Kristina

I will be arriving to CDG early morning on a Saturday. I'm traveling alone, with carry-on luggage only and I'd like to take the RER to my hotel, the Hotel Des Grandes Ecoles.

Directions in the hotel's email said to take the RER B to the Saint Michel stop and transfer to the
Cluny-Sorbonne Metro Ligne 10 and get off at Cardinal Lemoine.
On a map, the Cardinal Lemoine stop appears very close to the hotel.

However, the RATP interactive map looks like there is a long connection between the St Michel RER stop and the Cluny metro stop. Is it one of those walk a quarter of a mile, up some stairs, down some stairs, long connections?

I'm wondering if it might not make more sense to take the RER to the Luxembourg stop and walk to the hotel from there? It's a longer walk outside but might it be easier than the RER/metro connection?

Thanks in advance for any details or insight.

Michael

The walk underground is likely to be flat, perhaps with rolling sidewalks (I am not familiar with the connection), while the walk from Luxembourg is an uphill walk to the Panthéon and then downhill to Cardinal Lemoine. I would use the underground connection.

geebee14

According to Google Map, the walk from Lux. RER to the hotel is a kilometer in length, estimated time 10 minutes.

Kristina

Thanks for the replies.

Michael-Good to know about the uphill walk to the Pantheon.

geebee-Yes, I've looked at maps for both routes on google and walking time is extimated at 10 min from the Luxembourg RER and about 4 min from Cardinal Lemoine so it's not a huge difference to me.

Anyone know the RER St Michel to Cluny connection in particular?

Robespierre

The minimum climbing and walking would be achieved by getting off the RER at Luxembourg, walking around the corner to the N° 89 bus stop called Luxembourg, and riding to Lycée Henri IV (2nd stop). Your hotel is in the next block to the south.

To see the bus situation at Luxembourg station and your hotel address, enter them at www.ratp.fr, and press Plan de Quartier.

Here's the 89:

http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan...&nompdf=89

Robespierre

Here are a few shots that give an idea of the terrain around Luxembourg. You can get an idea of the gradient by using the horizontal lines on the buildings as a level.

Rue Soufflot downhill towards the RER:

http://www.boringstreet.com/boringst...8/DSCF1249.JPG

Rue Soufflot uphill towards the Pantheon:

http://www.boringstreet.com/boringst...8/DSCF1248.JPG

View down Blvd. St-Michel towards Seine:

http://www.boringstreet.com/boringst...8/DSCF1247.JPG

Kristina

Thanks Robes, cool photos. I've printed out the RATP directions in case I want to take the bus, however, I don't mind walking as I will have been on the plane for a long time.
If I choose to add the bus, I will need another ticket besides my RER ticket, right? Also, how will I know where to get off the bus?

As for the RER St Michel to Cluny connection, RATP lists it was a 5 min walking connection, so if that's true, it's not so bad.

kerouac

The Saint Michel to Cluny connection is one long but easy corridor. There is a moving walkway in it but only in one direction. It reverses direction depending on which direction has more traffic.

Robespierre

Yes, you will need a ticket for the bus. If you choose the Métro route, the RER ticket is valid. But you're going to get a transit pass anyway. Aren't you?

Walking from Luxembourg to your hotel will not be something you want to do after a long flight - with luggage.

The buses have illuminated signs in them that indicate the name of the next stop. Yours is Lycée Henri IV. When it is displayed, you press the red button to signal a stop.

Kristina

No, no transit pass, just a carnet for the few days I will be there.

Christina

I'd say the walk from St Michel to Cluny is about a block, but wouldn't be as problematic as a long walk from Luxembourg or uphill, that's for sure.

As I recall, the walk to that hotel from Cardinal LeMoine metro stop is uphill anyway, though. It's just not as far as the walk from Luxembourg RER. Michael seems to agree with that, since he says it is downhill from the Pantheon to Cardinal Lemoine -- so it is uphill the other way. The Pantheon is about at the peak altitude around there -- that's why they call that street Montagne Ste Genevieve, the Pantheon is actually on a hill.

Kristina

Thanks Christina for the additional info.
At this point I think I am going to go the RER/metro route. While I am not opposed to using the bus I think I'll feel a little more comfortable on the metro after having just arrived. Though I'm very happy to know the busses have illuminated signs on them.
Thanks everyone for clearing up all the little details for me!

hpeabody

bookmarking.

Kristina please give us a report on the hotel. I am planning to stay there in a few months

Kristina

hpeabody- No problem. I will be there in October. Keep your eyes open for my trip report, tentative title, "Kristina's Big Fat Fortieth in France".