Mamaw

Hi Ira! If you have time could you give me some info about what's around Hotel Napoleon? I am really thinking hard about staying here in November. I have been stalking Expedia trying to get them to stick to the price of a vacation package while giving me a non-stop flight from DTW to CDG. The sales lady I talked to at Expedia had the balls to say "well, it's only one stop" HELLO, it's Jersey for God's sake. I want a straight through flight without it going up 400.00.

Anyways, If you could give me some inside info about the surround area of the hotel I'd appreciate it. Like, restaurants, food stores, shopping and more food stores.

Thanks, Theresa in Detroit.

ekscrunchy

Do you mean this hotel: Bonaparte?


http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/f...iew-51306.html

Christina

If you mean the hotel Ira recommends a lot, the Bonaparte, it's in St Germain, right near St Sulpice church. St Germain is a very expensive quarter in Paris with designer shops and restaurants (like Armani), etc. That particular location is very near bd St Germain, the main artery through it, and because it is close to the Seine and some famous cafes where tourists like to go (ie, Les Deux Magots), there are lots of people around that area nowadays. It was always busy but it is really busy now that a lot of designer and other expensive stores have taken over the old places. So it is very busy and there are lots of people around. If you like to buy expensive clothes, expensive home furnishings, antiques, etc., there are lots of places nearby.

It's right near a metro stop, and is a convenient location for what a lot of tourists want to do, which is why there are so many there on bd St Germain and the surrounding area.

Nonstop flights often cost more, that is very normal, and I don't understand your issue with stopping in New Jersey. You are in an airport wherever you stop, I fly through EWR quite a bit and find it very convenient.

Mamaw

Hey Thanks you guys. Bonaparte is what I meant.

Anyone in put would be highly appreciated.

Mamaw

Christine no offense by the Jersey crack. It wouldn't matter where. AF and NWA provide non stop from Detroit. I came home from Paris once with a group of students and we got stuck at Newark because of weather and it was a total nightmare. Sorry acid flash backs there for a second.

I'd really love to stay at Francois 1 er. But the price OH LA LA, too rich for my pocketbook/waitress apron.

ira

Hi maw,
It's not all high priced, fancy boutiques, although the neighborhood has changed since we first visited.

The Bonaparte is right around the corner (to your left) from Pl St. Sulpice. 4 bus stops.

Continuing along the street is a cafe, where folks stop for an aperitif on the way home. (Good people watching).

Go left at the corner and you come to several streets of cafes and restos.

Going the other way, the St. Sulpice metro stop is about a 3 min walk. There is a Monoprix about another 3 min walk on Rue de Rennes.

The Bon Marche is about a 15 min walk from the hotel on Rue de Sevres.

If you go up Rue Bonaparte, the Luxembourg Gardens is less than 10 min away.

Across the street is Pierre Herme (almond croissants, macarons and chocolates).

Going to your right as you exit the hotel, Laduree (macarons and chocolates) is about 3 blocks. In the next block, is a very good pharmacy that sells excellent beauty products at very reasonable prices (My Lady Wife says so.)

Continue to Boul St Germaine and the Eglise St. Germaine des Pres (dating from around 900). There is a metro stop, several banks with ATMs and an excellent crepe stand. Les Deux Magot and Cafe Flore are to your left.

Another 10 min and you are at the Seine. The Batobus stops here.

Returning to Boul St Mich, Brasserie Lipp is to the left, Vagenende (art deco style resto) is a few blocks to the right. Pizza Vesuvio is across the street from the church.

The metro Mabillon stop is a few blocks farther East, as is the shopping on Rue Buci.

You can walk to the d'Orsay Museum, Pont des Arts and the Louvre, and Notre Dame. (The book stalls are along your route).

If you have more questions, feel free to ask.

scatcat

I just booked the Bonaparte for June 9-12 for 134€ per night for a twin. This will be my third stay there. The Laduree is right on the way to the Louvre. Don't forget to stop there.