I'll be in London at the end of October/beginning of November. What is the best day of the week to day trip to Paris? i.e. when most of the top attractions are open, fewest crowds, etc. Thanks.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
The fewest crowds would be on a weekday. The Musee d'Orsay is closed Mondays and the Musee du Louvre is closed Tuesdays. If both of those are on your "must see" list, then you should go to Paris on a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.
However, I strongly encourage you to spend one night in Paris, even if you have to pay for an empty hotel room in London to do it. You won't feel nearly so rushed. Have a leisurely dinner in the evening and see a bit of the City of Lights after dark. Magical!
Posted by
OP
Calgary, AB, Canada
3 posts
Thank you for the tip. Any suggestions on what neighbourhood to stay in while in Paris? Something that won't break the bank but will still be clean, comfy, and possibly friendly?
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
"Any suggestions on what neighbourhood to stay in while in Paris?"
The 5th & 6th arr./districts are popular with travelers on this forum who want to try something different than Rick's top picks of the Rue Cler (7th) and the Marais (4th).
Some travelers feel the Rue Cler is being overrun by folks with little blue & gold books.
If you go to this topic
Helpline Search Instructions
and follow the search instructions there, you'll find a hundred or more reviews of specific accommodations in Paris.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
I like the Marais. It is the closest you'll come to medieval Paris and it's centrally located so you can walk to many famous sights. If staying in a hostel is acceptable to you, I recommend any of the three MIJE hostels in the Marais. They are renovated 17th-century private mansions. Both Rick Steves and Lonely Planet call them "the best budget accommodations in Paris." You can get a single room for 49 EUR (plus the 2.50 EUR annual membership fee). Even though the site says the hostels are for young people, anyone is welcome, no matter how old he or she is.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
Hotel de L'Avre is a very good hotel, and at 80 Euros for a double it's hard to beat. It's on the border of the 15th and 7th arrondissment, relatively close to the Eiffel Tower. You can check it out at www.hoteldelavre.com. It's 1/2 block from metro stop (La Motte Picquet Grenelle) which is the hub for 3 intersecting metro lines. Wonderful, friendly owner and staff, very nice rooms with modern, very clean bathrooms, comfortable beds, very nice garden.