Well, confirmations are in and I'm going to Paris, 1st time, early March. Staying at Hotel Jeu de Paume on Ile St. Louis and by the map it looks central to everything I'd want to visit. Are popular sights walkable from there or will I need to take taxi/train (to Eiffel Tower)?. Is this a safe area to walk alone early morning and at night? Has anyone stayed at this hotel or neighborhood for good restaurant/nightlife finds in and around Ile St Louis? I'm leaving the laptop and other valuables at home but bringing the umbrella -hope it is not too rainy or too cold by then. What's the best way to keep in touch with no laptop/cellphone? Do phone cards help from Europe? Thanks for your help as I'm too excited to think things out now.

Hi Beverly, I've been 3 times in Paris in Early March, and each time it was chilly, with some rain and one time freezing cold! But generally sunny. There are also gazillions of Internet cafe's all over Paris, we use them extensively when we travel. You are very wise to leave your laptop at home.YOu will have a wonderful trip!<BR>

Also, USA phone cards,won't work (to the best of my knowlege, however i could be wrong about that) and 800/888 numbers don't work from overseas, you can buy a phone card from various kiosks or news agents around the city and use them.

The Ile St. Louis is a fabulous place - centrally located and a wonderful small town feel. Totally safe and wonderful to walk around. From there you can stroll up the Seine to everything (if you're a good walker) or hop on to the Metro to get to the Eiffel tower. There is a great small brasserie on the Ile right by the bridge going to Notre Dame - great alsatian food.<BR>Enjoy - that is my favorite area.

Re: phone cards - I bought one called Le ticket de telephone international from France Telecom - for 7.62 euros, you get 50 minutes worth of calls to the US, Canada and several European countries.

800 numbers don't work but you get an access number for the country you are in. ATT cards from Sam's work--all the access numbers are on the enclosed card.

Hey, Beverly..I have stayed on the Ille St Louis at the Hotel de Lutece,right down the street from the Jeu de Paume.You can walk everywhere! You can take the Metro to the Eiffel Tower and maybe the Marais, but it is easy to just walk across the ponts(bridges) and go to the Right Bank or Left and walk..things are closer than they look on the maps, I was surprised at how far we could walk, you can easily walk from your hotel to the Louvre, even the Champs Elysses, perhaps at night you will want to use a cab to get back to your hotel..mostly out of tiredness.That neighborhood as well as the ones nearby are safe day and night..we always walk late, it is wonderful walking the streets along the Seine when there are no people about.There are many good restaurants on the Ille..My advice is get yourself an Access Paris guide book, it has a section on the Ille St Louis and all the other sections in Paris and tells you what each has to offer, it will help you put some of it into perspective.Have a wonderful time, don't forget to have an ice cream at Berthillon right by the foot bridge to the Ille de la Cite and Notre Dame~candice

I used Google and typed in Paris Cyber Cafes and got a list.They are Cafe Orbital, Le Jardin de l'Internet<BR>and the Web Bar..check it out.

I have not stayed on the Ile St Louis but walked around there. Seemed like it would be an interesting place to stay. We went to a Jazz Club, which I cannot remember the name of, located on Bourbon almost across the street from the Pont Marie bridge. Interesting but smoky. Also has good food.<BR><BR>You will want to take the RER train to the Eiffel Tower. The train runs along the river to the Eiffel Tower. Look for the RER signs. Both the metro station and the RER are underground. On my map it looks like the station will be St Michel Notre Dame. <BR><BR>Well, looking at the map again it does look like you can take the metro but you would have to change. RER - you won't have to change.

There are lots of internet cafes and stores throughout Paris (there's an Easysomething - related to EasyJet - just off the Boul' Mich near pont St Michel in the 5eme).<BR><BR>Other than the area around Barbes metro, Paris is very safe at night (Parisians stroll around their city, unlike Americans who would probably get arrested if they did it in their hometown). Notre Dame is within spittin' distance of your hotel (not that you'd do that); the Louvre is within a healthy walking distance. The Eiffel Tower is a long walk, so take the RER. You'll find, though, that you walk further than you think - there's so much to see that you don't realize how far you've walked; plus, there are cafes everywhere so you stop, have a glass of wine or cup of coffee, and off you go again.<BR><BR>The Ile St Louis is just across the river from the 5eme and 6eme, which has more clubs, jazz joints and late night bistros than you can shake a stick at (if that's your idea of a good time).

You made a great choice. You can reach an enormous array of museums and sites on foot: Notre Dame, Concergerie, Saint-Chapelle, Picasso and Cluny museums (and a slew of others). Numerous very good cafes, restaurants, boutiques and galleries on the island and within half a mile. Don't need to take transportation to the Marais: it's directly north of the Ile.<BR>Though I have no reason to believe they're dangerous, I recommend you avoid walking around the Marais/Rue de Rivoli areas (north of the island), week nights, after dark. They look forsaken. For a visual amble try: ilestlouis.away.fr/index2.html (or something close).

As always, changeable and unpredictable. Could be mild, cold, very cold, nasty, windy, rainy. So bring layers to put on or take off and umbrellas&Eacute;always umbrellas. Good chance for really cold, nasty weather - be prepared. You can walk to some sights, will have to metro to others. No problem - we take metro night and day.For more Paris information e-mail me: [email protected]

I'm envious you get to stay on Ile St. Louis. Safe, magical, fun.<BR><BR>I am in agreement with previous posters that a) while you could walk to the Eiffel Tower, you're better off taking the RER (which uses a Metro ticket so it's pretty simple) and b) telecarte, telecarte, telecarte. These phone cards, available in any tabac, are simply fabulous. Just plug them into the telephone slot of any pay phone (of which there are many on any main street), and the units you have left appear. You just have to dial your country code and the phone number and you're connected. They are so simple and relatively inexpensive that when my youngest was seven years old she would call her grandmother daily by herself to give a trip report.

The new EasyEverything internet cafe is on 6 rue de la Harpe, see their web site http://www.easyeverything.com/map/par2.html... went to a different location in 2001 and it was great. You buy 'time' and log on with a number on your ticket; the system tracks how much time you've used. Come back again until you've spent it all, buy more if needed. Also used Cafe Orbital - on rue de Medicis, which runs along the upper right corner of the Jardin de Luxembourg. Find the RER Luxembourg stop on a map, and you're about 1 block from it. Smaller shop with coffee bar, nice environment. Cashier logs you in then logs you out when finished, and you pay at that time. March will be 40-60 F. with rain possible at any time. Where some layers, pack a small umbrella and you'll be ready to go.

Hi Beverly,<BR><BR>Just returned from Paris yesterday. Weather has been very warm in Europe. It was mostly in the low 50's while we were there. One day of wind & rain. Was there last March and it was a bit warmer than this time but we had rain almost nightly. Do take an umbrella. Last March, the spring flowers were blooming. This past weeks tress had already budded. I think this time of year (March included) is great because there are fewer tourists. If you plan to take the Metro or RER, a carnet is a good way to go. Also, we had the best cab driver on our trip back to the airport..I got his name and email address if you want to email me, I'll be glad to give it to you. I've had some unpleasant taxi rides in Paris!<BR><BR>Bon Voyage and enjoy!<BR><BR>Judy

Hi Beverly, I'm so happy for you I could weep! Perfect location. Please tell us about your visit when you return home. J.

Merci beaucoup, everyone for your suggestions. I feel very good about my choice of location now. Now I just have to get through February! Also, seems like there are many singles who travel to Paris so I won't feel so awkward dining alone and people watching. <BR><BR>Judy, I will definitely email you for the cabdriver's info. It's always nice to have reliable and friendly transport. Tell us about your trip to France! <BR><BR>Beverly

Hi Beverly. Yes, you'll be in a fabulous, safe location. And there are lots of us single diners out there, so no need to feel awkward. I'll be there first week in March as well and am very excited. Not as touristed this time of year, so that's worth dealing with the elements! Have a great trip!