We've rented an apartment at 191 Blvd. St. Germain for 2 weeks. The closest metro station is Mabillon, with St. Germain and Odeon also close. I'd like to find the best way to go from RER to metro as far as walking and stairs are concerned. Or are we better off taking the RER to St. Michel and transferring to a taxi?

There are only two options -- get out at Chatelet/les Halles to transfer to the no. 4 metro line or do it at St Michel. I'd do it at St Michel myself, but someone else might be better at the exact difference in distance between transfers of the two methods. I don't think it matters that much. If you get out at St Michel, you can walk over to the CLuny stop and then get out at Mabillon directly, if it's really closest. Whereas on line 4, you'd have to get out at St Germain des Pres stop.

HOw much stuff do you have that you think you'd need a taxi? That isn't that far, some taxis may not want to take you.

We learned this summer how easy it is to go from the RER stop at ST. Michel to the Cluny stop of the Metro. You go to the far end of the RER stop (the way it is going -- south) and up one escalator and then it is a fairly long but flat corridor to the Cluny stop where you can get the metro to Mabillon. You do NOT go outside. That is your easiest thing -- FAR easier than changing at Les Halles/Chatelet.

This is my neighborhood, but I totally don't understand your question. Where are you trying to go to? From where to where? Happy Travels!

I could be wrong, but I assumed vanne is looking to take the RER from somewhere (probably CDG) and end up at the Mabillon metro exit, which is close to their apartment at 191 Blvd. St. Germain.

I'll stand by my suggestion to take the RER to St.Michel and walk underground to the Cluny Metro station and take the metro to Mabillon.

Sorry, to clarify, I want to go from CDG into Paris, transferring to the metro to get as close to 191 blvd st germain as I can. I know some metros have more walking and stairs than others, so wanted input on the best way to do it. As to what we're carrying, we have a CPAP machine (for sleep apnea) in addition to a carry on bag for each of us.
Thanks for the good suggestions.

Based on mappy.com, the closest Metro is not Mabillon, but Rue du Bac, next closest St Germain des Pres.

Based on that, I'd RER to St Michel, walk underground to interconnected St Michel metro station (Line 4), then Metro to St Germain des Pres station. From there it is a ~3 block westerly walk along Blvd St Germain.

The Cluny/Mabillon combo would add 2-3 blocks to your walk. The St Michel Metro station is also a shorter underground walk than the Cluny one.

Getting to the closest Metro Station (Rue du Bac) would add unneccessary complexity to your trip, and would not save you much of a walk.

"The Cluny/Mabillon combo would add 2-3 blocks to your walk. The St Michel Metro station is also a shorter underground walk than the Cluny one."

It may be shorter, but it SURE isn't easier. I've done that connection many times and you fight crowds and stairs. The joy of going out the other way to Cluny is that it is an almost deserted flat and easy walk.

But if Rue du Bac is closer to the apartment, then I have no idea why they would tell you Mabillon is the closest! I've rented at 156 St.Germaine and it is almost right across the street from Mabillon, a little to the east. So I'd certainly check out your address. Sometimes the numbers really do spread out.

Personally I'd spend the 5 or so Euro and take a cab, rather than fight the crowds arond St Michel and along St Germain

To minimize walking, and stairs, I'd take the Roissybus to Opera, then Bus 68 (or a taxi), or the Air France bus to Montparnasse, then Bus 94 (or a taxi). The buses have room in the center (unlike the metro trains) for folks with luggage.

#190 is not necessarily across the street from #191 in Paris. Though, in this case, it's not too far off, the building opposite #191 Blvd Saint-Germain is #212.

Thanks for catching that the Rue du Bac metro station is closer. I had looked on a map that didn't clearly show that stop as that spot was at the crease of the book.
Thanks for all your good advice everyone. Whatever we end up doing, you've all helped so much!

I just assumed that was correct, but looking at my map realize how far away it is from Mabillon. It isn't even close to that location, and St Germain des Pres would have been closer anyway, than Mabillon, so a crease at rue du Bac wouldn't have changed that. Now that you are going there, it's a lot more trouble as that stop isn't even on a line that needs only one transfer from the RER. It really looks like it's about the same distance from the Bac and St Germain des Pres stops, it's around rue St Guillaume on my map.

Neither sounds pleasant as Mabillon is a lot farther away, so I would transfer to the no. 4 line.

I'm guessing we'll probably end up taking a taxi from St. Michel. The 5-6 euro taxi fare would probably be worth it to save the hassle. What kind of provisions does the RER from CDG have for luggage?

There are areas near the door where you can place your luggage...with you standing near it.