Paris 5th Arr. Hotels

I don’t understand Rick Steves’ preference for staying near Rue Cler and its market for example which pre-pandemic is full of tourists. We much preferred the 5th Arr and Rue Mouffetard — not many tourists and one of the best local markets I’ve ever seen.

We recommend Hôtel Le Clos Médicis which borders the 6th & 5th arr & is just two blocks from the Luxembourg gardens & a 4 minute walk from the Luxembourg commuter rail station RER B that takes you quickly & comfortably to/from CDG in under 45 minutes. No need to change trains; no need to deal with stairwells and luggage.

This small hotel is absolutely lovely.

I’d definitely choose Latin Quarter over Rue Cler. The location is very convenient.

I like staying in the 14th, but am also a fan of Hotel Diana on Rue St. Jacque in the 5th. Last time i stayed there was June 2019 and I paid 98 euros for a single (and they have air conditioning). If you do end up booking a place in 5th or 6th and would like some food recommendations, let me know and I’d be happy to pass along.

I also prefer the 5th to the 7th. I’ve stayed in both. The 5th, in my opinion, is more convenient. If you really want to see Rue Cler you can see it without staying there. I’ve stayed in 2 apartments and one hotel in the 5th. What is your budget?

Now I'm wondering where I found the hotel I stayed at. https://dauphine-st-germain.com/ which is in the Latin Quarter and an 8 minute walk to your suggested hotel. My experience in Paris is limited to 2 days in 2019 but we never felt unsafe in this district at all. It is very touristy, so maybe that's why RS ignores it as a place to stay.

I like staying in the 6th - St. Germaine. My granddaughter and I enjoyed our stay at Grand Hotel des Balcons. Lovely place not far from Luxembourg Jardin and some of the museums you are considering.

I love the 5th, it’s very central. I’m not a fan of rue Cler and it’s not central. Lots of good hotels in the 5th. RS used to recommend some, don’t know why he doesn't now. In the 5th, i can recommend Hotel Diana, Hotel St Jacques, Hotel du Pantheon and Hotel des Grands Hommes. I like being as close to the river as possible. We’ve stayed at Hotel des Grandes Ecoles but it’s not central enough for me (and it’s over-priced imo). Booking.com is my preferred way of finding a hotel. All of Paris is very safe, rue Cler is not unique.

My 2010 version of the France guidebook recommends several hotels in the Latin Quarter, but I think he decided to focus his research and updating on fewer areas. We stayed at the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles, accurately described as "idyllic" in the 2010 book, near the Place Contrescarpe and Rue Mouffetard. It's currently closed, presumably because of Covid, but hopefully will reopen eventually.

I think the Latin Quarter is a fine area to stay in, as safe as anywhere in central Paris, convenient to lots of sights and well served by the Metro. It's full of good hotels at a range of prices, which you'll learn about from other posters. I have no quarrel with Rue Cler, especially if you want to meet lots of English-speaking people carrying around blue and yellow guidebooks, and if day-and-night proximity to the Eiffel Tower is a high priority for you.

EDIT -- Susan and I cross-posted. She is of course right about all things Paris. Hotel des Grandes Ecoles is not as central as some others, and costs more than some (and less than others).

You are too kind Dick...

horsewoofie, also consider staying in the Marais (3rd and 4th arrondissement), I love this area. My all-time favorite area is Ile St Louis, only 4 hotels there but all are excellent.

horsewoofie, I would agree with Susan to think about Le Marais. We loved the Marais vibe, convenient location to sites, wonderful restaurants, and the metro just around the corner. We stayed 5 nights at the quaint Hôtel Caron de Beaumarchais. [email protected]

Thanks everyone! My solo budget is about €100/night for four nights. When I could get a quote from Hotel du Levant it was slightly below that and the Booking.com reviews were good. Whenever possible I book directly with the hotel but research on Booking.com, Trip Advisor, looking at the hotel's website and bookmarking comments here on the forum. I know lots of things will or can change before I can travel in spring or fall 2022 (hopefully). I'm looking at the hotels you suggested and will definitely be asking for restaurant recommendations. And asking lots more questions...

Well la-dee-da -- all you highonthehog folks with 100 euro budgets for lodging!
If you want to get a look at how the young working professionals live,
try the 15th along Boulevard Garibaldi --
if you pick one of the many hotels between Segur metro and Cambronne metro (Garibaldi Square is a great multi-intersection hangout), so that you can get on either the 6 line or the 8 line conveniently,
you'll find nice lodging for half the price in 3-star hotels -- and that's not even including the Ibis franchises, just the independent spots.
People are always saying they want to see the real Paris - here's your chance.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/square+Cambronne/@48.8470185,2.3019133,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x47e67024d733505d:0x40e53e7ab98a10b6!2zU8OpZ3Vy!8m2!3d48.8470891!4d2.3074708!3m4!1s0x47e670233d3536c7:0xef6c88084c96177b!8m2!3d48.848427!4d2.3018932

(spoiler alert: it's like Brooklyn with narrower sidewalks)

Avirosemail, sounds like you’re having a bad day. €100/day looks very affordable for 5th arr. I appreciate everyone who answered my question and gave useful advise/recommendations.

At this stage of my life convenience means a lot. I spent too many years camping, sleeping on people’s floors and house boating on Lake Shasta with 16 people on a 12-person houseboat. But those are other stories....

We stayed for 2 mos in the area Avi recommends, it’s not my favorite area at all and not central, but it’s perfectly fine.
Be aware though, hotel “stars” in France are not the same as in the US, a 3 Star hotel doesn’t mean it will be clean or nice. €100/night in Paris is not “high on the hog”. And this area is no more “the real Paris” than any other neighborhood in Paris.

horsewoofie, we were writing/posting at the same time... I agree with what you wrote, and i agree about convenience.
Yes, the Métro can take you anywhere, but staying in the heart of Paris and being able to walk outside and already be in a great and convenient area is worth a lot to me.

Another vote against Rue Cler. Unless you just want to hang out with a bunch of other people reading RS guide books, and wondering why they are so far from most of the sights. I imagine when Rick first went there, it may have been nicer, and further from the crowds. But his success can ruin a place in short order. I usually stay either in the 5th, or near Gare Saint-Lazare (2/8/9), from where I can jump on a train to Normandy!

I should have added an explicit " /s " tag or tongue-in-cheek emoticon " ;-P " to my post above so that you would take it as intended.

Regarding convenience and the importance of location, I also prefer the 3rd (Marais, preferably haut) and being in the midst of what I want to see even when there's easy transit access. OTOH, if I was settling in for a spell, I would nowadays lean more towards the Parc Monceau or Levis street area, if I could find an affordable atelier up in the eaves.

I will never quite understand the allure of Rue Cler. I would definitely do the Quartier Latin. Check out the Hotel Monge. They tend ot have great deals and it is just beautiful. Plus it's right next to the Arenes de Lutece.

Most of the hotels mentioned above are now closed. Some are renovating, some are just on hold, and some may never return. It is too early to tell what will happen. One thing is certain, renovated hotels seldom maintain their price points. Most upgrade and room rates follow. I expect the hotel picture will change dramatically by the summer of 2022 when hopefully, tourism returns.

The 5th has a number of excellent hotel choices, particularly for those having modest budget windows. However, it is still very early to understand what the options will ultimately be.

Rue Mouffetard has MORE tourists than Rue Cler. (Rue Cler has yet to sprout alley offshots of nothing but "tourist trap resturants"
(And there are LOTS better markets)

personally I didn't like Latin Quarter because it makes Rue Cler looks like a locals only area.

I do stay a lot in the 14th and enjoy it so being "centrally located' is not a deal breaker for me. Has a nice market street too

(Another great market where you will see practically NO tourists is the Saturday market in St. Germain-en-Laye)

That said Pairs (before the pandemic) had literally THOUSANDS of hotels. I expect even Rick would admit he's probably not reporting every good option out there LOL No one could the guidebook would just be hunderds of pages of hotel listings : )

https://www.statista.com/statistics/630596/number-of-hotels-iin-greater-paris-by-hotel-rating/
In 2018, the largest number of hotels in Paris and its region was 3-star hotels. That year, there were 784 3-star hotels in Greater Paris, compared to 469 4-star hotels and 250 2-star hotels. The French capital had more than 2,000 hotels in 2018.

Another great market where you will see practically NO tourists is the Saturday market in St. Germain-en-Laye

No need to travel to St Germain en Laye, the best market in Paris where you will see no tourists is Marché Convention in the 15th every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.

In the 5th I have stayed at the following: Hoterl Minerve & Hotel des Carmes. Both inexpensive but nice. The neighborhood is great. Never felt unsafe.

However, now we stay in the 8th at Hotel Alison. Quiet and ultra-safe in the diplomatic area. Price is usually reasonable but love the accommodations and location.

I haven’t stayed in hotels in the 5th but have used 3 apartment rentals. I liked staying closer to rue Mouffetard rather than near St Michel metro stop.

rue Cler, area; I like the area myself and have stayed near there in the 7th and 15th in hotel and rentals. Near the metro stop Motte Piquet Grenelle is a good choice as it has 3 metro lines there.

I want to reiterate what Susan wrote.....hotel stars in France are different than anywhere else. It has a lot to do with amenities and room size and the way the hotel is operated.

Here is a guide that explains what each star refers to:

https://www.parisdiscoveryguide.com/paris-hotel-star-ratings.html

Frank II, thanks for the helpful link. I looks at reviews instead of stars but this is very good to know.

I also like the 5th arrondissement.
I've stayed twice in an apartment on Boulevard St. Michel, and really enjoyed the nonstop ease of getting there from the airport via the RER B, walking everywhere, the great bus routes that serve the area, and markets both outdoor and indoor grocery stores nearby.
Also the proximity to the Jardin de Luxembourg.
See if you can find a hotel that has a view of the Eiffel Tower from the room window, as then you can see the sparkly light show each night; something I loved when in my apartment at night.
I've been to Paris a few times, and last visit I thought I'd see what all the fuss was about on the Rue Cler.
I walked half a block, and turned around and got back on the Metro to go elsewhere.
Just a lot of overpriced food shops and Chinese eateries.
Not impressed.

We enjoyed the location and lodging at Hotel Excelsior Latin in the 5th arr. a few years back. The proximity to many interesting sights and stores to explore was great. We needed two joined rooms for five...I’m not sure how their rates compare for a single, as they are closed right now. I would stay there again, though.

In a heat wave, I really appreciated their AC and access to their ice machine! That was a first for me in Paris. I carried a small thermos on that trip, and the ability to have ice water was a real help on those searing hot days.

Laurie

I actually like the 9th. If you stay away from the Moulin Rouge area, the rest is pretty good. The Moulin Rouge has a lot of tourists in the evenings. Otherwise, the 9th is a 20 minute bus ride or 25 minute walk to the 1st and 2nd. We usually walk down to the river and come out around the Louvre. We shop the shops beside the Louvre, and stroll down the river, stopping for coffee and deserts. We also cross the river and stroll around the area around Notre Dame. Shopping, or at least looking at the stores in Les Halles and Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, Le Bon Marché, etc. can be fun. Shopping there in July, they have great sales.

I have been renting a studio in the 9th for the past 15 years, so I am not up to date on hotel prices in Paris. However, I do use airbnb a lot in other countries, It would be worth a look to see what is offered. VRBO is also another option.

I do not recommend the Barbes area. That is the only place in Paris that I felt unsafe, and I have been going to Paris since 1998.

We've stayed at Hotel des Deux Continents in the 6th a couple of times. Fabulous location!