Hello all! My husband and I recently (and quite spontaneously!) booked a 9 day trip to Paris! We are very excited and would like some info! We are staying at the Hotel St. Jacque in the Latin Quarter. Has anyone ever stayed here? How would we get from DeGaulle to our hotel? We were thinking about taking the RER to the center of Paris and then a taxi to our hotel? Is this the most efficient, inexpensive way? Any and all info on bistros, cafes, etc. would be helpful! Vive la France!!!!! <BR> <BR> <BR>Mary <BR>

Hello Mary! <BR> <BR>Good choice you made there. The Latin area is very nice. Lots of restaurants and cafés. All of them with people standing outside trying to get people to choose their restaurant. A lot of good at inexpensive restaurants there. <BR>I think your suggestion with RER and taxi to the hotel is ok - maybe you could even take the Metro from the railway station. The Metro is easy and inexpensive too. <BR>And an experience of its own. <BR> <BR>Paris is a very wonderfull city - enjoy! <BR> <BR>Malene <BR>

If you don't have too much luggage, you could take the RER from the airport to St Michel or Luxembourg and walk. Or, take a cab for about $60 directly to your hotel. One note: the restaurants in the "Latin Quarter", especially the ones where there are people outside telling you to come eat there are, to put it mildly, not Paris' best. To avoid, esp. the ones on rue de la Huchette. In this area you could try Chez Pento, very reasonable and friendly and quite good (rue Cujas) or Brasserie Balzar (rue des Ecoles), more expensive yet not formal with good, traditional food. Have a wonderful trip. <BR>

If you don't have too much luggage, you could take the RER from the airport to St Michel or Luxembourg and walk. Or, take a cab for about $60 directly to your hotel. One note: the restaurants in the "Latin Quarter", especially the ones where there are people outside telling you to come eat there are, to put it mildly, not Paris' best. To avoid, esp. the ones on rue de la Huchette. In this area you could try Chez Pento, very reasonable and friendly and quite good (rue Cujas) or Brasserie Balzar (rue des Ecoles), more expensive yet not formal with good, traditional food. Have a wonderful trip. <BR>

I believe your hotel is just a block or so east of <BR>bd St-Michel on rue des Ecoles, so you will be <BR>about two blocks from either Cluny or Maubert <BR>metro stops. The most efficient thing, as in most <BR>cases, would be to take a cab. The cheapest thing <BR>is to take the RER as you suggested. If you have <BR>several people to split the cost, I think the cab is <BR>best, if you have any luggage at all. It is not a <BR>pretty picture to carry or even "roll" any luggage <BR>for two blocks after you've been in transit say 10 <BR>hrs and have jet lag -- I might add, that area is a <BR>little hilly around there, so it won't be a flat 2 blocks. <BR>The cab thing from RER stop will probably not work <BR>because I doubt if one will take you two blocks; if <BR>they do, they may drive around a while anyway to <BR>up the fare (can't blame them). Free cabs are not that <BR>easy to automatically find, anyway, just standing <BR>around on the corner -- that isn't a train station, if <BR>you thought that, it will just be a street corner <BR>(and a very hectic one, I might add, at the corner <BR>of blvd St-Michel and quai St-Michel). So who knows how long <BR>you'll stand around trying to get a cab. Which is <BR>why the RER is probably only good if you can <BR>easily walk from there to your hotel, which should <BR>work if you travel very lightly.

Oh, by the way, I believe your hotel is right near <BR>the Brasserie Balzar that Francesca mentioned, <BR>which you should go to. There are some decent <BR>restaurants right along bd St-Germain just east of <BR>bd St-Michel, as well as along rue des Ecoles. I <BR>would suggest that you avoid like the plague any <BR>restaurant that has people outside trying to get <BR>you to come in--these type of restaurants are the <BR>worst kind of tourist fare imaginable (seen in <BR>squalid streets around St Michel metro stop, such <BR>as rue de la Huchette and on some more touristy <BR>street in St-Germain). Maybe for a snack, but even <BR>then I'd be leery -- I had some extremely <BR>questionable meat in one of the cheap Greek places <BR>that abound around St-Michel and got sick. <BR> <BR>

Very close to the small church St. Julien le Pauvre on a side street is a small restaurant called Auberge de Deux Cignes, well worth finding and eating there. I think it was closed on Mondays.Might be Auberge or might be Cafe. Another suggestion is to walk over to the Ile de St. Louis and eat there in any of the cafes. Enjoy and spend freely! <BR>

<BR>You might try the airport shuttle, pick you up at <BR>either DeGaulle or Orly and right to the hotel <BR>for approximately $15 a person. <BR>You can call and resrve(need to make a reser- <BR>vation) phone (33 1) 45 38 55 72 or Fax (33 1) <BR>43 21 35 67. You can also make contact <BR>though e-mail WWW.parisanglo.com. <BR>Will be in Paris same time of the year, Have a <BR>great time.

I think the easiest way to get into Paris is the AirFrance bus-about $8-10. There are 2 one leaving from door 26 going to Montparnasse (closest to the Latin Quater) and one that leaves from door 34 going to Porte Maillot and Etoile and is posted in the arrival area-just ask the info desk if you can't find it. It stops at a couple of places and leaves CDG every 15 minutes-It stops at The RER is kind of a pain because you have to take a "navette" (a shuttle) from the airport itself and they have luggage restrictions. And taxis are kind of expensive (probably around 250 ff I think...$50) and hard to get because of lines sometimes. From Montparnasse you can catch a taxi for probably be 10 bucks to your hotel from there-so $30 total versus $50-the taxi might be worth it for 2 with the jet lag. <BR> <BR>I also cut and pasted some restaurant suggestions below that I pass on to friends who go to Paris-there aren't any 6th district suggestions because unfortunately it is kind of touristy-but it looks like other folks have found some nice places there-so I will just pass along these for other parts of town: <BR> <BR>I spend a lot of time in France because my husband is French and one thing my American friends seem to like is going to Marriage Freres on 30-32 rue de Bourg-Tibourg in the 4th. It is an old tea salon and tea shop. They have great tea to buy and to drink and they have a restaurant that has pretty good food(lots of it made with tea-like green tea madeleines, but also non-sweets like <BR>salmon with a sauce made of tea) and nice Sunday brunch. They also sell tea jelly and little sterling tea measures that are affordable and light to carry <BR>gifts. The advantage is that it is non-smoking! Most Americans love that-the tea shops and chocalate shops are all non-smoking. This Marriage Freres (the other one is in the 6th) is in the Marais-a great part of Paris-it is between the Hotel de Ville and St Paul. <BR> <BR>Another restaurant friends like is the La Ferme Saint Hubert on 21, rue Vignon-it specializes in cheese and you can get a really nice lunch. While you are there go across the street to the Maison du Miel-they sell nothing but <BR>great honey. Also in the neighborhood is Fauchon's the amazing food store. It is on Place de la Madeleine and you should go in the various little shops-there is one that is only a deli another a bakery, etc. They have a cafe where the food is pretty good on the second floor of the deli I think. These are all in the 9th arrondisement... <BR> <BR>Also, ice cream at Maison Berthillon on Ille St Louis is fun. 31 rue St-Lois en <BR>L'ille overlooking the back of Notre Dame. <BR> <BR> Finally, I eat a lot of ethnic food in Paris because sometimes it is more <BR>reasonable and then I wait until I am outside of Paris to splurge on French <BR>food. One of my favorite restaurants in Paris is near the Orsay museum and is a well know Vietnamese "nouvell cuisine" restaurant called Tan Dinh on 60,rue de Verneuil in 7th. <BR> <BR>Lots of time I eat lunch out at a restaurant and then picnic around Paris in the evening to save money! <BR> <BR>Hope this helps <BR>

I took an Air France shuttle into Paris. It made several stops. You could get off near one of the Metro stops if it doesn't go near the Latin Quarter and then take the Metro to the Latin Quarter. I think we paid $10 per person. Much cheaper than a taxi. We also got a free map of Paris from the driver. <BR>

Mary, <BR> <BR>I am assuming you are at the Hotel St Jacques **, at 35 Rue des ecoles. I have stayed at a hotel a couple of bldgs over. You can ,as suggested take the RER from CDG to St Michel, then exit the RER to the St Michel subway stop (linked), and take the subway (Line 10 - Gare D'Austerlitz direction) for one stop to Maubert-Mutualite. My map reading says two blocks south of this stop to your hotel. <BR> <BR>As others have stated, this is a nice area to stay in...do go to Luxembourg Gardens, Lutece Arena (ancient roman arena), Cluny Museum. I will include my favorite list of restaurants, most easy walking distance from your hotel. <BR> <BR>Angelina's: Right Bank, Rue Rivoli, near Louvre,"tea room", fabulous deserts, and a hot chocolate, the "africain" that is death by chocolate... <BR> <BR>Reine Blanche: Ile St Louis, family restaurant,small, great food, friendly lady running the show <BR> <BR>Au Gourmet de L'Ile: Ile St Louis,very nice,stone-and-beam decor <BR> <BR>Berthillon: on Ile St Louis, some people say this is the best ice cream in the world...they have a street outlet here <BR> <BR>Ruche Gourmande: Left Bank, Rue Dauphine, when we were there they had just opened, service was therefore little spotty, but they were so nice and trying to please, and the food good. <BR>Already had the typical french grandma eatingdiner in the corner..2 minute walk to Pont Neuf Seine boats <BR> <BR>Le Montebello: Left Bank, along Seine, east of Quai St Michel, outdoor patio with view of Notre Dame <BR> <BR>Rotisserie du Beaujolais: near above restaurant,lots of locals, great chicken/duck, same owner as the nearby **** Tour D'argent.... <BR> <BR>Atlas: Left Bank,#12 Blvd St Germain (east end), Moroccan food, my friend says it was very good, and plentiful <BR> <BR>Chez Rene: Blvd St Germain, right across street from above, bistro, lots of locals, Catherine Deneuve once in a while... <BR> <BR>Moulin de Vent/Chez Henri: left bank, Rue des Fosses St Bernard, bistro, locals, and as with the above ,good/great food <BR> <BR> <BR>Bon Voyage!

Mary, <BR> <BR>I am assuming you are at the Hotel St Jacques **, at 35 Rue des ecoles. I have stayed at a hotel a couple of bldgs over. You can ,as suggested take the RER from CDG to St Michel, then exit the RER to the St Michel subway stop (linked), and take the subway (Line 10 - Gare D'Austerlitz direction) for one stop to Maubert-Mutualite. My map reading says two blocks south of this stop to your hotel. <BR> <BR>As others have stated, this is a nice area to stay in...do go to Luxembourg Gardens, Lutece Arena (ancient roman arena), Cluny Museum. I will include my favorite list of restaurants, most easy walking distance from your hotel. <BR> <BR>Angelina's: Right Bank, Rue Rivoli, near Louvre,"tea room", fabulous deserts, and a hot chocolate, the "africain" that is death by chocolate... <BR> <BR>Reine Blanche: Ile St Louis, family restaurant,small, great food, friendly lady running the show <BR> <BR>Au Gourmet de L'Ile: Ile St Louis,very nice,stone-and-beam decor <BR> <BR>Berthillon: on Ile St Louis, some people say this is the best ice cream in the world...they have a street outlet here <BR> <BR>Ruche Gourmande: Left Bank, Rue Dauphine, when we were there they had just opened, service was therefore little spotty, but they were so nice and trying to please, and the food good. <BR>Already had the typical french grandma eatingdiner in the corner..2 minute walk to Pont Neuf Seine boats <BR> <BR>Le Montebello: Left Bank, along Seine, east of Quai St Michel, outdoor patio with view of Notre Dame <BR> <BR>Rotisserie du Beaujolais: near above restaurant,lots of locals, great chicken/duck, same owner as the nearby **** Tour D'argent.... <BR> <BR>Atlas: Left Bank,#12 Blvd St Germain (east end), Moroccan food, my friend says it was very good, and plentiful <BR> <BR>Chez Rene: Blvd St Germain, right across street from above, bistro, lots of locals, Catherine Deneuve once in a while... <BR> <BR>Moulin de Vent/Chez Henri: left bank, Rue des Fosses St Bernard, bistro, locals, and as with the above ,good/great food <BR> <BR> <BR>Bon Voyage!

Mary, <BR> <BR>I am assuming you are at the Hotel St Jacques **, at 35 Rue des ecoles. I have stayed at a hotel a couple of bldgs over. You can ,as suggested take the RER from CDG to St Michel, then exit the RER to the St Michel subway stop (linked), and take the subway (Line 10 - Gare D'Austerlitz direction) for one stop to Maubert-Mutualite. My map reading says two blocks south of this stop to your hotel. <BR> <BR>As others have stated, this is a nice area to stay in...do go to Luxembourg Gardens, Lutece Arena (ancient roman arena), Cluny Museum. I will include my favorite list of restaurants, most easy walking distance from your hotel. <BR> <BR>Angelina's: Right Bank, Rue Rivoli, near Louvre,"tea room", fabulous deserts, and a hot chocolate, the "africain" that is death by chocolate... <BR> <BR>Reine Blanche: Ile St Louis, family restaurant,small, great food, friendly lady running the show <BR> <BR>Au Gourmet de L'Ile: Ile St Louis,very nice,stone-and-beam decor <BR> <BR>Berthillon: on Ile St Louis, some people say this is the best ice cream in the world...they have a street outlet here <BR> <BR>Ruche Gourmande: Left Bank, Rue Dauphine, when we were there they had just opened, service was therefore little spotty, but they were so nice and trying to please, and the food good. <BR>Already had the typical french grandma eatingdiner in the corner..2 minute walk to Pont Neuf Seine boats <BR> <BR>Le Montebello: Left Bank, along Seine, east of Quai St Michel, outdoor patio with view of Notre Dame <BR> <BR>Rotisserie du Beaujolais: near above restaurant,lots of locals, great chicken/duck, same owner as the nearby **** Tour D'argent.... <BR> <BR>Atlas: Left Bank,#12 Blvd St Germain (east end), Moroccan food, my friend says it was very good, and plentiful <BR> <BR>Chez Rene: Blvd St Germain, right across street from above, bistro, lots of locals, Catherine Deneuve once in a while... <BR> <BR>Moulin de Vent/Chez Henri: left bank, Rue des Fosses St Bernard, bistro, locals, and as with the above ,good/great food <BR> <BR> <BR>Bon Voyage!

Mary, <BR> <BR>I am assuming you are at the Hotel St Jacques **, at 35 Rue des ecoles. I have stayed at a hotel a couple of bldgs over. You can ,as suggested take the RER from CDG to St Michel, then exit the RER to the St Michel subway stop (linked), and take the subway (Line 10 - Gare D'Austerlitz direction) for one stop to Maubert-Mutualite. My map reading says two blocks south of this stop to your hotel. <BR> <BR>As others have stated, this is a nice area to stay in...do go to Luxembourg Gardens, Lutece Arena (ancient roman arena), Cluny Museum. I will include my favorite list of restaurants, most easy walking distance from your hotel. <BR> <BR>Angelina's: Right Bank, Rue Rivoli, near Louvre,"tea room", fabulous deserts, and a hot chocolate, the "africain" that is death by chocolate... <BR> <BR>Reine Blanche: Ile St Louis, family restaurant,small, great food, friendly lady running the show <BR> <BR>Au Gourmet de L'Ile: Ile St Louis,very nice,stone-and-beam decor <BR> <BR>Berthillon: on Ile St Louis, some people say this is the best ice cream in the world...they have a street outlet here <BR> <BR>Ruche Gourmande: Left Bank, Rue Dauphine, when we were there they had just opened, service was therefore little spotty, but they were so nice and trying to please, and the food good. <BR>Already had the typical french grandma eatingdiner in the corner..2 minute walk to Pont Neuf Seine boats <BR> <BR>Le Montebello: Left Bank, along Seine, east of Quai St Michel, outdoor patio with view of Notre Dame <BR> <BR>Rotisserie du Beaujolais: near above restaurant,lots of locals, great chicken/duck, same owner as the nearby **** Tour D'argent.... <BR> <BR>Atlas: Left Bank,#12 Blvd St Germain (east end), Moroccan food, my friend says it was very good, and plentiful <BR> <BR>Chez Rene: Blvd St Germain, right across street from above, bistro, lots of locals, Catherine Deneuve once in a while... <BR> <BR>Moulin de Vent/Chez Henri: left bank, Rue des Fosses St Bernard, bistro, locals, and as with the above ,good/great food <BR> <BR> <BR>Bon Voyage!

Mary, <BR>You may wish to try the Paris Airport Shuttle (PAS). A van will transport you from CDG to your hotel for about 90 francs each. Visit their web site in www.paris-anglo.com. You can reserve on line. I used them last year and have no complaints. <BR>