Lodging Near the Orsay and Rodin Museums

This is not bait and switch Rick Steves Books do not own the hotel they recommend. You are wasting your time booking a hotel recommended by any travel guide book, Maybe Rick Steves books went during the raining season.

I live in a tourist attraction city and see prices do not stay the same all year round anywhere you go.

Even if you have a 2018 RS book, the data used to write the book may be 1-2 years old by the time its printed. The books are best used to gauge relative costs between hotels, not a guarantee. What day are you looking for? Like any hotel, prices go up during high demand periods, like conventions or major events.

We are staying in Paris Sept. 28th and 29th and checking out on the 30th..

I believe that is the heart of Paris Fashion Week, as well as September being prime convention month.

Stan's exactly right. Probably the single most expensive time of the year for lodging in Paris.

Right now, on AirBnB, there are at least 14 accommodations available in that neighborhood for those dates at or below the $150 price point. I cannot say all are licensed, but you could certainly check. Good luck!!

Try looking further afield and not just near the two museums in your OP.

bnelson210,
You said there are at least 14 accommodations in the area we are looking for on AirBnB. What did you search on to find that specific neighborhood? We have so little time that we were hoping to stay close to the museums I mentioned. Thanks so much for looking this up for me --I really appreciate it!

They have a "map" view that you can zoom into a specific neighborhood and have it search only in that area . . . add in a filter for price . . . et voila!

Big website booking agencies such as Hotels.com, Booking.com and lots of others have maps which show you the hotels in certain areas. I also use Google Maps. Type in d'Orsay museum, click on Nearby and then Hotels. The prices that pop up on the map are not connected to reality but usually a link is supplied.
It is my superficial impression than the area you are focusing on is rather thinly serviced by hotels, cafes, and mass transit.
And yes, fall is an expensive season in Paris. I am holding an early-October reservation, not in that area, that made my eyes water when I saw the total price.

Try also booking.com. All of their apartment rentals are supposed to be legal. You might not find availability during that very busy season for just two nights. Or you could find your apartment registration cancelled if owner gets a better offer. No guarantees. In your situation, a hotel makes more sense.

I looked at the website for Rick's recommended Hotel Eber Mars and it
said rooms from 80 Euros. But when I tried to make reservations for
two people in a room with twin beds it gave the price starting at 223
Euros a night! I really feel like this is bait and switch!

I will certainly appreciate any help -- Thanks in advance!

Please provide the link in which the prices for the Hotel Eber Mars were given. I have the RS Paris 2017 travel book and didn't see the info you saw.

Now for the accusation of "bait and switch". Is this your first time traveling? I ask because hotel rooms during the most popular and heavy touristed travel periods are going to be much more expensive than the quieter times of year. It's simple supply & demand.

To determine if you were deceived by Rick Steves, we need to see that link you mentioned on the RS website.

What is your Plan B - maybe we can help you with that? What's your budget range? What do you want to do and see during your visit?

We stayed at the Hotel du Varenne several years ago ( the price has risen significantly since then!), which is just blocks from the Rodin museum. At that time, this area of the 7th was not a "tourist" area, meaning active during the day, but pretty closed down at night. Things may have changed as far as restaurants, etc..since we were there, but most of the hotels showing in that area are above your price point for that time frame.

We have so little time that we were hoping to stay close to the museums I mentioned.

Franci, how much time do you have?

I also suggest you broaden your search. Paris has a wonderful Metro system. You can get anywhere in 30-45 minutes or less. For instance, we stayed near the Catacombs. It was a 5 minute walk to the Glaciere Metro station. From there, the Musee d'Orsay was a 30 minute ride with one transfer. Easy.

I also highly recommend the Paris Metro app. It allows you to enter your destination and it will show the route, any transfers you need to make and how long it will take to get there.

The Musee d'Orsay opens at 9:30. You could leave early, stop for a quick breakfast (if needed) and be there when they opened. The Rodin Museum is a 15 minute walk from the d'Orsay.