kwren

I have been to Paris quite a few times and after looking at prices for 5 people in the center of Paris, am considering staying in an area that is new for me. What you think of staying in the Montparnasse area. Is it safe? Which side of the tower is best/worst in terms of being near shops, transportation, etc? Any suggestions for budget hotels (2*, maybe 3* if not too expensive)? I couldn't find anything on the forum specifically addressing this.
Merci, as always!

zeta

I stayed in Montparnasse and I didn't have any problems. I was right accross from a metro stop which was great. Not much for evening entertainment. A few cute shops and places to get breakfast/lunch in the day. I definitely felt safe. And it wasn't a far walk from St. Germain/Latin Quater and all of the great shops there. In fact one day we actually walked through there and to the Notre Dame. I went through expedia.com and I stayed at the Best Western Nouveau Orleans. It was very clean, which is very important to me. A little small, but as you know being on a budget you aren't going to get anything big in Paris. I had a great time.

nativenyer

Having been to Paris nine times in the past 2 1/2 years, I have mostly stayed in Montparnasse, but not too near la tour (the tower). I enjoy the area b/c of it's proximity to le jardin luxembourg and the area has many dining options (my favorite restaurant in that area is Les Zazous on boulevard du Montparnasse).

I've stayed at the following (all budget hotels):

Aiglon
Hotel Novanox
Pavillon Losserand Montparnasse
Le Petit Palace

I booked them all thru Expedia.com and would say I found the staff at Le Petit Palace & Aiglon to be exceptionally helpful & friendly. Hotel Novanox, if I recall correctly is considered to be in the 5th arrondissement, but very near Montparnasse.


As far as transportation, you'll find metro lines 4, 6, 12 & 13 in the Montparnasse area.

Note: there's a cemetery in Montparnasse, so if that makes you uncomfortable, be sure you inquire about proximity from your hotel.

Have a great & safe trip!

elle

We've stayed in Montparnasse on the Hotel Daguerre on rue Daguerre. A two-star, I think. Approx $100 for a double three years ago; not sure what it is now or how the exchange rate has affected the price.

The hotel was quite nice for a two-star, very clean and slick, if not high on character. Location was excellent, especially since we wanted to be near the cemetery.

Christina

I've stayed in Montparnasse a lot, and like the area. Yes, it is certainly safe, but there are parts of it I wouldn't want to stay in just because I don't like them as well or they aren't as convenient. I like the area within a block or two of bd Montparnasse; rue Daguerre area is okay, also.

As far as side of the tower -- I don't stay near the tower as I don't like it near the tower, but it sort of marks the border of Montparnasse in my opinion, so the area I call Montparnasse is mostly all to the east of the tower. That's the area I would prefer to the part just a bit to the west of it or right around it.

MOntparnasse is a cheaper area in general than some others, like St-Germain, so you usually get a little more for your money. I've never had to get a hotel for five people, though, so don't know quite what would be good for that. The Hotel Lenox is a reasonably price 3*, as well as some others mentioned above, and the Delambre. There is a Best Western near the tower that is pretty nice and well-priced, the BW Bretagne, check it out.

francophile03

I checked out the Delambre's website and their room rates are really low. Seems like a good value hotel.

bardo1

Certainly consider it. You pay about half what you would in St. Germaine for a similar room. The area close to Vavin metro stop is best if you're looking for Montparnasse hotels. It's a very quick Metro ride or a 20 minute walk to Notre Dame area. You'll use Metro more staying there but savings are significant.

bardo1

Wanted to add, I've stayed at Hotel de Chevreuse. VERY clean but small rooms (about 12 rooms total in hotel). 3 stories, no elevator, 1 block to Metro Vavin and a few minutes to the south end of Luxembourg Gardens. It was about $60 night 5 years ago, I think it's up to about 70-80Euro/night.

3 rue de Cheuvreuse Paris 75006

L84SKY

I stayed in Montparnasse. It was very safe and quiet. I stayed at the Bretagne Montparnasse, it is a Best Western hotel that we booked through an internet special and got a very good deal. The room was clean, had a coffee maker, fridge and real espresso available in the lobby for a euro.
The hotel was a 3 minute walk to the airport shuttle bus. The room was very small.

kwren

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I never thought I'd consider a Best Western in Paris (oh la la!), but after seeing some of them, things are looking up. The BW Nouvel Orleans looks beautiful - a typical old Parisian building fromthe outside - but I haven't been able to pull up the price yet. I'm working on that one. We'll see what my husband says about staying so far out when he gets home. The idea of that is very foreign to us (no pun intended )

francophile03

The European Best Westerns are not like the BW's we have in the States. They are independently owned but carry the BW name.

Sue4

I've stayed very near Montparnasse several times,altho my hotel was actually in the 6th(St. Germain), it was close to Montparnasse Blvd. I liked the area alot, and there were many transportation options, restaurants and cafes (some of the famous ones). It's quite walkable to the Luxembourg Gardens, and I walked to the St. Germain de Pres area several times. It's not really so "far out". My last few trips to Paris I was going to stay in other areas, but seem to keep going back to Montparnasse!