good and inexpensive. I don%26#39;t remember the name but it is very close to the hotel and right outside the ecole militaire metro stop. It has %26quot;7 emme%26quot; in the name on the red awning and is located directly across the street from the gourmet cheese and chocolate shop and the grocery market) We ate outside as it was always very crowded inside and the music was pretty loud. This is not a good place if you are looking for a quiet dinner. Hope this information helps and that you enjoy Paris as much as we did.

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If you are really looking for rooms with view the Eiffel Tower. Why don%26#39;t you try the Hotel les jardins d%26#39;eiffel, http://www.hotel-jardinseiffel.com. This hotel is a nice 3 stars hotel with rooms with balcony with view to the Eiffel tower.It is located near the Rue saint Dominique, where there are lots of samll typical restaurants.

Enjoy paris

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Thanks everyone - your comments and help are much appreciated.

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Is it best to ask for non-smoking room if they have one available - or is this not a problem

Romantic spots in Paris to propose ?

I am heading to Paris over the July holiday and will be proposing - any suggestions on good spots ?

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Take the tour boat from Pont Nuef, it%26#39;s an hour long.

Near the end of the boat ride, the guide explains how the boat is about to go under a certain bridge and the custom is to close your eyes and make a wish as you go under and kiss the person next to you and your wish will come true. Then your wish will come true. Pop the question then. If she says no you%26#39;re only stuck on the boat another 5 minutes.

I don%26#39;t know if other, more romantic, boats tell the legend of wishing when going under the bridge. The boat above is not terribly romantic.

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Is an engagement ring involved? I%26#39;d be worried about ways to lose the thing, on a boat, off the Eiffel Tower, etc. Don%26#39;t forget property insurance.

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How about on the ramparts of the dome of the Basilique de Sacre Coeur? That%26#39;s a pretty place that%26#39;s more private than a boat tour if privacy %26amp; reflection are more in your characters than public spotlight. Climb up into there to see the sunset.

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I would say make sure you are seeing the Eiffel tower during the first ten minutes of each hour : after dark like from ten to ten past ten, i think the most romantic is to be on Pont (bridge) Alexandre III, very decorated, very romantic and from there you have a view to the Eiffel tower. Congratualtions!

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Hello!!

How EXCITING!

Well, I think the best plan is to HAVE a PLAN. And my plan suggestion for YOU is to have several places/locations lined up for the day, as any tourist would, naturally. What SHE does not know is that each and every spot you take her to, on THE day, will have been hand chosen by you as potential proposal spots. If for whatever reason you are overwhelmed with nerves at one spot, or the timing is wrong, or too many people, etc...you can just take a deep breath and move along to the NEXT fabulous proposal site! You know, don%26#39;t box yourself into a corner, thinking thoughts such as: Well, I just have to propose NOW because THIS was the spot I planned on! (panic panic!!) Plan a day full of proposal sites and feel like the confident man you know yourself to be. (Dang I%26#39;m good!)

I%26#39;ll put in my two cents for a proposal spot...lunch at the restaurant Le Charles Des Illes in the park Bois De Boulogne (on an island on the lake, named %26quot;Lac Inferieur%26quot;) Then after dinner take her on a stroll around the perimiter of the lake, heading south. You will find a small waterfall there, and a bench and perhaps you will feel that THIS is the perfect place to drop on a knee and ask for her hand!

Start gathering everyones %26quot;spots%26quot; and make an itenerary for the day!

lasscass

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The name of the restaurant in Bois de Boulogne is %26quot;Chalet des iles%26quot; actuallly (sorry to correct you Lascass).

I agree with Raphy that the most romantic place to propose is Alexandre III bridge. When you will see it, you will know that this is THE place!!

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What a lovely reply, Lasscass. Truly.

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Are/were you perhaps in the Military? My brother-in-law is an

Annapolis Grad and flew an F14 in the Gulf War. He took my

sister to Paris for Valentine%26#39;s Day and surprised her with a ring on top of the Arch du Triomphe. They said it was so romantic.

However, he later said he picked there as it is a memorial to the Fallen Soldier!

As others have pointed out, the weather and time of day would

be a factor; I would have one indoor spot planned.

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Go inside Palais Royal. There is a lovely garden there with benches. Sit there and then pop the question. I know someone else who did this, and they are married today. A very romantic place without a ton of tourists.

However, Ron Steward proposed to his fiance on top of the Eiffel Tower on bended knee (number 4?), so this is pretty romantic. You will have to stand in line quite a while, unless you have a reservation at Jules Verne, which he did.

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The top of the Eiffel tower!!!

easy jet

we are planning to go to barchlona using the easy jet. we havent used it before. How is it !! I am sure alot of you have used it. What are your feedbacks ? Or you think i have to use another airlines like air france.

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It%26#39;s just a normal lowcost airline, either the biggest or second biggest in Europe.

You pay to get a seat on the plane but no drinks/food...

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I used it to fly from London to Amsterdam. I had absolutely no problems. It was incredibly cheap airfare, plane left on time, etc.

Something to be mindful of though is the weight restrictions on luggage. Its not as bad as other low cost airlines though. I believe it is 20kg for checked luggage. And their carry-on size is really small. So I had to check in my backpack and I just carried on my purse-- no problems!

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Just beware of checking baggage. If they do not get the baggage to you before you return home, you can expect no support from them.

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easyJet let you carry-on the usual size bag (usually 22%26quot;x14%26quot;x9%26quot;, but check dimensions with their website to be sure!) without any weight restrictions recently. Or they say %26#39;within reason%26#39;. V.useful for those who travel light/just off for the weekend.

Do be *very* careful about the weight of checked luggage as already advised.

I find them fine. Turn up with plenty of time at the airport. Take some food and drink that suits you onto the plane. Pack light and you%26#39;ll have a bargain.

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Following on from TahoeSue%26#39;s comment, they are a point-to-point airline. If you have to connect with another flight they will accept no responsibility if you miss a connecting flight for any reason. If you just going to Barcelona this shouldn%26#39;t be an issue.

I know TahoeSue has had a really bad time with missing luggage from another thread - so jusy carry-on would be a plus here too.

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Thanks all for your replies. I didnt thought of the weight. Though its a big issue. I will be coming from london, staying in paris then going to spain. I am sure i will be having some more extra ....opppppppps and i wont be back to paris ,,i will be going to geneva ...what can i do !!!!! 20 kg is too little .

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The good news is that EasyJet has no weight restriction on cabin baggage, only a size restriction. The bad news is that their excess baggage charge, at 6.50 Euros per kilo, can add up fast. So packing all your heaviest items in your carry-on would make sense...

Here is a link to their baggage regulations:

www.easyjet.com/EN/Planning/baggage.html

Good luck!

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I%26#39;ve used Easyjet to Spain a bunch - it%26#39;s fine.... check Iberia also for low fares.... depending on when you leave and come back the fares are at times similar.....

Marais or Rue Cler

Where to stay for 4 nights? Torn between these two areas. In Rue Cler area I%26#39;ve heard good reviews about Hotel Muguet. And in Marais I think I would like to try MIJE hostel.

My first priority is safety, able to walk alone at night. My second preference is beauty - I hope the area is rewardingly cute.

Please advise. Thanks in advance.

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Hello-

Not to be offensive or anything- but I may answer differently depending on your age, activity level and what things you like to do. I just got back last week and visited both area%26#39;s. I met some fellow travellers about age 30, who stayed on the rue cler and did not like it. They said nothing really going on to speak of- just the street market. There you are pretty far removed from things if you wanted to explore.

The Marias, IMO, is a bit more lively, and has more to do in the general area.

So, if you want far removed and quiet..I%26#39;d say the rue cler. If you are looking for a bit more activity, I%26#39;d vote for the marias.

Hope this helps!

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I agree with RPL67. Definitely the Marais! A MUCH more interesting and lively area, as safe at night as the rue Cler area. (Paris is a VERY safe city. Just use ordinary common sense wherever you are.)

If you stay in the Marais you will be in an area with a real neighborhood feel to it, with lots of shops and cafes and restaurants in every price bracket. There are street markets and neighborhood shops to buy your picnic goodies at. The Aligre market in the 12th arrondissement, one of the liveliest in Paris, is only a short distance away.

You will be just a few minutes walk from the islands, the Centre Pompidou, the Canal St. Martin, Notre Dame, the Sainte Chapelle, and the Latin Quarter. Plenty of other places, including the Louvre and the Jardin du Luxembourg, are just a little farther to walk.

There are museums (the Carnavalet, Picasso, Cognacq-Jay etc.) in the Marais itself. And some of the oldest and most interesting architecture in Paris, including the Place des Vosges, perhaps the loveliest square in the whole city.

And the liveliest after dark areas are an easy walk away.

Rue Cler? Quieter, certainly. But other than the street market and its immediate environs, there is not much happening, and not many places within walking distance.

If you decide on the Marais, here are two good inexpensive neighborhood restaurants: Le Temps des Cerises on the rue de la Cerisaie (lunch only), and the cafe de la Poste on the rue Castex.

Have a great trip whatever you decide!

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%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;Where to stay for 4 nights? Torn between these two areas. In Rue Cler area I%26#39;ve heard good reviews about Hotel Muguet. And in Marais I think I would like to try MIJE hostel.

My first priority is safety, able to walk alone at night. My second preference is beauty - I hope the area is rewardingly cute.%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;

For the most part just about ANY neighborhood in central Paris will be safe enough to stroll about at most hours of day or night. It%26#39;s when you get out toward the fringes of the city that some neighborhood get %26#39;iffy%26#39;. But both the 7th--Invalides/Ecole Militaire and the 3rd-Marias will be perfectly safe---though you run the risk of being %26#39;..bored to death..%26#39; at night in the 7th.

Of the two areas, the 3rd-Marais will be the most interesting and active--both day and night. There are several interesting museums--Centre Pompidou (with the Fountain Igor Stravinski and its wonderfully whimsical Sainte Phalle %26amp; Jean Tinguely sculptures)-, Musees Picasso, Arts et Metiers Carnavalet, Cognacq-Jay--lots of interesting shops of all types and descriptions (rue des Francs Bourgeois, rue Vielle du Temple, rue Charlot, rue des Quartre Fils) and plenty of good cafes and restaurants to suit almost any taste, appetite or budget. The area also has many good hotels tto choose from.

There are many who absolutely love the 7th for it%26#39;s quiet in the evenings and wouldn%26#39;t stay anywhere else. It%26#39;s probably a great place for those who subscribe to %26#39;..early to bed, early to rise..%26#39;. The area also has a few good hotels and a few good restaurants. But, it%26#39;s no accident that the busiest spot in the 7th (especially in the evenings) is the Ecole Militaire Metro station, buzzing with people either returning from or leaving for %26#39;..somewhere else..%26#39; in Paris. But apart from the rue Cler %26#39;..enclave..%26#39; there isn%26#39;t much happennin%26#39; in the 7th after 6 PM.

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i personnaly as a tourist would choose the marais, but to live the 7th. anyway there are more restaurants in the marais, but there are also lots and lots in the 7th, i don%26#39;t know where the people have been there but for ex near the invalides there is a street called rue de grenelle where for ex there is l%26#39;esplanade, 7eme sud, just next to this place a very lively place called toumieux rue de la comete, where all the young nice parisians go to have vodkas shots (they have something like 60 differents tastes). in rue de grenelle there are many other restaurants, and in many other places in the 7th. but the marais is nicer, more exhibits in the streets when the weather is nice, the 7th is more dead and residential at night, and well i don%26#39;t know any night club there. so the marais or st germain are the best for me, i%26#39;m not a fan of the 10-13 districts, but i like the 1-8 and 16th.

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rue Cler is boring, go for the Marais, which has much more going on, and is more centrally located to just about everything.

Be sure to try the falafel sandwiches at the Ace du Falafel on the rue des Rosiers.

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I would say go for the Marais, as for the cute area you are looking for, well basically 80% of the apprtments there date back to the 17th and 18th century, beautiful decorations and wrought iron balconies, this is the area where all the nobles used to live at the time and it still shows. It is also more interesting and more lively, closer to the main monuments. I have lived in Paris for seven years, and before that forum, i had never heard of the Rue Cler!

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I liked Rue Cler. Great neighborhood. Easy walk to the tower. Several great restaraunts too.

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The Marais. More lively, more diverse.

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I found the Marais to be lively and entertaining with plenty to see and do within walking distance. Rue Cler has a very nice street market but I thought that that area was somewhat boring a little disappointing. Of course, this is in comparison to the other great places in Paris. You will have a great time no matter where you stay, but I would opt for the Marais over Rue Cler. J%26#39;Adore Paris.

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If you are looking for quiet, stay in rue cler.

If you are looking for a place where things

are happening, stay in the Marais.

musee de rodin?

do you recommend us to go musee de Rodin and Jardins de Louxembourg?and can we go there easily from Opera?

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Musee de Rodin was my best museum experience. It is in a villa Rodin lived in (and threw Isadora Duncan out of), and he was there during the designing of it. It is small, so not overwhelming, and the gardens are lovely.

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Both are very much worth visiting in fine weather.

Many of the sculptures in the Rodin museum are dotted around the gardens, which as the previous poster said, are lovely. There is a good cafe in the grounds also - a good place for a drink or a light meal.

The Jardin du Luxembourg is also a lovely place to stroll round and people watch. A great place to take a picnic also.

To reach the Jardin du Luxembourg from Opera your best bet would be the number 27 bus, taking it in the direction Porte de Vitry. In the same area is the Cluny Museum, and the Sainte Chapelle, and Notre Dame and the islands are close by.

The Musee Rodin can be reached most easily by taking Line 8 of the Metro, Direction Balard, to the Invalides station (third stop). Or you could walk from the Opera to the Madeleine Church, through the Place de la Concorde and across the river to the museum which is on the rue de Varenne at the blvd des Invalides. This would be a very worthwhile walk, and not too long, about 2.5km at a guess. Nearby is the Invalides military museum, Napoleon%26#39;s tomb, and not far beyond it the Eiffel Tower. In the other direction, St. Germain des Pres is about 1km away.

Do you have a decent street map of Paris? If not, you should get one, along with a good guidebook. You will need them anyway, and the sooner you start using them to plan your trip, the less %26quot;lost%26quot; you will feel when you arrive.

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Luxembourg Garden was perhaps one of my favourite experiences in Paris. The day we went the weather was perfect and so there were all kinds of people sitting by the pond and kids playing. It was a great change of pace from doing the museum thing. You can take a picnic lunch with you as there is a designated lawn area where this is allowed. The Rodin museum was worth it because it doesn%26#39;t take very much time and the garden is peaceful. I enjoyed the garden more than the actual museum, but that%26#39;s just me. The Rodin museum is also just across from the war museum and Dome Church where Napolean%26#39;s tomb is, so you can do both places if that%26#39;s of interest to you.

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thanks for your help.i think and ihope the weather will be good as we are coming at the end of june.so i guess we will visit both:)

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Just got back from visiting both of these wonderful spots in Paris! My recommendation would be to go! If the weather is nice- try to pick a sunny day- and if you go to the Luxemborg around lunch time- you will see all the locals eating their delicious picnic lunches.

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DEFINATELY SEE THEM

thats all i shall say

bye

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Musee de Rodin is one of my favorite places in Paris,

particularly the sculpture garden. Aside from my work

there as a photographer, it is peaceful, serene and

generally uncrowded. You are provided with opportunities

to enjoy Rodin%26#39;s work in a natural setting. The outdoor

cafe is most welcome.

paris guidebook in spanish

Does anybody know a good Paris guidebook in Spanish? My fiancee doesn%26#39;t speak English and I%26#39;ve looked at the Frommer%26#39;s, Fodor%26#39;s and Lonely Planet%26#39;s websites but didn%26#39;t find what I was looking for...

Ana

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Try this:

Go to www.amazon.com. Go to their Books section. Click on %26quot;Advanced Search.%26quot; Type in Paris as the title and select Spanish as the language. There are several guidebooks listed there, but I do not know enough about the authors, publishers, etc. to make a recommendation.

Hope this helps!

Have a great trip!

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I%26#39;m sure the the MICHELIN Green Guide-PARIS and the D.K EYEWITNESS-PARIS guidebooks are available in several languages, Spanish among them. I%26#39;m not so sure about the ACCESS--PARIS but I think it too may be available in a Spanish language edition. (I do know that it%26#39;s published by Harper-Collins, which has a fairly large catalog of Spanish-language editions).