Rick's Famous 2 * Hotel

I'm guessing its the Grand Hotel Leveque on Rue Cler. It is a great area - there's a great crepe restaurant across the street from the hotel (Ulysses) and if you walk out of the hotel, turn left, go to the end of the street and hang a right, you won't be too far at all from the Eiffel Tower. Its also not terribly far from the Hotel Invalides. There are great little shops on Rue Cler - a wine store, fromagerie and souveneir shops with pashminas.
Feel free to ask any other questions.

I checked out that hotel and it was booked for when I'm going to be in Paris. I also emailed the Hotel du Champ de Mars (from Rick's book), and I am awaiting a reply. Do you know anything about that hotel/neighborhood? Is it basically the same neighborhood as the Leveque?

Amy - I went on a RS tour last Oct - we stayed at the Hotel Londres Eiffel,http://www.paris-hotel-londres-eiffel.com/. It's in the same area that you're looking at - close to Rue Cler and the Invalides. Two blocks from the Eiffel Tower - staff was very nice. I'd stay there again.

Hi Amy... We love the Champ du Mars. The Leveque is not our cup of tea. We have stayed in the Champ du Mars for over 10 years and love it. The Gourdals are a bit more reserved and to me the place seems more French and not American. If you do not reserve months in advance they are probably full and you will not hear from them.. The rooms in the back are better, but there is no Air- conditioning in the hotel yet . That is why the prices are so low.

My boyfriend, his mother and I stayed at the Champ du Mars in 2000. We loved it. We even got a Christmas card from the Gourdals that year. However, I faxed and e-mailed them this past February to see about a room for a few nights this coming September, and I never got a response. It could be that they're full then: I've heard that busy French hoteliers will not respond with a "sorry, we're full" message. However, if you can get in there, it's a lovely place.

Wife and I are booked in the Grand Leveque this September for one night, we're spending the weekend in Paris during our trip to London. It was nearly fully booked when we made our reservation a month ago for late September. And the first breakfast is free, not a bad deal. The location seems ideal, I prefer a quiet neighborhood over one that is busy at night. Will report on our stay here when we get back in October!

Amy - We stayed at the Hotel du Cadron, which is across the street from the Champ du Mars. We were very happy with it and I would recommend it. They have AC, so if you are going in the summer, that could come in handy. We are going back at the end of the year, but this time we are staying in the Latin Quarter (5th). The Rue Cler area was nice (be sure to say hi to Marcos at the crepe place) but we decided it was a bit out of the way from where there is more happening. There are areas besides the Eiffel Tower (7th) that would more convenient for walking to places. Just because Rick likes Rue Cler doesn't mean it's for everyone. Bon chance!

The answer to your questions is yes, THOUSANDS of tourists now know which hotels Rick recommends,, and so they are no longer " Back Door " finds.. The spirit of Ricks books is to find your own back doors, not just follow anyone else, and he would agree to that.

Rick may say one thing , but he sometimes does another, for instance, my Rick Steves family tour is NOT staying at a hotel in the Rue Cler area,,, not even in the 7th at all.

I suggest you find a hotel in a central area that fits your budget and requirements, if it is one of "Ricks " it is likely already booked up ,and prices have probalby gone up too,, Ricks popularity seems to ruin some places as they become so popular they are just turning people away...

I also suggest you check out tripadvisor.com and read hotel reveiws posted by readers.. they are helpful, and also, just google any hotels name and the word reveiws, and read reader reviews posted on serveral sites, not just one.

I like Rick, but I am sad when I see so many posts by people who just want to do exactly what Rick says, or Rick does,, or so they think.

My daughter and I stayed at the Hotel Dieu Hospiel. It was fabulous and right across the street from Notre Dame.It IS a working hospial with the top floor *only 14 rooms designated for hotel. The rate was 120E per night. with a taxi stand in front and great distance to many things.This was a Rick Steves suggested spot.

I really don't get what all the fuss is about in the Rue Cler area. We walked through there one day and determined it the most boring part of Paris.

Maybe back in the day it turned Rick on, but I would never consider staying in Rue Cler or even visiting a second time. Do as Pat suggests. Branch out.

http://www.vacationinparis.com/

Hi Amy,
... we don't know how long you will be in Paris, but our thought is you may want to consider renting an apartment. The above link is a USA company with HQ in New Jersey. You can talk with them toll free (see the web site)... and you could have the key to your way cool Paris apartment before you leave LA.
... To see comments of others regarding VacationInParis, just type VACATION IN PARIS into the search box at the top right of this very page.
bon voyage! P

Hi Everyone! Thanks for all of your input. I have, as suggested, gone through the back door myself and found a place that I hope will be great. It's in the Latin Quarter...exciting!