Paris Arrondissements-Which to stay or Avoid?

[NewTraveller]

My 3 girlfreinds and I are renting an apartment in Paris for a week as we would have spent the other two in numerous hostels and the price will be about the same. We've narrowed it to three which are in the 18th, 15th, and 12th district. We were leaning towards one in the 18th, which I beleive is Montmatre and were excited as it sound like it has much character, but we've alo read that it may be a little bit of a sketchy or dangerous area. What do people know about these areas in terms of safety? Any recommendatins on districts to avoid?

[WillTravel]

Could you provide the addresses of each? That can make a big difference. Some areas of the 18th are in a major porno-shop district, and some are charming and village-like. The 15th is fine all over, but may be a bit boring (although it's a good base for sure). I don't know enough about the 12th to say much, but I think it's the same thing too - can be good or mediocre.

I think you'll be safe in all of those areas; it's just a matter of which is most pleasant and central.

[NewTraveller]

Thanks for the tip Will. The listing for the 18th didn't provide an adress and only gave a description which said: "5 minutes from the Haut de Montmarte, 10 minutes from the center of Paris, 7 minute walk from the Metro". The second for the 15th provided : 175 Rue Blomet, Paris 15". The 12th district listing said 3 minutes from the Rue Reuillydiderot metro.
I'm curious about the 18th now and wish she would have given us more detail. I've been to Paris once before and walked up to Sacre Cour, which was a lovely walk, but wondered about the other areas.

[WillTravel]

If none of the others are willing to be specific, I think I'd go with the specific one. That area in the 15th is a little far south, but would be perfectly OK (but like I said, maybe a bit boring). Many times when agents say "7 minutes from the metro", it means at a pace that isn't really obtainable by most humans. You can go to mappy.com and enter addresses in to see where they're located. Maybe see if they are willing to give you any more detail at all for those other two, but otherwise I wouldn't be interested (just me personally).

Use ratp.fr to figure out transit routes. I checked out how long it would take to get from 175 Rue Blomet to the Louvre (just as an example), and ratp.fr says 24 minutes, by taking Bus #39.

Use pagesjaunes.fr to see what the buildings and streets look like in the various areas.

I also suggest, if you are interested in apartments, to check out www.slowtrav.com and www.slowtalk.com - the people there are excellent at deciphering apartment information so they can probably help more specifically.

[NewTraveller]

Hi Will...and others ! We got a little more info so I thought I would post it in case you were familiar with this area in the 18th district. We're stongly leaning towards this apartment. The lady mentioined that the Appartement Haussmanien (not sure if that means the name of the apartment)is on Rue Pietonne, West of Montmarte. Here's the pic of the listing, which made us fall in love.....(I'll also try the links you suggested for info). Thanks in advance!

www.abritel.fr/uk/detail.php?wetyp=&retour=cvliste&wrefa=612542&d=20

[WillTravel]

Are you sure "Rue Pietonne" is the address? Nothing comes up in Mappy.com with that, and I know that term means "pedestrian street".

Hausmann architecture refers to a specific type of 19th century architecture - quite stately.

Edit: I googled for this apartment in French, and it's pretty clear that "rue pietonne" is not the address, but is referring to the pedestrian street.

It's a warning sign to me that the page does not say anything about proximity to the bus or metro.

It does look like a pretty apartment in a pretty area, based on the pictures.

[NewTraveller]

Ok Will, one more time. The owner of the apartment sent us he adress as we were requesting the contract. She provided :

5 rue Armand Gauthier 75018 Paris.

We'll wait to hear from you before we accept or go with our second option.
Again, GREATLY appreciated!!!!!

[WillTravel]

I'm glad you got an address.

You'd be best to ask someone really familiar with Paris, but no red flags jump out at me.

According to ratp.fr, you are about 9 minutes from the nearest metro station (Lamarck-Caulaincourt on Line 12). You are also close to various buses. So it will take a bit of time to get to central locations, but you would expect that being in the 18th.

I think this is considered to be a charming part of Montmartre, rather than a sleazy part, but like I said, best to ask someone who is very familiar. But that's my perception from my memory and looking at the streets.

I hope you report back on how it goes. That's such an excellent price.

[freshsprout]

Make sure if you're taking Le Metro at night, for all of you to stick together. There are a lot of drunk people neandering around the Montmartre/Moulin Rouge area in the wee hours and I got kind of roughed up by these 2 drunken idiots. But there may be a lot of tourists around to see the shows so just try to stick around them, and watch your belongings.

[pointofnoreturn]

Ditto on the late-night prowlers! I've been cat-called at and whistled at by creepy people when walking back to the hotel after a late night's dinner. Just utterly creepy, but nothing serious though. Just be aware is all I can say.

[madamtrashheap]

The address is on the opposite site of Montmatre to Pigalle (the red light district) and not far from the cemetery - pretty, not creepy! As WT writes, it's in the charming part, but just be aware if you walk up from Pigalle (aroudn the Moulin Rouge/Pl Blanche/Blvd de Clichy side at night - stick together but you'll also be amused that there is a sex shop, cabaret (Moulin Rouge, Le Chat Noir), pub, sex shop, ATM, cafe combination of venues on the streets of the main boulevard. And don't be tempted to go into any of the "dance clubs", they are strip joints that charge an exit fee!

Bon chance!

[me]

madamtrashheap said:

on the opposite site of Montmatre to Pigalle (the red light district)

know to GI's as Pig Alley!