My wife and I will be in Paris for a few days near the end of April. We will be renting a car in Amsterdam, and after touring the Netherlands and Belguim will drive to Paris, around France and then back to Amsterdam. <BR> <BR>From what I have read in travel books and on this forum, the advice is always DON'T DRIVE IN PARIS. Okay, I accept the good words of advice. <BR> <BR>I have also read that it is best to have accomodations near the attractions in Paris. <BR> <BR>These two words of wisdom are causing a conflict for me. If we find a hotel in the center of Paris, then what do I do with the rental car? (Dropping it off at AVIS is not doable because of drop off charges.) If we stay at a hotel in the outer suburbs, then we have to take 30-40 min METRO/RER rides everyday. <BR> <BR>Words of advice will be greatly appreciated. <BR> <BR>Dick

We, too, subscribe to the "don't drive in Paris" view, but on a couple of occasions, such as yours, have made an exception. I think the main idea is, don't plan on driving around to the sites in Paris. Find the best route to your hotel (near the sights in the center), and the closest parking garage, and just park the car while you're in town. Yes, it won't be cheap, but it sounds like a good alternative to dropping off the car at the rental agency and re-renting.

There are several ways to skin this cat. <BR> <BR>The best may no longer be an option for you - - fly home from Paris instead of Amsterdam; drop the car in A-dam when done with it and take the train to Paris. <BR> <BR>Air already purchased? It would still be an option to drop the car in A-dam, train to and from Paris. <BR> <BR>But driving your car into Paris will not give you chromosome damage, bad breath or anything else you can't get over. After all, no one says you HAVE to USE it in Paris. Yes, parking it there and leaving it there costs money. All of your options ultimately boil down to money, right? <BR> <BR>I've had good experience with the Hotel Royal Elysees, right off THE ONE PLACE "they" tell you must NEVER go - - the eight lane madhouse, bumper cars, Place de l'Etoile/CDG, which circles around the Arc de Triomphe. While it is intimidating, it is NOT just one big collision after another. Okay, so you might get honked at - - if you have to, drive the speed that YOU need to drive to get on and off the circle; they will NOT just run right in to you. <BR> <BR>There is a perfectly user-friendly underground parking structure near Ave Kleber or Foch or somewhere just 1-2 "spokes around the wheel" from the Hotel Royal Elysees. In the center of Paris, this is where you will find most of the available parking (gas stations, too) - - underground. <BR> <BR>If you choose this hotel, and thus put yourself right at THE ground zero Metro station (CDG/l'Etoile), you will find little or no reason to take your car for seeing the city - - although side trips out will be a good reason to have hung onto it. <BR> <BR>By the way, I don't take the advice to NEVER bring a car into Manhattan, either. And I don't have that much trouble finding parking. All those places that charge $8.57 per 20 minutes are there for a reason, you know - - there IS a demand for what they are offering! <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex

Anne, <BR> <BR>Thanks much for your speedy response. We would like a Paris hotel/B&B in a quiet/nice area and preferably one that has designated non-smoking rooms with private bathroom. Also, one that is relatively easy to drive to coming from Belgium. <BR> <BR>Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. <BR> <BR>Thanks <BR> <BR>Dick

Your trip sounds similar to ours in Dec./Jan. We stayed in a very easy access hotel after driving from Belgium, but I wouldn't recommend it as it was too far out (it was all we could get for New Years Eve). <BR>Our favorite small romantic hotel in Paris is Hotel Des Grandes Ecoles, in the latin quarter. It's composed of character-filled townhouses arranged around a garden courtyard - a peaceful oasis yet right near all the city sights. Their phone is 01-43-26-79-23, fax 01-43-25-28-15. I don't know parking availablility in the area, but the English speaking receptionist or owner surely could inform you about that.

There is an excellent, reasonably priced, underground parking facility, across from Les Invalides (Napoleon's Thomb- 7th arrondissement). The entrance is on the street between Blvd de Latour-Maubourg and Blvd. Des Invalides, directly across from the big building, it gives the impression to be under the big explanade-park in front. That's where we left the car parked the last time we were in Paris while staying at Hotel Muguet (great hotel; walking distance).