Does anyone know Paris well?

[Zerodarkforty]

Does anyone know Paris well? I want to book a trip but I’m feeling overwhelmed by all the different areas to stay in! We’re two females, so we want somewhere very safe. We’d like to visit the Moulin Rouge, the Palace of Versailles, Disneyland, and do some sightseeing. We love culture and food. Any other recommendations? Thanks!

Les Halles can be a bit dodgy imo. If you are looking for cheaper Montparnasse would be a good option. Ibis Styles hotels are modern but reasonably priced.

MiJE in the Marais. Cheap, clean, central.

It was, but decades ago, and mostly south of the arch. Now it's pretty gentrified, with lots of bars and restaurants. The odd sex shop, sure, but like Soho in London. It's certainly not somewhere I would be at all wary of going by myself at night.

Boulogne-Billancourt, is just outside the peripherique, but still on the metro. Most places in that quadrant are fairly decent. The north-east section is best avoided. Your biggest problem will be pick-pockets, so don't have your phone/purse in a back pocket and keep your bag closed.

Just an update: I’ve booked a hotel next to the Jardin du Luxembourg in the 6th arrondissement. I can’t wait now!
We’re heading there next month, so if anyone has any must-see places or great foodie spots to recommend, I’d love to hear them.
Thanks ☺️

I'm Parisian - stay away from Barbes and around Gare du Nord (won't really be dangerous but can be annoying) and you'll be just fine.

My favourite area is 13th, around la Butte au Cailles. Its very authentic, few tourists, wonderful restaurants, and a short walk to la rue Mouffetard, Charonne, Bastille etc...

And near the gorgeous Jardin des Plantes.

Come on North East quadrant? So you'll miss the coolest parts of Paris: Canal St Martin, Le Marais, Charonne, Bastille, Menilmontant, Gambetta, Montmartre....

Boulogne Billancourt is perfect if you want to buy stocks, but it's boring, it's like staying in Canary Wharf in London and avoiding Islington.

OP you picked the perfect spot, it's absolutely lovely around there, you'll love it!

My favourite places that I return to which will all be in walking distance or a couple of metro stops away:

Musee D'Orsay, full of impressionists
L'Orangerie for Monet's waterlillies, don't miss this
Musee Rodin, small with a lovely garden
Marais, for a good wander around
Notre Dame, now it's been restored
Le Bon Marche for shopping, so close to your hotel and it has an incredible food hall
and the Luxembourg Gardens are perfect to sit and people watch.

I want to go now! Bring your most comfortable shoes and have a great time!

Thank you so much 😊

I know you've booked now, but if anyone else is looking I've stayed at Hôtel Mercure Paris Notre-Dame Saint-Germain-des-Prés a few times now. You can get it fairly cheaply, and I've always felt safe in the area. Lots of well priced bars/restaurants and close to transport.

Any recommendations if I want to prioritise seeing Notre Dame and a day trip to Versailles? Again it's nice to hear from people you lived /stay there about good neighbourhoods .

Notre Dame is right in the centre of Paris. (Literally — all road distances in the country are measured from ‘Point Zero’ on the square in front of Notre Fame.) Versailles is outside the city to the south-west, and most easily reached via train from the Gare Montparnasse. Up to you where you stay, really. Paris is very easy to get around on foot and public transport.