B&B recommendation Paris

FWIW. B&B is not really a thing in Paris; you may find a few but there are not many.

Thank you so much for responding JanetTravels44. Do you happen to have a suggestion for a place to stay that isn’t as tourist centered? We really want to experience Paris not get sucked up in the commercial Paris.
Thank you again for your reply.

Hotel Muget
Hotel Jules and Jim
Hotel Jean D’arc Les Marais

Can you clarify what you. mean by “commercial Paris”? Do you mean you want to avoid the high end shopping side of Paris or do you want to be in an area of the city that wholly removed from touristy Paris. And what is your budget and travel dates (as that can really affect rates)? Any other requirements?

We have reservations at Hotel College de France right in the Latin Quarter. Excellent reviews and family owned. Perhaps you could check that out?

Thank you everyone for your responses. What an amazing treasure of information. We are retiring in June 2024 and will be backpacking Europe for 3 months. Paris is one of our stops and I am currently working on trying to line up places etc so when it is possible to make reservations I am ready. Thank you all again I will check out your suggestions.

Most all of Paris is charming and wonderful. There isn’t really a tacky tourist area like SF or LA.

Most 1st time tourists to Paris stay in the 1st to 9th arrondissement. My recommendation is the 4th (the Marais and Ile St Louis), 5th (Latin Quarter) and 6th (St Germain). The 4th is my all time favorite area.

Lots of nice, charming hotels throughout Paris. And janet is right, B&Bs are not a thing in Paris. AirBnB is though.

I use Booking.com to find hotels, it’s the best way imo. Reviews can’t be fake like most other sites.

You posted in the right place… : )

Thank you so much Susan.

I'd want to spend at least a week. There is a lot to be said for staying fairly centrally on a first visit. We preferred the 5th and 4th(Latin Quarter and Marais) on our first trips -- later we have really liked the 14th, 18th and 17th.

I'd look for an apartment and save by managing much of your food at 'home' -- even if you eat dinner out most days you save a bundle with breakfast and assembling picnics at the apartment. Pick a full week Mon-Sun, get a Navigo Decouverte transport pass and enjoy zipping around the ile de France. Two weeks would be even better.

So welcome ysbeerman. I always want people to have a good time in my home town.

Good point from janet, Monday-Sunday is ideal for Navigo Découverte métro and bus pass. And the more time in Paris the better.

Parisbytrain.com will explain the métro and passes.

For me, the most enjoyable way to visit is to walk all over (especially along the river), take your time, allow for serendipity, sit outside at cafés, and be sure to visit the Luxembourg Gardens in the 6th.

Paris, for me, isn’t checking off a list of tourist sites, it’s walking, exploring and enjoying.

As a side note, be sure to always say Bonjour/Bonsoir Madame/Monsieur before speaking to anyone in any situation, and always when you enter a shop. Most French people are wonderful but they value politeness.

We loved staying at the Alba Opera Hotel in the 9th. Quiet neighborhood with lots of non touristed restaurants. The hotel is rather funky but reasonable, charming and on a quiet street. Easy walk to Rue des Martyrs, Monmarte. We typically walked to the main sites, but on rainy says took the nearby bus too. We booked a room with a small balcony and French door

Thank you so much Becky, I truly appreciate your input.

Janettravels44 what website did you use to look for apartments. Airbnb just seems to charge such high added fees, so you have any other sites for Paris?
Thank you again, you are a treasure of knowledge.

I’ve used ParisAttitude.com three times and was happy with them.