Only 1 day in Paris - where should we stay and what should we see?
 

Help fellow fodorites... we have a late evening arrival into Paris in Sept. and are deciding to stay for 2 nights and 1 day b/c we have never been there. Where should we stay and what are the 'must-see' highlights? I am currently looking into hotels and there are just sooo many.
Thanks in advance.

Hi Fairway,

What do you like to do and what is your budget for a hotel?

Wow. Thanks for the fast response. Thinking for 4 of us in a quad room if I can spend maybe $200usd or so would be good. I guess we are planning on seeing the 'major' sites - don't have time to go into museums etc. So Notre Dame, Arc, Eiffel, etc. Whet my appetite to go back!

Maybe the hop on / hop off bus tour? It will give you the chance to at least see the "biggies" and you can spend a little time at the ones that really interest you and make plans to return to others on your next trip. There is more information here: http://www.paris-opentour.com/index_eng.htm

And for a nice, quiet ride on the seine, try the batobus. You can get a pass for one or two days and ride as much as you like, be sure to ride at night too! Here is the website: http://www.batobus.com/english/qui.htm

..you will have a really tough time finding a quad in central paris in your price range. There have been threads on the board about quads..many hotels will only do it for people with kids and even then it is tough to find. I would stay in arr 1-8 (though conceivible the 15th near the 7th and the 16th but I think you are better just considering 1-8 given your time frame). I think your budget will be an issue as you prob need 2 rooms and it is a bit hard to find rooms at 100/night in your range. Ideally as this is your first trip and only 1 day, Id stay in 1,5,6 and maybe 7.

One day in Paris would be torture! You're in such a fabulous place but with not enough time to really soak it up. Oh well...one day is better than none. I'd get an early start with a pastry or fresh bread at a corner bakery. Then I'd hit either the Louvre or if, you like Impressionism, the Orsay. Also Notre Dame and the lesser known, but in the same general area, Sainte-Chapelle (exquisitely beautiful stained glass windows - much prettier in my opinion than Notre Dame - would recommend not missing it!). Evening possibities are a cruise on the Seine to see the lighted monuments or a walk along the Champs-Elysées or perhaps a trip up to Montmarte to see Sacre Couer and the fabulous city view. And so much is still to be seen... the Rodin Museum is wonderful and of course, I haven't even mentioned the Eiffel Tower. If you're staying TWO nights, you'll actually have two evenings, which will help. Strongly suggest you get a good guidebook and decide what are you definite priorities. Good luck!
Karen

I don't think that should be too hard to find two double rooms for US$100 each as long as you don't expect much for that. The cheapest 2* hotels are around that price.

I'm not sure if you have two little kids or what (possible)? That would possibly affect what people tell you to do, also. What are the ages of these four people?

If you are four adults, you belong in two hotel rooms.

louvre? you dont want to spend your day in line waiting to get into the museum!

i would avoid planning anything that has a large queue (eiffel/louvre/arc de triomphe). admire them from the outside.

one site i would definately wouldnt miss would be notre dame towers. usually has a small queue and most breathtaking views of paris and the cathedral itself.

I would try for a hotel in a central arrondisement (5th-7th) & avoid the outer areas to streamline transportation time. I think one of the open air bus tours of the city would be a great way to maximize your time.

It may be a bit touristy cheesey, but, aside from the biggies - Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe - I knew we were in Paris when we walked around Place du Tertre, near Sacre Coeur. Another to do high on my list would be a stroll down one of the market streets. Rue Cler or Rue de Buci would probably be convenient.

And personally, I get more enjoyment and a better feel for the city from a table at sidewalk cafe on a busy street than I ever would from the top of the Eiffel or a Notre Dame tower.

Or a DiY bus tour. Details here:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34568214

(Obviously, you don't have to begin at Gare du Nord.)

Excellent advice and Thank you. The children are young adults - so we were also considering 2 hotel rooms. I know it's a shame we can't stay longer - but... I can hopefully go back. This is strictly a layover from another trip, but we extended it one day to just at least see the outside of the major sites. Keep the advice coming - hotels are my biggest concern right now.

Fairway, I dont want to beat the issue to death, but I really think you should plan on not finding a quad. In your last post you said you are considering 2 rooms-get this out of your mindset - if it happens great but probably wont and you'll spend a lot of time looking rather than securing 2 good rooms..In the US a room with 2 dbl beds is standard in Paris it is the very rare exception..in most rooms you would have trouble even fitting 2 beds in the room and if you could you'd literally be crawling on the beds to get from one side of the room to the other. I beg to differ with Christina. I think in arr 1, 5 and 6 even most of the 2 stars will be just over 100 us given the present exchange rate (a few yrs ago it would be easy). It can be done but start looking now as the popular ones book up early..I would not use priceline for Paris given the timeframe ect..DO NOT stay at the airport. This might be tempting given the large number of US style hotels but it will cut into time terribly even with a cab.

here are some hotels with quads
at / around 150€ - as far as I could tell, none offer A/C...

Hotel Eiffel Rive Gauche * * Quad 95-145€
Metro: Ecole Militaire (7th)
http://www.hotel-eiffel.com/hotel_rg_present_en.htm

Hotel de France Invalides * * Adj rooms/ 4 persons 148€
Metro: Ecole Militaire / Latour Maubourg (7th)
http://www.parishotels.com/Hotel_de_...strict_en.html

Hotel des Mines * * Quad 129-139€ (shows photo of quad)
Metro: RER Luxembourg (5th)
http://www.hotel-desmines-paris.com/

Hotel Michelet Odeon * * Quad - 1 large bed, 2 twins 150€
Metro: Luxembourg / Odeon (5th)
http://www.parishotels.com/Hotel_Mic...strict_en.html

i may go to paris for 1 day july and would like to see Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe would it be better to take a tour? how much does it cost.

Hi F,

Another poster has recommended this inexpensive hotel. It is not central, but it is close to a nice Metro stop.

http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75012lux.htm

Quads about 72E.

((I))

I would suggest a private tour guide to maximize what you can see/do so it isn't up to you to figure out the bus schedule, what sight is open when, how to get there, etc. I think you waste an awful lot of time just getting oriented in an unfamiliar city. Michael Osman, recommended lots on this board, would meet you at your hotel and tailor the day to your interests. I'd still try to see the Louvre, even with only one day...just do a "highlights" tour. Definitely Saint Chappell. But with a guide, you would fit in the maximum possible.

Many people consider Place des Vosges to be the most beautiful square in Paris. I was stunned when I first stumbled on it by accident. Well there's a hotel just off it called..badumbum... the Hotel Place des Vosges and I remember reading an article in the Washington Post on cheap hotels in Paris that mentioned the nicest room in this small hotel was a quad at the very top.

Here's the article but it's from 1999 so prices may be outdated

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv...tels041899.htm

The downside is the rooms are really small (although this quad sounds ok) and the elevator is tiny and you have to walk up 2 flights to get to this room. Here are some reviews

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

Fairway:

Like others have said, one day in Paris is certainly a method of torture- nonetheless, if one day it must be, then stay in the central arrondisements area 5-7, left bank, preferably, close to transport.
My recommendation for a bargain quad in the 7th arr is at a place that has small rooms but a big heart: Hotel Chomel. Check their name for posting and reservation on www.venere.com. or email them direct at [email protected]. It's steps away from the Metro with two lines and around the corner from Bon Marche, a department store you can whisk through if you wish to shop quickly and/or grab eats of all kinds at its epicerie section.
Again, as others have said, I suggest avoiding the museums when you only have one day. You can't beat a stroll through the neighborhoods, but with such a short time, you'll be well-advised to pursue a more directed, broad approach to your trip so you can gather in what Paris has to offer. Try a hop-on-off bus tour and/or one of the guided boat trips down the Seine.
Good luck and DO reserve more days for your next visit. Paris needs to be savored.

"I think you waste an awful lot of time just getting oriented in an unfamiliar city."

Ah, but that's what fodors.com is for. Get the tourist bus map and a Mobilis card. Grab the first bus that goes by. This is not rocket science.

I reserved Hotel De Buci for 1 night july 18 from orbitz for $204.00 total.

Look for the Hotel Bourdonnais on tripadvisor.com. I booked it via Expedia for our family of four for $225/night in June. That price seems a good value, given the location in an upscale neighborhood in the 7th, with views of the Eiffel tower from some balconies. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com, too. It's not only close to the Tower, but also Les Invalides.

Thank you, Thank you for all the wonderful advice. Yes, I am certain to want to return, but alas, like I said, this is strictly a layover. Read reviews on Hotel des Mines and currently holding a room there. Sounds like it might just be what we need for the short visit... any thoughts on that hotel from anyone?
Again, thanks for the help. I plan to search out the Fodorite experiences to make the most of the day.

Not many posts about Hotel des Mines here, but there are a couple that are recent enough:

Author: shandy Date: 06/18/2004, 10:25 pm
Message: Last September I booked a hotel for Paris less than two weeks before arriving on www.wotif.com.au Had no problems with the reservation at all and the price was cheaper than that offered by a number of the competing online services. In our case we chose the Hotel des Mines which is on St. Michel Blvd. It is not in the heart of the Latin Quarter - took about 15 minutes to walk down to it propery. Had added advantage of the nearest metro stop was on the RER B lines from CDG airport so no changes to make. It was a 2* hote. Nothing fantastic but clean, furnishings good and room was good size for a Paris hotel with full size bathroom. We chose to pay the little bit more for the twin deluxe rather than the standard which is probably what gave us such a good bathroom. Was lovely to be able to have a soak in the bath after having walked for hours and hours.

Author: Ruth Date: 03/04/2003, 06:06 am
Message: We stayed at the Hotel des Mines in Jan 2002 and found it perfectly acceptable (it's a 2.5 star, I think). The room was a reasonable size and clean, the elevator worked, and the continental breakfast was OK - nothing special, but drinkable coffee and fresh croissants. I liked the location, though it is on the busy boulevard St Martin, but the double glazing removed all the traffic noise. It is right by the RER Luxembourg station (south entrance). We felt very safe (I was there with my husband and young son). It isn't right in the centre of things, but is in easy reach of almost everything. I can't say I researched it at all before booking as we bought a package in which one had to decide on the part of Paris rather than the hotel. As a hotel it didn't have a lot of character, but the staff were very helpful (indeed greeted us by name as we walked through the door for the first time) and we liked our stay there. Overall opinion: functional rather than romantic.