I'm planning our first trip to paris for a weeks stay from 12/26 thru 01/03/03. While a week will never be enough time, I'm looking for the best way to enjoy the Art, Food and pace of Paris. I'm considering the Saint Germain des Pres in the 6th AD as our hotel.Is this AD a central area to see Paris from. Also is Paris very crowded at this time of year. Any information or tips will be apprewciated

I think that is an excellent area to stay in. We always stay on rue Jacob. You can get everywhere from there. It is just a walk across a pont to the Right Bank and the Louvre and everything there.<BR>I have never been in Paris in December, usually in Nov, and March, but I don't think it would be unusually crowded. <BR>You will have such a good time!

yes, that is a very central area for visiting Paris. Because you sound like you are definitely going, why don't you get a map now for planning, and you can see how central it is, as well as how close to the things you want to see. Holiday periods are always very busy in Paris. I know you have to book hotels farther ahead of time than usual during the Xmas/NY holiday weeks, and many hotels have rate surcharges during that period. If you want much selection in hotels, I think you'd better get busy with making reservations.

After several trips to Paris, I am of the opinion that the two most important criteria for selecting a hotel are these:<BR>1. the comfort of the hotel,<BR>2. the nearness of several metro lines and bus lines.<BR><BR>The main attractions of Paris are relatively spread out, therefore if you are close to one, you are not close to another. If you are close to transportation, you can get anywhere in Paris in relatively short order.<BR><BR>Therefore a good map is essential. My standby is the big Michelin map with a street index. I carry the Michelin #7 because it is small enough to fit in a coat pocket whereas the other Michelin map is as large as it is vital for the details. <BR><BR>The area you have chosen might be considered central as it border on the Seine, left bank. It is relatively close to Notre Dame, Ste.Chapelle, and several other places. On the other hand, it is not close to the Eiffel Tower or the Trocadero. <BR><BR>I found a good comfortable hotel near transportation, and that is where I stay.<BR>

Tom, At the very first try to take a CityRama tour of the city to acqaint yourselves. This was a good tip for us by a family member to get the lay of the land.<BR><BR>Enjoy.<BR><BR>

I was in Paris that week last year and it was VERY crowded (and quite cold). But don't let that stop you. To maximize your time, consider buying a museum pass. It will save you a ton of "line time". It's also a beautiful time with the lights on the Champs and the ice skating at Hotel de Ville.

tom<BR>thre are many websites that can add to your planning and I'm assuming you've bought a good guide book.<BR><BR>My last trip there was in mid-December and although we had some rain and cold, we enjoyed the extra excuses to stop for coffee and pastries. And the shops were beautiful at that time of year.<BR>Take the advice about the museum pass--one of the single best pieces of advice if you plan on visiting the Louvre and Orsay museums.<BR><BR>I have a file on Paris; if you'd like to see it, email me.

Hi Tom<BR>Suggest hotel bonaparte on rue bonaparte. Excellent location, reasonable prices, friendly, helpful staff.<BR>Check Fodors Rants and Raves.

We were in Paris during that week several years ago and it was a lot more crowded than I thought it would be. As already suggested, get the museum pass which covers most of the museums and a few other things. The best part of it is that it bypasses the lines which can be quite long. Here's a web link for you that will give you all the details. www.intermusees.com<BR><BR>The other advice I have for you is stay off the metro if you can, esp. the line that stops at Champs Elysees, on New Year's Eve as it's approaching midnight as it will be very very crowded. Otherwise the metro is a wonderful way to get around. You can buy discounted tickets in packets of 10 called carnets that both you and your companion can use.<BR><BR>And it was cold the year we were there too, I was glad to have my winter coat, gloves and even ear muffs for the trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Many thanks for the helpful insights for the trip. If anyone can recommend a good map, my wife is a nut for them, and also some good hotels in the 6th it would be a big help. Also, any websites and info about events in Paris during the Xmass-New Years week would be great.

metro was free last NYE, and not crowded at all.

Tom: We've been to Paris in December and May and it's a lot less crowded in December. The weather can be cold but if you dress warm its not a problem. If you don't mind walking you can see all the big attractions and also see the city. We stayed in the 7th on Rue Cler and walked from the hotel to the Eiffel Tower, the louvre, Orsay, Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle, Luxembourg Gardens. We are runners so we love the exercise of walking and the bonus of getting to see the city.<BR><BR>I'm not a expert but send me a email if you want any info.

Hi Tom,<BR>My favorite maps are the Streetwise Maps. The Paris one is great, you can see where you are and where everything else is and it is easy to carry.

Tom, re map: I have - rats - Middleditch? Oh, heck, I believe that's the name, Michael Middleditch, but I'll get back to you if that's not correct. It's a very complete map with all the streets, a great street index, comes in 6 x 8 book form, slender, with lots of restaurants, sites, hotels marked, and good information about buses, metro, night buses, layouts of parks and museums, etc. A lot of people here recommend Streetwise maps, but I don't like the folding or the lamination. I use post-its to mark the pages. Got it at Borders. I was in Paris in early December one year - not at all crowded, but I suspect the week between Christmas and New Year's is a popular one. I had wonderful sunny dry days in the 50s. But European weather is a crap shoot. And you'll LOVE the left bank. Make your "must see" list but be sure to set aside time to just wander around, stop in cafes, drink wine, flirt with your wife. Have fun in my favorite city.

I will reiterate in detail what I hinted at in my first post. The Michelin #10 is very detailed. The street guide that goes with it is Michelin #12. I also have the smaller Michelin #7. I used both of them on my most recent trip early last month.<BR>I find them invaluable. Also, your hotel will probaby have a freebie.<BR>I use the freebie maps to mark on if I have to find something that does not show except on the Michelin #10.<BR>You can get the maps from one map place in Dallas. I have acquired a good collection of Michelin and other types of maps over the last 5 years, with detailed maps of most major European cities in my map case.<BR>

Love the 6th AD. Centrally located.Great cafes, shops but doesn't feel too commercial. Get the museum pass (special admission to multiple museums)...allows you to bypass long lines at some of the sites.

I'm seconding the map recommedation of Michael Middleditch. It is a Penguin Publication. As related it comes in small book form. Buy it early and tab the pages you will be using the most and it is great in preparing for the trip. Also the metro guideis right up front and large enough to easily follow. <BR>I hemmed and hawed before buying a map and within a minute of seeing this one I knew it was easily the best (for me).<BR>Great location you picked.<BR>My only advice would be after doing what you feel you must do and visit, make sure you leave a GENEROUS amount of time for sitting in cafes etc. enjoying the city, its people and food.<BR>

I think the best list of hotels is our old Friend Patricia Wells hotel page. <BR><BR><BR>http://www.patriciawells.com/paris/photels.htm<BR><BR>A number of them are in the 6th. If a hotel sparks your interest, seach for it on Fodors. All these hotels have been discussed in great detail.<BR><BR>Also, I just love hotel d'angleterre. I just loved it. <BR><BR>You can make a reservation by email<BR>http://www.economist.com/cities/displayobject.cfm?obj_id=471337&city_id=PAR<BR><BR >[email protected]<BR><BR>Cheers, <BR><BR>Beth

While I agree with other posts that it is important to be near a metro station, don't forget that Paris is *not* a large city, contrary to what some people would have you believe. It is extremely easy to walk from monument to monument (apart from the Eiffel Tower and Invalides which admittedly are not right next to anything else). One of the great joys of Paris is walking around, taking detours down little streets, getting off the beaten track and discovering places that aren't in the guidebooks. For example, the 6th and 5th arrondissements are full of little winding streets and surprises. Try wandering from St Germain along the Rue de Bucci/Rue St andr&eacute; des Arts, through St michel and up to the Pantheon and the market on the rue Mouffetard. My favorite walk ever!! Or stroll along the banks of the Seine from Notre Dame to the Louvre, looking at the antique bookstalls. <BR><BR>As far as crowds are concerned, Paris is a crowded city!! The population is very dense so there are always loads of people milling around, metros and buses are often crammed full, no matter what time of year you go (the only exception is August, when a lot of parisians take their summer holiday). The one place to avoid on New Years eve if you don't like crowds is the Champs Elys&eacute;es. It can be a bit scary. <BR><BR>Oh, try and go to the department store called le Bon March&eacute;, on rue de Sevres, metro Sevres-Babylone. The window displays at christmas time are enchanting! And right next door to it is the fantastic food store, la Grande Epicerie de Paris. You can get some great "food" souvenirs there.

I strongly recommend the National Geographic laminated map of Paris. Unlike the Streetwise maps, the NG version shows the entire city on one side for easy reference. The reverse side has a very detailed index, along with other information.