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Paris, early June, staying near Gare Montparnasse ??

Posted by (Bakersfield, CA) on

We'll be transiting from a RST ending in London to another RST tour starting 5 days later in Bayonne. We plan to spend the layover in Paris, some of which we've seen on a previous BOE 21 day tour a couple of years ago. We're coming in on a Monday via train from London and plan to leave from Gare Montparnasse early on Friday morning to reach Bayonne via TGV several hours before our tour begins the same day in Bayonne. Making the early train out of Montparnasse is critical. We will be using local public transit for all travel. Any suggestions/cautions about staying very near Montparnasse? Also, any suggestions for sights to see? We're planning the Louvre, Montmartre, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe. Are all easily reachable by transit, with some walking, from Montparnasse? We did get to see several non-Louvre museums on our BOE trip.

Edit: Not really worried about terrorism. More about local crime hot spots excluding pickpockets. Also if we would have good access to transit, especially in evenings, from most any tourist area in Paris to Montparnasse.

Posted by
7825 posts

Nothing to worry about.
Edit: Agree The area by Montparnasse is big transportation hub like Sam from Greenbay said. I stayed here 3 years ago http://www.booking.com/Share-2aSH1U It was safe easy walk to transportation. There were just some homeless people sleeping outside around the train station late at night.

Posted by
20067 posts

We're planning the Louvre, Montmartre, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe. Are all easily reachable by transit, with some walking, from Montparnasse?

Yes, there are four Metro lines passing through the Gare Montparnasse area. Take the No 6 (direction Etoile) to Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. Take the No 12 (direction Porte de la Chappelle) to the Louvre (get off at Concorde and walk through the Tuilieries Garden), or Montmartre. The normal stop would be Abbesses, but I understand the elevator is down for replacement. I think Lamarck Caulaincourt instead. Stay tuned on the RATP website.
Assuming you are arriving on the Eurostar, take the No 4 Metro from Gare du Nord to Montparnasse.

Posted by
2466 posts

I would book the Ibis or Mercure for a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower.

You will be right next to the station.

Posted by
2544 posts

Hard to suggest hotels without a budget window in euros. I have always thought the hotels along rue Delambre, just to the east of Montparnasse, might be a good option.

Consider purchasing a Navigo Découverte card at 5€. Add your photo and print your name on the card in the space provided and charge it with a week long zone 1-5 fare, about 22.80€. It will take you anywhere you might want to go.

Posted by
4037 posts

For less stress, I would consider moving to Bayonne Thursday afternoon, leaving behind the worry of train delays/disruptions/strikes upsetting your deadline for the tour.

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