One night in Paris
 

My 20 year old daughter and I will arrive in Paris(for one night only and day of arrival) from Florence around 8:30 a.m.(night train..Bercy)
Looking for a hotel with a shuttle to CDG (1:30 departure) and in a scenic location. Any suggestions?

The Bercy Station is very close to the Gare de Lyon. From Gare de Lyon, you can take the Air France buses (called the Air France Cars) to CDG. Very few (if any?) city-centre Paris hotels have shuttles to the airport; the Air France buses or the metro/RER are better options.

I'm not sure I'd characterize Bercy / Gare de Lyon as scenic, although Bercy has been undergoing a bit of a revival as a trendy warehouse district. The area is relatively close to the Marais, though, which would be quite scenic, and has some nice hotels. Look for one toward the eastern side of the area, and you'll be only a couple of metro stops away from Gare de Lyon.

The only hotels with a shuttle to CDG are those near the airport itself. Several hotels include a banner on their web about arranging a shuttle, but it is operated by a third party - and they are not any great savings in time, comfort or money over a taxi if you are two or more people. If you wish to stay in town (as I would) you can either stay near an RER station (RER B runs to CDG) or just cab it.

Hi

I'm not sure I can help with the accommodation bit. But I have been to Paris and Florence and I have posted trip reports with pictures and links on my homepage that might be of some help. Here is the Paris trip report http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm and here is the Florence trip report http://gardkarlsen.com/florence_italy_travelogue.htm

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Very helpful information about train station location and shuttle buses...Would you characterize Marais as safe for 2 women traveling alone and is it within walking distance of sights? (such as????)

Gard, your travel journal is awesome and so interesting...I have sent it on to others helping with the trip.

Any advice on a night time boat tour?

Hi

Thanks :d

When it comes to a boat ride...I have not been on a boat ride on the Seine for years so I can't help you with that.

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Yes, I think the Marais neighbourhood is safe for two women alone. (I used to live in Paris and I think most of Paris within the peripherique fits that description.) The Marais is a very atmospheric, strolling neighbourhood that is quite lively due to the mix of shops, cafes, smaller museums, etc. It was at one tme the old Jewish quarter, and now is often characterised as a gay-friendly neighbourhood with a lot of stylish boutique hotels and interesting shops. Attractions include some smaller museums like the Picasso Museum and the Musee Carnavalet (museum of the history of the city of Paris - I love its scale models of neighbourhoods through the city's history). The Hotel de Ville (city hall) also often has free exhibitions - often city-themed. It's close to the lovely Place des Vosges. It's easy to walk from the Marais to the Left Bank and there are decent metro connections. I also like going to BHV, which stands for Bazaar de Hotel de Ville. It's a large department store that isn't as grand as Printemps and Galeries Lafayette (think Macy's, not Bloomingdales) but is still very good and worth visiting in particular for its housewares section (a good place to shop for gifts for family members who like to cook - check out table linens, place mats, etc.) Its basement hardware store is worth a visit because it's so extensive - and in one corner you can find some great door signs like "chat mechant" (mean/badly behaved cat), etc.

Hi. Reading your posts have been helpful. Since you seem to know Paris well, I have since my first message booked a hotel in the Latin Quarter (near subway Odeon, Saint Germain Des Pres)and now again ask advice to Charles deGaulle Airport. I know we could taxi or shuttle but am interested in a cheaper alternative. How could I make the Air France Bus or the Roissy Bus work for me?

You could take metro line 4 to Montparnasse and take the Air France bus from there (if you can manage the metro with luggage).

You could also take metro line 4 in the other direction to St Michel or Gare du Nord, and switch to the RER line B for the train to CDG (2 stops, Terminal 1 and 2).

The AF buses are around 13€ and the RER is about 8.2€. It would take more changes on the metro to get to the Roissybus stop by Opera.

The Air France bus goes to predetermined locations. On the Left Bank, their stop is Montparnasse train station. Form there you would take Metro to Odeon.
It is a nice, comfortable bus, luggage underneath. 9 euro one way, 14 euro RT. Could also taxi to your hotel from bus drop.

transfer.airport-paris.com/air-france-coach-service.htm

The RER train from the airport stops at St Michel on the left Bank. From St Michel, you can transfer to the Metro system ( choice of 2 lines) and go one stop to Odeon. The cost of the ticket on the Metro includes the transfer to the Metro.

I've used the RER often to get into the City. If you had lots of luggage, I might choose something else. I've always travelled with one large bag on wheels and was fine. Cost is 8,20 euro

The Roissybus also goes to pre-determined locations.

http://www.ratp.info/informer/anglai..._roissybus.php

You would need to take Metro after getting off of Roissybus. In this case would need to change Metro lines to get to Odeon stop.

Hope this helps,

MIke