Looking for recommendations for lodging in Paris. We aren't museum enthusiasts, per se, but wish to visit the usual major sites for first timers, 5 days in Paris in September next year. Interested in rentals (AirBnB) but need advice on location (arrondissement).
Also, we will have a car for our 3 week trip, ending in Paris, so need advice on where to return the car to avoid driving in Paris. We've been given the suggestion of Caen since our next to last lodging is near Normandy. I'd love to drive to Versailles on the way to Paris and return it there, but that would be on a Sunday when our chosen (great discount) rental company office in Versailles is closed, so we need to return the car on Sunday and take the train to Versailles another day.
Thanks!
Posted by
Green Bay
21324 posts
I think you might find that most rental car locations are closed on Sundays, other than at airports.
Posted by
1024 posts
Yes we ran into that situation when we returned our car in Lille on a Sunday this past spring. There was only a 2 hour window in which they were open. Check Caen, Rouen and Rennes as possibilities for returning the car.
We took the train from Paris to Rennes. Picked up a rental car at the train station. Drove to Mt St Michel then on to Bayeux, Rouen and finally Lille before we went on to take the train to Belgium.
The fee to return a rental at a different location but within France isn’t very expensive.
Posted by
Chicago
8697 posts
When we are in the north we return at CDG and in the south at Orly. Orly alas is not convenient for you so maybe CDG if you need a return on Sunday. I think it is important to get a receipt that the car is undamaged and gassed and that takes time -- efficiency especially in car rentals is not a french thing. I once left a rental in a parking lot in Caen when the rental office was closed (they close for lunch as well as Sundays) and it was fine but it made me nervous since we have been cheated by or have rental companies try to cheat us before and those receipts were important.
Posted by
Florida (previously California)
4050 posts
You mention that you need advice on the location for your accommodations. Generally speaking, most locations in arrondissements 1 through 9 will work but locations in Le Marais, Saint Germain, and Latin Quarter (located in the 3rd/4th, 6th and 5th arrondissements, respectively) are suggested, especially for first time visitors. It really depends on how much you want to try to walk to the sites that you plan to see and how willing and able you are to use mass transit because with mass transit, pretty much all of the arrondissements have areas that are fine places to stay for a visit.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Great information, thanks to all!
Posted by
203 posts
It would help, to give recommendation on location, to know what you are interested in seeing. churches? eiffel tower? gardens" You could locate them on a map and that would give you an indication of what area you want to stay in, altho as previously noted, mass transit in Paris (and do not forget the bus) is excellent, so no matter where you stay you can get to your destination without the need for a car or taxi. Also, will it bother you to be in an area that will be swarming with tourists, or would you rather stay in a non-touristy area? Peter
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34306 posts
it would be easier to help you find the best place to return your car, especially once you have an idea of which area you chosen to sleep in, if you can tell is who "chosen (great discount) rental company" is.
If it has such a great discount it may not have a lot of easily accessible, open on Sundays places.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
@adodd, I was able to find an apartment on Boulevard Beaumarchais, which I believe is between 3rd and 4th arr.
@Nigel, we have an Avis rental, picking up at Geneva French Side and dropping off at Orly A/P after visiting Versailles on our way to Paris.
Thanks for your time, and I'm open to any suggestions!