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Is Your Quartier Safe?
I am trying to find information on the Hotel Pavillon Monceau and the area surrounding it in the 17th arr. Is this a good neighborhood? I understand that this hotel is not located in the center of Paris but I know that the Metro and RER are close by. I just want to ensure that the area surrounding it is safe. I have searched the web and can find little or no specific information about this hotel or the area that it is in. Manuel
Dear Manuel,
I don´t usually include questions regarding particular hotels, but a few details in your comments I think require an open reply. First of all, the concern for safety when visiting a foreign city is a valid one, although we who live here forget that this is on the minds of travelers. The 17th, like most of Paris is relatively safe, day and night, and although it´s wise to know where you´re wandering, you shouldn´t be worried about security here. The Pavillon Monceau located on the tranquil rue Jouffroy d´Abbans near the Boulevard Malesherbes and the Parc Monceau, which is one of the loveliest parks in the city and one of the city´s wealthiest neighborhoods. Nothing is ever far from a metro stop in Paris, and no part of the city is ever more than 30 minutes from the middle (Châtelet or the Latin Quarter). This hotel is near the metro Wagram, which is only a stop from Etoile at the top of the avenue Champs-Elysées, well served by both metro and RER.
When deciding where to stay in Paris, you should consider the quartier, the style of hotel, and the price.
DA
Personally, I don't like the word cheap.
Nothing is cheap, although some things don't require a lot of money.
You can sleep comfortably in Paris for relatively fewer euros or dollars than you can in many other major cities, such as New York or London. In fact, you can still find lots of amazingly good small hotels and hostels in Paris which afford genuine Parisian experiences for small money. And you'll find your shoes in the morning!
Other things in Paris will tax your budget, but if it's "cheap sleeps" that you are after, well, Paris won't disappoint you.
In other cities, you may have to commute from far off districts to get affordable accommodations, but in Paris don’t assume you’ll need to compromise on location to get high-value low-costs sleeping arrangements. Just get in the habit of checking hostels in Paris for quality bookings in most of Paris' central ‘arrondissements’ or districts. These include the Montmartre, Bastille, and Belleville areas as well as, of course, around the Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon train stations.
Deciding where to stay in Paris takes some thoughtful reflection. Most of you will want to stay in Paris' five most central arrondissements, thinking rightly that this means that most attractions will be close by and transport links will be accessible. There will be plenty of restaurants and bars on your doorstep to choose from too. That's sound thinking. But it's not the ONLY way to approach location. The down side of the most central spots in town will be the fact that you'll be bunking in the 'hoods with the highest density of tourist crowd. Sometimes staying off the beaten path offers a more ‘local’ and authentic experience. And in Paris, off the path is often not further away or longer to get to. A good example of this is an area such as Belleville, which is home to many artists' ateliers and good North African, Asian, and Sephardic inexpensive restaurants. The picturesque Canal St Martin runs nearby, and waterside cafes and funky bars with lively, live evening music offer you a more authentic Paris than you're likely to get in the summer around the over run Latin Quarter.
With the Paris metro (subway) you are never more than 15 or 20 minutes from some place central. Alternatively, try the low-cost public bicycle rental system, the Vélib, which allows you to pick up bikes at hundreds of spots around town, cycle to your destination, drop the bike off any of those cycle stations across the city, and carry on.
Note: If you are arriving and departing from Gare du Nord, you might also consider staying close to the nearby canal or along the quaint Quai de Valmy.
Of course, the high-end options might throw in a trouser press, 200+ TV channels and some fancy assortment of toiletries, hostels make up for these amenities with atmosphere you can't buy and access to local knowledge.
Staying with like-minded travelers, hostels in Paris are very sociable places hosting free events, social lounges, low cost drinks and friendly bars, as well as communal kitchen areas. If you get talking to people, you can share experiences, exchange advice on places that your guide book is likely to have overlooked (although maybe not David Applefield's, which loves to include the authentic and real). Local personnel are great for local recommendations -- restaurants, bars and upcoming events.
And here's a secret. So come in close. If you are in love… if you are traveling to Paris as a couple. But your pocket book is not overflowing with big bills… the romance of the city is still yours. The hostel option can be stylish. Decor can be contemporary chic or classical suggestive. Even in budget accommodations, candles and red wine work like a charm. And you can easily forget the simplicity of your room by planning a romantic canal ride or dining to a platter of oysters.
DA
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