What is Paris Arsenal Marina like?

[Nick2]

I have heard conflicting reports and wondered whether anyone out there has had any direct experience of the place?

Thanks

Nick

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[kimhollamby]

Mostly pretty good Nick. I've known about two spots of bother, one when one of the boats in an MBM Cruising Club fleet had a stone thrown at it which shattered a window; the other from one-time MBM contributor Derek Bowskill who apparently got mugged a few years back.

Club boats have been in there for around 30 days across several separate visits in the 1990s and the stone-throwing incident was the only issue. We haven't been there for about four years.

Flip side is great marina staff, very friendly, hopefully still run by harbourmaster Bernard, who speaks good English and goes out of his way to help. Electricity got converted to usual blue three pin type a few years back; water available (no diesel), showers, launderette. Plus you are right by the Bastille so very handy for everything.

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[tcm]

not stayed there with a boat but have wandered around it several times during numerous visits to Paris. It's not spanky-new, but not horridly ancient. I don't remember it being at all easy to get up to the boats from the pontoons which is a big plus. It not so much "close" to central paris but it actually IS in central paris - pretty much like being in a marina on the Embankment. City noise and not-too-clean air is part of the deal - otherwise you just wouldn't be there. I find central Paris fairly safe - safe enough to feel okay about letting kids 13+10 out on their own. I'd go, but be reasonable sensible regarding boat security and so on. I've never been close too being mugged but if you are worried, split up money, carry a rubbish wallet with old credit cards and 30 euros in it, and also (very good with meddish countries) get wifey to carry the money not you - they are so sexist that they are far less likely to confront her.

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[JEG]

We stayed there for a few days last year: Staff good, facilities tolerable, location superb, security/access - we did not have any problems & neither had the american couple nearby who had been moored there for several weeks. Watch out if you stay into the next month, I believe they alter the code for the access locks on gates at that time. Recommend Bofinger, rue de Bastille - old fashioned brasserie.

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[Nick2]

Thanks all but any chance of a bit of Kimerising here to delete this post and the mugging bit before Joanne sees it?


Also can you add in that there is a new branch of John Lewis nearby and that they are reopening the Paris Marks & Spencer just in time for the end of July.......

;-)

Nick

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