I'll be travelling to Paris with several teenagers, 8 of us in total. What is the most economical way to lodge in the area? We don't mind taking mass transit into the city, it adds to the experience. I found a new Suitehotel in the Porte de la Chapelle, but don't know if it is a safe area? Any suggestions.

Have you looked into an apartment? How many bedrooms would you require and what is your budget?

I would like to spend around $200usd per nite if possible?

how many bedrooms and when are you going?

Safety is relative, but the Seine St Denis sururban area of Paris (where Porte de la Chapelle is located) is the top one in terms of violence and crime, I believe. I really think what you are doing is not a good idea -- picking a suburb of Paris to stay in because you found a cheap hotel there-- in any city you don't know well. Hotels that are really cheap usually are not in the best areas. I suppose you read about a lot of the riots and violence in Paris suburbs within the last six months? I think most were in the northern suburban areas. There are a lot of areas that I don't think would enhance your vacation nor add to your experience positively.

There are a lot of problems with theft in that area, drug traffic, and minors with do vandalism to cars and steal from them, even when going by. Some particular spots are the A1 tunnel and before the Porte de la Chapelle. I read an article that said single women and taxis are particular targets of the thieves.

So, you want a quad for about $100. That is really cheap for within the city (about 85 euro now), unfortunately.

If I were you, you might find something cheap in an outer area, but I would look more to the south -- such as around Porte de Versailles or Porte d'Orleans. There are some cheaper chain hotels down there.

Wow, that is a challenge.
Number one rec would be an apartment--looks for apts. located in the less central spots still well served by mass transit--perhaps Balard at the far edge of the 15th or out in the 19th or 20th.
Number two: check out the hostels, foyers, etc. You don't say when you'll be traveling so it's hard to know what kind of availability or rules they'd have for your group. There's the Aloha hostel in the 15th, www.aloha.fr their top rate for your gang about be about 175 euros. Includes breakfast, I think. Maybe Cite Universitaire if your trip is scheduled for the summer and your teenagers are 18 or over and are students or researchers (they have some strict regs). http://www.ciup.fr/student_housing.htm The teenagers will probably enjoy the hostel life a lot more than the adults.
Number 3: A Formule 1 hotel. The *only* Formule 1 in the Paris area that seems possible is the Formule 1 Chatillon, which is within walking distance of the Porte d'Orleans metro stop. Your gang would need 3 rooms, which would be about $150 per night. You will get zilch in the way of Parisian atmosphere, you get a sink and tv in the room but no phone or private showers. This is bare bones travel. We actually spent 10 days at a Formule 1 in the Netherlands and it was surprisingly ok, but the pleasantness of your stay will depend entirely on the calibre of the managers, the other guests and the cleanliness of the rooms (we lucked out in the Netherlands because the managers were a very nice couple, the location was residential rather than industrial, the other guests were quiet and polite and the rooms were all quite clean).

But really, start apartment shopping ASAP. That would be the best bet. But even then, your budget might have to stretch...however, with an apartment, you could spend a little more on accommodations and cut back on the $$ needed for food.

I may have been a little misleading. The showers at the Formule 1 are, of course, all in private, individual cubicles with locking doors and a space for towels, toiletries. Like a dorm. But rooms don't have their own showers.

Apartment (and hotel) prices vary greatly depending on what month you are there. Please tell us when you're traveling.

I recommend any of the three MIJE hostels in the Marais district. They are converted 17th-century private mansions in a historic and centrally-located neighborhood. They house a lot of student groups, but adults and families are welcome. Both Lonely Planet and Rick Steves call them the best budget lodging in Paris. If you have a choice, pick Maubuisson, the best of the three. Visit www.mije.com.

I'm sorry, I thought I had included the dates. We will be in Paris from around May 4- 13. I have stayed in Velizy before and even though it's not in the city, we didn't mine commuting into the city. Thanks for your responses.

Here's another idea. Three rooms (two triples and a double) at the Grand Hotel du Progres on the southern edge of the Latin Quarter would be cheaper than a MIJE hostel.

Quoting from the Lonely Planet Paris Guidebook: Grand Hotel du Progres; te. 01 43 54 53 18; fax 01 56 24 87 80; 50 rue Gay Lussac; metro Luxembourg; s/d/tr E35/42/55, s/d with shower and toilet E46/54, includes breakfast.

This budget, 26-room hotel has been a student favourite for generations. It has washbasin-equipped singles and large, old-fashioned doubles with a view and morning sun.

arce - Please allow me to tag on a question. I'll post another if this doesn't work.

christina - Re: St Denis, where is that exactly? We have reserved apt on rue greneta 38 that appears to be about 2 blocks from Montorguil, but there is a little short street near that is St. Denis. Is this what you're talking about? The apt has great reviews and didn't mention any threatening area...

I think Christina watches CNN a little too much.

The issue of the suburbs isn't danger, but inconvenience. It might be charming to ride into Paris and ride out again on the first day, but it gets old really quick, and it doesn't necessarily offer any significant savings.

One should also distinguish between <i>Seine Saint-Denis</i>, which is north of Paris, and the <i>rue Saint Denis</i>, which is a street <i>in</i> Paris (famous for its streetwalkers at the lower end, and for its ethnic shops as one moves north).

Young and Happy hostel on rue Mouffetard in the 5th is well located. I stayed in an apartment nearby and loved the area. Although not strictly a pedistrian street it is very narrow and has much more ambiance than bigger streets like St. Michel in the 6th. Check it out for a safe, beautiful area of town that feels like you are in a different era.

Thank you Anthony (and arce). That makes me feel a little better. It's Rue St. Denis that's near us, not Seine St. Denis. Due to the positive reviews of the apartment I think we'll be fine.

arce - check www.homelidays.com. They have quite a few apartments that might work for you. Good luck!

Lux Hotel Picpus
<u>http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75012lux.htm</u>
74, boulevard de Picpus, Paris 75012
2 person. 47- 56 &euro;
3 person. 63 &euro;
4 person. 68 - 72 &euro;

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