My son is traveling to Paris for a week, and was asking me for advice about things to do. I’ve been there a number of times just for a short duration so I have a few ideas, but it’s been awhile. I have some Marriott points, so I’m thinking of letting him use them for a hotel. The best deals are a Courtyard Marriott in Arcueil and one in Porte de Versailles. I don’t know anything about those locations, but the ratings look pretty good. He could also split the week up and stay in different locations.
My questions for those of you who are familiar with Paris, are which hotel location (or do both of those locations stink), and ideas for what you have enjoyed doing the most in Paris?
Following! We’re going back next year. The only time we’ve been was in 1989 for the 200th anniversary of Bastille Day (and my birthday). Paris was mobbed then, so it will be nice to be there when it’s not as crowded.
They sell a museum pass that covers many of the museums for a reasonable price. We were able to skip the line at the Louvre (which can be very long) using the pass. Also, got us into some smaller places we might have skipped if we didn’t have the pass (like the orangerie with the Monet exhibit).
We also got a Metro pass so we could hop on and off whenever we wanted.
The other thing I strongly suggest is to take the night bus tour that lets you see all the lights (the buses have a glass roof). It will take you to places you won’t want to be on foot at night. They time it to stop by the Eiffel tower when it does its hourly light show. My daughter was not that interested and it turned out to be a highlight of our trip.
He must get the Mont-blanc from Angelina’s - I still dream about that pastry (from when we went in 2013).
Neither location is central - more like a commuter stay.
Many regular Paris travelers have their favorite arrondissements and will argue the advantages of their favorite to the hilt. I am not so particular having stayed in arrondisements 1, 5, 6. 7, 8, or 9 would also work for me. Very walkable areas with easy metro connections. Range of prices and “stars”.
I do not know how Covid has impacted Paris and public transport. If it was my trip, I would be researching that before choosing a hotel outside more central locations. Possibly no change in RER or farther metro lines, but I don’t know. Tripadvisor generally has great posters who live there and know current situations. You may also get specific info on the Courtyards in question.
Perhaps your son would enjoy a non-chain, more traditional European/Parisian experience in a local hotel? Or not. Bon voyage to him!!
I’ll check into that, @Musicaspirant. The reviews said they were close to train stations and great locations, but sometimes reviews are questionable. I’m sure my son would enjoy just about anything, but I was trying to find something I could get for points…ie free, and it looked like these were decent. I prefer nice, non chain type hotels, but I do like free. However, if they’re very inconvenient, it’s not worth it.
It’s almost 40 minutes on public transportation for Porte de Versailles to some place central like Notre Dame. It’s even longer from Arceuil. I would think he’d much rather be in the thick of things probably on the Left Bank where he could hang out at cafes and see other people his age.
My favorite places in France. Sainte Chapelle (stain glass chapel) and ice cream at Berthillon’s both on the Ile St. Louis. I also thought the Roman ruins under Notre Dame were pretty cool. Day trips to Monet’s garden and/or Chartres are worth it. Also a hidden gem is the Musee Carnavelet. It’s got the unicorn tapestries, but it’s also just a wonderful old building in an interesting part of Paris.
Neither location is central, but if one of those options were needed to make the trip happen, I would pick the Courtyard in Porte de Versailles. It’s a short 5 minute walk to the Porte de Versailles Metro Station in the 15th arrondissement, a very safe area. The Courtyard in Arcueil is a 12 minute walk to the closest Metro Station (Barbara). Not worth it to change hotels mid trip in my opinion.
Good information @mathmom. Maybe I’ll give him a hotel as a birthday present and not use my points. Sounds like the Left Bank is the way to go, I’m sure he’d like that better. Now to just narrow it down in the Left Bank!
I second Musicaspirant’s suggestion to stay away from US chain hotels in the suburbs. I suggest the Latin quarter. Your son will be able to walk anywhere and he might enjoy mingling in cafes frequented by students from the Sorbonne. Hotel rooms may be tiny, but memorable. And cheap!
If your S is at all literary, he might get a kick out of stopping into Shakespeare and Company located on the Left Bank Latin Quarter area. Looks like it is open for business. There were some fun characters last time I stopped by, as well as an iconic history. Unique place.
Second the Museum Pass. They may be different now , but our pass was valid for 5 (or 7?) days after the first use. It allowed us to skip the longer entry lines. It also includes some of the smaller lesser-known museums that we would not have normally visited, which were a delight.
We went to Versailles on a weekday, as soon as it opened, and started at Marie Antoinette’s estate, then walked back to the main Palace. There were very few visitors in the garden when it opened, which was a joy, and by the time we reached the Palace in late afternoon, those lines had retreated as well.
@busdriver11 My daughter is an actor too and she really enjoyed a private tour of the Palais Garner–one of the main theaters in Paris. She went in 2018 when she was a grad student; I’m assuming one can still do a tour like this.
One of my best dining experiences was at the Brasserie Bofinger. It’s one of the oldest brasseries in Paris, and it features Alsatian specialties, specifically Choucroute (pictured here).
Fat tire bike tour of Paris at night is so fun and he will meet others on the tour. The perfect night one after landing to stay awake We also loved the bike tour of Versailles - you stop at the market in the town first and get picnic supplies and then tour the huge grounds, picnic and you see and hear so much more vs just touring the main area. You also get a pass to
tour inside after the tour.
Le Marais area in Paris is very active with cafes, shops and the 20 something demo.
My S is going to Paris with a group of his college friends for their spring break. They booked a nice apartment on AirBnB at a very central location (and a nice neighborhood) for a lot less than I thought would cost (hotels at or near their location would cost many times more during the same period).
If yes, the Comédie Française has performances upcoming. I probably can’t post a link, but try googling Molière 2022 for more info.
If your S is interested in Parisian live theater, he can Google Paris Official website of the Convention and Visitors Bureau which has a decent listing of shows under the Going Out tab.
We are musicians in my family. Sometimes we’ve found performances we are interested in and booked in advance, other times nothing, or we found a surprise once there. One of my favorite memories (long ago) was stumbling on a Hitchcock movie “en français” in a Left Bank cinema.
I wonder if there are Covid rules in Paris like theaters here? Must wear masks and must show negative test or vaccine card are the ones I’ve encountered in several US locations. No clue as to what is expected elsewhere in the world today!
I absolutely loved staying near Montmartre, not far from the Moulin Rouge, with my daughter back when she was in college, a little more than a dozen years ago. No hotel – we stayed in what was essentially an AirBnB before that option existed. It was a little bit noisy at night as we were on a very lively street, but plenty to do and easy walking distance to the metro, so no problem getting around.
We have stayed not far from the Luxembourg Gardens when we’ve stayed in Paris. There are many great small hotels in this area and lots of restaurants and cafes.
One of our favorite places to visit in Paris is Sainte Chapelle which has the most beautiful stained glass. There’s The Louvre, Musee D’Orsay, Rodin Museum, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sacré-Cœur a boat cruise on the Seine he can do. If he likes Monet we visited Monet’s home in Giverny (took a bus there which was easy). Last time we were in Paris we took a train ride to the Château de Fontainebleau (incredible large palace) since we had been to Versailles several times.
We also loved the bike tour of Versailles - you stop at the market in the town first and get picnic supplies and then tour the huge grounds, picnic and you see and hear so much more vs just touring the main area. You also get a pass to