Originally Posted by notcasesensitive (Post 383982)

Yeah, I should post this on the vacation board, but I was hoping to actually get a response or two.

I'm looking into a quick Paris trip. I did study abroad in France a million and a half years ago (and I had a trip with my dad when I was 16 -- even longer ago), so I feel like I have all the touristy stuff covered. Maybe I would do one or two things again, but the main point of the trip would be to see the city again as an adult. Wander in gardens, sit at cafes, drink wine, etc. My question for all you world-traveled types is where would you stay for this sort of trip? My recollection is that the left bank was the sort of funky, fun area, but I have no idea whether that was correct at the time or if it is true today. Help?

Originally Posted by notcasesensitive (Post 383982)

Yeah, I should post this on the vacation board, but I was hoping to actually get a response or two.

I'm looking into a quick Paris trip. I did study abroad in France a million and a half years ago (and I had a trip with my dad when I was 16 -- even longer ago), so I feel like I have all the touristy stuff covered. Maybe I would do one or two things again, but the main point of the trip would be to see the city again as an adult. Wander in gardens, sit at cafes, drink wine, etc. My question for all you world-traveled types is where would you stay for this sort of trip? My recollection is that the left bank was the sort of funky, fun area, but I have no idea whether that was correct at the time or if it is true today. Help?

Originally Posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy (Post 383987)

Let me know if you get any useful private answers. I may have to spend a couple days in Paris next month. Never been there.

Originally Posted by Replaced_Texan (Post 383988)

My trips to Paris were always on the cheap, because I was a student both times I went. I stayed close to the Opera (Right Bank) both times, iirc, in a cheap one star hotel one level up from a hostel. If I recall, so long as you're relatively close to a Metro stop, you're pretty well set.

I also recall enjoying the Left Bank atmosphere more than the Right Bank, and one of my favorite days in Paris was just walking up and down the Sienne, stopping at bistros and cafes as the mood struck.

Hmm. Maybe I need to go to Paris soon in order to refresh my recollection. I think it costs about the same as going to LA or New York these days.

Originally Posted by Replaced_Texan (Post 383988)

My trips to Paris were always on the cheap, because I was a student both times I went. I stayed close to the Opera (Right Bank) both times, iirc, in a cheap one star hotel one level up from a hostel. If I recall, so long as you're relatively close to a Metro stop, you're pretty well set.

I also recall enjoying the Left Bank atmosphere more than the Right Bank, and one of my favorite days in Paris was just walking up and down the Sienne, stopping at bistros and cafes as the mood struck.

Hmm. Maybe I need to go to Paris soon in order to refresh my recollection. I think it costs about the same as going to LA or New York these days.

Originally Posted by Replaced_Texan (Post 383988)

so long as you're relatively close to a Metro stop,

Originally Posted by Pretty Little Flower (Post 383994)

Left Bank is fun and generally cheap, and is where I have always stayed, but the Marais is a great neighborhood too. It might be more expensive to stay there. The Picasso Museum may fall under the definition of touristy, but I consider it a "must see." On a more discretionary note, there is club on a boat that stays open super later on Saturday night that is a fun, albeit surreal way to spend the early morning hours in Paris. If you stay long enough, you can catch the first Sunday metro home.

Originally Posted by notcasesensitive (Post 383982)

Yeah, I should post this on the vacation board, but I was hoping to actually get a response or two.

I'm looking into a quick Paris trip. I did study abroad in France a million and a half years ago (and I had a trip with my dad when I was 16 -- even longer ago), so I feel like I have all the touristy stuff covered. Maybe I would do one or two things again, but the main point of the trip would be to see the city again as an adult. Wander in gardens, sit at cafes, drink wine, etc. My question for all you world-traveled types is where would you stay for this sort of trip? My recollection is that the left bank was the sort of funky, fun area, but I have no idea whether that was correct at the time or if it is true today. Help?

Originally Posted by Pretty Little Flower (Post 383994)

Left Bank is fun and generally cheap, and is where I have always stayed, but the Marais is a great neighborhood too. It might be more expensive to stay there. The Picasso Museum may fall under the definition of touristy, but I consider it a "must see." On a more discretionary note, there is club on a boat that stays open super later on Saturday night that is a fun, albeit surreal way to spend the early morning hours in Paris. If you stay long enough, you can catch the first Sunday metro home.

Originally Posted by notcasesensitive (Post 384001)

I love the Picasso Museum. I kept a poster that I had from there (that at some point graced my dorm walls) until my very last move last summer. I will go back.

What about staying across from Tuilleries on the right bank? It looks like it would be pretty close to get over to fun left bank neighborhoods and I could use Starwood points at the Westin. Because that is how I roll. Cheap = good; free = better.

RT, airfare from LA right now is $460 ($600 once you wrap in the taxes and fees).

Originally Posted by notcasesensitive (Post 384001)

I love the Picasso Museum. I kept a poster that I had from there (that at some point graced my dorm walls) until my very last move last summer. I will go back.

What about staying across from Tuilleries on the right bank? It looks like it would be pretty close to get over to fun left bank neighborhoods and I could use Starwood points at the Westin. Because that is how I roll. Cheap = good; free = better.

RT, airfare from LA right now is $460 ($600 once you wrap in the taxes and fees).

Originally Posted by notcasesensitive (Post 384001)

What about staying across from Tuilleries on the right bank? It looks like it would be pretty close to get over to fun left bank neighborhoods and I could use Starwood points at the Westin. Because that is how I roll. Cheap = good; free = better.

Originally Posted by Tyrone Slothrop (Post 384007)

Originally Posted by notcasesensitive (Post 383982)

Yeah, I should post this on the vacation board, but I was hoping to actually get a response or two.

I'm looking into a quick Paris trip. I did study abroad in France a million and a half years ago (and I had a trip with my dad when I was 16 -- even longer ago), so I feel like I have all the touristy stuff covered. Maybe I would do one or two things again, but the main point of the trip would be to see the city again as an adult. Wander in gardens, sit at cafes, drink wine, etc. My question for all you world-traveled types is where would you stay for this sort of trip? My recollection is that the left bank was the sort of funky, fun area, but I have no idea whether that was correct at the time or if it is true today. Help?