Debi Dennis

We will have a day in Paris after our flight overseas and before our night train to Rome. We are looking for a hotel near the Gare de Lyons where we could get a room with a bathroom for the day. Do you have a recommendation?

Joan Doyle

Dear Debi: The Gare de Lyons is not in one the finer arrondissements of Paris--but taxis from other areas go there regularly. Personally, I'd pick a hotel in the 7th and ask the desk to arrange for a taxi in ample time for the departure of the train to Rome. Have a good trip (though taking the night train means you'll miss some spectacular French scenery). Good trip! Joan

jeanne

The gare de lyons is in the 12th, which as the previous poster said is not all that scenic, but there are a bunch of little 2 star hotels around there. <BR> <BR>There is also a Novotel right beside the gare-which is a French chain. They are usually nice and you might feel better leaving you luggage there during the day-it is sure to be clean, etc. It is three star-so not sure of the price-but it is basically an upscale business person's hotel. But since it is near the gare-you will save taxi fares and hauling luggage. You could go straight there from the airport and leave your stuff. I am pretty sure this is the one: <BR> <BR>NOVOTEL PARIS BERCY - - FFFF - Legend <BR> 85, rue de Bercy; 75012 PARIS <BR> Bercy <BR> RER Gare de Lyon <BR> tel0)1 43.42.30.00 <BR> fax0)1 43.45.30.60 <BR> <BR>By the way, the gare has a famous upscale restaurant in it called le train bleu, which you should peek a look at-even if you don't eat there-the room is beautiful. Also, right near the gare a bit north and west is a new shopping area which has just been renovated and has "roof gardens" on the complex-I believe it was old ruins before-sorry to be so vague-but I not really sure of the heritage. It might be rue de chalon-it is literally 1-2 blocks north from the gare. Anyway, this little area now has some lovely coffee shops and cool little boutiques, etc. <BR> <BR>The area going towards the Bastille (west) is fun to explore and you can take the metro easily down to St Paul, Place Vosges or the Marais from there-all great areas of Paris to spend the day-Place Vosges is walking distance if you like to walk and pace yourself. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps.

Austin

<BR>Try the Zephyr <BR>Its not at all bad and is very close to Gare lyons <BR>It is *** <BR>Do take a look at Le Tren Bleu restaurant in the Terminal as mentioned above but dont eat there It may be the worst restaurant in France--maybe in the world <BR> <BR>Have fun! <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>Have fun!

Margo

PRINCE ALBERT CONCORDIA: 38, blvd. Diderot. Tel: 0143435492. Fax: 0143473950. Web site: http://www.hotelprincealbert.com/ Email: [email protected] (25 rms., all w/toilet & bath or shower.) 350-370F/53-56EUR single; 430F/66EUR (double bed/shower)-480F/73EUR (double bed/bath or 2 twin beds/shower)-535F/82EUR (2 twin beds/bath); 590F/90EUR (shower)-650F/99EUR (bath) triple. Breakfast (7-10am) at 40F pp can be served in the room. Visa, MC, DC, AX. English spoken, cable TV w/CNN, modern renovated hotel w/contemporary furnished carpeted nice-size pretty rms., the higher the flr. the brighter the rm., small bathrooms, #103, 203, 303, 403 & 503 (all w/double beds, showers & face street) at 430F for a double; #101, 201, 301, 401 & 501 (all w/double beds, bathtubs, 2 French windows & face back) at 480F for a double; #102, 202, 302, 402 & 502 (all w/double beds, 1 twin bed & showers) are for a triple; all the rms. ending in the same number have identical layouts, hair driers, elevator, 5 flrs. 5% rm. discount when you show owner/manager Mrs. Jiwa or staff this book. Mrs. Jiwa also owns/manages Hotel Prince Albert Louvre in the 1e. Métro: Lyon. <BR>

Christina

Given you just want it to rest and clean up for the day before leaving, it wouldn't make time or economic sense to get a hotel in another quartier regardless of the ambience around the gare. You can't go to far wrong with a decent French hotel chain that usu. has two star hotels near train stations (Ibis, Libertel, Timhotel or Frantour). There is a Frantour Lyon directly in front of the train station, I'd just stay there. It would be most convenient.

larry

i stayed at the hotel novotel at the gare de lyon last august and must tell you that there is no air conditioning, and we were very uncomfortable. we did, however, have a lovely dinner at "le train bleu", inside the station, a few steps from the hotel lobby.