So I’ll conclude my french escape recaps with one last post on accommodations and general tips. First up is accommodations. The first 2 times I visited Paris, I stayed in hotels in the Montparnasse (14th arrondissement) and Montmartre (18th arrondissement) districts. Both are located a bit further from the centre of Paris but offer good deals.
Montparnasse was famous in the early part of the 20th century as the heart of intellectual life. As such there’s many historic cafes and bars located there, famous for serving the likes of Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald (sounds like “A Midnight in Paris”). That said, the area is less touristy than the other arrondissements, with some good neighborhood restaurants, however I found myself taking the metro quite a bit since it is far from most famous attractions.
Montmartre is the bohemian enclave of Paris, made even more famous by the movies “Amelie” and “Moulin Rouge”. It’s where the Sacre-Coeur Basilica is located and is very quaint and picturesque. Similar to Montparnasse it is located far from most attractions. It’s a bit more touristy, especially the area around the Sacre-Coeur and is hilly, so can make coming home a bit of a chore after a long day. I didn’t spend much time eating in this area, however if you are here, one fun place I would recommend is Le Refuge des Fondues. For a set price, you get unlimited fondue with meat and bread and red wine served in a baby bottle. It’s definitely touristy, a little grungy, but way fun!
This recent trip, the hubs and I opted to rent an apartment in the Marais (4th arrondissement) district. First off, I looved this neighborhood. It’s walking distance to the Seine and therefore close to most sights, making it a very convenient home base. This lively and charming district is also full of great restaurants, shopping, and parks. Secondly, I would highly recommend renting an apartment. Oftentimes it’s cheaper than a hotel, you end up staying in more desirable neighborhoods, and you really get to experience what it’s like to be a Parisian. I’ve rented apartments in Madrid, Barcelona, Buenas Aires, Vancouver and now Paris, and I’ve had great experiences in each city. Check out some these Parisian apartments!
And for those who want a little more luxury or need a bigger apartment. Check out this 2 bedroom. Imagine having breakfast or midday wine and cheese on that rooftop terrace?!
In terms of where to stay, my picks would be either Le Marais (4th arr.), the Latin Quarter (5th arr.), or St. Germain des Pres (6th arr.) because they are all centrally located, great walking neighborhoods, and full of restaurants and shops. The Eiffel Tower (7th arr.) area is also really nice however a bit of a trek from the city centre so you’ll have to hop on the Metro quite a bit.
Finally, here are my general tips on making your vacation as fun and memorable as possible:
- Research what sights you have to see, no more than 1-2 per day so you leave plenty of time for enjoying meals and wandering around. Make note of the opening hours (many museums are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays) so you won’t be disappointed.
- Research restaurants. Paris has an abundance of really great restaurants and also really mediocre overpriced restaurants aimed at tourists. Doing a little bit of research ahead of time can really make your experience that much more enjoyable if you’re not wandering around trying to find a decent place to eat. Also make note of opening hours, I found many of the restaurants I wanted to go to were closed on the weekends.
- Make reservations! Most restaurants are small and may not be able to accommodate you without a reservation. You only need to call 1-2 weeks in advance, but at least it’ll guarantee you a table.
- Try to group your activities and meals in the same arrondissements so you’re not criss crossing all over the city.
- Make time for a picnic. Buy some wine, fresh bread, cheese and salami, head to a pretty park for a picnic and enjoy the people watching.
- When booking train tickets, buy as early as possible for the cheapest rates.
- Learn a few french phrases. The french are much nicer when you start off with a “Bonjour, parlez-vous francais?” than if you just start talking to them in English. Think of how you would feel if a tourist came to your country and just started talking to you in their language?
So this is the end of my recaps! I hope this was helpful to many of you in planning your own trips and help inspire others to visit Paris. I know I can’t wait to go back there again!
A Sprinkle of Adventure 
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