Paris?

If you wanted to go to Paris and be withing walking distance of Museums and the like, where would you stay?

The Bastille (I think 11th district) is a great area, about 20 min walk to the Louvre etc.  Lots of restaurants around there, and night life too if you are looking for it!

I agree, there are tons of restaurants and clubs in the Bastille, also, in Paris its hard to get a cab after the metro closes down, so getting home at night can be a real pain in the ars*. I walked home 4 miles with the rest of my co-workers after a work sponsored trip to Paris to see Madonna. Madonna was not worth walking 4 miles after a night of drinking.

I agree, there are tons of restaurants and clubs in the Bastille, also, in Paris its hard to get a cab after the metro closes down, so getting home at night can be a real pain in the ars*. I walked home 4 miles with the rest of my co-workers after a work sponsored trip to Paris to see Madonna. Madonna was not worth walking 4 miles after a night of drinking.

Oh no! I've had the same experience with the cabs in Paris--you can stand there waiting at at a taxi rank for ages.  So its good to stay somewhere central, and the Bastille is great for that.  Many hotels in the area as well.

Latin Quarter!

The Marais!

Seriously, though, Paris is a very walkable city. Provided you're in any of the centralish arrondisements, you'll be fine on foot.

The Marais is a fantastic place, you're right near Place de la Bastille and Notre Dame (Île de la cité) and so much history. And the Seine.. I did Paris solo for a ten day trip, so it was quite nice walking to and sitting on the side of the seine with my (usually chocolate-based) dinner.  (loved being young and poor and living on baguettes and nutella).

It's also walkable to the Louvre, although the metro is really easy and if you get an all-day ticket, you generally end up using it..

If you're looking to hostel it, I'd really recommend MIJE (http://www.mije.com). Clean rooms, quiet, in renovated historical houses in the Marais. It's got a lock-out period, and a curfew, but it really didn't bother me.

Also I bought guide books... but honestly, Wikipedia was the most helpful thing for actually deciding what arrondissement to stay in and such.

Thanks for posting this Stella! My BF and I are thinking about going in February or March and I know nothing about where to stay and such. Any suggestions for reasonably priced hotels or B&Bs?

Latin Quarter or the Marais!

I  Paris!

Everyone's 'reasonably priced' may be a little different.  We stayed here & loved it:

http://www.hotel-collegedefrance.com/

(in the Latin Quarter)

If you're looking to hostel it, I'd really recommend MIJE (http://www.mije.com). Clean rooms, quiet, in renovated historical houses in the Marais. It's got a lock-out period, and a curfew, but it really didn't bother me.

I've stayed at all three residences. Fantastic locations, quiet, safe and clean.

The only time I've been to Paris (summer 2004) we stayed here:

http://www.hotel-bassano.com/

It was gorgeous, and very close to the George V metro.

If I ever go back, I'll probably give the MIJE locations a try.

(I can't believe we ever had that kind of money to splash about!  Life before visas.... *sigh*)

Even if it's a cold time of year when you're there, you must go to Berthillon for ice cream! The main shop is on Île Saint-Louis, but it's sold in a lot of other convenient places, too. My favourite flavour is Agenaise, but they're all scrummy! Oh, I wish I had some right now!

Even if it's a cold time of year when you're there, you must go to Berthillon for ice cream! The main shop is on Île Saint-Louis, but it's sold in a lot of other convenient places, too. My favourite flavour is Agenaise, but they're all scrummy! Oh, I wish I had some right now!

Please please elaborate on that flavour...I hope it doesn't taste like the Agean sea!
 

Please please elaborate on that flavour...I hope it doesn't taste like the Agean sea!
 

It's prunes soaked in Armagnac and it's divine! So boozy and delicious!! I just looked at Berthillon's website and they have some amazing-sounding winter flavours too!

It's prunes soaked in Armagnac and it's divine! So boozy and delicious!! I just looked at Berthillon's website and they have some amazing-sounding winter flavours too!

Hmm, that flavour does actually sound a bit like the Agean sea.
Sounds goooooooooooood.