Paris Quiz

1. This is where the 7th Arrondissement meets the 6th, full of historic churches, cafes, bistros, shopping, and walking distance to almost all of Paris’s most famous attractions such as Notre Dame Cathedral, The Louvre, and the Musee d'Orsay. Several different metro lines (and stops) pass through the area, making it easy to get to anywhere else. This is the heart of the Left Bank, home to artists and writers, just next to the famed “Latin Quarter” full of Sorbonne students. It tends to be bustling along the main avenues, with quieter, small back streets and squares. Hotels in this area are nearly all well located (walking from the Luxembourg gardens up to the Seine is only about 20 minutes), and often are smaller, more boutique-style options. Apartment options abound, but may tend to be quite small! Budget: $$ to $$$$. Julia’s Pick: Hotel Bel-Ami****

This mix of arrondissements (mostly the 3rd and 4th) is the oldest part of Paris, and now contains some of the hippest neighborhoods, along with the famed Jewish quarter. The three “corners” of this triangle (Chatelet, Republique, and Bastille) are quite busy and crowded (and the area right by the Chatelet – Les Halles RER station, in particular, can get a bit seedy at night). But from the Georges Pompidou Museum of Modern Art towards the middle of the triangle it is more peaceful and residential. Plus it’s only a 20-30 minute walk between each “corner”. Cute pedestrian streets packed with sidewalk cafes, trendy restaurants, the best falafel in town, amazing classic architecture, and cutting edge museums and art galleries highlight the area. This is also the LGBT-friendliest part of Paris. Hotels tend to be smaller, and there are a LOT of rental apartments in this area as well. Nearly everything in the city is walkable from this popular neighborhood, though tons of metros give you options as well. Budget: $$ to $$$$. Julia’s Pick: Pavillon de la Reine*****

2. There is NO monument in Paris more recognizable than the Eiffel Tower. It completely dominates not only the skyline, but the entire 7th arrondissement, which is actually quite large. That just means that much of this area is actually quite pleasant and calm, once you get away from the base of the tower. Government buildings, both historic and modern, populate the area, so it is mostly notable for an understated elegance. The restaurants tend to be traditional, and Rue Cler gives you one of the best pedestrian market streets in the city. With more of a residential feel to it, the center of this area is one of the few without a ton of metro stations, so be prepared for a bit more walking, though it is only a half hour walk from the base of the tower to Les Invalides (for example). There are a lot of smaller, boutique-style hotels, some with excellent value for the location. Views of the tower are usually just peeks, though they do exist and can be fantastic. Budget: $$ to $$$ Julia’s Pick: Hotel Duquesne Eiffel****

3. The famous Champs-Elysees, George V, and Arc de Triomphe. The Peninsula, the Lido, Fouquet’s. All legendary addresses, all maybe a bit overrated. The views from the Arc de Triomphe ARE fantastic, the hotels ARE elegant, but the grand avenue is a bit crowded with tourists, traffic, and giant car dealerships. Staying where the 16th meets the 8th arrondissement puts you in the midst of gorgeous architecture, excellent restaurants, and not too far from the major sites. The couture houses for crème de la crème of fashion are also located in this area. Views of the Eiffel tower are often possible. Hotels are generally a bit larger, a bit more corporate-style (especially near L’Etoile), and definitely posh. Budget: $$$$ Julia’s Pick: Hotel de Sers*****

4. The heart of the “Right Bank”, this mix of the 1st, 2nd, 8th, and 9th arrondissements goes from the President’s palace & embassies, to couture fashion houses, to antique shops & banks as you go from west to east. To the north the Opera, and the south the Louvre & Tuileries Gardens (only a 15 minute walk). The traffic around the Opera (and the mega department stores behind it) dull the shine a bit, and crowds at the Louvre can be daunting during the day, but the secluded gardens of the Palais Royal are always there for a quiet moment. It is also generally quieter in this part of town at night, once all the businesses close. If you're shopping for luxury designer wear, accessories and jewelry, you won't have far to carry your bounty home from the crème de la crème of boutiques located on and around Rue Faubourg St. Honore and Place Vendome. Nearly every hotel will be well-located, and there is a bit of a range of options… though most hotels are larger & luxurious, like the famous Ritz which reopened recently to great fanfare, or the venerable Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel with its famous Café de la Paix. Budget: $$$ - $$$$ Julia’s Pick: Grand Hotel du Palais Royale*****.