Narnya

Looking to stopover in Paris next September. I've stayed in the city several times already and am (finally) ready to explore outside the city. Versailles is on my list, but I'm also interested in seeing some charming villages/towns. Provence is probably too far for a day trip, so does anyone have any recommendations?

Also, I would love some new "affordable" hotel recommendations for Paris. Stayed in the Rue Cler area several times, but had some bad experiences the last two trips. Also stayed in the 1st before, but would like something different, something in a more charming area.

Many thanks!

stepsbeyond

Why not try the 14th arr.? Or the 4th?

Can you be more specific about your interests other than "charm"? What have been your most rewarding investments in traveling?

Michael

For a day trip, consider Troyes which has a nice old town, a beautiful cathedral and a very interesting museum of tools of the 19th century exhibited by trade.

ira

Hi Na,

You can daytrip to Auvere-sur-Oise, Auxerre, Avignon, Dijon, Nancy, Strasbourg. All less than 3 hr away.

What's your hotel budget?

wug

We've stayed many times at the Hotel Senlis in the 5th. We really like the place, easy access to metro and RER. Nice rooms, clean, etc. They have several that face an internal courtyard that are VERY quiet. Otherwise, the ones facing the street were always quiet except for the one time the World Cup was going on. The Australian Bar is across the street and down a bit. Australia was playing and winning, needless to say, that night was a bit noisy.

http://www.paris-hotel-senlis.com/

Christina

I stay in the 14th a lot, also, and there are some better hotel deals there than in the expensive areas -- but I wouldn't call it "charming", I admit, I don't think anyone refers to the 14th arr as charming. Nor about any of the "newer" ones, which are the ones that are not the core of the original Paris. One can find some charming small areas, but as a whole, you don't stay in the 14th for charm.

I think there are plenty of charming areas in the 4th-6th.

What's the budget for this hotel, maybe I might have a recommendation, as long as it's just the area that should be charming and not the hotel.

bachslunch

Have done day trips from Paris to both Chartres and Versailles and heartily recommend both.

stepsbeyond

I guess people are charmed by different things, I am charmed by post-war literary Paris and its haunts in the 14th, the market streets and covered passages, And even the cemetery. I find it charming to be out of the tourist preserves in the lower arrondisements, It has a younger population than other residential arrondisements, and a lively contemporary arts scene. To me, I like the charming of a neighborhood feel in Paris that isn't an enclave of the rick or jammed with tourists.

http://www.howto.co.uk/abroad/living...arrondissement

Narnya

Re: Questions

By "charm" I mean the quintessential Paris. Markets, creperies, restaurants -- nothing "touristy" or haute couture.

Our Paris hotel budgets have been fairly frugal (think Rick Steves), but I've learned that I'll have to spend more to be a bit more comfortable. I'm thinking less than 300 US per night though.

bilboburgler

Auxerre or Strasbourg are relatively easy by train and well worth the toddle.

annhig

st germain en laye is quite charming in a bourgeois way, and nice for a day.

JayMazz

stepsbeyond, I fully agree...

The "charm" isn't as easy to find as it is in the dead center of Paris, but it certainly isn't hard to find by any means. If someone doesn't see it, they are taking ALL the wrong turns or possibly only using that arr. for Montparnasse station.

Based on the fact it is an outter district, I wouldn't recommend this for a newbie, but for anyone on their second, third, forth, etc. trip to the City of Light, I would say go for it - they would feel not a different Paris, but just MORE of it.

~Jay

Gretchen

But one very nice thing about the Montparnasse area is it is really well supplied with bus routes that go LOTS of places in Paris. LOVE the bus system!