I am planning to take a 6 day/5 night trip by myself to Paris this winter and have a few questions because I haven't been to Paris in 10 years.

1) What is a great centrally located, moderately priced hotel? I can splurge a *little* and I would rather stay in a boutique hotel.

2) What are the best places to shop for 20/30 something clothes, accessories, shoes? Looking for good but stylish bargains..

3) What are the BEST neighborhoods/arrondissements for non-touristy cafes, patisseries and people watching?

4) Is there anything I should know about being in Paris during the holidays?

5) AND, any additional tips/suggestions are appreciated.

THANK YOU!!!

Food Snob and PCH...

I HAVE read many of the previous messages and the 100 things to do in paris thread but they didn't exactly answer my question. I have also looked at numerous guide books but I was hoping to get some feedback from real live people wrt the hotel, shopping because people's tastes vary. Thanks for nothing...

Sorry spka, those two are on some other planet. Maybe a Dating Board would be more suited for them.

My wife and I visted Paris between Christmas and New Years 2001-2002. As a Southern Californian, it was cold. Long underwear came in handy on more than one occasion. Be sure to layer as we did have a few days where the sun decided to make an appearance.

We stayed at La Tourville in the 7th which had good prices during the holidays. Of course, this was not too far after 9-11, so there were deals for anyone who wanted to travel. I think the prices are higher now, but we love Le Tourville.

We did not run into a lot of tourists during that time, but that could have been because it was so close to 9-11. In any event, there are certainly less tourists during the holidays than any of the other eight or nine times I have visited.

We loved Clos des Gourmets in the 7th for dinner. Small, intimate, nice hosts, great food and reasonable prices (about $60 per couple with wine then). There were a couple of other great restaurants we tried on that trip, but my notes are at home.

Wherever you stay you will enjoy people watching. Perhaps the NYCFoodSnob and PCHsmiles will walk past you arm in arm.

Anyway, hopefully other people will help you on your questions before this becomes another "Lovefest" post.

spka, My daughter and I spent the same week there two years ago. It was lovely and crowded (and cold). As far as central goes, it depends on what you most want to be central to. We stayed at Hotel Quai du Voltaire, right on the Seine. It was great for watching the New Year's Eve festivities from the warmth of our room, looking out of the French doors. The view was great (the Louvre) but the hotel was not upscale. The streets going away from the river, in the neighborhood, had charming shops and cafes. It was just over 100 euro.

I've also stayed at Hotel Cluny Square, in a busy area, but very comfortable hotel with balconies.

Walk down the Champes from the Arch de Triumph just as the holiday lights go on. Beautiful!

Have a great trip.

In case you go on line, it is LE Tourville not La Tourville.

Tom, we were there at the same time. As a Northern California, I will agree with you. It was COLD (and wet). And while there weren't necessarily a lot of "foreign" tourists, it did seem that there were a lot of French tourists. Lines at all the museums and monuments were long. If you want to visit any of them, a museum card will come in very handy.

Grasshopper, you're correct about the Museum card. The line at Musee D'Orsay was especially huge during that time, and that card is always a lifesaver on my trips to Paris.

I guess I didn't notice the crowds too much, because we just did a lot of walking (not to mention eating and drinking) on that trip. Outside of a few museums, we stayed away from the big ticket items.

Spka,
In the 5th there are 2 lovely hotels with good winter rates here is the website www.hoteldupantheon.com also see hotel Grands Hommers, in the same group.
I have an extensive list of restaurants in Paris if you would like it feel free to email me at: [email protected] (keep in mind I am leaving for Italy early next week).
I love the Picasso museum in the 4th.
Viva la France
Fluffy
p.s. I took a fur(I know it's politically incorrect in the states), but the last time I was in Paris in the winter everyone was wearing one.

Thank you so so much for the suggestions! I will plan to bring clothes to bundle up as it sounds like it could be chilly.