Hotel Muguet--Paris

Kathy; you wont't go wrong with the Muguet. Tastefully decorated, close attention to details, but on a quiet street in the 7th. The management are a bit "reserved", they don't allow smelly take-out pizza pies or onion soup in the rooms, but you can use their breakfast room off the lobby to enjoy a "take out/bring home" meal and bottle of wine should you choose.

Local restaurants; Pasco, out the door to the right a block; Max, out the door to the left then immediately to the right on Rue Bougainville, and Ave. de la Motte Piquet towards Rue Cler; Florimond close-by Max and, for breakfast; try the Cafe PTT patio on Rue Cler (on the left beside the post office).

The continental breakfasts at the Muguet are a bit $$ IMO (10E?) where at the Cafe PTT you can have eggs/bacon, etc., for a few bucks less -with very pleasant table service.

Do they roll up the sidewalks; no. But it ain't the Latin Quartier, or the Marais, or the Islands, or north of the Louvre; which is fine for me. No shortage of cafe's and brasseries though, and if you turn left out of the hotel, continue along Rue Chevert towards L'Ecole Militaire' & Avenue Bosquet/Ave de Tourville, you'll find a few spots to share a bottle of wine and/or a meal. You'll also find the closest modern/easy laundromat near the end of Rue Chevert and, right next door, a safe ATM that'll accept your US debit card to buy some Euros; you'll need 'em.

If you want some more "interesting/lively" evening entertainment; choose your poison in the surrounding arrondissements and take a taxi home; they're all very close. If I was to use a hotel in Paris it would be the Muguet (and I have); I prefer apartments, though, if time permits. Have fun. Geoff

Jeff, thank you for your very thorough response! Great information! We are not looking for night clubs but would hate to see everything all closed up. Sounds like a great hotel and location. Merci!

Kathy, I stayed at the Muguet in 2005. Room was very nice, but I think Geoff was being kind in calling the staff "reserved". Since 2005, I only rent apartments for my Paris and European travel. Should you even consider renting, I can highly recommend "vacation rentals by owner"(www.vrbo.com). Apts. in any arrond. typically come with washer/dryer, satellite tv, free internet (with a computer set-up in place) and often with free international telephone calls via the net. Prices per night can even be less than a typical hotel room and fit any budget. Bonne journee.

Love the Hotel Muguet and its location. Been staying there for my past 3 trips to Paris. Lots of restaurants around and near 2 Metros. There are even great open markets in that arrondisement. Always felt safe coming back at night.

Go to the nice delli on Rue Clair, buy a picnic dinner, walk to the Eifle Tower and lay on the grass, eat dinner and watch the lights on the tower and the people from all over the world picnicing with you. I loved that hotel and our last night we did this picnic and it is my best Paris memory.

Hotel Muguet has A/C which is definitely a must in the summer. Spring shouldn't be such a problem for heat, though.

I've been to Paris 4 times and the last was spent at the Muguet, felt the area was good.

I've stayed in a number of Paris hotels and Muguet is hands down my favorite--it is just the right combo of good value and comfort. Take a look at the Michelin guide (you can find it online)--the 7th has more Michelin starred restaurants than any other part of the city. So you will not lack for good eating options. It is not the neighborhood for you if clubbing is most important, but I love being near to the Champs du Mars so I can see the Tower sparkle at night (lots of people here doing this). You can also walk to the Trocodero which is a very vibrant though touristy/teenage-y night scene--it has a great view in any case. There are plenty of places to have a drink--sitting on a cafe on Rue Cler or at La Terrasse (near the Ecole Militare metro stop) are good for nighttime people watching. My personal restaurant faves in the 'hood are the Christian Constant restaurants on Rue St Dominique--Cafe Constant (go at opening for lunch or dinner if you want a seat) Les Coccottes (very casual), Fables de la Fontaine, and Le Violin D'Ingres. The last 2 have Michelin stars so you need to reserve. Le Violin is a great value for a starred restaurant--they have a 3 course menu for 49E.

Other very popular neighborhood restaurants--La Fontaine de Mars (lovely outdoor space) and Chez L'Ami Jean (Basque, tiny and cramped and lively). Neither are my personal faves but others love them. Au Bon Accueil is also very good and a good value, though a bit stuffy.

Thank you all so much for the report on Hotel Muguet and also for all wonderful restaurant recommendations! I'm convinced this is were we'll stay. Thank you.

We just spent two weeks in a nice studio apt. Good location in the 9th.

See:
Nadine GIBLIN

Studio 30 sqm Paris 9e near Montmartre

E-mail : [email protected]

Website : http://locationparis9.canalblog.com

I can't comment on the hotel but I do love the area around Rue Cler. I stayed there during a RS Paris City tour which was a wonderful orientation to the city. I second the opinion of another poster about the Christian Constant restaurants. I frequently ate at the Constant restaurant (eat early as it is very busy). I had a wonderful meal at the Cocquettes, the best mushroom soup I have ever had. At night, I always walk around the Eiffel tower, which is my favorite place in the city. I will try his other restaurant this year; I heard other travellers give good reviews. THere are always tons of people out to watch the lights twinkle; I love to hear the huge "AWWWW, OOHHH" when the lights start to twinkle at the top of the hour, I believe they start at 10 pm. The sound of the crowd reacting to the twinklings gives me goosebumps. La Terrasse cafe is my favorite, right outside the Ecole Militaire metro stop. My last trip of 10 days in Paris, I visited that cafe almost every day. One late afternoon, there was a very peaceful demonstration against the government, various cultures and different groups shouting and carrying drums, then quite a few had a drink at the cafe. I had wonderful mussels and frites there, delicious. The best people watching on the planet.

June, the best mushroom soup I've had was at Cafe Constant! It might be the same recipe--mine also had chestnuts and a bit of creme fraiche. sigh We tend to visit in fall so there is always mushroom soup.