thanks elaine. i know you're thinking, "ooh, she's not so bright." but really i did try hotelmonge.com before i asked you all and my computer told me "no". i tried 2 more times and it connected. strange.

A two-star hotel should be more than adequate for your needs. The Hotel Bonaparte, from all I've read on this discussion board, is well over your price limit, so I'm not sure why it's been suggested here, when you clearly stated you wanted to spend under 100 Euros.

Your little one may enjoy being near a park in order to run around, so you might want to keep that in mind. Perhaps something near the Eiffel Tower - and the Champs de Mars, where I've frequently seen lots of children playing - would fit the bill.

You're right - there is a "sea" of Paris hotels. We took our chances on our last trip when our first choice was all booked up, choosing a hotel I'd never heard of in the 12th district, and weren't at all displeased.

Trish, be sure to request an upper level room, street side, with a balcony if you go with Hotel Monge. Or at least that is what we had and really liked.

trishiad
I wasn't thinking that at all, sorry if my presenting just the website without comment was too abrupt

no worries elaine, i was giggling at myself.

Beatchick, thanks for that link. but here's what i need to know:
How is it, really, to stay in a hostel? I went camping for the first time in my life about 3 years ago. I was raised by a mother who thought the Holiday Inn was totally slumming it. I would love to be good at budget traveling (i'd better if i want to travel now that mom doesn't foot the bill) but i worry about the shock of just jumping right into a hostel. Will it feel just like a sparse hotel? Or more like I'm staying with my best friends distant great aunt and uncle?

Every hostel is different, and some are much better than others. The reviews for most Paris hostels don't tend to be that great, so be sure to choose carefully. The best site for hostel reviews that I've seen for that is http://www.bugeurope.com .

As to what it's like, for a solo traveler, if you've ever stayed in a room with bunk beds, you will have a pretty good idea of what most hostels are like. You will typically have bathroom facilities like you might have at a swimming pool or a health club.

If you have your own private room at a hostel, then it's basically like a sparse hotel room with no phone. You will often have to make your own bed, and will be given linens when you check in so that you can do that. You may or may not have an ensuite bathroom, depending on the options available.

With many hostels you have access to a kitchen, common area, dining area, TV room, and so on. So conversation with other travelers is very easy. But this depends on the hostel.

One drawback of most, although not all, European hostels is that they do not provide towels. So you either have to look carefully ahead of time to choose hostels that have towels or bring your own.

All this said, I don't know if I'd recommend your first hostel experience occur overseas with a three-year-old.

Dear Trish,

If you are going to Paris on a tight budget then why do you think that >it's worth the cost of the train to hop over to brussels for chocolate<.

It's not as if Paris doesn't have chocolate.

Are you getting a super low fare?

You do NOT need the extra expense of booking a triple room. With a 3 year old, she will be free in the room with a "lit supplémentaire".

One more question Grandmere..
Does the hotel have a safe in the room?
The price is just right..

You might want a triple room for the space, though. Double rooms can be terribly cramped and some would not even fit a cot.

Yes, Kismetchimera, there is a room safe.

And a hair dryer that has some zip to it, cable tv, and a phone.

Trishiad, I've never stayed in a youth hostel so I think WillTravel explains it best. I was doing research on triples and I noticed people here seeking the same type of info so I just shared my research gleanings. What I eventually decided to do was take the triple at Hotel de Blois. At 70€ per night it's not much more than a hostel plus you get your privacy. Across the street, for your convenience, is a laundromat. So important for traveling families! :)

Now, this hotel is not in the center like you had wanted but it's not far. You could take your "critter" via Metro to the center and then just walk around all day from there. I think after around 9am the Metro trains shouldn't be that crowded. I think you'll find Paris easy to manage. And with all the crêperies in this area (Montparnasse/14th arrondissement) I think the critter will be happy with the food choices.

I have an inexpensive restaurant list which will help out with your budget. Just pay attention to the notes which will highlight certain menus. This list is focused on meals of 30€ or less per person.

I also have an outdoor crêpe vendors list. They're super inexpensive (about 3€ or less), very quick to grab and there are so many types to choose from that it'll be an easy way to your bébé fed and happy until you can get to a restaurant.

Hi Ira, nope I don't have that magical inexpensive fair, wish I did. Folks seemed to think it was money well spent to go over to Brussels for a day and the only way I can come up with that money is to really cut back on lodging costs. Do you think this is the wrong way to go about it? I think WillTravel may be right about not spending my first trip to Paris in a hostel with a three year old.
so I guess the question becomes: sleep somewhere more modest to afford more pastries, day trips, and entrances, or keep it simple and sleep somewhere better? hmmm.
is the cat really friendly?

Hotel de Blois in the 14th (http://www.hoteldeblois.com/index.html) is in a nice neighborhood. There is a square across from the Mairie with a small carousel, about the corner of ave du Maine and rue Mouton Duvernet. There is a Monoprix grocery on the corner of ave du Gen Leclerc and rue Daguerre, and a clothing etc Monoprix around 54 ave du Gen Leclerc (I believe). Rue Daguerre has produce, cheese, wine stores, and there's a McDonalds if you need a 'break' at 7 ave du Gen Leclerc.

I haven't walked much on rue d'Alesia yet but there are supposed to be shops along it. The Metro Line 4 (Alesia, Mouton Duvernet, Denfert Rochereau, etc) is a very central line taking you through St Germain des Pres, the islands, and up to Gare du Nord. The buses are great, too, at least 3 lines.

I haven't stayed at Hotel de Blois but Beatchick is a Paris regular and would know how it compares to other budget choices.

trishiad, I am curious about the bad reviews you read about the Familia. I stayed there with my daughter in March, 2002 and we thought it was fine. If you are considering hostels, I would think the Familia would be at least a step or two more desirable than that. We really liked the area, lots of interesting shops and restaurants of every variety, and a lively student atmosphere.

Trishiad, I can't help but wonder if you will be disappointed with your trip to Brussels if it means sacrificing comfort in Paris for your 6-7 days there. At the risk of sounding as though I'm trying to impose my values on you, I'm suggesting that the money you'd spend on that day trip might bring you more pleasure in Paris on this budget trip. Forgive, if I've overstepped my boundaries! :-)

Travelnut, you sure do know your Montparnasse! I don't know how much of a regular I am but I do know I am Paris-obsessed & budget-obsessed! :)

Grandmere, you can impose your values upon me as long as you impart additional tidbits like "try Mont Blanc at Angélina"! :D