Paris arrondissements and hotels

Hi Frances--You might consider staying in the 7th, near metro stops la Tour Maubourg or Ecole Militaire. That way you would have easy access to good metro lines for sight seeing and also be close to rue cler for the market. We stayed in the 7th in an apartment we rented from Vacations in Paris; they generally only require a three night stay minimum. Our apartment and the location were terrific!

Frances, the sights you list are spread across Central Paris, so no one neighborhood is close to all. Any neighborhood in central Paris has easy access to all by Metro. So I'd select a neighborhood for its amenities and the Rue Cler is certainly good - very much on the quiet side.

You can easily use taxis for trips in the center. For two, the price is reasonable and a great alternative if either of you are tired. While easy to use, the Metro has lots of stairs and long corridors.

You may want to consider the fact that being near a metro station may not work out all that well for you and your mother, because a lot of walking is involved, underground through corridors and up and down stairs -- to get to your train. Taking the bus may be more appropriate for you. The 7th is near the Eiffel Tower, which is wonderful, and the #69 bus goes from here to virtually across all of Paris, so look into this. (check out more info about htis in Rick's Paris book) Also, the 1st, 2nd or 4th arrondisements might be a better choice for you, they are more centrally located.

The area around rue Cler is Rick Steves's favorite place to stay in Paris. If you buy his guidebook, you'll find hotel and restaurant suggestions specific to that area--and the book is a good first-timer's guide to the whole city.

Thank you so much for your quick responses and for pointing me in the right direction! I'll focus my search on the 7th arrondissement. I looked at Vacations in Paris and found a few nice apartments that seem like they're exactly what we're looking for and allow us to rent them by the night vs. for the week.

You've all been a tremendous help. If you have any other suggestions on places to stay, visit, or tours, please pass them along!

Thank you!

Frances, I agree that Rue Cler is the perfect place to stay. I would also suggest you buy a pass for a couple of days on the Hop-on/Hop-off tour buses. They are double-decked, with the top deck open-air. They get you to all of the sights, and are a great way to rest up while still seeing the city. Your mother -- and probably you -- will appreciate them. We are some 20 years younger than your mother, and we made considerable use of them in Paris as well as every other European city we've visited. As a matter of fact, on our trip to Paris last fall we never used the metro at all, instead relying on the bus.

The 7th is ideal. Rue Cler is wonderful. I always stay at the Hotel Muget.

http://www.hotelparismuguet.com/ Close to the metro, close to Rue Cler, close to the Tower Eifell, close to the Invallides, etc. It is on a side street so it is quiet. I would also suggest you review the places suggested on this website: http://www.journeywoman.com/ Be sure to visit Rodin's Museum which is in his home and is by the Invallides. Have a wonderful time.

I agree with BG buses are much better.Less walking and also no stairs to get in and out of the subway.Some stations can require a lot of walking underground and they can be very crowded.You can find the routes for the buses on the internet;stay close to major lines BG is right about bus #69 takes you from Champs de Mars,Eiffel tower all the way to Pere Lachaise cemetery;on your way you will pass the D,orsay museum across the water from it is the louvre also on the trajet is Notre Dame.I rent a apartment in the marais walking distance from Notre Dame and often took bus #69 .I make copies of the major bus lines close to the apartment so it was easier to get around.So find the routes and from there locate a place to stay next to the bus stop.If you need more info. let me know.If i look into my papers I know there was also a bus from my place that took us by the Arc De Triumphe.The Marais is a good location to take the bus to most places.