Hi - finally narrowed down choice for upcoming trip to hotel claude bernard or hotel duquesne eiffel. We are family of 4 - 2adults 2 toddlers (3yr,2yr). Any suggestions? Looking for hotel that is close it transit and good for walks and local supermarkets (never know when the kids want milk LOL. Any help much appreciated. Need to make decision in a couple of days. Thanks!

I'd probably pick the Duquesne Eiffel for your purposes. The other one is more a very touristy area, and not as level. I just find it not as relaxing an area -- I don't think either area is close to a supermarket, though. I know there isn't one around the Claude Bernard, and I don't think so around the other, but am not sure. I guess it depends how close you want. There will be small stores as places to buy things, of course, but not any big supermarket I can think of. If you're staying in a hotel, you shouldn't really need a big supermarket, though, and so either one will probably be okay for picking up a few things. Both are close to transportation.

My glance at this is that the Duquesne would be nearer parks, and a quieter neighbourhood. Easier access to Right Bank by Metro.

CB is more central and more walkable to sites/restos (longer walk to Luxembourg gardens though). Closer walk to Seine.
I've actually stayed on Rue Des Ecoles and was great for me, as a solo traveller.

Mike..also from canada

There is a fairly well stocked grocery store 2 blocks from the Duquesne Eiffel at the Ecole Militaire metro stop. Both hotels are close to transportation access, metro and bus, many cafes, restaurants,parks with puppet shows, carrousels, etc. The Duquesne Eiffel has a better view and is in a quieter area if that is a concern.

I'm a big fan of the Duquesne Eiffel. I've stayed there twice. The rooms are small but charming and some even have views of the Eiffel Tower. The staff was kind and helpful. The location very convenient to the Metro and local supermarkets. I don't recall that the rooms included mini-refrigerators so you might want to check on that.

To back up what the others have said...the metro system (and bus, and train) in Paris serves central Paris exceptionally well. Soemwhere I read that you are never more than 500m from a Metro stop.

But...not all lines go to where you want to be...so changing lines, sometines once, sometimes twice could be required.

For DE, the metro lines nearest your hotel would take you directly to Champs Elysee/place Concorde. To go to Notre Dame, need to change lines. FOR DB, one Metro stop and a walk to ND.

I actually stayed in both these hotels this past summer...and loved them both!!! I'd be glad to answer any specific questions.

CB is near a more exciting area, although Rue des Ecoles was quiet. Good for kids is that with our package, the breakfast was included and it was wonderful. (It might be included for everyone, but I'm nost sure) Certainly the buffet had enough to choose from to keep everyone happy.

The DE was a prettier hotel, (the CB was nice though). We had the Tour Eiffel room and I could lay in bed and watch the Eiffel sparkle at night. That particular room would have a hard time accomodating 4 beds though. We didn't eat breakfast there.

Both had a bakery nearby . Both had cafes within walking distance. A bus passed directly in front of the DE - I didn't notice any busses in front of the CB. It was a couple of blocks walk to the metro from either. The CB definitely had refrigerators in each room. I think the DE did too - maybe stocked as a mini-bar, but I would recommend checking that as we stayed in other hotels that vacation and I wouldn't want to lead you astray with faulty memory. I'm sure that the frig would be a help with toddlers. We did go to the foodstore near the DE and it was very tiny - but enough to get what we needed.

The CB was up a little hill, but nothing to speak of (unless you might be carrying toddlers!) It never bothered us, even after walking all day.

I'll find my pix for you!

Here are pictures of our two Paris hotels:
Hotel Claude Bernard, 43 Rue des Ecoles, 5th
Hotel Duquesne Eiffel, 26 Rue Duquesne, 7th

http://tinyurl.com/gs9uo

When I previewed this, the second link works although the first does not. Don't know why this happens, but use the second one! The breakfast room at the CB had already been cleared of most of the food - usually that table was full of food.

Hope this helps with your decision - I don't think you could go wrong with either.

Thanks kwren - wow what a great view of the Eiffel Tower! Really appreciate your info. If you had to choose one over the other, which hotel would you select (taking into consideration price difference as well - I believe DE is a bit more expensive)? We will be travelling with one stroller for the infant and our 3yr old will be walking. Our infant still takes naps so we will be spending more time in the hotel room than the average traveller. It would be ideal if the surrounding area of the hotel had an interesting 30min radius so the toddler could take short walks from the hotel and have interesting things to see or do.

Well.....

This will sound like a cop-out, but they were really both so different with different advantages.

Pricewise, the CB won for us hands down, but we had a great summer special with the 4th night free and free breakfast. Can't beat that. The room was also bigger there, but I know they also had tiny rooms. Our second room was very tiny, but sufficient, but it was for 2 people and would not apply to you.

I just loved the decor of the DE and couldn't beat that view of the Eiffel Tower. That's exactly what I always dreamed of having in Paris! I don't usually stay in such a pretty hotel (you get what you pay for and it was worth the extra cost) and I enjoyed every second of being in that room. If you are looking for a beautiful room and that view (if it is available in a room that will accomodate the 4 of you), definitely go to the DE. It was the prettiest of our 4 hotels of our 3 week trip, but I wouldn't have splurged on the extra if I couldn't have had that view. Only one bed had that direct view...and I actually had to switch the bed and nightstand to get it!!! I'll do anything for that view. Maybe you can look at it that they will go to sleep early and you can lie on the bed and watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle.

OK, now the CB - it had the friendliest guy helping out in the breakfast room and I talked to him every day - not a consideration if you don't speak French, but I think he would still be helpful. He's the one in the picture with the food. I didn't go to the breakfast room at the DE so it is not a fair comparison. Maybe they had a great guy there too! The CB breakfast will have what you want for the kids and I think the kids would fit in quite well there.

Here's what I think will sway you though - It did seem like it took more effort to get places from the DE. We walked to quite a few places from the CB, but took the metro more from DE. Would that be a considerationfor you? The CB seemed more central, and there was a great souvenir shop 2 or 3 blocks away. We didn't get to the Luxembourg Gardens, but I think it wouldn't be a bad walk from the CB. Walking wise, I think you could get to that park easier than to get to the park by the Eiffel Tower walking from the DE. No matter which way you go from the CB, I think there is more to see. Blvd St Michel has a lot of shops. The other side of Blvd St Germain has the crowded area of ethnic cafes and tourist restaurants and street-side stands selling crepes and other foods. Beyond that is the Notre Dame area. See what you think on a map. The DE was in an area which seemed a bit more sedate and upscale. Hard to recommend one over the other without knowing you,, how many times you have been to Paris, etc.

How long will you be in Paris? It is not highly recommended here, but we did change hotels mid-week and it was great for us. (Maybe not with 2 kids though) I was really happy to experience both hotels and do recommend both for the above different reasons.

I think I've just talked myself into the CB for you, but it would be hard for me to give up the DE and the view.

Thanks Kwren that was so helpful! I think we will go to CB then.DE doesn't have a room with a view available (I still can't believe that spectacular view - people dream about that when they're going to Paris!). CB also sounds good because it's closer to walkable things just in case we have to be in close to the hotel for the kids. It'll be our 3rd trip but the first for our kids and it will be a very different trip with them vs when it was just us LOL! We generally prefer to stay away from touristy areas to get a feel for local life but with young toddlers it's a different story...

I'm sure you will love it canadianfamily! You won't be right in the heart of the touristy area, but can walk there easily.

How did you decide on these 2 hotels out of all the possibilities in Paris? It's funny that we ended up with the same 2 choices!

Be prepared for a tiny elevator too! My kids thought it was a riot. You will need more than one trip to get your things up!

I based the 2 final hotels after reading tons of posts on this site and reviewing the hotel website. I'm sure it was one or several of your posts that contributed greatly to our decision. Thanks again!

I've been staying at the Duquesne-Eiffel for more than 25 years, through a couple of renovations and updates, even

I think it meets your criteria a bit better than the other.

Stayed at the CB several years ago (before the Euro) and it has a great location. It's a short walk to the Metro at Maubert Mutualite stop, and there was a street market there 3 days a week and wonderful shops as well (cheese shop, patisserie/bakery, fruit and vegetable shop, etc.) Also, I remember there were two smaller non-super markets nearby, which had anything you might need. And lots of restaurants.

Our room was high up and had a view of Notre Dame, which was an easy walk, too, by the way. Also close to Cluny Museum of Middle Ages and it's outdoor garden.

Highly recommended.