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[pavlovian]

I'd appreciate advice from people familiar with Paris, France.   I'm attending a conference and my wife will be accompanying me.  We plan to rent an apartment to spend some vacation time before and after my meeting (and for her, during).

We are considering two apartment rentals.  One apartment is in the 4th, Les Halles. My impression is that this is an active area, with easy access to several metro lines.  The other is near the intersection of the 3rd and the 10th at Strasbourg - Saint-Denis.  This apartment is cheaper than others we've looked at, despite seeming somewhat nicer and much larger.  So there must be a reason it's cheaper - I'm thinking "neighborhood?"   Does anyone know this area?  What's it like?

I need to get to the Latin Quarter (Censier-Daubenton on the M7) for my conference, so the metro ride seems easier from Les Halles.   But, if you know Paris, given these two options would you strongly prefer one neighborhood over the other?   

This is my first trip to Paris, so advice is appreciated.

[qrypt]

There's not a big distance between these locations; the 4th is more central, but Strasbourg-St Denis is still central Paris.  With the latter you'd have to change to get on the 7, but that wouldn't take much time or effort. 

I don't think you could go wrong either way.  For a short stay, perhaps space doesn't matter much, and so perhaps better to be in walking distance of more places, by being in the 4th.  But you won't find it hard to use the Metro - it all works very well. 

Now, I'd go for a place in the 5th or 6th. 

[prof_tournesol]

Grypt is right - that's not a huge difference. I've stayed close to both locations and I greatly prefer being around Les Halles since it is more lively, but the differences are pretty negligible. From the Les Halles location I would think that Censier-Daubenton would be a nice walk, whereas you probably wouldn't necessarily want to make the walk all the way to or from Strasbourg - St Denis.

The neighborhood around Strasbourg-St Denis isn't a bad one, and it wouldn't be unsafe, so I don't think that's why the place would be less expensive. It's not as shopping or restaurant adjacent, which is probably the much more important factor

[pavlovian]

Thanks for the replies.  I'm realizing that my sense of scale of the city centre was inaccurate and some things are closer than I thought they were.

We'd most prefer to stay in the Latin Quarter, but the apartment agency sites we've looked at have availability mostly both below and above our target price/quality range (either grungy student hovels or luxury apartments) and not much in the mid-range.  Actually, there is plenty in the mid-range, but wiser travelers booked them up already.

It just so happens we'll be there for the Bastille Day.  What does an American in Paris do on Bastille Day?

[expatinuk]

What does an American in Paris do on Bastille Day?

Same thing a Frenchman would do in the States on the 4th of July... enjoy.

[prytania3]

I think one of the funniest things I ever saw was at Les Halles. There was a subway sign that said:

                        Porte de Cligancourt
                        Porte d'Orléans
                        Flatbush Avenue (spray painted)

I loved that. Anyway, I think it was Les Halles.

[katherineparr]

Have a look at www.vrbo.com. They're apartments rented out by the owners, and there are lots in every quartier and it's less expensive than a hotel with more freedom.

Personally, I love Les Halles. So many restaurants, plus St. Eustache to hang out in. And you and your wife can walk over to the Marais for shopping and whatnot, and can walk to the Pompidou easily. I think I'd choose that one.

But vrbo might be able to offer you a rental in the Latin Quarter, too. Good luck, I'm jealous.

[expatinuk]

We use http://www.homelidays.com/EN-Holidays-Rental/100_Home/Home.asp?

Lots of Paris apartments.

[secretweapon]

Just avoid the Les Halles metro station at night - it's really sketchy.  Otherwise, the area's fine and I'd choose it over St Denis.  I've always thought of St Denis as a bit dangerous, but my impression could be quite out of date. 

[wegie]

The OP's talking about the Strasbourg St Denis metro station area rather than St Denis itself. Les Halles metro at night depends on whether you've got to negotiate the long tunnels of the Chatelet/Les Halles intersections, which I quite agree are not at all my cup of tea at night.

[secretweapon]

The OP's talking about the Strasbourg St Denis metro station area rather than St Denis itself.

Got it, thanks! 

[bewildered]

With the price of the Euro, you might consider instead:

http://www.ci.paris.tx.us/city_website_2000/visitors/visitors.htm

[pavlovian]

With the price of the Euro, you might consider instead:

http://www.ci.paris.tx.us/city_website_2000/visitors/visitors.htm

Keeping an eye on flight prices, it may end up being Paris, TX after all.

[peitho]

If you are planning vacation time as well as the conference, stay in the 4th.  There is better shopping, better walking and a number of good restaurants--very lively, and your wife will thank you, as the sales start in July.  And it's within walking distance of where you will be during the conference.

For Bastille Day, go to any one of the fire stations for a good time and a real Parisian experience:  the Bal des Pompiers.  And watch the fireworks from the river.

No recommendations on Paris, TX.

[bookishone]

I had my pocket picked in Les Halles. Not that it couldn't have happened anywhere else. But do remember that where crowds congregate in any big city, so do those who want to prey on them.