I'm planning on taking a 2 month class at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris in the Fall/Winter. I believe the Le Cordon Blue is in the 15th arrondissement Though

I've been to Paris several times, I don't recall much about the 15th. Is that area generally safe? Ideally I'd like to stay within walking distance of the school, but I'm not finding many apartments for rent in the 15th on vrbo.com.

Any suggestions on other areas I might stay? Safety for a non-speaker and proximity to the school are my two primary concerns.

Thanks for any help or advice!

Check out these apartments in the 15th. You have to scroll down a bit to get to those in the 15th.

Bobette

I like that area very much (in fact, I'll be moving over there next month). It's a more of a "real" Parisian neighborhood than a touristy one, but there are lots of shops and services and everything you could possibly need close at hand, including a nice outdoor market on rue de la Convention three times a week. Safety is not a concern (well, at least no more than in any other nice area). You have several bus lines right there as well as metro line 12, with other lines not too terribly far away.

Check out http://www.parissweethome.com as they have some apartments over in that area. I have stayed in one on rue de la Convention and overall was pleased with it.

You might also find something through http://www.lodgis.com/.

(Note that those two places are both agencies and do charge an agency fee.)

Also there were a couple of recent ads on craigslist:
http://paris.craigslist.org/apa/364779066.html
http://paris.craigslist.org/apa/360506545.html

I haven't looked on craigslist in the short-term section, but you might check that out as well.

Good luck with your search. Enjoy your stay!

Are there any areas in the 15th I should avoid? I've heard I should avoid living near Place Catalogne, is that true?

Thanks!

The Place Catalogne is actually in the 14th, though not far from the 15th. On one side of it is Montparnasse and all its train tracks, and the other side is pretty much an ordinary Parisian middle-class neighborhood as far as I can tell, though I've always been there during the day and early evening hours so can't say what it's like later at night.

Would you mind sharing why it should be avoided, according to what you've heard? I admit that surprises me, so I'm curious to know the reason behind it.

Same for me, I'd be curious to hear that - never heard of anything myself ! Thanks !
Otherwise, I completely agree with iff's comment and I think 15th arrondissement is a nice area to live in - I lived there for some time near "Convention" subway; also because it is less 'touristy' housing is a bit less expensive than in many other areas.

J-

A lady at one of the rental agencies advised that I stay farther from Place Catalogne and closer to the northwest section of the 15th. She didn't mention any specifics other than it was a nicer neighborhood and safer.

I'm still looking though, and am surprised at how much the agencies charge for a short rental. It's good to hear so many good things about the 15th though, I'm looking forward to being a resident in Paris even if it's only for a month and a half.