We will be travelling from Strasbourg and arriving at Gare Paris Est about 9.30. We are looking at accommodation in rue Tournelles near metro Bastille.

Two questions: - Which is the best way to get from Gare Paris Est, Metro? (we will each have a suitcase - but don't mind carrying it).

- Also as we arrive in the morning we may not be able to get into our apartment until later. I have asked the owner if there is somewhere to leave our bags but have not heard back yet. Would there be big enough lockers at the Bastille metro?

Any insight is appreciated.

There is a direct metro line from Gare Est to Bastille, so that part should be very easy. The luggage is always an issue. I would really push for being allowed to drop your bags at the apartment even if they are still cleaning if I were you. I don't know that the metro has left luggage lockers, Gare Est may be a better bet, try googling, or look at the sncf site they may help. You could leave them there, have a wander around and then retrieve them and go to the apartment. Not ideal but maybe an option?

Schnauzer

Thanks for your reply Schnauzer

That is another thought about leaving luggage at Gare Est, would there be much to look at around Gare Est? Or maybe somewhere else?

Just leave it there and chuff off to more exciting parts perhaps!!! Mind you all of Paris (well most) is exciting to us Aussies!!! Have you been to Paris before? You could always walk up to the Sacre Coeur or have lunch around the Poissonniere area, from memory there were some good restos in that vicinity. Or it is an easy walk to Canal St. Martin from the station. I am sure others can chip in.

I still would push for the early bag drop off at the apartment.
Schnauzer

Hello,

I propose to help you with your travel arrangements.
From Gare de l'Est Bastille, you can reach easily by subway to see the interactive map here: http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/ + tab or research will see that line 5 takes you there directly.
Getting around Paris is unquestionably the subway that will save you time. On lockers at the station, you will find but beware, if you're on a busy tourist period it will not be easy to leave your luggage.
Two choices are available, a nearby restaurant or hotel near your location, where you leave your luggage. It is possible but it will have to explain your troubles.
Or insist that your landlord has a duty to help you if you went directly and not through an online booking for which he has no mail exchange.

I hope you have help and enjoy your stay in France.

L'Oree de Giverny

Metro stations do not have left lugggage facilities.

There are coin-operated lockers at Gare de l'Est.

Aussie_10 .......... have included this link for you of the station which has photos and gives location of storage lockers. Nice to know where you going when one first arrives ........have a great stay.
http://parisbytrain.com/gare-de-lest...train-station/

I would not count on it being possible to leave your luggge in a nearby restaurant or hotel. I don't know of any place that would allow this, they have no reason to want to keep your luggage, it takes up space, they don't want to watch it, and for security reasons, accepting luggage from people off the street would be very stupid.

Besides metro line 5, you can also take bus 65 from Gare de l'Est to Bastille.

Here are some different views of Gare de l'Est that I photographed: http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com...ay&thread=2601

Thank you all for your replies, suggestions, links and photos. I am humbled by all the helpful people on Fodors.

It is good to be able to "see" the station where we will arrive. It looks like I may have scared the owner off, as I have not heard from him since I asked about dropping the bags off. I admit I had not finalised the booking but was keen to stay at his apartment. I was just trying to organise logistics.

In worse case senario we will leave the bags in lockers and spend a few hours soaking up the atmosphere. Thanks for the transport info. I love Paris and am soo looking forward to returning.