Alicia

Hello,

The day after I arrive in Paris my husband comes in and he'll be taking the Air France bus to Gare Montparnasse. I'm trying to come up with a game plan for meeting him at the bus stop or providing him directions to the apt we rented.

On the map it looks like the bus stop is on Rue Du Commandant Rene Mouchotte. Is that correct? Arr 14?

Any ideas what is along the street in that area? I'm looking for a good place to hang out and wait for his arrival (late morning / early afternoon).

Thanks for your suggestions,
Alicia

WillTravel

The stop is across the street from the Le Meridien Montparnasse hotel. You could wait in the lobby there. There are also two cafes next to the hotel.

Christina

yes, it is on rue due Commondant Mouchotte. That's a busy commercial section, there are lots of things around there. It's right next to the Meridien hotel, and a commercial center, so there are shops, cafes and restaurants around there. I would not plan something in advance, but look around and see what is suitable when you get there.

I probably wouldn't do what you are planning, unless you both have cell phones and he can call you when he is actually on the bus in transport, or something. Otherwise, you could be waiting around a long time if you don't know when he exactly will arrive, when he'll get the baggage, etc. You aren't going to be able to wait anywhere that isn't in sight of the bus stop, so options will be limited.

If your husband can't read a map and get to your apartment on his own, I would be worried about him in Paris. He should have some kind of Paris arrondisement map, or at least very good map (Streetwise is fine if your apartment is on it) with him upon arrival. Why don't you just look at it beforehand together to show him where to go, if he isn't good with directions or maps and you think he'll get lost.

Robespierre

There are highly detailed neighborhood maps at

<b>http://www.ratp.info/orienter/plan_t...hp?partenaire=
</b>

On the second menu, select <i>Montparnasse-Bienven&uuml;e</i> and click OK. The Air France stop is at the bottom of the map, right next to the station.

As you can see, the M&eacute;tro station serving four lines is right around the corner to the northwest and ten bus lines traverse the Gare, so if you decide to meet at the apartment there will be no shortage of transport options.

Alicia

Thanks for the quick confirmation on the bus stop location. Now that I'm sure where the stop actually is we can write out directions to the apt.

Travelnut

Go to www.mappy.com

Enter &quot;rue Du Commandant Rene Mouchotte&quot; and &quot;75014&quot; and select France on the top of Itinerary, then enter your apartment address, 75014, select France on the bottom.
Choose &quot;pedestrian&quot; for the mode, and then get the written directions -and- a street map with route highlighted.

ira

Hi A,

You can also get metro/bus directions at www.ratp.fr

Travelnut

Is your apartment in the 14th? We've been staying in that area the past couple of times, and I've walked it quite a bit (over on the Denfert Rochereau side)...

Alicia

Hi TravelNut,

Our apt is in the 5th, near St-Severin. We used the AF shuttle to the Arc on our last visit, for my husband who arrives after me this stop looks a bit easier to get to the apt.

I've read a few of your posts on shopping, do you have any other suggestions from your visits? This is my first apt rental trip, I'm staying for 8 weeks, early October - early December. Any advice on grocery stores, moderate priced locations vs high end market. Also best place to buy items I may need for the apt, hair dryer, misc items?

Thanks,
Alicia

Travelnut

haha, are you sure it was ME who posted about shopping...? I'm a cheap shopper, ie. postcards, a magnet for the fridge, that sort of thing.

All I know is &quot;Monoprix&quot; for household items, inexpensive clothes, sundries and groceries.

&lt;&gt;Monoprix:
50 rue de Rennes 6th
13 ave de Gobelins 5th

&lt;&gt;Franprix:
71 rue de Rennes 6th

&lt;&gt;BHV (Bazaar Hotel de Ville)
on the north side of the place Hotel de Ville, rue de Rivoli
basement has tools, hardware, etc
I imagine other floors have domestic goods...

http://www.bhv.fr/L_annee_commence_bien.805.0.html
Virtual catalogue - let it load, then you click the arrows to 'turn' the pages... just to give you an idea.

Bigal

I went to CDG via AF bus last May and the info that the stop is directly across the street from the Hotel Meridien Montparnasse is correct. It's the easiest to meet in the lobby of the Hotel. How can you go wrong. The bus park is directly in front of the railroad station which is a couple of short blocks from where the AF bus stops. Please let me advise you that at certain times of the day the bus lines are tremendous with crowds coming out of the rr station loaded with luggage to get on ordinary street buses. There is a taxi stand right in front of the Meridien and going from the AF to the taxi stand is probably your best bet.

Indygirl2

Bigal wrote &quot;There is a taxi stand right in front of the Meridien and going from the AF to the taxi stand is probably your best bet.&quot;

Now I'm confused. I posted a question a couple of weeks ago titled &quot;RER Questions&quot; about deciding between taking RER B or the AF bus to get to my hotel on Rue de l'Ecole de Medecine on the border between the 5eme and 6eme. One person responded, I can't remember who, that the AF stop for Gare Montparnasse was not particularly close to the taxi stand. Can anybody clarify?

Thanks!

Kate

Robespierre

This one?

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34653218

(Click on your name to see your threads.)

Bigal

I stayed at the Meridien and the taxi stand is directly at the entrance to the hotel and by the same token the Air France bus stand is directly across the street from both. Trust me!!!