NateandNolansmom

Hi everyone! My husband and I are planning to spend our birthdays in Paris this year. I heard that April is usually a rainy season so we are open to traveling end of April to may. I have been to Paris twice, both when I was younger. It will be my husbands first time. Both of us have never been to London. We are flying out of Los Angeles and we plan to travel for two weeks. The past two years have been both stressful and joyful because I had two boys one after the other (they are only 13 months apart) so this trip will be a good breather for us I was just wondering if I could ask some help with our itinerary, how many days should we stay in Paris and how many days in London, and if I could get a hotel recommendation near champs élysées particularly near Faubourg Saint-Honoré thank you so much in advance!!

jamikins

I would split the two and do a week in each.

Is there a particular reason that you want a hotel near the champs élysées? I would prefer a hotel in the 3-6 arrondissements...

annhig

hi nateandnolansmom - welcome to fodors!

i agree with jamikins that unless you have some particular event or interests to pursue in either city, spliting it 50/50 is a good idea, using the eurostar train to get between the two.

[NB the eurostar is already booking through to May 17th and if you want the best rates on what can be an expensive service if you book it late, it would be a good idea to get your tickets asap - here's the link: http://www.eurostar.com/static/micro..._to_paris.htm]

I also agree that unless you have a particular reason for wanting to stay near the champs elysees, there are other areas that might suit better. if you are going to use the eurostar it will arrive in Paris at the Gard du Nord and whilst I wouldn't suggest that you necessarily stay nearby, it will make life a little easier if you picked somewhere that is easily accessible from there.

another suggestion - as you will be spending a week or so in each place, have you considered staying in an apartment? you generally get a lot more space for less money than a hotel would cost, and the chance of eating in from time to time is both fun and can save money.

NateandNolansmom

Thank you for your replies! So helpful already! great tip on the Eurostar, will look into purchasing the tickets early.

We plan to fly out of La arriving in Paris first, then Eurostar to London then fly out of London to get back home.

As for staying in that area, it's rather silly but I love this particular brand and they have a store in that area so in case the hubby will be jet lagged and would rather sleep in (it happened to us to our trip to Italy, he slept in and woke up evening so we didn't get to see much our first days there) I could just walk and do some shopping

annhig

ok, N&N's mom, to each her own! I'm not sure that I'd want to plan the location for a week's stay on the off-chance that my DH would be suffering from jetlag though -is that the only time you'll get off? and have you looked to see if they have other stores in London? it would save on space on the 2nd leg of the trip if you're going to stock up.

seriously, it will probably increase your accommodation costs considerably to stay in that area which might affect how much you can buy!

mamcalice

To answer a couple of your questions, I would travel in early May, spend a week each in Paris and London and consider staying somewhere in the 3rd or 6th Arrondisement. You will have plenty of time to visit your store with a week at your disposal and we find the Champs Elysees area to be less inviting that others.

With a week in each city, you could consider an apartment but hotels are helpful for this visiting for the first time or the first time in a long time.

You will also have time for a few day trips such as Versailles, Giverny (beautiful in May!) and Chartres from Paris.

Fodors can be of help to you when you get to the point of researching hotels, restaurants, etc. There is lots of information on what to see and do if you use the search box above or the "Destinations" tab.

Enjoy your planning and your trip.

Gretchen

As for staying in that area, others have not been as pointed as this--it is a really sterile uninteresting part of Paris. How many times do you want to go to that store--make it a one and done!! Take the bus or metro from your more interesting part of real Paris.
I totally disagree you will have time for numerous day trips--"maybe" one, and maybe not even that.
I also prefer hotels in order to have a desk to help with reservations and advice. No housekeeping on your holiday!!

nytraveler

There is no reason to pick a specific area just because one shop is there. You can get there easily from all over the city by Metro - or even feet if you're not too far a way.

I would be much more interested in getting the most hotel for the money in an area near major sights - not just a hugely wide street with tons of car showrooms.

NateandNolansmom

It does make sense, thank you!! Just thought that it would be safe for me to roam around if ever hubby is jet lagged at least I could still be in the hotel area. (Bad experience in Italy that's why)

My next plan is to read guidebooks and start choosing which sites to see so I can fix our itinerary. Yes will look into a hotel that will be more practical too.

jamikins

There is no area in central Paris I can imagine you wouldn't feel safe walking to a corner cafe while hubby sleeps. The 3-6 arrondissements are full of charm and are busy areas with lots of people around. You will be fine for an afternoon.

StCirq

Well, I think you need to resort your priorities. It sounds like your husband needs to deal with the jetlag issue, instead of you having to deal with an expensive hotel in a sterile part of Paris so you can be near some store. He needs to stay awake on the day of arrival, walk around and get some sunshine, take it slow and easy, stay hydrated, have an early dinner (7 pm is about as early as it gets in Paris), go to bed by 10 pm. Then he'll likely be fine for the rest of the trip.

There isn't anywhere in Paris you'll be unsafe walking around alone. And practically anywhere you end up will be more interesting for walking around than the Champs Elysées, which is quite a bore.

Michael

What to do in London: a ride on the London Eye, a visit to Greenwich, the British Museum, a walk along the Regent's Canal, and more. A guidebook might be useful.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...61378508/show/

paris1953

I agree with the above. The Champs Elysee is the last area I'd want to stay in and also the last area I'd want to shop in. There are so many fabulous areas and unique shopping areas to explore. Search this forum and you'll get some great suggestions.

Also I'd second splitting one week in each city. I've done that several times and it's a good split.

Bon voyage!

janisj

"<i>It does make sense, thank you!! Just thought that it would be safe for me to roam around if ever hubby is jet lagged </i>"

You would be safe to roam just about anywhere. But honestly, get the old man to stay awake. He'll recover from jetlag faster if he stays awake, gets fresh air, has a light supper, and goes to bed at a normal-ish hour.

carolyn

My husband and I went to Paris in May and had sweater weather. We stayed in the Latin Quarter (left bank) at Hotel Parc Saint Severin, 22 rue de la Parcheminerie. It was close to St-Severin Church, the Pantheon, Musee de Cluny, Shakespeare & Co. Bookstore, Ile de la Cite` and Ile St-Louis with Notre Dame, Ste. Chapelle, and Berthillion ice cream, and St. Germain with St-Germain-des-Pres and St-Sulpice Churches. It was a pleasant small hotel and very easy to get to from the airport via the Metro to the St. Michel stop. We also very much enjoyed seeing Musee Jacquemart-Andre. DH liked the Invalides where we spent too much time to get into Musee d'Orsay.

It wasn't our first trip, so we had seen major sights before. When you get to Champs Elysee, stop in Laduree for a macaron.

We did two day trips, one to Giverny and one to Chartres.

annhig

N&Nsmom,

if you want another hotel recommendation in the same area [very convenient for getting the RER B to the Gare du Nord] we stayed at the Hotel Europe St. Severin [not the same as Carolyn's hotel and a bit cheaper] very near the Place St. michel, but quiet and within walking distance of everywhere she has mentioned.

http://www.hoteleurope.net/

we got an excellent rate through the hotel's own website by booking 6 months in advance [still with free cancellation terms though].

if you want somewhere a bit more upmarket in the 1st, the Hotel Britannique is lovely and very well positioned near Notre Dame and Metro line no 1 [so easy to get to the Champs elysees for your shopping]

http://www.hotel-britannique.fr/