Fishnlines29

Thoughts on the Premium Pass? I know folks typically shy away from these things but I'm thinking about the 4 day as a possibility - Website says it's cheaper than the regular Paris pass and free entry to everything - It does appear cheaper from what I've found, still not sure when you add everything up individually. Here's the link.

https://www.conciergerie.com/paris/p...K#DetailedInfo

Hotels:

Considering these: first one looks a little nicer but same price range, other two maybe a little closer to sites or to walk out and get a cup of coffee in the morning.

http://www.hotelsaintebeuve.com/

http://www.parishotelminerve.com/index_en.html

http://www.hoteljardindecluny.com/en/home.html

justineparis

129 EUROS omg what a rip off!


A four day Museum Pass is 56 Euros.
Now.. add one or two carnets of metro/bus tickets. A carnet is ten one way tickets sold together at a discount.
Cost.. 13.70 euros.

Gee.. lets see what else do you need..

The " includes taxes tips " is such a line.. what freaking tips are they talking about.. France is a non tipping culture.
They are counting on tourist being naïve buying their stuff.. or too nervous to simply do it themselves.

And they are so ripping a person off with their "extra day of metro " costing 17 euros.. I am frankly shocked.. you can get a one day pass for metro for SEVEN euros for zones 1-2.. if you want Defence area included ( which I sincerely doubt) it would cost 9.30 euros..

That pass is just so disgusting it makes me sick.Sorry.. I just looked at your link and was shocked at how bad it was..

Sarastro

My thoughts are that someone with a slick website is cheating gullible tourists who think they have found a good deal. If you like museums, get a museum pass and some métro tickets, 10 for 14.10€.

Keren

The Sainte-Beuve might be farther away from some sites, but I much prefer its pleasant, residential location to the other two.
And you could get a cup of coffee in the morning anywhere in Paris, no need to stay in the Latin Quarter for it, there are some cafes around the Sainte-Beuve.

justineparis

All look like nice hotels.. yes the last two a bit closer in.. and perhaps if you are only staying four days that will be more convenient.. but I think they are all fine.
Have you read the reviews on all of them?

justineparis

Well I just went and scanned reviews.. I would eliminate the Minerve hotel.. report of bedbugs .. a few months ago.. but apparently not well handled by staff.

Of the other two the Sainte Beuve is better reviewed .. ranked higher.. but price may reflect that.. as the Hotel Cluny Sorbonne is reported to have some smaller rooms , , its tough though as when one pays 120-140 euros they need to understand the room will seem very small compared to North American standards.

Avalon2

Stayed several times at the Minerve. It is very convenient ,buses across the street to everywhere and 2 metro stationsvery nearby, Several really good restaurants, Our favorite is Bistro de Gastronomes right down the street .And lots of cafes and other bistro really close.ank right up to street. It is not fancy but comfortable and clean and a really good breakfast included

Fishnlines29

Ok, I'm out on the pass! That's what I figured, I was being sucked in haha. I will check out the museum pass. Thank you.

As far as hotel, another thought, if I'm taking Thalys in and ORG airport out, does it matter where I stay? Like to use Public Transport if it's relatively easy - we will only have carry on luggage.

Also, we are planning half day to Versaille palace - is morning a little better with the crowds? Figure if we don't want to leave, we can make it a full day but so much to see in Paris in a short time!!

justineparis

Fish.. I am not kidding you on this..Versailles is going to be CROWDED ( as in elbow to elbow inside the palace) pretty well anytime.. so there are things you can do to minimize your waits.

First.. the Museum Pass does gain you admittance .. but if you go on Fountain show day( weekends and some Tuesdays in season) but not the formal part of the gardens where fountains are.. that's an extra 8 euros , and frankly.. not worth it to me, especially since crowds are even higher on those days.

Secondly.. while arriving with pass in hand does allow you to skip the very long slow moving ticket line.. it does not allow you to skip lines for security.. and those can be long too.. so DO plan on arriving at Chateau BEFORE it opens.. and line up for security. We arrived late one morning ( around 10.30) and waited for security for at least 45 minutes in the hot sun.. not super fun.

Plan to arrive before it opens.. try and whiz through palace, then make a point to get out to Marie Antionettes Hamlet ,, and see the Grand Trianon. The grounds are MASSIVE .. so walking to end takes 30 minutes or so.. but there is a shuttle that can take you there for a few euros..

Many people miss out on these parts of the estate.. but those who make the effort find them the most rewarding part of their visit. The grounds are never crowded.. so pleasant to wander through. Make a point to go behind the Grand Trianon and see the little flower garden.. the bonus is an amazing view up the canal back towards palace.. pretty spectacular seeing the scope and size of estate.

If possible make daytrip out to Versailles on a nice day.. doing a lot of these other activities would suck in the rain.
Plan on spending at least 5 hours( palace itself is 1.5 hours )

justineparis

ps you can buy the museum pass in Paris.. at airport ( tourist desk easy ) or at many of the sites.. we have bought ours at the Cluny Museum twice now as there is rarely a line there . No need to pay extra to have it shipped to you..

Christina

If you arrive at Gare du Nord, you'll have to transfer, you can't go directly to any of those hotels--and none are quite near RER B (to Gare de nord or Orly). Cluny is near Maubert, Minerve near Cardinal Lemoine and the Ste Beauve near Notre Dame des Champs or Vavin metros.

the Cluny and Minerve are on the same metro line, so you'd transfer at St MIchel to line 10. For the Ste Beuve, you'd transfer at St Michel to line 4 and go to Vavin. For leaving, same thing as it's the same RER line. Although you can go by the Orlybus from Denfert Rochereau metro stop but it's also on the RER B line, but it is easier to get there from the Ste Beauve as the Vavin metro line goes right there. The line 10 does not. Also the Air France bus departs from Montparnasse train station which isn't too far a walk from the Ste Beauve if you travel lightly. So the Ste Beuve location would give you more options.

I've stayed at the Jardin de Cluny, good convenient location in the Latin Qtr. I liked the hotel. I think it's more convenient than the Minerve, which is over near Cardinal Lemoine metro stop, while the Cluny is closer to the Seine, the Cluny museum, Maubert metro stop, etc.

Now I often stay in Montparnasse and personally like the location of the Ste Beuve better. But a lot of other people who are tourists would not, especially first-timers, so who's to say what you will like. You won't be able to walk to Notre Dame, the Seine, etc from there while you can from the Cluny. But it's not as hectic with tourists, and plenty of transpotation options.

Fishnlines29

Thank you for the great advice, this is helpful!