We are heading to Paris in November with the kids. In lieu of 2 hotel rooms, we are looking at apartment/condo type accomodations. The Citadines chain has over a dozen aparthotels in Paris. We are looking at ones located in St. Germain de Pres, Les Halles and near the Louvre. Anyone ever stayed at any of the Citadines locations? Thanks.

Djlawman

Djlawman - For mid-level accomodations, check out the Residences ORION in La Defense/Courbevoie. I've stayed there when travelling in groups, and it's always been very convenient. It's about a 2 minute walk to the M1 subway station (Esplanade La Defense) and about a 5-10 minute ride into the city.

The facilities are not the most modern you will find, but they are clean and the staff is generally quite friendly. The apartments are fully equipped (furniture, cable TV, kitchenette, telephone, etc.) I usually get an apartment on the courtyard (quieter) with views towards Paris. An international, English-speaking, Protestant church meets just off the courtyard on Sunday mornings as well, if that interests you.

Residences ORION
8 bd de Neuilly 92400
Courbevoie – Defense 1
Tel: + 33 1 47 62 55 55
Fax: + 33 1 41 78 95 00


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"What do you mean you didn't get miles for that?!"

[This message has been edited by JohnnyP (edited 07-08-2001).]

I've had friends stay at the citadines and I've checked them out during a few of my stays in Paris (but haven't stayed there). The locations are good for some, great for others, and very iffy for some. I think the thing about these is that they aren't consistent. BUT. . .for a long-term stay with a family, it's really worth it. You can cook meals there, there's more space than a regular hotel room, and they're not very pricey. Just don't go expecting the Ritz! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif Also, when you're in Paris, how much time do you really spend in the hotel room? I would strongly urge you to check out the actual one that you finally select and make sure that the location is what you're looking for. Bon Voyage!

Johnny P--thanks for the suggestion, but we want to stay right in the middle of Paris with the kids, and not spend the time commuting to sites. To show them Paris the first time, we want to be able to walk out the door of the hotel and be someplace great. ldsant--You are right about checking out the locations, but I think the three we are considering are great. The Citadines St. Germain is on Quai des Grand Augustins, directly across the Seine from Ile de la Cite. The Louvre location is on Rue de Richelieu near the Palais Royal, and Les Halles is at Forum Les Halles center.

Djlawman

Hi, Djlawman -

My response is necessarily biased, as I live a block up the street from the Citadines St Germain location. The hotel building is the former headquarters of the Paris transit authority (RATP) which runs the Paris metro and bus systems. Renovations took at least two years and the hotel has been open about a year and a half.

The building itself dates from the late 19th century - early 20th century and resembles loft-type buidings you might see in NYC. Nicely colored brick with large windows that open. The property looks to be very well-maintained - there is an underground parking garage. Request a room off the quai des Grands Augustins if you don't like noise - the views from these rooms are directly on the Seine River, but the street is a major expressway and very loud. All rooms appear to be soundproofed, however. Rooms off the street give onto a large central courtyard and face south, so there is lots of light.

The neighborhood: great! You are in the heart of St Germain, one step from the Seine and Paris' oldest bridge, the Pont Neuf. The Latin Quarter is a few minutes walk, Notre Dame about 5 min, the Louvre 7 min, etc etc. Very central, very charming and very safe. Wonderful food shops and the Buci street market are a minute away - you can picnic with the kids in the room or pop downstairs and picnic along the Seine. Public transport, both buses and metro, are excellent. Line B of the RER train which connects directly to CDG stops about a block away on the quai des Grands Augustins.

I am not familiar with the Louvre or Les Halles properties. The Louvre location near the Palais Royal is much better than Les Halles (unfortunately, this historic portion of the center of Paris was destroyed by the ugly shopping complex that replaced the food markets in the 1970s - I think the Citadines property is smack in the middle of the shopping complex, and the area is very spotty at night).

I ride down the rue de Richelieu just about every day, but I've never noticed the Citadines property. If you would like, I can check it out and e-mail you privately.

Hope this helps.

[This message has been edited by blairvanhorn (edited 07-08-2001).]

Blair--thanks very much for checking out the other property, Citadines Louvre, for us. I appreciate you willingness to do that for a fellow FTer!

Djlawman

I also vote for the St. Germain area. After going to Paris many times, this area give me what I want, plenty of activity right in the area, the quieter, less commercial side of the river, and a generally nice atmosphere. I stay typically at a small hotel, The Eugenie, on rue de Baux Arts (sp?) which sounds to be pretty close to the property you are considering. The Buci street market is right up the block. The rue St Severin/rue de la Harpe area that I enjoy at night are also about 2 blocks away. I also like the fact that the RER line B is about a block away, making for a very quick and convenient trip from/to CDG