My wife and I are adding to our Munich trip by flying into Paris for a few days then taking the train down to Munich. Since we are only going to be there from roughly May 2-6, I need a good place to stay. Nothing too expensive but a nice hotel, that's easy to get to from the airport and to the Gare De Les Train station. I'm sure I butchered that today so I apologize. We just want somewhere that's nice but is within easy access to the major sights that is easy to navigate. Also, are there any good hop on hop off bus tours of Paris? Thank you all in advance for your help!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Gare de les Train?
You'll want to research your trip, here's a way to get started:
http://www.ricksteves.com/europe/france/paris
Posted by
Lewiston, Idaho, USA
2091 posts
Oh! I bet, j that you mean gare de l'Est!
Have you emailed any listings in the RS Paris or France 2015 books?
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
From Paris Charles de Gaulle airport the RER B (blue) train line takes you to Gare du Nord (North Station).
Munich trains depart from the Gare de l'Est (East Station) which is virtually next door to the Gare du Nord.
3 star Hotel Soft Paris is right by the Gare de l'Est and has double rooms for about 100 euros per night.
http://hotelsoftparis.com/en/index.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g187147-d296861-Reviews-Hotel_Soft-Paris_Ile_de_France.html
Posted by
San Diego
1540 posts
I always look for a place near a metro/train station - for easy access to getting around town.
I was in Paris for a week and stayed in an apt. I was 1 block from a bus line and 2 blocks from a metro -
it worked really well for me. I look on several sites (tripadvisor, hotels.com, etc.) to compare hotels.
Hope you have a great trip.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
So.. shall we assume you are flying into Charles de Gaulle and not Orly? Do check that.
Ok .. I never stay near a train station , I see no point.. since I only need to go to the train station once and I need to sightsee everyday.. I pick a hotel central to most sightseeing.
I suggest you look at booking.com ( you don't have to book on it.. but you can enter your budget and timeline and get good suggestions with reviews, then you can google and find hotel websites and if their price is better book directly, if not , book with booking.com)
I have no idea what your budget is.. rooms can be had from 90 to up well over 500 euros a night, so it helps if you could be a bit more specific.
I stay in clean, cheap, centrally located hotels and rarely pay more then 110-150 euros a night.. and often less.. but I do not require big fancy hotels.
L'Open Tour does a hoho bus.. and its pretty good for what it is.. its not a fast way to get around to sights in Paris.. but it is very easy.. just get on and get off as you wish.. four different routes and lots of stops at major sites.. taped commentary. Get the two day ticket.. its only a few euros more then the one day pass and with 4 routes you need the extra day really. No need to prebook, you can board at any stop and pay then.. and as I said, stops near all major sights so you are staying anywhere central you are not too far to walk to a bus stop.
Posted by
Vacaville, Ca
1374 posts
Hotel Europe Saint Severin, http://www.hoteleuropesaintseverin.com, and Hotel Le Regent,http://www.hotelleregent.com, are both short distances from the Saint-Michel Metro-4 & RER-B stop. RER-B goes to and from CDG Airport and Metro-4 can get you to Gare de l'Est if that is your departure station.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I agree with Pat, it is best to be located within walking distance of Notre Dame.
However, Paris is an expensive city, and hotels of decent quality in this area tend to blow the budget.
Posted by
Chicago
1949 posts
We had a very good experience at Hotel Design De La Sorbonne in the 5th:
http://www.hotelsorbonne.com/en/ ...obviously right across the street from the Sorbonne. About $175/night, good for Paris. Small room, but amenities were fine, bed & shower great.
A couple 'hidden' Paris stops: St. Sulpice Church in the 6th. We were there for Sunday Mass, and heard one of the grandest pipe organs in all of Europe. Organist Daniel Roth played a 25-minute concert at the end of services, and it was awe-inspiring. He is only the 15th organist since 1601!
Also, Pere Lachaise Cemetery in the 20th. Graves of Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, Frederic Chopin, Jim Morrison, among many others. Good anytime, but on a cool, cloudy day it had the mystique. Rolling hills, winding walkways. Magnificent.