Paris English Forums

Tsara · Paris Forum Guest

My husband and I will be staying in the 12th Arrondisement. Does anyone have info about what it is like? Is it dangerous?

Tomcik · Paris Forum Guest

The 12th arrondissement has a 'mix' of neighborhoods but most will be perfectly 'safe' most times of night or day. Odds are that your hotel will either be located in the immediate vicinity of Place de la Bastille/Paris Opera (the building is an architectural 'horror' but the accoustics are extraordinaary) or Gare de Lyon. In either case, you should be just fine. Three Metro lignes connect at the BASTILLE station, providing you with relatively convenient access to most of the sights and attractions of Paris. The neighborhoods of the 3rd & 4th arrondissements--the Marais---are only a few blocks to the west and are interesting to stroll around in--Place des Vosges, Musee Carnavalet, Musee Picasso, Musee Cognacq-Jay,etc. The Marais neighborhoods are also great for shopping on Sundays, when much of the rest of the stores and shops in Paris are closed. The area of rue des Francs Bourgeois (and the side streets) to the Centre Pomdidou have lots of interesting little shops to poke around in.