I am looking for a hotel in the the marias district. Is this district safe? We are traveling with a small child. We would like to spend under $150. Would a hotel in this area be walking distance to the Louvre and many sites? How easy is it to get to from the Charles de Gaulle airport?

This month's National Geographic Traveler lists three (I believe) good-value hotels (under $100 a night) in the Marais. I believe the Beaumarchais is one of them (don't have it here with me at the moment). The Marais is a lovely area, one of Paris's oldest neighborhoods that has recently become yuppified to some extent. It is also home to Paris's large Jewish community and, more recently, to much of Paris's gay community. It has lovely shops, restaurants, cafés, and streets full of artists' ateliers, music shops, and other interesting sites. Yes, it is safe - Paris in general is safe. It's not the best location for walking to the central city sites, but the métro ad buses are so easy to use that doesn't really matter. Getting to the Marais from CDG is no more difficult than getting anywhere in Paris from CDG - about a half-hour's ride and 300FF, on average.

The Beaumarchais listed in the above posting has always looked good tome from the outside, though I've never been in it. The Castex is another inexpensive hotel in The Marais that meets your budget.One advantage to the Marais with children is that you'll be near the Place de Vosges which has a great playground for small kids. You cannot walk to the sights listed, but the metro is easy to use. By the way, for great jewelry finds try Ubu right near the Place de Vosges. She makes all of her own stuff and it is at great prices.

Hi: <BR> <BR>I was in Paris in Sept/00 and I stayed at a hotel not far from Gare De L'est (look at a map of Paris it's still fairly central) and there's a huge Metro (subway) station right there. It's called Hotel Du Terrage on Rue Du Terrage which is only one block from the huge and beautiful Gare de L'est. A 10 minute max subway ride to the Louvre. Oh, did I mention it's approx $40.00 a night. Wow. Your own washroom, daily maid service. Front doors lock at midnight but there are overnight staff and they'll let you in any hour you want. Not a fancy hotel but economical and quiet. <BR> <BR>Enjoy Paris.

<BR> Though some other posters seem to disagree, I do consider that the Marais is within walking distance of the Louvre <BR>Depending on where you are in the Marais, you're roughly 1 or 2 kms away (say 1 mile) away from it. And it isn't the most displeasant walk in Paris, as long as you don't follow Rivoli street (very busy) I wouldn't bother taking the metro for such a distance except if I was in a hurry. <BR> <BR>That said I suspect that "within walking distance" is a very subjective concept. <BR> <BR>Also, the marais is my prefered district in Paris.

Grand Hotel Jeanne d'Arc in Marais is a wonderful small hotel well located. Check it out but reserve way in advance as it is very popular....they have a web site if you search for it.

The Marais is within walking distance of the Louvre - if you don't want to really walk much once you get there! Seriously, depending on the age of your child, it would be a pretty long haul - much better to take a taxi or the metro. But it's a wonderful neighborhood, one of my favorites in Paris, and well worth visiting, and the Caron de Beaumarchais is wonderful.