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Need ideas for BnB's with easy access to Paris/Rome centers

Posted by on

I just came back from a whirlwind tour of 8 European countries in 15 days. It was great for getting a taste of Europe and getting ideas of what we'd like to do when coming back. My next wish is to now spend a bit more time in Paris and Rome, 1 week in each (and I realize that may not be a whole lot of time, but it's what I would be able to take off from work).

My wife would like to experience a slightly less frantic pace and I want to still be able to explore many more the places that we had no chance to do this time around. So, I was thinking it might be kind of neat to find a Bed And Breakfast that's outside the city centers, maybe in a small town, but has relatively easy access to a metro station (hopefully, within walking distance or maybe a short local bus hop) so that we can sail right into the major city centers and explore away.

Also, what type of pricing might I expect to find at the recommended BnB's?

I have no desire to return to Europe in the summer and/or peak tourist season. I had no choice this time, but next time I will make an effort to find a time when Europe is not quite so tourist slammed and hot. I would love recommendations as far as timing, too. I have no problem dealing with cool weather but would prefer not have to deal with rain all the time.

Posted by
1455 posts

I stayed in Paris for 2 weeks, but not in a BnB but an apartment. We used the apartment as our home base and explored outside Paris as well as within. There's VRBO, and we went around March, when the weather is cooler, but fewer tourists. It rained 2 days, which we didn't mind.

My apartment was about a block from Notre Dame and we paid $110 a day, which was a 1 bedroom with a loft, full kitchen, washer (no dryer, so make sure it specifies both washer and dryer) and dish washer. It was a nice way to cook when we wanted, or even take food back and enjoy it in our living room with free wifi.

We rented a car and drove to the Normandy region and stayed in a Chateau outside Mont St. Michel. It was probably one of the nicest European trips I took that didn't have a "Must Do" itinerary.

Posted by
10023 posts

I would advise you to stay IN Paris. I think that staying outside and coming in would lead to much MORE of the frantic pace that you're trying to avoid, especially on behalf of your wife. If you're in Paris, she can stroll, pass time in the gardens and cafés, and you can run around seeing what you'd like to see and meeting back up with her. There's no "sailing" into the city center from outside Paris -- you're just creating more frenzied transit back and forth. I really advise staying more centrally so you can spend more time enjoying and less time transiting.

Posted by
11639 posts

Spent a week last March in Paris in an apartment we found on VRBO for Euro 650 for 7 nights! It was in Montmartre, with good bus and Metro access to everything we wanted, yet in a very residential area. Loved it! No need to be peripheral or suburban. Same thing in Rome. Try Prati neighborhood in Rome for a local feel without being too far removed.

Posted by
11639 posts

As to timing, March in Paris was cool, one day of rain in 8. Rome can be delightful any time of year! I particularly loved traveling to Rome in December before we moved here.

Posted by
10 posts

Thanks for the responses so far!

Kim, you bring up a great point about trying to stay in the city center. However, if we want to be a bit budget conscious, would we be in for some serious sticker shock by doing it that way instead of using the public transit?

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