Hi All!
I've done extensive travel in Ireland and Germany but never any formidable travel in France. Spent about three hours there during a side trip from the Black Forest. I would like to go to Paris for a week in May, can you give me ideas of neighborhoods to stay in w/ hotel recs. too. Hotel moderately priced from 80-120 Euros. I'll be relying on public transportation and footpower, I am totally ignorant of the layout of Paris. Thanks for your help. My likes are eclectic neighborhoods with bistros, shops, pastry, wine, etc. but fairly close to the excitement of the city. Peace in our world...Dewdrop!

May is the best month to be in Paris.

Since you write that you are totally ignorant, step one for you is to read several guide books starting with the Michelin Green Paris and any Fodor or DK Paris book you can find. Buy a Michelin #10 map of Paris or the #16 booklet map, which is handier.

My favorite area of the city is around Place Maubert where I had an apartment. It's just off the tourist zone on the left bank, and has a Metro stop. As I recall there are a number of 2 star hotels on Rue des Ecoles and in the surrounds of the university.

A 5 minute walk will find you up Blvd. St. Germain, Saint Michel, Ile de la Cite, and plenty of other places. Walk along rue St. Andre des Arts to St. Germain des Pres. Leave your jewelry and good watch at home.

Take the Metro to get to major sites around the city, then walk back to your hotel afterward. The sun won't go down until late and it will still be bright at 10pm. Figure on being on your feet for 10 to 12 hours a day so get in training before you go.

See the Champs Elysees from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. See the whole city from the Tour Eiffel.

Hello, Dewdrop.

I've been to Paris many times and never had to share a bath. I think this is a rumor from the "good" old days.

It would probably be a good idea to go to the library or bookstore and find a book about Paris. The central part is where most of the tourist sights are and it is very accessible. Guide books and maps will have a map of the Paris Metro and bus systems. It's easy to get around and it is also pretty easy to walk nearly every place if you get a centrally located hotel.

Where you want to stay kind of depends on your personal tastes and interests. The suggestion above for the Latin Quarter was a good one. We usually stay there or St. Germain. There are lots of stores, cafes, parks and people. It is also within walking distance of much of touristic Paris.

Last October we stayed at the Hotel la Sorbonne right across the street from the university. There is a little square right around the corner. It is about 60 euros single and 80 euros double. That is pretty cheap in Paris so you won't get a luxury hotel at that price. The staff is wonderful, very helpful, and the rooms are squeaky clean with private bath and even a hair dryer and little hotel shampoo and soaps as you need them. You can't do much better for the price.

If you want something a little more luxurious, do a search here on Fodors or on France.com for hotels. Other people have recommended venere.com but I haven't personally used it.

I also recommend the Paris Museum Pass (Carte Musées & Monuments). You can get it in the Metro stations or in any of the museums involved. When you have it, you don't have to wait in line. That is a big time saver.

If you want to visit Versailles, you have to take the RER, separate from the Metro system but attached. Sounds complicated but it's well marked. You do have to pay for the RER ticket. The Museum Pass only gets you into the Versailles Chateaus. The gardens with the fountain show are an extra charge, but I'm told are worth it.

You'll need a good map of Paris and I recommend the "Paris Pratique par Arrondissement" which is a small book that easily fits into your purse (about 5X7 inches). Many Parisians use it so it must be good. It lists all the streets and has a very readable map including Metro, RER and bus maps. You can get it at any bookstore in Paris and probably any tabac in Paris. We got ours at Borders in the States so you may be able to order it there.

For sights, it kind of depends on your interests and your style. We love the Michelin Green Guide, but there are lots of excellent guides out there. Check a few at a local bookstore and see what suits your personal tastes.

Hope you have a wonderful trip. Paris is a great city!

Hi dewdrop,

I suggest you look up the mini guide to Paris at www.fodors.com.

Then do a text search on "Paris and hotel". You will probably want to stay in the 4, 5, 6 or 7th district.

It would be a good idea to get your airline tickets now.

This is a very common question, dewdrop. Here is a website I found that has lots of good info all in 1 place

http://www.jack-travel.com/Paris_Visit_Main_Page3.htm

It explains each of the arrondisements (areas), sights by arr., hotels, restaurants. It doesn't look like it's been updated recently so prices they list may be too low but still will provide an idea. Remember though that this is 1 guy's opinion so double check things. Tripadvisor.com is a good place for reviews of hotels, sights, etc.

The Hotel des Grandes Ecoles sounds like it would suit your needs but tends to get booked very early.

Here are 2 other threads with similar questions. The 2nd one is 45 resposnses long but has lots of info. Happy reading & planning!

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34468229

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34446491

A caution about May in France: check out the various holidays and whether things you want to see will be closed on those dates. May is prime holiday month, and often extra days are added to the actual holidays, which can come as a nasty surprise.

<i>Very</i> good point Underhill. I got that nasty surprise on a long weekend trip at the end of May some years back. Arrived &amp; everything was closed. :'( But that was pre-internet, pre-Fodors.