OK, so now I have so much info I don't know what to do! Thanks to everyone for your help thus far.

Hubby and I (aged 28 nad 30) want a nice, clean hotel near attractions that has patisseries, shops, etc, nearby. We would love something quaint, but understand that rooms are small in our price range and that is ok. We are willing to spend up to 90 euros or so per night.

So far, we have checked out the following places on-line: Hotel Leveque, Hotel Residence Monge, Hotel du College de France, Hotel de la Sorbonne, and Hotel Daguerre. We are also considering Hotel du Champ de Mars. Someone also mentioned Hotel de l'Esprance, but I can't find a website for it. I believe all of these hotels are in our price range.

Now my problem is location. I have been reading that it is better to stay in the Rue Jacob area than the Rue Cler area. Is Rue Jacob the place to be? By the way, I have given myself a migraine trying to find the Rue Jacob and the Rue Cler areas on a Paris map. Where are they located (give me a monument, any monument!). Are there any hotels in our price range in the Rue Jacob area? If so, can you give me some names so I can check them out? What is the best area to stay if it is my first time in Paris?

I talked to a French teacher at my school and she took a group of kids last February to France. They stayed at two hotels . . . Relais de Paris Gare de Lyon and Le Charme, Capitale (part of the TIMHOTEL chain). It is located on rue de Constantinople. She said the TIMHOTEL was the nicer of the two.

I am sorry I am being such a spazz! It's just that this is my first trip to Paris (hubby has been a couple of times before he knew me), and I want to be careful about where we stay. I want to be in a neighborhood that just screams, "Paris? Vous etes ici!"

Sorry this post is so long!

Thanks in advance,
Natalie

p.s. Is it possible to purchase museum passes before you arrive in Paris or does one wait until you get there? Does anyone know where I can get them?

Well, my husband and I are old fogies, and we like the 7th, so I won't advise you on location, but I can tell you how to find the streets on a map.

Go to www.viamichelin.com and click on the Driving Directions tab. Under Departure type Paris 06 in Departure City and Rue Jacob in Address. Under Destination, type Paris 07 in Destination City and Rue Cler in Address. Click on Result. You don't need any more than that. When you get the driving directions, click on Maps--Entire Itinerary on the left-hand column and you will see a map of that part of Paris with the route highlighted. Click + to enlarge the map.

there isn't only one area in Paris that is good, and you can't say one of those areas is superior to another. They're different. I wouldn't fixate on one particular street myself, although I know some do. I don't even find rue Jacob attractive, myself, or rue Cler, for that matter. Both are in convenient areas, I feel, but I don't like the particular streets.

There are cheaper hotels on rue Jacob, I think -- maybe hotel Danube? Maybe not super cheap as the ones you are looking for. I don't think Esperance has a web site, but it's much farther out, why don't you scratch it off your list (not that there's anything wrong with it, but you won't miss it).

Don't you have a map with a street index? All the ones I've seen have one, even Streetwise. Rue Cler is between Ecole Military and Latour Maubourg metro stops in the 7th. Rue Jacob runs the same direction as bd St-Germain and is just north of it, between it and the river.

I would discard the advice from that French teacher. That was some school group looking for rock-bottom hotel rates in chain hotels, not in the best areas. Those are not locations or hotels you should even consider.

I appreciate you are doing a lot of work yourself on this and don't think your questions are any problem.

Yes, you can buy a museum pass in advance outside Paris but you'll pay a travel agency markup if you do. Don't do it.

Rue Cler - three "main" streets to the right of Eiffel Tower (Bourdonnais, Bosquet, then Rue Cler);
Rue Jacob, four streets "south" of the Seine on the left bank (if you count Quai Malaquais), north of St. Germain des Pres church. My map is The Paris Mapguide, by Middleditch, sold on Amazon; it has everything in it (it's a small booklet type).

Thanks to you both. Christina, what are areas that you find attractive? You mentioned that you were not crazy about Rue Cler or Rue Jacob. My husband and I are really looking for a charming neighborhood!

Thanks!
Natalie

The neighborhood may be fine, it's just that rue Jacob itself is a very narrow and crowded street and that's about it, I just don't find it attractive in itself. I don't like rue Cler because it's a market street and I wouldn't want to stay on one of those, and rue Cler itself is not a particularly attractive market street IMO. I like regular streets. A lot of people do like it, though, I'm sure you've read comments on here. I like the neighborhood okay in itself, and find it charming enough, just not rue Cler.

there are many areas of Paris I find charming, too many to mention, I guess. You've done a lot of work on focusing on good budget hotels, don't get thrown off because of that, I think many of the hotels you are considering are fine, and the areas will be charming, I just don't like those particular streets in and of themselves. I don't like noise, for one thing. I do find the area where the Esperance is located charming, I stayed near there myself recently. Maybe you should consider it if you aren't concerned about being more than a little bit from the Seine.

There are a couple hotels on rue Jacob: 3* Dangleterre and Des Marronniers and Millesime--none of these are close to the price of those you've been considering. the 3* Lenox is nearby on rue de l'Universite and will be about 150 euro for a double. It's well-regarded. 3* Deux Continents is also on rue Jacob and about that price. I'd go for the Hotel du Danube on rue Jacob, probably, which is a 3* and 105-140 euro for a double. Some folks like Hotel du Lys which is also nearby and reasonably priced.

I did find a web site for Esperance, they have added to it from the last time I looked:
www.hoteldelesperance.fr

Add Hotel Bonaparte on rue Bonaparte to Christina's list.

I am one of those who is in love with the Latin Quartier. At your price range and, frankly, mine too, why not look at the sites for Hotel Saint Andre Des Arts...on Rue St. Andre Des Arts.
Very clean, ancient historical rooms...
great little neighborhood!
I stayed there in June of 2002. (this is a 1 star, and as such, no elevator, no tv...but a high ceilinged room, two large "french door'd windows" overlooking the charming street...nice bed, big bath with a tub & shower and I believe your coffee/tea/chocolat and bread is free in the morning!)

We also stayed at St. Andre about 7 years ago. Funky and very old, but well located (if you want to be in the middle of it all), and quite inexpensive.

Hi
Christina is quite expert on Paris, but don't let her comments discourage you from the hotels you are considering because the streets aren't her favorites. They're not mine either, if I were going to rank order 25 streets, but that doesn't mean they aren't perfectly fine, even atmospheric, and certainly popular, places to stay.

Rue Jacob is very popular, and the 6th is a great area. So is the 5th--lots of inexpensive student-oriented cafes and cheap eats, narrow crowded streets, etc.
I am less crazy about the 7th because I think it's rather quiet at night, but some people like that.

As said above, there is more than one great hotel (there are many) and more than one great neighborhood. Paris is wonderful all over the place. You've reconciled yourself to small rooms and have done your research. If you've looked at the comments on hotels here at fodors.com and at tripadvisor.com, then just pick one and go. It won't be awful. At worst, you'll decide that next time you'll choose another.

I have a file on Paris; if you'd like to see it, email me at
[email protected]

Hi,

How about Hotel des Deux Iles, on Ile St Louis? Old mansion. Stayed there a few years ago. Smaller rooms.

This would definitely be a great neighbourhood, and very central. Nice shops, good restaurants, and 5 minutes from Notre Dame and Metro. I visit this area every time I go to Paris.

TripAdvisor says range is 91E-152E and up, so if you could get a deal...

Mike

OK, I just looked at the website again for Hotel du College de France and I really like the looks of the place, especially the spiral staircase. It is located at 7 rue Thenard, 75005 (it says it is in the Latin Quarter). I actually sent them an email yesterday and they wrote back promptly. They offered me a double at 90 euros, all taxes included, which is just over our budget at 101.54, but I think we could swing it!

What do you all think of this neighborhood?

Thanks for all of your help,

Spazzy Natalie

p.s. Can you tell I am a teacher? I am way to organized and research oriented for my own good!

I also read some favorable reviews of this place on tripadvisor.

In general do the prices that hotels post for room rates include taxes?

Here's another idea altogether:

The TimHotel Palais-Royale-Louvre is in a great area, near (obviously) Palais Royale, the Louvre, Place des Victoires, the Bourse, Rue Montorgeuil (a very charming shopping street, tons of bakeries and cafes). I love this area (we lived nearby) and this is where we recommend to our friends to stay. There are a few metro stops on different lines within a 5-10 minute walk so you can travel the city easily. Also a breeze to walk to major points of interest.

Check it out. I highly recommend it.

I like the ACCESS Paris books. Lots of street maps that help you find different areas and sites easily.

I like to stay in the 7th BECAUSE it is quiet. You can take the metro to all the "hot spots" in the 6th (not a long ride at all), then return and get some sleep. The one time I stayed in the Latin Quarter in the late 90s I was awakened my drunks singing and yelling at all hours of the night (and none of them were from my family). That's my helpful hint for the day.

Wherever you stay, I know you'll have a blast.

The French hotel rates -do- include taxes, but rarely include breakfast. That can run anywhere from 5-10Euro per person, per breakfast taken. I like the convenience of it in the hotel, while others like to find a cafe or patisserie to enjoy their morning repast.

This person liked the hotel (2002 comment):
Author: Bree
Date: 11/16/2002, 04:18 pm
Message: You should be able to stay within your budget, and even have a private bath, at the Hotel du College de France (http://www.hotel-collegedefrance.com). I stayed there last year, and found it clean, quiet, and in a good location: in the Latin Quarter, so you're close to all the sights, but on a quiet side street so you don't get a lot of street noise. There's even an elevator, which you won't find in a lot of two-star hotels (it's tiny, but still better than carrying your luggage up the stairs). The staff is friendly, and they speak English. The hotel is booked pretty far in advance, so if you're interested you should make your reservations early.

We have stayed in the 7th many times and love it. There are good restaurants and all sorts of shops. If you don't want to pay to have breakfast included you can run to the bakery and buy hot croissants. There are wine shops, cheese shops, and shops to browse in on the Rue Cler. It is a safe neighborhood and very convenient. You migyt want to try the Hotel Amelie which is on a side street off the Rue St Dominique and around the corner from Rue Cler. The Hotel Amelie has smallish rooms and no elevator but it is comfortable and reasonable.
Good luck.

Add me to those who wouldn't stay anywhere other than the 7th. It's quieter, convenient (two metro stops; half a dozen or more bus routes), chock full of reasonably priced hotels and wonderful restaurants. We find this neighborhood "nicer" in every way.

Though some will tell you there's not much night life - there's enough! Malone's Piano Bar is fabulous - piano bar upstairs, live bands downstairs (mostly up and coming British - one of the owners is British), with tables set outdoors, too, should the music get too loud for you. Thomieux has a bar around the corner from their restaurant. And, there's a lively place right on Ave La Motte Picquet where the "younger crowd" congregates (where jeans are accessorize with spike heels and a cell phone). There are others as well.

We love this neighborhood for the cafes in the morning, where you can enjoy a very nice brunch as well, and the incredible (low prices, extraordinarily good food) restaurants all about. Shopping of every sort abounds. Especially on Rue St-Dominique, lined with all the quintessentially adorable Parisian specialty shops.

As for a "quaint", low-priced hotel, you cannot go wrong with Hotel Champs de Mars or the newly refurbished Hotel La Motte Picquet (check their websites!).

If you REALLY want to be in a neighborhood that SCREAMS Paris, you've just gotta be a short walk from the Tour Eiffel - in one where you can see most of it as you emerge from the front door of the hotel in the morning, and last thing before entering "home" at night.

While many eschew Rue Cler due to Rick Steves' promotion of same, you'd nearly never know. There are tourists all over all the time. Actually (though I am no huge fan of Rick's), the street and the neighborhood are a very fine Paris experience, especially for first time visitors. It's also a very residential neighborhood, chock full of locals, you know.

You've must stop obsessing over where to sleep. No matter where you stay, you'll want to go all over Paris during your visit. Best bet is ANY neighborhood where the room is comfortable and charming, there are cafes nearby for starting out the day, with nearby metro/bus stops, and affordable, nice, restaurants with terrific food and value, as after being out and about all day, it's just nicer not to have to "travel" to a dining destination, especially if you want to return to your room to freshen up for dinner.

Another huge advantage to a hotel in the Place de l'Ecole Militaire vicinity is that there's a L'Opentour stop.

We like the 7th also---Have you tried Hotel Muguet at www.Paris-Hotel-Muguet.com? I think it will fit into your budget.It's on a quiet street and not far from all transportation.

Dear ilovelabs2003,

your hotel was one that we also considered when looking for a place a couple of weeks ago. (Ended up staying in Saint-Germain else because we got a great price).
Don't worry, the location of your hotel is fine.
One hint: If you go to the access section on their wwwsite and not only click that map with monuments once but click again after it has enlarged you'll get a detailed road map... ;-)
And one more: http://www.pagesjaunes.fr/pj.cgi?lang=en will show you a link to `photos of citie'. Choosing Paris and typing the hotel's address will give you a photo of the building PLUS you can look at neighbouring houses and inch your way through the neigbourhood

Enjoy Paris!