Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
reserve one day in advance, arrive 30 minutes early to wait in line for best seats, Mo: Pyr-
amides, tel. 01 42 60 30 01,
www.pariscityvision.com
)
.
City Vision also offers
Paris Illuminations-By Minibus,
which are minivan night
tours following a similar route to the bus tours. They will pick you up and drop you off at
your hotel (€55, kids-€40, 2 hours).
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Do-It-Yourself Floodlit Paris Taxi Tour
I recommend a loop trip that takes about an hour and connects these sights: Notre-Dame,
Hôtel de Ville, Ile St. Louis, the Orsay Museum, Esplanade des Invalides, Champ de
Mars park at Place Jacques Rueff (five-minute stop), Eiffel Tower from Place du Tro-
cadéro (five-minute stop), Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées, Place de la Concorde, and
theLouvre.Thetripshouldcostabout€45(taxishaveastrictmeterof€36/hourplusabout
€1/kilometer).
▲▲▲
I've focused most of my recommendations in five safe, handy, and colorful neighbor-
hoods: the village-like Rue Cler (near the Eiffel Tower), the artsy and trendy Marais (near
Place de la Bastille), the historic island of Ile St. Louis (next door to Notre-Dame), the
lively, Latin, and classy Luxembourg Garden neighborhood (on the Left Bank), and the
less polished, less central, but less pricey Montmartre neighborhood. Before choosing a
hotel, read the descriptions of the neighborhoods closely. Each offers different pros and
cons: Your neighborhood is as important as your hotel for the success of your trip.
For lower rates or greater selection, look farther away from the river (prices drop
proportionately with distance from the Seine), but be prepared to spend more time on the
Métro or bus getting to sights. Those staying at least a week can save on meal costs (if not
lodging) by renting an apartment. I also list a few bed-and-breakfast agencies, and give
suggestions for sleeping near Paris' airports.
Reserve ahead for Paris—the sooner, the better. In August and at other times when
business is slower, some hotels offer lower rates to fill their rooms. Check hotel websites
for the best deals. See
here
for a list of major holidays and festivals in Paris; for tips on
Old, characteristic, budget Parisian hotels have always been cramped. Retrofitted
with private bathrooms and elevators (as most are today), they are even more cramped.
Hotel elevators are often very small—pack light, or you may need to send your bags up
separately.
