New to Paris - Please help!
 

Hello,<BR><BR>I have just discovered this message board and it is wonderful! <BR>My husband and I are planning a trip to Paris for approx. 6 or 10 days. We are in our early 30's and neither of us has been to Paris since we were in our early teens. We have done a lot of research, but have several questions.<BR>We are debating whether to go (weather, crowds, etc.) in mid-April, late April, early May, or mid-May? Is there really much of a difference between these time frames? <BR>Also, we are debating between hotels and would appreciate any feedback. Some of the hotels we are contemplating include Montalembert (in St. Germain,) Lancaster (Champs Elys&eacute;es,) Royal Monceau (Champs Elys&eacute;es,) Vernet (Champs Elys&eacute;es,)<BR>Francois 1er (Champs Elys&eacute;es.) <BR><BR>(We are not quite sure yet if we want to stay on the Right Bank or the Left Bank.) We think we would prefer the Right Bank, but the Left Bank sounds casual, relaxed, young, lively, and fun.<BR><BR>Any input, advice, opinions, etc. you could provide would be most appreciated! Thank you in advance!

The Champs-Elysees is a place that I like to visit, but I wouldn't want to particularly want to key in on as a place to stay. It's interesting and active, but it isn't the kind of place I would ever like have a warm &quot;this-is-my-neighborhood&quot; feeling about. In addition, things tend to be pricey and that's tiresome because it's so unnecessary in Paris. <BR><BR>I would encourage you to look hard at St. Germain des Pres, since you are already considering it. The neighborhood has a very nice feel to it, along with a lot of options at various ranges for dining, etc. (Personally, I stay near the Marais).<BR><BR>As for weather, it's plenty comfortable by mid-April for me, but that is entirely up to you. Airfares tend to go up as the spring marches on toward summer, but it's still not peak season. With as much time as you have, you might want to consider ranging out a little further than just Paris. <BR><BR>Welcome to the board and Happy Contrails! :o)

Thank you very much for the reply. We do plan a few day trips. We are planning to go to Versailles and would like to visit perhaps Vaux-le-Vicomte, but need to do more research on day trips. Any input would be appreciated...thank you!

Of the times you mention, late May would be best, as it would afford you the warmest weather but not hordes of tourists.<BR><BR>I notice you say you are leaning toward staying on the right Bank and ALL the hotels you mention are in the neighborhood of the Champs Elys&eacute;es. That is one of my least favorite neighborhoods of Paris, although I can understand why first-timers might think it attractive. I'd look for a nice hotel in the 6me or 7me, where you are closer to bistros, caf&eacute;s, restaurants, take-out places, and the general hustle and bustle of regular Parisian life. The Champs Elys&eacute;es is just a huge avenue with a lot of American stores on it among other things - it's not at all quaint or typically Parisian until you dip into its side streets (and maybe that's where your chosen hotels are - forgive me if that's true). Perhaps others will have better insight into the particular hotels. <BR><BR>I like the Left Bank myself - it seems much more &quot;typically Parisian&quot; and residential combined with the usual small commercial establishments, and a bit more &quot;artistic&quot; in the number of art galleries, stationery stores, antique stores, home improvement stores, etc. - but that said, you can find any of the above anywhere in Paris, a difficult city to classify by neighborhoods, even though there is the arrondissement system to help everyone out.<BR><BR>If you're going to be there for 6-10 days, you might also consider renting an apartment. It might be cheaper than a hotel and would allow you to get to know and become part of a particular Parisian neighborhood - something I always think changes one's view on travel for the better.

Hi, Cara:<BR><BR>Please be aware that May is a big month for national holidays in France, so some attractions wil be closed and others on reduced hours for those days. I'm sorry, but I can't direct you to a website that would tell you when the holidays will fall this year, but I' sure another Fodorite can do so.<BR><BR>That said, my wife and I were there in May, 2001 (from the 9th thru the 14th or 15th, I think...blind luck, we missed all the holidays!) and the weather couldn't have been more pleasant...though we were told it had rained for over two weeks straight previous to our visit. Lots of daylight, too; it didn't start getting dark until 9:30 or later.<BR><BR>Regarding where to stay: I strongly agree with some of the previous posters that you would probably be happier somewhere besides Champs area. If you really want the right bank, I second the Marais (3rd and 4th arronds, generally). Personally, I'm a left bank sort of guy, specifically the 7th arrond. but you won't go wrong in the 5th or 6th, which have lots of fans.<BR><BR>Have a lovely time, be safe, and please post a trip report when you return for all of us poor unfortunates who can't go this year!<BR><BR>Robert<BR><BR>

I agree with the previous posters: I would not stay on or around the Champs-Elys&eacute;e. The Marais is a very nice area and also the 6th and 7th. You could do a Rants and Raves search on Paris hotels in order to hear what others have to say about particular hotels. I usually rent an appartment because one can bring food , grilled chicken,etc., there and save a lot on meals. You might want to try Citadines.com They have apts. in many areas of Paris, one in the 6th arrondissement. You might consider taking a day trip to Chartres. The cathedral is magnificent and the restaurant, Buisson ardent, is wonderful. Trains leave about every hour from Montparnasse station. Be sure to go to the right railroad station if you are taking trips outside of Paris. Bon Voyage!

Robert has a very good point about holidays. They can come hot &amp; heavy in France in the spring. I wouldn't let a holiday stop me, but it's good to know so that you can plan different things to do that day. These are the spring holidays this year. It seems odd that my guide book doesn't list Good Friday as a holiday, but maybe it isn't an “official” one. Please double check these to make sure I didn't goof with a typo. <BR><BR>Easter Sunday April 20th this year<BR>Easter Monday April 21st this year <BR>May Day (F&ecirc;te du Travail) May 1st <BR>Victory Day (F&ecirc;te de la Victoire 1945) May 8th <BR>Ascension Thursday May 29th this year<BR>Pentecost/Whit Sunday June 8th this year<BR>Whit Monday June 9th this year<BR><BR>May 1st is one of the biggest holidays in France, lots of places closed, reduced bus, train and Paris metro service, etc.<BR><BR>Luckily I was watching the few people traveling on May 8th in Chinon in 2001. They were hanging out in front of the train station instead of on the platform. The train was replaced by a bus so if I'd have stayed on the platform I'd have missed it.

I returned to Paris in 1999 after an absence of 32 years. My husband and I went in late May (Memorial Day) and the weather was sunny and very warm, even too warm at times. However, I think it was unusally summer like. We stayed in the Marais and have returned twice since and always stay in the Marais. It is very old and small streets. I always feel safe. It is central to much. Our first trip we stayed at the Hotel de la Bretonnerie on rue ste croix de la bretonnerie. We had a wonderful experience and loved it. I highly recommend it. Last year we rented an apartment through rentparis.com It is definitely the way to go. The cost was comparable to a hotel room, with a kitchen, washer/dryer, etc. The management of rentparis was very personable and efficient; absolutely no problems. Most of their apartments are located in the Marais, but they do have others. They also do not have a minimum stay. I suggest you check out their website. We will be going again this February and will be staying in one of their apartments, this time going with our adult children.

Cara,<BR> I agree with all who prefer the Left Bank:) <BR> We have stayed either on Ille St Louis or rue Jacob, right off of the Blvd St Germain, every time we have gone to Paris, which is about 8 times now. We have favorite hotels so we don't sample new ones anymore, but if you get a book called Fodors Rivages , Hotels of Charm and Character in Paris, you can see small photos and read descriptions of the hotels. This helped us a lot when we first traveled there.<BR>Try to stay as close to the Seine as you can, from there, you can either walk everywhere or catch a train easily.<BR>We always go in the fall or early Spring,the end of March/early April. The Spring is usually still cold when we are there, if I had a choice, it would be May.<BR>Of the hotels you mention, we have been to the Montalembert. While it is certainly beautiful and has an exclusivity due to price, there are hotels that are more charming and friendly.<BR>I would suggest that you look at the Relais Christine, L'Hotel, L'Abbaye Saint-Germain and the D'Aubbusson.<BR>Have a wonderful trip!<BR>

We were in Paris for three of the May holidays in 2002--Liberation Day, May 8; Ascension Day, May 9, and Whit Monday, May 20.<BR>We found it to be more of plus than a minus, as we were able to really witness French families at their leisure. A visual plus was the opportunity to see a giant French flag flying within the Arc de Triomph on Liberation Day--one of only two times a year that it happens, we were told. It was a thrilling site (and a great photo op!).<BR>The only negative that we encountered were the long lines at the museums. However, our museum passes neutralized that problem.<BR>As for where to stay, I would suggest you also consider the Latin Quarter area (5th Arr.).

I've stayed on the Right Bank for a few visits, but just stayed on the Left Bank last year. I have to say that I really enjoyed staying on the Left Bank more. It was, as has been mentioned before, more charming in terms of the typical Parisian scenes you think of when you imagine Paris. It's got alot of commercial establishments but still there is still alot more charm than say the Champs Elysees surroundings, in my opinion. The Eiffel Tower area on the Right Bank is very nice, but too quiet at night.

cara- my husband and i are your age and we agree with the other posters that you should really consider staying on the left bank for its charm and character, plus many cafes, stores and jazz clubs as well. last time we were in paris, we stayed at hotel des grandes ecoles and it was so lovely, like staying at a country inn. you might want to look up what others say about it, it's had nothing but good things said about it.

We too stayed at the Grandes Ecoles in the 5th and loved it.

Stay the Royal Monceau. A very, very fine hotel. You will love it and the health club available to guests only. It's in one of the best neighborhoods in Paris and minutes from the Arc.<BR>

The Royal Monceau is a very fine choice. Stayed there some years ago.<BR>However, you are are a bit 'offside' on Avenue Hoche. Quite a walk to the next metro stop and to all major sites.<BR><BR>I'd definitely pick the Montalembert**** which has been totally refurbished. It's the best hotel in the 7th, however very close to the Saint-Germain area. Metro: Rue du Bac. Quiet street. Very nice, upscale Parisian neighbourhood.<BR>You'll be able to walk to a lot of places, too.<BR>Went to its restaurant very lately and absolutely loved it.<BR><BR>Hope this helps a bit!<BR>

IMHO, avoid the 7th, a boring neighborhood full of pensioners and American tourists. Go for the 6th if you want a quaint, picture postcard approach of what is &quot;typically&quot; Parisian in the eyes of the same people who think that &quot;Amelie&quot; takes place in the real Paris (which by any means the 6th is not). I think Le Marais combines a nice touristy feel and a central location with more of a &quot;quartier&quot; life. Of course, if you really want to experience the real Paris, go to the Bastille, Republique area. Very central, and this is where it happens. As for the weather, April is still unsettled and showery. May is a safer bet.

Thank you all so much for your input! I have been reading many other questions and advice and have found it all so helpful! I just finished reading a section on guidebooks, which I found especially helpful. Thanks again!