PARIS - France 2014 - page 245

between Luxembourg and Port-Royal stations on the RER-B line, a 10-minute walk from
Panthéon, one block past Luxembourg Garden at 125 Boulevard St. Michel, tel. 01 43 54
32 78, www.hoteldesminesparis.com , [e-mail] ) .
At the Bottom of Rue Mouffetard
(5th arrondissement, postal code: 75005, Mo: Censier Daubenton or Les Go-
belins)
These accommodations, away from the Seine and other tourists, lie in an appealing and
unpretentious area and offer more room for your euro. Rue Mouffetard is the bohemian
soul of this area. Two thousand years ago, it was the principal Roman road south to Italy.
Today, this small, meandering street has a split personality. The lower half thrives in the
daytime as a pedestrian shopping street. The upper half sleeps during the day, but comes
alive after dark with a fun collection of restaurants and bars. A terrific Saturday market
sprawls along Boulevard Port Royal, just east of the Port Royal Métro stop.
$ Port-Royal-Hôtel* has only one star, but don't let that fool you. Its 46 rooms are
polished top to bottom and have been well-run by the same proud family for 81 years.
You could eat off the floors of its spotless, comfy rooms...but you won't find air-condi-
tioning. Ask for a room away from the street (S-€49-60, D-€60, Db-€84-89 depending
on size, big shower down the hall-€3, cash only or wire transfer, on busy Boulevard de
Port-Royal at #8, Mo: Les Gobelins, tel. [phone], www.hotelportroyal.fr , portroy-
[e-mail] ).
$ Hôtel de L'Espérance** is simply a terrific two-star value. It's quiet and cushy,
with soft rooms, canopy beds, and nice public spaces (Sb-€85, Db-€85-95, Tb-€120,
15 Rue Pascal, Mo: Censier Daubenton, tel. [phone], www.hoteldelesperance.fr ,
[e-mail] ) .
$ Young & Happy Hostel is easygoing and English-speaking, with kitchen facilities
andbasichostelconditions.Itsitsdead-centerintheRueMouffetardaction...whichcanbe
good or bad (all rates per person: bunk in 4- to 10-bed co-ed dorm-€24-32, in 3- to 5-bed
female-only dorm-€28, in double room-€35, includes breakfast, sheet deposit-€5, towel-
€1, no air-con, no lockers but safety box at reception, pay Wi-Fi, 11:00-16:00 lockout but
reception stays open, no curfew, 80 Rue Mouffetard, Mo: Place Monge, tel. [phone]
07, www.youngandhappy.fr , [e-mail] ) .
In the Montmartre Neighborhood
(18th arrondissement, postal code: 75018, Mo: Abbesses or Anvers)
Those interested in a more SoHo/Greenwich Village-type locale should consider making
MontmartretheirParisianhome.WhilethetopofMontmartre'shillisterriblytouristy,just