Message: My wife and I are planning to stay about 7 nights in Paris in early August (first of all is August going to be a terrible time to visit? -because of my wife's work schedule this is the only time we can go but I would like to be prepared if many restaurants, museums will be closed - on the other hand do hotels have lower rates then, esp. for longer stays?). Second, suggestions for what arrondisement to stay in; also would you pick one hotel, or perhaps two - one in the city and then one out of the city to base for day trips to Versailles, Chartres? and finally, suggestions on hotels - we are not on a budget and are willing to pay for a good (secure) location, large room, good bathroom - thanks to all for any suggestions? What about driving in Paris - if only to go to Versailles, Chartres, Champagne region - I know there are trains, RER to Versailles - but might we see more in own car? I do speak French and can read the road signs but it has been 20 years since I've been there and was a bit more adventuresome when 4 of us rented a car to drive in the French countryside. Have never driven in Paris. <BR> <BR>

Hi <BR>Not sure why you posted the same question twice within a few minutes, but I did respond to your other one.

Can't speak to August, but we were in Paris, Versailles and the Loire Valley in December. We lucked out and had unusually good weather. <BR>We stayed at Hotel Mansart, 5 rue Capuchines. It's on some of the Paris hotel websites. It is around the corner from Place Vendome where there is 24 hour underground parking. The hotel was comfortable, the bathrooms brand new and big. The location was terrific. A very classy address and neighborhood for a reasonable amount. Sometimes we drove in Paris, like out to see La Defense, and during nasty weather one day.I really like the Cadogan guide to Paris. It has great walking itineraries and lots of whimsical info that is fun know. <BR> <BR>In Versailles we stayed at a B&B that I highly recommend. Pavillion de La Maye. It is elegant, but comfortable. Has a pretty walled yard and parking. Their website is great. When you move the cursor over a window it shows you what that room looks like. <BR>www.pavillion-de-la-maye.com <BR>The owner is the recently retired general manager of Maxims in Paris. We appreciated getting in our car at the end of a day at Versailles and driving 5 min to this wonderful B&B instead of getting on a train back to Paris. Palace of Versailles has its own website. That's how you'll know if it is open, same with the Louvre. <BR>We drove from Versailles to Amboise, an ok highway stint. Traffic was no worse than New Jersey. We stayed at a 15th century chateau near Amboise. This place I am going back to as soon as I can. www.chateau-nazelle.com. The photos don't do it justice. The grounds are actually a flat area carved out of the cliff. So there are caves and abandoned troglodyte houses on the property as well as a swimming pool carved out of the rock. Spacious rooms, wonderful bathrooms, brand new. If you go ask the owner to make reservations for you to dine in one of the cave restaurants in the area. Be sure and have a Chinon red wine, the owner can tell you the best years. Most of the wine of this area is white so the reds are very special. <BR>Get the book "Road from the Past". We went to the Loire especially to trace the route of Joan of Arc starting at Chinon and to see Chenonceau.

The Hotel Lido in the Madeline area was a wonderful adventure. Shopping, easy access to buses and metro. The room was decorated in red toile, with a wonderful bathtub and shower! Right around the corner from Fouchon's. We walked to the Place de Concorde everyday and ventured off from there.

Versailles is easy to do by train in a day or half-day, but if you want to stay overnight, the Westin Trianon Palace Hotel is very nice, a few hundred meters from the chateau, with one of the best restaurants in the Paris region. N.B.: If you're not on a budget, but you're not sure if you want to drive, you can take a taxi to Versailles for under 200 FF. It's only 15 minutes outside the city. <BR> <BR>I did Chartres by car, although it's easy to do by train. For Champagne, I would recommend a car, as you'll likely want to visit several maisons, especially if you wander outside of central Reims or Epernay.

Hello Fred, <BR> <BR>August in Paris is not too bad. It can be quite warm but you can never count on the weather. Lots of Parisians will be out of town and Paris will be packed with tourists. I believe most museums will remain open. The biggeat problem that we have had in August is many restaurants will have "Conge Annuelle" signs in the window, so have a large list of restaurants to choose from and check your info to see which ones stay open in August. They actually begin to close up during the last few days of July. <BR> <BR>My wife and I bought a car last year but rarely use it in Paris. You will not need a car in Paris unless you are buying large items and need it for transporting them, still it's probably better to just call a cab. Also unless you are wanting to tour the countryside rather than just go to Versielle or Giverny or Fountainbleau etc. it is easier to take the train. <BR> <BR>As for location I would suggest the 4th, 5th or 6th. <BR> <BR>Ciao, <BR> <BR>Randall Smith

August is a good time in Paris for driving and parking. You do have to watch out for museums being closed for renovation, but there are so many to choose from that there is always an alternative. <BR> <BR>If you have a car you can visit some less accessible places. One of my favourite is Chateau Malmaison at Rueil Malmaison - very difficult by train. Versailles and Chartres are easy to park near. If you don't want to take the car all the way into Paris you could do as I do and park a a suburban station and take the RER or train in. I usually use the one at St Germain en Laye which has a large underground park and then it's 20 minutes direct to the centre of Paris.