whilst we were in Rome watching the rugby [amongst other things] last week, DH casually let drop his hankering to go to Paris to watch France v England too. as it's his birthday round about that time, and I've got no ideas for a present, it struck me that this wasn't such a bad idea [especially as I get to go too!]

very quick research has shown me that the venue at the Stade de france is easily accessible on the RER from the Gard du Nord, so ideally, I'd like a hotel near or with easy access to it.

I don't want to pay a fortune, but OTOH, as it's only for 3-4 nights, I don't mind paying up to €200 per night for something a bit special.

ideas, folks?

Hi annhig, What a great birthday present! I never stayed in that area but try www.parisby.com then click on arrondissement (neighbourhood) 10 Gare du Nord. Choose a hotel and you will see "map" in the menu, that way you can gauge how close the hotel is to the Gare. Maybe do a google search for Paris hotel and Gare du Nord. Hope this help, good luck and have fun!

I think the hotel right across the avenue is now called the Hotel Terminus du Nord. We stayed there a number of years ago on a tour and it was quite adequate. There are several hotels along there. BUT there really isn't any reason to stay there--it is not a particularly attractive area. Stay somewhere where you can duck out to a cute cafe for breakfast.
That said, we DO go to that street for what we consider the best mussels in Paris. There are a string of cafes fronting onto the Gare.

I've stayed at the Hotel Americain (which despite its name is a standard 2star-ish) at the top of rue Charlot near République metro. A pleasant and convenient location, with plenty of places to eat around there, and very close to the metro. Not exactly pushing out the luxury boat, though, in terms of a birthday treat:
http://www.paris-hotel-americain.com/

At a similar level, I've seen the Le Laumière recommended in a blog I read regularly, though it's a bit further to the north of the GdN, near the Bassin de la Villette:

http://daysontheclaise.blogspot.com/...is-part-2.html

If you're prepared to take the metro and change to the RER, most places are your oyster, so to speak. If you can bear to face the interchange at Chatelet-les-Halles, then anywhere around the Marais, such as the Caron de Beaumarchais or the Jeanne d'Arc would be a prospect. Or further down the same RER line would be the Gare de Lyon, so you could stay around there or at Bercy.

well, thank you all for your replies.

the deed is done - DH ws away today so I took the oportunity to make the bookings - out on Friday 19th March from Exeter to Paris CDG, match tickets for Saturday, home on Sunday evening. the flight leaves at 18.55, so we will need to be at CDG by 17.30, and will need to leave our luggage at the hotel. that means that it really has to be convenient for the airport and the match.

Patrick - it's years since I went to Paris, but even i remember the long walks at Chatelet. though I'd love to stay in the Marais - given the above, a hotel near to the Gare du Nord looks inevitable, doesn't it?

Hoever, I will look at all your suggestions!

regards, ann

after exaustive [and exhausting!] research, i've found this little hotel near the st. martin canal, with a superior room and breakfast for two for only €87 per night.

http://www.hotelsparis10.com/index-2.html

as it's not an area I know, does it fit the bill as being close enough to the marais and other things we might want to see in two days?

how easy is it to get to from CCDG? - it looks like just one change from the RER to the metro, and a shortish walk down to the marais. any good restaurants in the area?

thanks again,

ann

I'm staying in Paris for one night in May, taking the eurostar to and from. I was thinking of just getting a room at the Mercure across the street from the station. Double room for 2 people is about 155 EUR.

http://www.mercure.com/gb/hotel-2761...rd/index.shtml

I'm going to keep an eye on this thread for other ideas though...

annhig, I don't know the street that hotel is on, but it's just off rue Lancry, which I've cycled along a lot. It's a good location, for both getting to the gare du Nord (metro Jacques Bonsergent at the bottom of the street on Bvd Magenta, or bus 65 along the Boulevard as well - yes, only one change from RER), and for a romantic stroll along the Canal St Martin and the Hotel du Nord (which trades on its association with the 1930s film). There are a number of restaurants and cafés around that area - I think I had lunch in the Atmosphère once (it was OK, but I'm no foodie, so what do I know). I seem to remember some places along rue Lancry as well, and you're not far from place de la République, which has plenty. I think it's a good location, though I think you might want to take the metro or bus 65 the other way to get into the Marais - it would be a longish walk.

Have a play with the map and photo options at Pages Jaunes:

http://tinyurl.com/ye5a3mu

hi patrick,

thanks for the input.

having now done some research, however, it strikes me that it would be better to be somewhere more central, convenient to an RER station, so we can just go up and down to the airport and the Stade de france. so on sat, we can just get the RER back from the match [which doesn't start til 20.45] and on the sunday, we will just have one easy journey back to the airport, having picked up our luggage from the hotel [assuming they will keep it for us].

therefore I'm looking at places on the left bank on the RER route.

ideas, anyone?

ok, I think that I've narrowed it down a bit.

the front runners are

http://www.hotel-britannique.fr [190 -220 /night.]

and

http://www.les-jardins-du-luxembourg.com [131/night]

both within walking distance of an RER station and in areas we've not stayed before. the Brittanique is more expensive, but seems more personal. OTOH the luxembourg is in an area we've not been to much before and is significanty cheaper. and possibly quieter. both do quite well on TA.

thoughts, anyone?