Taking my 75 year old healthy and active mother to Paris this Sept.. Can't decide to stay on the Right or Left Bank. Any suggestions? How early do I have to make hotel reservations? Now?

Louise: Personally, I prefer either the 5th or the 7th Arrondissement. In particular, the Latin Quarter between the Sorbonne and Notre Dame. There are plenty of hotels, restaurants and shops and you can stroll the river. When making reservations, it's probably not too early. Have a good trip.

I prefer the 7th as well. Very safe and very quiet with lots of charming shops and restaurants. Recommend that you get a copy of the Paris Mapguide, which has excellent maps, including the bus routes. The metro is full of stairways and hallways (and pickpockets). But, the buses are delightful and the stops are much more conveniently located to all the sights and attractions. Be sure to go to La Samaritaine Department store for the view from the rooftop cafe. Awesome. Agree that you should book a hotel forthwith. September is fashion show month and a very popular time for visitors (shoulder season airfare and nice weather). If $125 is within your budget, recommend Hotel de la Bourdonnais in the 7th. Charming hotel with lovely rooms and lots of amentities. Do a search on www.hotbot.com. Lots of websites where you can compare prices and book on line. The right bank is rather congested and noisy for the most part and you must take care regarding the specific neighborhood in which the hotels are located, but those near the Jardins de Tuileries, but not near Les Halles, are well located and many are reasonably priced. Another lovely place to stay is on Isle St. Louis. But, again, for the best selection, book right away. You might also wish to consider the Trafalgar "Free and Easy" Paris package. We used this for our first trip. Good value for the dollar. Also, check out "The French Experience". They have good packages as well.

How interesting that another traveler has stayed at the Hotel de la Bourdonnais. We first stayed there in 1970. Since then, it has undergone a facelift and upgrade. Its next-door neighbor, the Hotel de Mars, looked unchanged last time we were there. Both are within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower and Napoleon's Tomb, just up the block from a subway (metro) station. A lovely neighborhood. Last time we were in Paris, we stayed on Ile St. Louis -- such a quaint area but narrow streets make for a lot of noise. Now would be a good time to make your reservations or to book a tour -- with the U.S. dollar stronger this year against the franc, I suspect that tourism from America to France will be extra popular this year. September is lovely -- especially if early cool weather starts to turn the leaves in the Luxembourg Gardens and all along the Champs de Mars. Make sure your mother brings along her most comfortable walking shoes -- because you will do a lot of strolling.

Donna: I read your information about Paris with much interest as my family of 5 is planning to go to
London, Paris and Italy in June 99. Could you please tell me with whom you booked the French Experience? I am in the process of trying to decide
whether to book all this independently, or if I would save money by going through a tour broker. Any help appreciated. Thanks Kathy

Hello: My personal preference is the 1st. followed by the 7th. As Donna stated the 7th is quietier but I like the location in the 1st better. In the 7th Donna made the suggestion of the Hotel LA Bourdonnais excellent choice I have stayed there 2 times about 7 years ago. In the 1st I stay at the Hotel Moliere they location is excellent within 2 blocks of 2 different Metro lines and walking distance to the Opera,Louvre and the Palais Royal. It is also 10min from the Jardin des Tuileries. I will be going to Paris for the 34th time on April 29th. my family lives outside of Paris and I also went to college there for 4 years. If you need any info feel free to Email me.

Although I tend to love the Left Bank for my own pleasure (having visited Paris many times and seen most of the must-sees), I agree with Lidia about the 1st arrondissment being a preferable location for you and your mother. It's where my lively and independent now-86 year old mother stayed with her friend on their trip to Paris six years ago, and where Mom and I stayed on our trip there fifteen years ago. The hotels she stayed in have gotten very pricey today (the Hotel Regina and the Hotel Louvre-Concorde) but a right-bank location near the Louvre and the Tuileries is just so convenient for all the must-sees in Paris! The Hotel Moliere sounds lioke a wonderful Right Bank hotel and one I would definitely try. Any other suggestions for non-Marais moderately-priced Right Bank hotels (@500F-1000F)?

Last November (97) we stayed at the Hotel du Lourve- Concorde.(Previously mentioned) It's as well located as any place in Paris. It's in the 1st across the street from the Lourve and Tulierries (sp?) .Very convenient to just about everything. We we're on a "package deal". and included complete breakfast every day and one complete dinner. Also transportation to and from CDG. Perhaps a little pricey but my wife and I were well satisfied. Feel free to Email me for any additional Info. Have a good trip. Paul J.

Agree that Hotel du Louvre is well located! We haven't stayed there, but plan to someday. It's a gorgeous building with a beautiful lobby and the place seems very welcoming. Situated on a gorgeous square with a metro stop practically outside the front door. Do make sure not to confuse this with other hotels with similar names. The Jardins du Tuileries are a very short walk away and the rue Rivoli with lovely shops and places to have tea is on the other side.

P. S. The French Experience has a website. It's www.frenchexperience.com. Be sure to comparison shop by contacting the hotels which appeal to you directly and consider the value of the other options included to you. There's a definite advantage to being tranported to Versailles with a group (no waiting in long lines if you go on a particularly busy day).

I think you've gotten some good suggestions (7th &
4th arr.). Personally, I would definitely veto the
5th arr. between Sorbonne and the Seine (this was
someone else's 1st choice )--that is a very hectic,
noisy, tourist-packed area with lots of young
people. There are some decent areas here, but you'd
have to know what you're doing to get them (more
towards the east end of St-Germain Blvd, not near
the Sorbonne). I usually book rooms in Paris about
2-3 months ahead of time to be sure I get what I
want--this usu works fine. Sept. is not too bad --
October is really busy in Paris, most people don't
realize that, and you'd have to book further ahead
for Oct (lots of conventions, business stuff). I
probably wouldn't stay on the central Isle, either--
it can be charming, but is not as convenient for
walking/public transportation, which may be espec.
important for an older person.

Hi, Louise...My sisters and I took our 85-year old (very active, and very nimble) mom to Paris for her birthday a year ago, and we rented a portable wheelchair to help navigate the city and give her a chance to see more. It turned out to be the best idea of the trip - gave us longer days, more memories, and greater flexiblity. I think the Left Bank is the way to go (we rented an apartment near Musee D'Orsay), close to many of the gorgeous things about Paris. Don't miss the Rodin Museum.

If I took my mother to paris, I would be the one needing help!
I envy that you will enjoy this together! Go for it!!!

Louise - Having taken my 79 yr old mum to Paris & London for 2 weeks some years ago ( she is now 86) don't make the mistake I did by booking a hotel with a uphill gradient! Even the slightest slope can take a toll on elderley legs if it has to be repeated day after day. Also check your nearest metro is very near to where you stay unless you are prepared to take taxis often.
Oner last suggestion - get her doctor to prescribe a course of anti-inflamtories to take with you. My mums knees were so painful I had to get a doctor in London plus medication which set me back a bomb. A good tip is to elevate her mattress by putting a pillow under it at the feet end.

Have a wonderful time making lovely memories with your mum.

The Op asked this question 9 years ago!

Ekscrunchy,

Why DOES it sound as if it were asked 2 minutes ago LOL!!!!!!

<b>fyetter:</b> Welcome to Fodors. I am curious (honestly curious - not being rude) - How did you manage to dredge up a 1998 thread? There have been hundreds of thousands of threads since then so what search brought up this one?????

Yes, I'm curious too !! It's not so easy to do