Another Maitai Pre-Adventure Conundrum
 

So, since Air France was threatening to strike next week, our trip to Paris has been moved up a couple of days. Still get to take the big plane. Good news…two extra days. Bad news…places in Paris are mostly booked or very,very expensive. Thinking of maybe renting a car and going to Honfleur, Giverny or Reims for 1 1/2 days until our apartment in Paris opens up.

Good idea? If anyone has a secret Paris hotel in a not so touristy arrondissement, that would work, too. Merci!

((H))

bummer that your apartment would not be available two days in advance. Its not the most romantic option, but what about staying near the airport? I see the Radisson Blu is around 80 euros per night and has a frequent shuttle to the RER. Plus they have "refreshing cocktails until 2 am in the bar." Anyway, its an option.

I'm not very lucid my first couple of days after flying from California, maybe you don't have that problem.

PS here is the link http://www.radissonblu.com/hotel-parisairport

Maybe something here will work for you??

http://www.vacationinparis.com/specials

We are going straight from CDG to Reims; there is a fast train. Maybe that would work for you. In Reims, we are staying at a B&B with a double suite because there are three of us.

http://telliers.fr/

Here is a Paris hotel that I keep in my files because of the great reviews and decent rates:

http://www.grand-hotel-francais.fr/en/

<< going to Honfleur, Giverny or Reims for 1 1/2 days until our apartment in Paris opens up. >>

Stopping in Giverny for a few hours before going to Honfleur is a good idea. I loved both.

But, then again, I liked Reims too. But, you could do Reims as a day trip from Paris when you get there.

I haven't been to Reims yet, but enjoyed my stop in Giverny on the way to an overnight stay in Honfleur.

If you go to Reims, the Veuve Cliquot tour is a lot of fun and very interesting. We spent a few days this summer in Reims and the surrounding area and very much enjoyed it.

How about this place in the 12th: http://www.hoteldelaportedoree.com/

Another vote for Reims. Great cathedral… plus was Eisenhower's headquarters during WWII… and, of course, champagne -:)
Happy Anniversary wherever you end up!

Oops! I misspoke -- I stopped in glorious Giverny on my way to marvelous Rouen, and only then moved on to Honfleur (with other stops en route). I can't imagine it matters, but wanted to set the record straight....

Check the www.accorhotels.com site for hotels. While their 4 & 5 star properties are mostly in the center of Paris (Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, etc.), their 2 & 3 star places are in the outer arrondissements (Ibis, Ibis Styles, Ibis Budget.

Become a member of their hotel frequent stay program and enjoy additional discounts sometimes..

For 1 1/2 days I think Reims would be perfect......easy to get to and from and variety of things to do but not overwhelming.

Thank you all. Last night, we remembered we had a bunch of American Express points, so we decided since we're celebrating anniversary #20, and we get an unexpected extra two days in Paris, we used our points and are going to stay at the Melia (Don't Call Me Stephen) Colbert for a nominal fee thanks to AE points. Then on to the apartment after a couple of days. Merci beaucoup!!!!

((H))

The last thing I did when I finally got rid of my Amex card was to convert my Amex points to Accor points. Once I have piled up enough points for a number of their 40€ hotel vouchers, I go wild.

That is great news. We stayed at the Colbert back before it became so fancy…. it's in a great location. We had a view of Notre Dame from our room.

When are you leaving for Paris? We leave on Sunday and will be celebrating our 60th in Paris and Reims.
We really like Reims and all the champagne!
Flying Aer Lingus so hoping for the best.

Hi Maitaitom,

We've been having an unbelievably good trip through "the Alps", and until we caught your thread, had no idea of the threatened Air France strike. We're sorry for all the anxiety and inconvenience it's caused as you have been anticipating such a wonderful trip. If it's any consolation, we had to deal with a similar situation just before our trip to Barcelona, and after working through all the hassles, we had a wonderful time.

We wanted to let you know that we are still "on" for dinner at LE TRUMILOU on the 17th at 7:30 and are looking forward to a vin rouge toast and dinner with you and Tracy. However, with your travel changes, if you want to re-consider, we totally understand. We'll assume if we do not hear from you that everything is the same.

Meantime, hope you have a safe and pleasant trip!

Tom & Margie

Years ago, on a trip to do some b&w photography, one of my targets was the Le Notre garden, very near Orly, at the Parc de Sceaux with it's small chateau & museum. A short walk from the parc is the town of Sceaux where I stayed at the 3* Hotel Colbert at one end of a pedestrianized area, very pleasant. Off the beaten track, now with an RER station nearby so a short ride into the city, it still looks very nice and good value at under €100.

http://www.hotelsceaux.fr/index_en.php
http://www.beyond-paris.com/parc-de-sceaux.html

kja--how long did you spend in Giverny? Did you take the train to Rouen or drive?

Just noticed the decision had already been made. Good work!

We wanted to let you know that we are still "on" for dinner at LE TRUMILOU on the 17th at 7:30 and are looking forward to a vin rouge toast and dinner with you and Tracy. However, with your travel changes, if you want to re-consider, we totally understand. We'll assume if we do not hear from you that everything is the same.

We'll be there...and I won't be jet lagged!!!

((H))

Congrats cornelius. We will celebrate 60th wedding anniversary the day before I turn 103. I assume you married younger. Have a great time!

((H))

Maitai… if I were you I"d set up an a/c right now to save for a special gift for your wife on your 60th. My neighbor will be 103 a week from today…. still in great shape. It could happen to you -:)

@ dwdvagamundo -- I spent about 2 hours at Monet's Gardens and House, almost all of that in the absolutely glorious gardens. I also visited the Giverny Museum of Impressionism, where I spent another hour (mostly visiting a special exhibit on Bonnard, with just a little time in its gardens) and about 1/2 hour having coffee at its very oleasant outdoor cafe. I drove to Giverny from Paris, and then from Giverny to Rouen, with a stop in Les Andelys. Hope that helps!

kja--Thanks a lot. Very useful.

Hope you do not mind my adding this comment.
I have had several dinners at La Trumilou and really enjoyed the restaurant. It was suggested to me by the owner of an apartment that I rented a few years ago. I enjoyed it so much I try to go at least once on each of my trips to Paris.
The Duck with prunes was really good.
Have a great 20th anniversary

Tom.. Enjoy your two extra days in Paris! Happy Anniversary too.

Hi Maitaitom,

Hope your flight with Air France was good and that you're in sunny Paris now. We experienced a real unexpected hurdle when our Air France flight from Munich on Monday was cancelled. After much stress and anxiety, we got here on Lufthansa. It's wonderful to be here!

So. . .we're really looking forward to that vin rouge toast and dinner with you and Tracy.