Place de Republique
 

Got a special deal (rt from San Francisco and a week's hotel in Paris for $700) but had no choice on hotels. Got the Atlantide Republique near the Place de Republique. Anyone know this area o hotel? Can anyone recommend a good bistro or cafe nearby? How hard is it to get from CDG airport via RER and Metro? Merci beaucoup mes amis

One side of Place de la République is lined with bistros and cafés. There is also Léon de Bruxelles if you like mussels.

You also are within walking distance of Chartier.

As for RER/Metro transportation from CDG, it's very easy. Just take the RER to Gare du Nord and then hop on the No. 5 Metro line and it's the fifth stop (Oberkampf looks like the closest Metro stop to me, just eyeballing it very quickly.) This is a really neat neighborhood with plenty of bistros and cafes to choose from. (Check out Rue Oberkampf for plenty of nightlife.) This is an area that has become a more trendy in the past few years and I would be surprised if you didn't find it to be an excellent choice to base from.

There are so many places to choose from and so many different tastes that I hesitate to ever suggest much of anything to anyone, but I would suggest that you at least stick your head into Chez Prune:

http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichel...z_prune_gb.htm

I think you'll like it.

Congratulations on getting yourself a real steal of a deal. I don't know your hotel personally, but it looks to be a 3-star and I don't see how you could have gone wrong with what you have invested. :)

You are just a few blocks away from the Place de Republique in what is becoming known as a funky-hip area. There are several small to medium size 2-3* hotels in the general area. It is not what I would call upscale, but it is not unsafe. You'll finds lots of little business of all kinds of food, and are relatively close to the Marais (walkable if you are ambitious.) Sounds like you got a terrific deal - can you tell us where?

It was a less than 24 hour special on Go-today.com that came up on my e-mail on US tax day, Apr. 15. It was going fast, but I have an impulsive friend I called and talked into it in time.
Last year during an orange alert in the US a friend and I got in on a 72 hour special from British Airways for $95 each way from SF to London. I've learned to leap then look because we had a wonderful time and now I am looking forward to Paris.