Paris outskirts accommodation

We stayed in Vincennes (at the Royal Recency with a timeshare exchange). Vincennes is at the end of the metro yellow (1) line, which is the main line running through central Paris. We walked about 20 minutes to and from the metro and felt completely at ease and safe. It is a wonderful community, family oriented. It takes maybe 15 minutes to get to and from Vincennes and connecting to the RER is convenient. Unfortunately, I can't make any hotel recommendations.

There used to be a guy named Keruac who posted here, who lives in Paris in the 19th arrondissement. He frequently suggested that for budget-friendly accommodation the 19th couldn't be beat. You can reach it by metro, too. I don't know what your budget might be, but you could investigate the Campanile at Place de la Nation. It's on a quiet street (rue Rendezvous, I think) just a short walk from metro & buses. A money-saving feature is that you can get to Pl. de la Nation from CDG on bus No. 351, the cost being 3 tickets which you can buy from the driver.

On the back side of the Montmartre butte, R. Babinski is in the shadow of the peripherique. There's two adjacent Accor hotels: F1 and ETAP / Budget Ibis. Th rooms are identical but the F1 only has a sink in the room so is cheaper. Both are immaculate.

The area is kind of half North African, which means good grub. There's a grocery store just around the corner which my wife runs down to alone at all hours of the night. Cross under the peripherique and go a block to about Bd Ney and you're into the stereotypical French places but at much better prices than on the south side of the hill. The metro stop's right there (Porte de St Ouen). City center is maybe a fifty minute ride. If you came out of the hotel and turned left instead of right, you'd be into the weekend St Ouen Flea Market in a block.

I found the area by accident years back somehow and never stay in the Latin Quarter anymore unless the dolts I sometimes have to travel with insist upon it.

Edit for typo: the metro ride is about fifteen minutes and all three or four most proximate stations are within the minimum fare zone.

Be aware that outside the 20 central arrondisements travel into town will be more expensive, which may outweigh what you save on the accomodation. Also be very sure that there is public transport near the place, and that you are informed about the local area - some of the inner Paris suburbs are very, very unpleasant indeed.

Also in the 19th is a very reasonable Holiday Inn Express just a couple of minutes walk from the Métro and the 54 bus. Great views over the Canal de la Vilette.

We have stayed in this studio for the past 7 or 8 years. Wonderful and safe location and decent price. It has a full kitchen, nice shower, free phone, free internet, king size adjustable bed. Look at the website and contact her below.

John B.

Nadine Giblin
Studio 30 sqm Paris 9e near Montmartre
E-mail : [email protected]
Website : http://locationparis9.canalblog.com

Are you committed to going to Paris during a specific month? If you are flexible, in August the prices on many hotels right in central Paris drop as the French go on their vacations, so business travel bookings tend to dry up for hotels during that month. On my first visit to Paris, I was able to secure a really low rate on the Ibis Chateau Landon in the 10th which was within walking distance to Gare du Nord, Gare de l'Est, the RER and several metro stops. I got the rate even lower when I selected the non-refundable internet rate (but I booked the hotel just 2 weeks before traveling to Paris, so I knew there was no risk for me of having to cancel). Yes, in August you will encounter some restaurants and businesses that may close for the month so the owners can take their holiday, but there is little to no effect on tourism as major sights are open per usual. That Ibis had air conditioning (if you go to Paris in August, I would not gamble and book a room with no A/C - it's worth the extra money if you have a few really hot days) and the area was actually very good. What are you looking to spend per night? Have you also looked at Airbnb's listings in your preferred price range?

Wow, thanks so much for the info!! I'll be checking it all out!

John B thanks for recommending Nadine's flat! It sounds great! I have contacted her for some info, and she mentioned that she has some American friends that come in September every year. Must be you!
Jo-Anne

I would check out the 15th arrondissement, particularly the budget hotels located on rue Violet, and on rue Saint Dominique. There are a lot of tiny hotels here, and if you walk in and ask your best price to the front desk agent, you can get a good deal, at approximately 70 euros per night for a shared bathroom. I recall one hotel on rue Violet that had rooms for about 60 euros. There is also the Aloha Hostel, off Rue Blomet, in the 15th arrondissement, which is decent and inexpensive. To really experience Paris, stay in the heart of the city. I wrote my travel book in the 15th arrondissement, and really recommend this area to travelers looking to minimize costs. I hope that helps.