I just returned from several days in Paris. Thanks to everyone who answered all my questions before I left; it was a big help.
I found that I didn't really like any of the guide book recommended restaurants/cafes that we tried but I did find 2 that I thought were great. Both are in the 75005 area. The 1st is Au Bistro de la Sorbonne, on a small street across from the Sorbonne ( 4 rue Toullier)& the 2nd is Restaurant L'Etoile du Berger (42 rue de la Montagne Ste. Genvieve). One of the best meal was a ham & cheese crepe bought from a street vendor. I found that the price had very little to do with how much I enjoyed the food. One of the least enjoyable meals was the most expensive.
We stayed mainly on the left bank & had a great time getting lost in the small, winding streets that change names every few feet.
Before I left the US I reserved a shuttle through Paris Connection. It was 39 euro for 2 with lots of luggage. Going home, the hotel reserved a shuttle for me from Leader Shuttle that was only 30 euro. Both were door to door service & a lot less expensive than a taxi & more convient than the bus or metro, especially with luggage.
We walked around for the 1st day or so & then bought a metro pass for 3 days (36 euro for 2) that was well worth it. We used it a lot to go just a couple of blocks on rainy days when we would normally have walked.
I bought & wrote lots of post cards & then discovered it cost .90 euro to mail each one. I had not planned on spending over $20 on just stamps.
We stayed at the Hotel Des Mines which was very nice. We asked for a room for 2 with twin beds & got a large room for 4 with a very nice breakfast included. It was $477 for 5 nights. I think that was quite a deal. It is very conveniently located across from the Luxembourg Gardens.
I'm looking forward to my next trip to France in April.

hi, Mimmel,

Thanks for pasting. I'm not familiar with the Hotel des Mines, where did you find out about it and do they have a website?

We have always stayed in another part of town, and might like to try something else next time.

Okay, that should obviously be posting, not pasting!

It's located on blvd St Michel...

http://www.hotel-desmines-paris.com/

Mimmel

I would love to hear more details of the hotel. The website looks good and the prices are good, too. Was it clean? Quiet? How was the service? Did they make any reservations for you?

I stayed in that area 20 years ago, and our room was fairly horrific, and the hotel staff refused to even speak to us, let alone help us with anything. I've never even looked at the area again, but now I am interested. Anything more you could say about the hotel would be appreciated.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...de_France.html

http://www.venere.com/hotel/?htid=14...;tripref=34989

Thanks for sharing, M.

Hi. The day after I last posted it seems they instituted a new policy where everyone has to sign in & it wouldn't let me. I finally just got it straightened out.
It seems that the questions about Des Mines have already been answered. But just to add to it a bit, I thought the hotel was very comfortable. It isn't fancy or particularly quaint & they are in the process of renovating some rooms on the 5th floor, so don't plan to sleep in on weekdays. The staff is very pleasant & can speak English. I'm not sure how well because we were doing our best to speak French. Blvd St Michel is a busy street but we were on the inside courtyard (tiny doesn't even begin to describe it) & had no noise at all. They had turned up the heat one night & we had to open a window which quickly solved the problem. It took us a little while to realize they we were turning down the AC & not the heat - they are on different thermostats. They do have AC if you plan on being there in the summer. The Metro & RER is very accessible & it is an easy walk to Notre Dame, the pantheon, & the Latin Quarter. Rue Montparnasse is nearby & has lots of restaurants. There is a bank up the street & a grocery store almost nextdoor.
I tried to book the room directly on their web site but it said they were full. I actually booked it on http://www.charming-paris.com/.
Another nice hotel in the same general area is Hotel Minerva. It's a bit more expensive & I'm not sure if they give breakfast or not. Another place to check out customer satisfaction is http://www.tripadvisor.com/ I hope you find what you're looking for - let us know. Happy travels.