I have a trip to Paris planned February 11-17. We have reservations to stay at the Holiday Inn Pantin-La Villette in the 19th district. Has anyone ever stayed here or heard anything about the area? We are also looking for things to do on a budget. I am 21 and traveling with my mother age 43. Anyone have any suggestions? I heard the weather is usually cold about 30-35 degrees everyday and it rains alot, is this true? Thanks for all the help.

Hey Amy.

February is usually cold in Paris - but rain? No, not particularly. 19th. arr. is not the most exciting place to stay, but if you're only staying there to sleep I guess it's o.kay - and then again it all depends doesn't it. Some may like 19th arr. a lot - I don't. If you have never been to Paris I would strongly recommend using money on a guided bus - tour. Like this, you can get an idea of what Paris is like and what you like to do and what you don't. Take bus from metro: Pont Neuf, where I know some tours are starting. I guess you will like to see all the "MUST SEE" places and allthough some of them are waste of time in my opinion I still think you should see them, if it's your first time. Guess you will like Sacre Coeur and Place du Tertre(metro: Abesses) and also St. Germain - des - Pres.(metroame).You could also take a guided boat tour on the Seine in closed boats. Do it when it's dark - it's beautiful with all the illuminations, but don't wast money eating on board. It's expensive and bad. If you want more info,please just ask. I take for granted that you have done your home-work and read a good tourist-guide before leaving.
Sanne

Amy, what has your travel agent done to you and your mother? The message above is kind when it says that the 19th Arr. is "not for everybody." Your agent has put you up in the northeast corner of Paris, as far away from anything interesting as is possible, and in a section of Paris that is, well, not inviting. Imagine being in Atlanta for the first time, dependent upon public transportation, and your hotel is hard by I-285 in some place like Chamblee. Seriously, if your travel agent can move you to somewhere else a little more central to the city, then ask that it be done. Paris in February is chilly and changeable, but I've been there at that time of the year, and it will be OK. There's plenty to do indoors (the new Richlieu wing of the Louvre means it now takes about two days to see that museum properly. Enjoy your trip, and see if you can do something to improve your hotel.

Take Neal's excellent advice -- this is a terrible
location for any visitor IMO, but espec. a first-time
one. I don't know where the Holiday Inn is, but
if it is near the Porte de Pantin metro stop, you
are virtually on the highway surrounding Paris
(the peripherique) and it will take you about 1/2
hr by metro just to get to city center. Advice as
to what you should do cheaply is difficult since
you give no clue as to your interests. All the
museums are reasonable entertainment and if you plan
on visiting a lot, get the Museums & Monuments discount
entry card. There are many free/extremely cheap
classical music concerts in Paris at many churches
in the evenings. Sit at a cafe for hours nursing
a drink or two and people watch, absorb the atmosphere.
BTW, if you are at all interested in classical music,
you MUST visit the new Paris Music Museum just at
the Porte de Pantin metro (only good thing there that
I know of) -- a wonderfully displayed exhibit of
historical instruments with a superb infra-red headset
tour in different languages.

Please tell you travel agent to book a hotel for you in the Latin Quarter. You can try the Alliance/Latitudes St Germain des Prés hotel located right at St Germain. It is a modern hotel. Rooms are a bit small but nice and the location is great. Could you please tell your travel agent to train a bit about Paris and not to suggest far away places, specially for first timers in Paris!

I am also going to be in Paris between Feb. 11-19th. A flight attendant out of Atlanta who flies that route told me to take a rain coat and boots as it could shower every day and the weather will be similar to Atlanta in February- could be nice and could be chilly. I am traveling with my mother, too!

Don't even THINK of staying there! Re-book immediately. There are dozens of wonderful accomodations,especially at that time, in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 16th, for the same price. For suggestions, check out Rick Steves website, or go to www.180096hotel.com. We use this website all the time in various locations and have been enormously pleased and their rates are FAR lower than booking any other way. DO NOT stay in the 19th. As for the weather, just pack lots of light layers. A hooded raincoat with a zip-out lining would be perfect. And, you must absolutely study at least one good tour guide (even if you do it on the plane). Recommend Fodor's, Frommer's, Eyewitness, Access. DON'T leave home without one!