Paris in October!!!

You are going to have a BLAST!!! I almost envy you being able to see the city for the first time, because, you only get one first time in Paris. :D 1) We always stay at l'Hotel Hameau, 48 rue de Passy. It's a 5 minute walk from Trocadero and the Eiffel Tower. It is convenient to Bus #72, and is directly between the Passy and la Muette Metro stops. The neighborhood is clean, safe, and friendly. There are many restaurants nearby (including McDo), as well as bakeries, a giant Monoprix, several cafes, a dry cleaner, and a street market one day a week. L'Hotel Hameau is clean, quiet (located off-street, on a small courtyard), and not expensive (they do a discount for three nights or more). The staff is helpful and polite. They answer emails promptly. The WiFi is free. The pix of the rooms on their website are accurate. I have no explanation for the very weird faux fur bedspreads - but they are cozy, albeit odd. :D http://www.paris-hotel-hameaudepassy.com/ 2) Price range? That will make a difference. You can get a wonderful meal for almost any price point in Paris - there are SOOOO many restaurants that you will get a different answer from everyone who posts on this thread. I like Au Petit Suisse by the Luxembourg Gardens, at 16 rue Vaugirard. It's a nice neighborhood place, has been in business since 1798 or so, is not expensive. I recommend sitting on the balcony. We've got reservations at Frenchie (5-6 rue du Nil) on December 6th. Friends have RAVED about it, and I can't wait. http://www.frenchie-restaurant.com/index.html 3) Wow. Good question! Again, the answers here will vary WILDLY. The Tuileries, maybe? They combine people watching, a cafe, art (statuary), and that uniquely civilized Parisian ambiance. (Cue the pickpocket conversation!!!!)

I looked up the L'Hotel Hameau and a twin is o/a 162 Euros plus city tax (and yes those fake fur bedspreads are kinda weird). We stay at the Hotel Home Latin (www.homelatinhotel.com) in the Latin quarter. O/A 140 Euros plus city tax. Cramped but clean and a good location as it is within walking distance of Notre-Dame and the Luxembourg Gardens. The Musee du Cluny (of Lady of the Unicorn fame) is a block away. There are restaurants everywhere to suit any pocket book. Since you live in Rome (land of a bazillion churches) you could skip Notre-Dame but really it is very different from St. Pete's. If it's a nice day do stroll the Luxembourg Gardens, sit out side at a cafe, relax and enjoy. You'll have a great time. As it was said, you only get one first time in Paris:) Can I come?

Kristen - You might try Hotel de l'Avre. Rates are reasonable and it's close to the metro.

@Marie: We always get a discount. I guess because we book on-line and stay a week. It generally comes out to a little over 120-ish Euros a night for a double. That being said, I just used their new on-line booking thing, and found rates (for over 3 nights) of 140 Euros/night. There are cheaper places.... we just love this neighborhood. Kristen - I will bet the RS guide books list places that are less expensive! :D

I'm writing this to help you adjust your expectations a bit when it comes to Paris lodging. You may know this already, but "reasonably priced" and Paris is almost an oxymoron. Hopefully by me writing that sentence, hordes of people will come up with affordable suggestions for you! My point is to say, Paris lodging will probably be more expensive than what you might want to pay, or for what you get (ie the actual room)-so know that you will spend some $, and budget for it-perhaps eat a ham/cheese crepe on the street from a vendor rather than paying for lunch or dinner-and then you will be at peace with your lodging cost-even if it isn't reasonably priced. :) It will still be Paris! I've been there in October and it was sunny and lovely-bring a rain hat or mini umbrella just in case, but you should have great weather. ENJOY!!

I myself went to Paris 3x before ever ascending the Eiffel Tower. Yet the Eiffel Tower was always a central part of my feeling as if I was in Paris. You see it no matter where you are in Paris, you can walk below it, walk near it, see it from the street, from the Seine, even from the air......so for me, I would soak up the sight of the Eiffel Tower (going up was great, too, but not as exciting as see it, itself). I also really like going up to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. And the inside of Sacre Couer (amazing mosaics) was fabulous.

The best areas IMO are the Marais (right bank) and Latin Quarter (left bank). I stay at Hotel Sevigne - double en suite for less than €100. One thing - Paris at night walking along the Seine (or on a boat - Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf). Or on a Fat Tire evening tour (bike or segway). Second thing - Sunday afternoon in the Luxembourg Gardens, if it's sunny. Third thing - pack a bottle of wine, some cheese, a baguette, and picnic on the steps of the Trocadero and watch the Eiffel Tower - good during the day, better at night when the tower twinkles. I think that Notre Dame Cathedral is the only sight in Paris I have been to on every one of my visits to Paris. Maybe because it's central, maybe because it's free, but I go there every time and never fail to go inside.

I generally trust RS suggestions on Lodgings, but I second Kira's choice of neighborhood. That's a fun part of town to hang out.
Only one thing? Almost an impossible question, so I'd list Paris itself. You never have to go into ANYTHING to be blown away by Paris. Stroll the town during the day, or even better at night. I am huge fan of picnics. Find a market, get some bread, cheese, meat, fruit, wine (of course!) and fine some knockout locale in Paris to stare at. The Eiffel Tower at night is a good choice...

Thanks for all of the help! I am super excited!!!!

Hotel Sevigne has a new owner and is closed for several month for remodeling - found out when I tried to make a reservation for the last week in October! Shoot!