Is a balcony worthwhile in Paris in the winter?
 

Due to the recent fare sale, wife & I are going to Paris in February.

From looking at various books & sites, it appears the average high that time of year is around 45-50 degrees fahrenheit and 35-40 is the average low, with cloudy conditions.
(for perspective, we were in Brussels & London in December, with temps averaging 47-50 or so, and I was amazed at all the people running around in parkas, wool caps, mittens, scarves, etc. while she and I were fine with a shirt & sweater.)

I'm thinking it would be a bit more romantic if we had a balcony and could hang out on the balcony sipping wine and gazing over Paris and such claptrap http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif.

Does having a balcony in Paris add something magical, romantic, etc. to the trip?

Finally, we've narrowed it down to the Rue Cler area and the following hotels (mostly due to excellent reviews I've read here http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif):
Hotel Muguet
Hotel Relais Bosquet
Hotel du Champ de Mars
Grand Hotel Leveque

Do any/all of these have balcony rooms? From what I've seen, it appears in most small hotels there area few balconies on the top floor or thereabouts.

Opinions may differ, but mine of the average Paris balcony is a narrow ledge coated with diesel soot and pigeon droppings, with wet and glacial winds to boot in winter http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

Certainly, there are nice balconies with edifying views in upscale/fortunately located buildings. I haven't seen too many Parisian hotels advertising such a benefit, though.

In the winter, I look at balconies as refrigerators. For example, you buy cheese, you store it in a plastic bag or tupperware container on your balcony. Forget smelling up the minibar in your hotel room.

In fact, we were at the Park Hyatt last month and the minibar is a joke. No good place to store your own stuff, just overpriced hediard nougat. Anyhoo, we were not allowed to store our own cheese in the cooler at the hotel (fine), but we couldn't get ice to keep things cold over night. We ended us throwing out some cheese.

So, if you are a cheese lover, want to store some clementines, yoghurt, milk, cold water for your trip, then look for a balcony.

lala

[QUOTE]Originally posted by empedocles:
I'm thinking it would be romantic if we could hang sipping wine and gazing at Paris

You have the right idea, and the solution is both simple and in plentiful supply: it's called the sidewalk café.

p.s.: I don't recall ever seeing anyone on a balcony in Paris, though probably Louis Sez had one. Balconies aren't popular because they're too far away from the street, and you wouldn't be able to see (and make appropriate commentaires about) the details of everyone else's clothing, maquillage, coiffure, and facial sillons.

Wideman is right. Skip the balcony and head to any of the numerous cafes that are in the Rue Cler area. Order a bottle of wine and watch the world go by. The next day pick a different cafe, the next day another, etc., etc. It is a great way to spend a couple of hours.