STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

I've lived in Paris and the surrounding area, and the easiest would be if you gave me the address/metro stop of whatever you're looking at.  But here are some general guidelines:

First of all, Paris is organized into arrondissements.  Any place that you look at should list what arrondissement it is in.  If it doesn't, ask.

Good arrondissements:  parts of 1, 2, all of 5, 6, 7, 8, 11

Good areas:  Le Marais, Latin Quarter

There are obviously more good arrondissements than what I listed, but for being a tourist those are the best.  11 has great night life, the others are all very central.  You could probably walk to most of what you wanted to see.

Try looking at www.fusac.org for listings as well.  It's the magazine for american expats in paris.

what a great trip! le marais is my favorite area in paris by far ! very walkable, picturesque, but bustling w/tons of cafes, shops and lots of history.

if you end up going to italy let me know !