We have reserved at a hotel in the LQ near metro Lemoine stop. The hotel received favorable reviews on this website. But I just read Rick Steve%26#39;s book on Paris and he seems to think LQ is for %26quot;tired tourists%26quot;---no longer a nice place to stay particularly. Can anyone give us some advice about this?
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I%26#39;m afraid Rick Steves gets a little carried away with things, and this is one of them. Not knowing what Mr. Steves considers a %26quot;tired tourist%26quot;, the Latin Quarter is still the quintessential Paris it has been since the 1800���s. It may at times be overrun with tourist, but you have to remember that a number of those tourist are from France herself and not just foreigners gawking at the sights and the lights. The LQ has all the character and characters one could hope for. And it has it���s own style. One can%26#39;t visit Paris without spending at least a little time in the Latin Quarter. It is Paris. Ask anyone, except Rick Steves.
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Perhaps Steve%26#39;s is refering to the fact the LQ is so centrally located to all the major sites that you won%26#39;t have to do as much walking as those staying in other neighborhoods? I don%26#39;t know. I can tell you that his books are held in great disregard by most of the english language bookshops in Paris. His information is too often out of date and seems to be gleened from other guidebooks.
The Latin Quarter is fun, picturesque and has some good places to dine, especially going down towards the Place Monge and the rue Mouffetard. Avoid the restaurants along the pedestrian rue de Hachette, refered to locally as bacteria alley.
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yeah i have rick steves too... and he did say the latin quarter was one of the dissapointments of paris. but dont listen to him.
i dont like how he says that, and alot of his book seems to have a structure to it with his planned walks and wall, where other books have a freedom about them and plan on the visitor doing whatever they want
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We always refer to Lonely Planet and Rick Steves guidebooks.
Rick Steves has always been a good source for us...he was right on for our trip last year to Rome...
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I certainly can%26#39;t speak to why Rick Steve might feel that way about the 5th-Latin Quarter....but it runs contrary to everything, everyone else says about these interesting, active and lively neighborhoods of the 5th. Steve seems to have a fondness for the 7th-Invalides/Ecole Militaire %26#39;enclave%26#39; centered around the rue Cler market street--a pleasant enough spot.. I say %26#39;enclave%26#39; because once beyond this small neighborhood, the rest of the 7th tends to be residential/institutional/commercial, with the livliest spot in the neighborhood being the Ecole Militaire Metro station, usually filled with people either %26#39;commuting%26#39; to or from %26#39;..somewhere else..%26#39; in Paris--the Latin Quarter among these.
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Thank you all for your helpful opinions. First time visit for our family and I just didn%26#39;t want to be in the %26quot;wrong%26quot; place. Sounds like we were right about the Latin Quarter and staying there. And yes, Steves does seem to be biased towards Rue Cler area. Oh well.
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You%26#39;ll enjoy the Latin Quarter. If you need any restaurant recommendations, reasonably priced, let me know.
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Perhaps he likes the rue Cler area because it is a mini American ghetto... many expat families live nearby and you can fill up on US supplies at the Real McCoy, makes him feel like he is home away from home. Misses the point for my travels, but it suits others, I am sure.
For your next trip check out Lonely Planet guides.
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I was also considering staying in the latin quarter this summer; until I read Rick Steve%26#39;s comments on it being for tired tourists. I am so glad I read this forum; he does recommend Rue Cler which puzzles me?
Maruzza
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I would love the names of some good inexpensive restaurants or bistros in the latin quarter.
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