I'm going to visit Paris this July with my family. We have booked a triple room at Campanile Paris X Gare du Nord hotel. It is
about 200m from the Gare du Nord. But I'm not comfortable with the choice of the hotel. There are some questions bothering me. Is it noisy inside the hotel? Is the hotel area safe? So, I'll be very glad and thankful if somebody give any information about this hotel and surrounding area.

Thanks in advance, Misha60

Hi Misha,

I take it that you booked this hotel for the low price.

How much are you paying for a triple? Is bkfst included? AC?

Let me throw in one more question that might help: Is this going to be your home base for a period of time or just a quick, more interim type of a stay?

Hi Misha60

A long time ago I stayed at a hotel immediately in front of Gare du Nord. I was not wild about the area either.

It was noisy, had lots of shady characters hanging around, and was a bit isolated from the things I wanted to see and do. And I really disliked having to start the day with a Metro ride which often meant at least one line change.

However, having said all that, I did save money, the hotel put me in a quiet room on the backside, and I had no physical security issues. Things worked out okay, but feeling uncomfortable with the area detracted from my trip.

I hope this helped and did not further confuse you. Maybe your hotel is far enough away from the station to avoid the negative issues that impacted me.

I probably stayed in the same hotel one time as Chat while on a tour. There is little to see in the immediate area so just strolling around is not too much an option. You must also use the Gare du Nord Metro which is less than ideal--sprawling and just a bit seemy. See if you can find something more central.

Seeing the Gare du Nord area from the train window made me thankful I wasn't staying in that area. Not the prettiest area of Paris.

I think its one of the most depressing areas of the city. I hate arriving there by train and always grap a taxi quickly to get out asap. I don't personally consider it a safe area for a woman, as I have been followed around the station by beggers and mashers, when waiting for trains.

Do yourself a favour and find somewhere else in the 5th or 6th.

Good luck.

regards ...Ger

The Gare du Nord and the area around it is one of the very few places in Paris that I am loath to walk around in, especially after dark. I have a friend who lives a couple of blocks from there, and I find it creepy to take public transportation and then walk to visit her. Paris is such a beautiful city with so many hotel options - you can easily find a better place to stay.

I'd like to thank everybody for replying my message. As I understand the only advantage of Gare du Nord hotel is its price (80 E fora triple room). So, we've decided to change a location (5,6 arrond).

Good move. I've been staying the in the Nation-Republique areas over the past few years. These are much more comfortable-feeling neighborhoods than the area around Gare du Nord. Hotel rates and other costs tend to be lower than in some of the more tourist-oriented neighborhoods. Metro access is superb from either Place de la Nation or Republique.

Here's a hotel where I've booked triples several times:

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

It's worth a look.

I'll be staying at the Best Western Albert 1er for our overnignt stay in Paris. We're taking a 1 1/2 day trip from London on the Eurostar and chose that hotel because it's near the station. We plan on leaving our luggage there if the left luggage lockers are not available. The hotel also has airconditioning. Since we'll only be there 1 night, I'm not too concerned about its unattractive location.

Actually there is one wonderful thing about this location that we partake of every trip. The street across from the Gare is lined with cafes that, to us, have the best moules frites in Paris at the best price.