We're taking our teenage daughters to Paris <BR>and London this April, and the hotel we're <BR>booked at in Paris is new to us. Any comments on the Plaza Bastille near the <BR>Place des Vosges? Also how's the weather <BR>in April? I've been enjoying this message <BR>board any other advice about our destinations? <BR> Thank you, <BR> Ellen <BR>

Ellen, I haven't been there, but you can literally "walk" down that street in photos by going to: <BR> <BR>http://wfa.pagesjaunes.fr/rc.cgi?lan...lan&NIV_PLAN=1 <BR> <BR>Go to the bottom and enter the address of your hotel, which I believe is 76 rue Amelot. You'll see how the site works once you play with it a little. Important Note: The pictures in Les Pages Jaune are generally UNFLATTERING, so don't get overly concerned. If I have the place correctly fixed, it looks like a mixed residential neighborhood a few blocks up from the Bastille. I stay in a similar neighborhood in Paris (but a little southeast of your area) because I simply don't like being in the middle of the tourist areas (or paying the prices that entails). It's a 3-star, which is good. I'm sure you will make many interesting discoveries in the neighborhood and you're never far from ANYPLACE with the metro. Happy trails!

Ellen <BR>I have a file on Paris; if you'd like to see it email me. <BR>I don't know your hotel but the Place des Vosges is one of my favorite areas in Paris, in the Marais section. <BR>It is not as much in the thick of things as the 1st, 5th, 6th, or 7th arrondissements, but it is not inconvenient and it has plenty of charm, shops, restaurants, and museums. <BR> <BR>I'm sorry to tell you that April in Paris is more beautiful in the song lyric than it is in reality, so be sure to bring raincoats, sweaters you can layer under the raincoats, and umbrellas. That shouldn't stop you from loving the place though.

Ellen: I have stayed at the Plaza de Bastille. <BR> <BR>It is close to the Place de Voges and Marais, which is why I chose it, and has many great retaurants near by. <BR> <BR>The hotel is a converted factory. Each room has a sink, fridge and hotplate which is great when you are travelling with kids as you will be able to cook snacks in the room. <BR> <BR>There is a paved concourse inside the hotel which is rather charming. I found the rooms themselves clean and convenient. <BR> <BR>On the negative side: The hotel does not have the charm of other hotels I have stayed in in Paris and it is quite a large hotel so it is not intimate. Rue Amelot is more or less a "business" street and not particulary attractive but safe. <BR> <BR>On the plus side: You probably have booked one of the aprartments for four (have not seen them) which is convenient for a family. Also, I love the Marais but it can be very difficult to get a room there (which is why I ended up in the Plaza)so this hotel offers you access to one of the prettiest areas in Paris. <BR> <BR>I hope you have a wonderful holiday. <BR> <BR>Some restaurants I liked in the areas - There is a great fish/seafood restaurant on the Blvd. Beaumarais, west side just before you get to the entrance to the Place Du Voges - Bar a Huitres. On the Rue des TOurnelles try le Barcane (loved the casoulet two years ago - hopefully its still good). Touristy but interesting and a good place for steak & chips - Bofinger. <BR> <BR>Regards .... Ger

Jim, <BR> <BR>I can't decide what I think about this fascinating pagesjaunes project. I think you are right about the UNFLATTERING remark. When I looked at the example you cited, I don't know if I would feel okay with staying there or not. <BR> <BR>I do not comment on Paris hotels, because I don't feel like I've found a favorite yet. And "your" site makes me think that there IS a place for the wonders that professional photography can do. <BR> <BR>I have stayed twice at Royal Elysees, right next to AdT/l'Etoile on 6 Victor Hugo. They have a very carefully cropped photo on their website with the lighting on that "red awning" (LOL!) of theirs just perfect. I don't claim it's an ideal hotel for being a tourist in Paris, but it isn't bad. <BR> <BR>Anyhow, I looked at their address on the pagesjaunes site, and I can hardly tell that it is there! I have similarly used the parking facility on Foch - - about a block away from the hotel - - (nicely visible on the map of their site - - but the street photo shows no entrance to this parking facility. I don't remember it being so hard to spot. <BR> <BR>In the item on the NY Times Magazine Traveler on Paris - - http://www.nytimes.com/library/magaz...tra-paris.html (I listed this on an earlier question today) - - there is a spectacular photograph, connected with teir description of Relais Saint-Sulpice. I am pretty sure that this photo over-glamorizes - - but I almost favor that, compared to an overly UNflattering pic! <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Just a note: <BR> <BR>The picture displayed on their website is of the internal, paved courtyard which is very pretty. The street ouside (Amelot) is wellllll ... worn down, as are a lot of other non-touristy parts of the Marais. <BR>