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Paris: where does a large family can eat and sleep in February?

Paris: where does a large family can eat and sleep in February?

Old Aug 24th, 2014, 08:19 PM
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Paris: where does a large family can eat and sleep in February?

In February, my mother will be celebrating her 60th birthday and her dream is to reunite our family in Paris again (we lived there for a year 27 years ago when my parents attended graduate school). This time, our family reunion will include spouses and grandchildren. There will be 11 of us: my parents, my husband and I and two young girls (4 and 2 yo), my sister and husband and their two young kids (5 and 2 yo), and my adult brother. We are trying to rent an apartment to accommodate everyone. We figured this would be the best way to get at least a few meals in instead of relying on restaurants for every meal. My question is then two-fold: what is the best area to stay in? We would like it to be convenient not only to sites, but to grocery stores, shops, restaurants, etc. as for restaurants, any areas that we can experience Parisian food, atmosphere, that would also be kid-friendly? This trip will be a challenge. Any advice is super welcomed. Thanks!
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Old Aug 24th, 2014, 10:02 PM
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I doubt one apartment will do. Just consider the bathroom needs. Perhaps an apartment hotel like Citadines for 2 apartments. There is one with a view of Notre Dame that would be nice.
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Old Aug 24th, 2014, 10:04 PM
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>>Perhaps an apartment hotel like Citadines for 2 apartments.
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Old Aug 24th, 2014, 10:17 PM
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<This trip will be a challenge> No kidding! You might want to talk to a professional.
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Old Aug 25th, 2014, 12:19 AM
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Look at airbnb. There are a dozen very large apts and a couple of houses listed in the Paris area that have four bedrooms and sleep 11 to 13 people. You might consider a small town like Versailles that is on the train line and very close to the city. There two homes listed near there.
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Old Aug 25th, 2014, 02:13 AM
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To seat 11 together at restaurants, you should book ahead even though February is relatively slow.

If you see a restaurant you like when you're out and about, stop in and ask if they can accommodate you.

With young ones you may want to go early anyway which will be easier for the restaurants as they tend to fill up later (8:00-8:30) than in the States.
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Old Aug 25th, 2014, 03:25 AM
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Wth so may people I would not stay outside Paris - the costs and time to get to and fro for so many people would be staggering. And especially with littler kids you may want to get back to the hotel or apt during the day. I would either rent 3 apartments in the same building or nearby (4 people each) - or 3 rooms in an apart hotel - and as close to the center as you can get.

For dining I would search here about kids dining in Paris and do some meals in those paces - but I would also check modest/moderate local places - asking if they can take such a large group and they open early - so you can dine at 7 or so and be gone when a lot of adult parties are coming for the evening,
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Old Aug 25th, 2014, 04:33 AM
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A place like Bistro du 7eme would accommodate them if done "earlyish" as suggested.
If most like mussels, there is Leon's de Bruxelles.
What's the place near Madeleine that is so cheap? Begins with "C", maybe?
Places on rue Hachette could work for them.
Get a picnic lunch at a supermarche and eat in a park if the weather is nice.
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Old Aug 25th, 2014, 06:37 AM
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I would look into two apartments - Homeaway has a lot of listings and then you could eat in for breakfast and dinner if you want
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Old Aug 25th, 2014, 07:08 AM
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I was also looking for a large apartment in Paris (4 or 5 bedrooms) for next March. 5 bedrooms are especially hard to find, but they are out there. (However maybe you need 6 bedrooms?)

You probably want a large space for the family to gather together when you are not out, right? What is your budget per night?

I would look for suitable apartments first, then ask here about the location.
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Old Aug 25th, 2014, 08:20 AM
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I agree, you can't be picky about location when you are trying to find something so rare. One apartment will be almost impossible to find, I bet. Two in the same building is a possiblity, but even though won't be easy to find.

If someone has actually lived in Paris, they shouldn't be so picky about the location as they would know you can easily get around if you are in Paris proper and there are grocery stores and places to eat in every area.

So try to find the apartment first then if you actually have a couple choices, you can look at location preferences. I suspect you may have better luck finding that kind of stuff in the "newer" arrondisements with more modern buildings, like maybe the 12th-13th or 15th.
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Old Aug 25th, 2014, 08:34 AM
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Thanks everyone!
I've found a couple of options on Airbnb, but it's definitely been challenging. I would prefer to stay more centrally located because, as some of you pointed out, getting around will be a hassle. Loading everyone on the metro, cabs, etc, will be hard. If we can just walk, that will be preferable. We are planning in eating in as much as possible, because we know that restaurants will be a difficult fit. But I would would like to have a decent meal every now and then, aside form the picnic stuff wel'll do most of the time. O my question is: for our group, is it better to stay in saint germain or le marais?
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Old Aug 25th, 2014, 08:41 AM
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>>s it better to stay in saint germain or le marais?
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Old Aug 25th, 2014, 08:45 AM
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I agree with janisj. If either is close to park where the children can run and play, that might help decide.
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Old Aug 25th, 2014, 08:48 AM
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Check out the previously mentioned website homeaway.com - they have a number of options.
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Old Aug 25th, 2014, 08:51 AM
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Sorry - the price I quoted was for a "special" meal -not just any sit down dinner.

The answer is that if you are willing to be flexible you can stick within your budget.

We couldn't - but we have sit down lunches and dinners every day. the lunch is usually casual - dsepite local habits - or I tend to fall asleep instead of want to sightsee. But often may be as simple as an omelet or main course salad or croque monsier or madame - but think this will be more than 10 euros. For dinner we always do a pleasant (yes, linens) restaurant - but not a special one - but we assume 100 euros per couple including wine and coffee.
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Old Aug 25th, 2014, 08:52 AM
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Sorry - wrong thread.
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Old Aug 25th, 2014, 09:32 AM
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11 people sharing one place? Are you sure that's what your Mom would consider a fun 60th Birthday? Or would she prefer to have more private space for each family group? I know I would.
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Old Aug 25th, 2014, 09:44 AM
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As crazy as it sounds, she would prefer for us all to be together. My husband and I live in the US, while the rest of the family live in Brazil. I'm looking at separate apartments and the options for this time of the year is endless! I may have a case just because of that... We shall see. My main concern is really getting around and having a place that'll agree to sit all of us every now and then...
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Old Aug 25th, 2014, 10:21 AM
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You can be 'together" by getting together in one place, but have some ability to all get ready to go in a couple of different places. But it sounds like fun. We were 8 eating out in Paris with our family. It isn't that hard to find that kind of seating.
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