Our first trip to Paris, getting confused with districts.
 

I was looking at staying at Grand Hotel Leveque or Hotel du Champ de Mars in the 6th district but after reading some comments it may not be the district my husband and me want to be in. Also, Hotel Londres Saint Honore in the 8th district, would that be more centered. Can anyone recommend a hotel un 125eurs in a good centered district.

I realize we'll have to take public transportation but it would be nice to walk out of our hotel and have some cool sights.

Other than being touristy, the 6th is a great area to stay in. Very close to the city center and transportation.

It's just numbered areas of the city, like a lot of cities have. Neither of those first two hotels you named are in the 6th, so I can see why you'd be confused. You are getting bad information. They are in the 7th.

Yes, the other hotel is a little more centered because it's not far from the Louvre. The entire central part of Paris you are probably referring to is only one-two miles each direction, though, so it's not that big a deal, but you could walk to the Louvre and Notre Dame from there easily, and not from the ones in the 7th (you could but probably won't want to -- a couple miles, most likely).

Yes, these are in the 7th, as christina said, and they are in an interesting area. Nothing in arr. 1-8 are at all difficult to get to by walking or transport so it is really not of very much concern. there are MAnY restaurants in the 7th area you mention, as well as walking distance to the Eiffel Tower, if you want.

So, from your comments Hotel Londres Saint Honore would be a good hotel and location to stay even though it's more in the 7th district. Is there any better hotel recommendations for the 6th district or should I just stick with my Londres Saint Honore, it's only 98 euros for a small double.

I like the 4/5/6th because they are walkable to major sites, and are also busy areas at night with lots of restaurants, cafes,etc.. With the Metro system, you cna easily get around. Have a look at where your hotel is in regards to a Metro line, then look to see how you would get to...the Louvre. That will give you a sense of what a day of sightseeing might require.

Some people like staying away from the tourist areas, in order to get away form the crowds, get a feel for how locals lead their day to day life.

I've stayed at central and less central hotels. both have their +/-. For a first time visitor, I'd stay more central. As an example, I've stayed on Ile St Louis in the 4th. It's an island, nice main street (cheese shop, wine store, chocolate store,etc..), Seine right there, good restaurants, 5 minutes from Notre Dame , Netro not too far, RER station to CDG not too far,etc...Price, bit higher, but ambiance and location worth it.

Mike

I think the Londres Saint Honore is in the 1st.

The way you can tell which arrondissement a hotel is in is to pay attention to the 'mail code' or 'zip code'.
75001 = 1st arr
75006 = 6th arr
75007 = 7th arr and so on...

Here is a map with a short discussion on each arrondissement. this may take some of the mystery out of Paris for you.

http://tinyurl.com/2qon6h

Enjoy your trip!

:-)

The Leveque and Champ du Mars are in the 7th, St Honore is in the 1st.

Personally we always stay in the 6th, it's not as touristy as the 5th and livelier than the 7th. There are a good mix of shops, cafes and services.

Looking at the St Honore reviews , you might be aware that they have no elevator so I'd ask for a room on a low floor!

RE: Londres Saint Honore

I do not know one thing about the hotel, but its location is perfect for a first visit. It will be easy to get to almost anything from there and you will be very close to many of the big sites.

"I realize we'll have to take public transportation but it would be nice to walk out of our hotel and have some cool sights."

Eh, don't worry about that! You're in PARIS! It's all wonderful.

Well my vote goes to the ones in the 7th - Hotel Champs du Mars is a hotel where I have stayed - I think it has more charm the Hotel Leveque. I love that area because it is very much in the middle of Paris but the Rue Cler is a pedestrian street with alot of local "action" tho some call it too quiet. I like quiet if there are busy areas close by! You can easily walk to the Eiffel Tour and take the metro to other sites around the city.

The VIIè is notoriously sedate. If you want lots of Parisian street action, the Ier, Vè or VIè have more to offer.

Being close to everything is as impossible in Paris as anywhere else. To give you an idea of scale, it takes 1:11 to walk from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame.

Since you can't stay everywhere, choose your lodging based on value, not location. I like to say that in lodging there are central, clean, and cheap. Choose two.

Hey, Robes..and it can't be central, clean and not-so-cheap (but not expensive, either) ? ;)

There are lots of great bargains in central Paris. We stayed in a nice 3* hotel for 75 Euros per night in February. We could have stayed in a perfectly acceptable 2* hotel for 60 Euros per night.

The easiest way to understand the arrondisement numbers is to realize it is a snail, starting with 1 in the middle, then spiraling outward from the old historic center.

As above, you can tell the number by the last two digits of the postal code.

How much in high season?

Looking at the zip code Londres Sain Honore is in the 75001 zip code.

Will Travel, what hotels could you find for 60euros???

I don't know about high season possibilities, but if I need to go to Paris then, I will do my research from the ground up. My February stay was not low-season - that would be August.

Some 2* and 3* options in that price range (but not generally from the hotel sites themselves, but other budget booking sites) - Royal Hotel Bergere in the 9th, but close to the 2nd, Comfort Hotel Bastille in the 11th, Timhotel St. Lazare in the 8th, Best Western Fleche d'Or in the 8th, other Timhotels, other Best Westerns - there are no shortage of choices in this price range with a bit of research.

Sites to look at:
http://www.accorhotels.com
http://www.fastbooking.com
http://www.ratestogo.com
http://www.hrs.de
http://www.bestwestern.com
http://www.flyhotel.com
http://www.hotels.de