1st Time Family Trip to Paris
 

We are planning a trip to France 6/13-6/23. We'll be in Paris for approx. 3 nights and do not know where to stay. My Husband thinks the Marais area sounds great, but I want to make sure the location is convenient to major
sights, metro, etc. We would like to find a small, charming hotel that is family friendly in the 100-200 Euros price range.

Would this area of Paris be right for us? Any advice would be appreciated!

Hi dandygirl, I have been living in the Marais the past three years and it is a wonderful neighborhood. In terms of convenience, it would be particularly good if you stayed near Hotel d'ville (the far west part of the Marais) since it puts you on the number one line for the metro to the Louvre and also close to the major north and south line. But the side of the Marais further east is great as well. In general for convenience stay close to the river close to the rue de rivoli. But check the hotel listings, people have definite opinions here about street noise, location etc. In terms of whether it is right for you, it would help if we know a bit more. Do you have kids with you, and what age. Teenagers, for instance, may like the shopping and neighborhood better in the 6th in the Latin Quarter and you will probably find more of a range of choice in rooms, etc. But the Marais is great, in general it is a wonderful neighborhood, safe, fun and great shops and restaurants. And the location is very central.
Have a great trip. June is a great time to come before it gets to high tourist season and too hot.

Thank you so much for your quick and
helpful reply. We have a 12 yr. old,
we are very active, love great food,
love to visit new and beautiful cultures, want to see as much as is
humanly possible, and can't wait to get
to Paris. Shopping is not really a
priority on this trip, a good reason
to plan the second trip!

There is a nice apartment 1 1/2 blks from Hotel de Ville metro,off Rue du Rivoli in the Marais. Go to www.bienvenueaparis.com They have 2 properties, the other is near Les Halles metro. We are staying at the one off Rue du Rivoli next week!!! Its a nice alternative to a hotel in a nice location.

My in-laws recently stayed at La Bretonnerie in the Marais and they were very pleased with it. The location is very good. http://www.bretonnerie.com/

Also check out the hotels on Ile. St. Louis (also in the 4th arr.) One of my friends recently stayed at Hotel de Lutece and highly recommends it. You will be able to hear the bells of Notre Dame. http://www.paris-hotel-lutece.com/english/location.html

The Ile. St. Louis is in a great location for sightseeing. And your 12 y.o. will like all the ice cream shops on the island!

Here's a place that I've used a lot, which is on Boulevard Voltaire near Place de la Nation:

http://www.grand-hotel-francais.fr/english/accueil.html

It features 40 rooms in a beautifully cared-for historic building. The staff is friendly and extremely helpful. The rooms are typically small, but immaculate and the rate is a bargain. You can book this hotel online by drilling through through the hotel's website or you may e-mail inquiries to: [email protected].

There is a Franprix (Kosher, closed Saturday) directly across the street to pick up some carry-out Bordeaux, along with a selection of restaurants and brasseries in the immediate neighborhood. Grand Hotel Francais is just a few doors from the Boulets Montreuil Metro Station and only a short walk from the Nation station, where four metro lines converge (including the ever-popular #1, which will whisk you directly to the Champs-Elysees, etc).

In the past, I've told people "skip the breakfast -- you can do better anywhere." Things have changed in this department, however. Wally has totally re-vamped the breakfast offering into a morning buffet and while Parisian breakfasts are understated as a rule, you'll find it to be worth your while to check it out as a convenient way to start your day. Take some time to get to know him a bit because he is an incredibly helpful host and DO give this hotel a long, hard look for an outstanding value in Paris.

The double-glazed, French door-type windows keep it reasonably calm on its active "real" Paris street (frankly, I like to open them when I can). Some of the rooms feature small balconies and yes, there is an elevator. This is not a "tourist area", but a real, live neighborhood that is on the northern edge of the Marais.

It's worth a look.