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Paris areas - Lodging

Ok, just a question to get some opinions - my husband and I are taking a trip to Paris in March/April 2011. I was thinking of staying in the Rue Cler area but the more research I do, the more I'm not sure if that would be the best area. We are on a budget, so we're probably looking at keeping room prices down to about $150 a night or somewhere around there. We won't be in the room very much and we don't really need any fancy extras. We will be sightseeing all over Paris so would like to be near a major Metro station and possibly a train station. We also will be out in the evenings, so if possible, we want to stick with areas that we would feel comfortable walking around in after dark. Any suggestions at all would be appreciated. Thanks!

Posted by
6 posts

I stayed at the Hotel Bonaparte a couple of years ago. Small, but centrally located to Notre Dame, the subway and museums. The subway can get you to any of the major train stations in minutes.This hotel was in Rick Steves' book, so see if there is an updated review. Staff was great. I recently checked Trip Advisor to see if the hotel was holding up to its reputation and found many positive reviews. My review was in late February/early March of 2009. Price should be in your price range with the devalued Euro. Also stayed in the Rue Cler at Hotel Muguet. Rue Cler is quiet, but nice. Preferred the area around the Bonaparte. Felt safe. Good Luck!

Posted by
251 posts

We stayed in Marais district the first week in June. We were close to the Place Bastille, within walking distance of the Place de Vosge. Felt safe and comfortable there. Villa de Beaumarchais has small rooms, a fantastic breakfast buffet for 15 euros each and great service from the staff.

Posted by
15777 posts

The best areas with nice budget hotels are the Marais on the right bank and the Latin Quarter on the left bank.

I stayed at Le Sevigne in the Marais last June and am going back there in September. I didn't get breakfast there and the kitchen and dining area didn't look very charming, but there are several nice places within a block to have your morning cafe creme, and a couple of yummy pastisseries and 2 convenient mini-markets. The room was clean, big modern bathroom and quiet at night. A double room would be within your budget. There's even a coin-op laundry around the corner.

The number 1 metro line runs through the Marais and goes to many of the popular tourist sights on the right bank.

I have usually been on my own for most of my time in Paris and I have always felt comfortable walking around after dark. In both the Latin Quarter and the Marais, you will see people out and about till midnight and later.

Posted by
9 posts

Thanks everybody! I'll check out these areas and hotels!

Posted by
9110 posts

I'd pick the Latin Quarter over the Marais, just for the ambiance if nothing else. You should easily beat the $150/night target there in the spring. There are neat small hotels all over the place. And really good places to eat that won't dump your pocketbook.

It would be really hard to get more than five minutes from a metro station anywhere in that area.
Skip the notion of a 'major' metro station since they all connect -- and they all connect to the train stations as well.

To see what Rue Cler would like to be, look at the southeast portion of the Latin Quarter: Rue Mouffetard, especially around Place de la Contrescarpe.

Also, disregard the idea of looking for an area comfortable for walking around in after dark. If I really, really tried, I could get you into a couple of areas that might make you feel a bit nervous; but there is no way you could blunder into them since they are well beyond the boundaries what anyone could stumble into. Essentially, the whole city is safe.

Posted by
104 posts

We have stayed at the Hotel Des Grand Ecoles in the Latin Quarter twice and would always recommend it http://www.hotel-grandes-ecoles.com/ Very clean & friendly, decent rates. The cool thing is that the courtyard is lovely and there is a big wooden door at the entrance from the street. When they close this at night, it's so quiet you'll think that you're out in the country. Near a lot of good restaurants, Rue Moufetard for a market and about 1- blocks from the Metro. Safe at night.

Posted by
9 posts

Thanks for all the great suggestions everybody!