Paris_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 7th Edition) - Lonely Planet [239]
Pension au Palais Gourmand (Map; 01 45 48 24 15; www.au-palais-gourmand.fr; 3rd fl, 120 blvd Raspail, 6e; s & d €72.50-82.50, tr €107; Vavin or Notre Dame des Champs) The promisingly named ‘At the Gourmet Palace’ is on a busy street between the Jardin du Luxembourg and Montparnasse and is convenient to everything. Lunch or dinner is €13. Breakfast is included.
Pension les Marronniers (Map; 01 43 26 37 71; www.pension-marronniers.com; 78 rue d’Assas, 6e; s €40-67, d €74-84; Vavin or Notre Dame des Champs; ) In a pretty building facing the Jardin du Luxembourg, it has monthly rates at 20% less. Vegetarian meals and ones for those on special diets are also available. Rates included breakfast, as well as the use of microwave, fridge, washing machine and wi-fi.
Résidence des Palais (Map; 01 43 26 79 32; www.hotelresidencedupalais.com; 2nd fl, 78 rue d’Assas, 6e; s/d/tr/q €56/63/78/110; Vavin or Notre Dame des Champs) This luxurious place is in the same building as the Pension Les Marroniers. Rates are cheaper after four days and still cheaper after a week. Breakfast is included.
Résidence Cardinal (Map; 01 48 74 16 16; http://pensioncardinal.free.fr, in French; 2nd fl, 4 rue Cardinal Mercier, 9e; s/d/t €40/55/75; Liège or Place de Clichy) This place is on a quiet street with an old fountain at the end of it. Doubles with shower and toilet are €10 pricier. Rates include breakfast.
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Allô Logement Temporaire (Map; 01 42 72 00 06; www.allo-logement-temporaire.asso.fr; 1st fl, 64 rue du Temple, 3e; noon-8pm Mon-Fri; Rambuteau) is a nonprofit organisation that links property-owners and foreigners looking for furnished apartments for periods of one week to one year. Small furnished studios of 15 to 18 sq metres cost around €600 per month while double that size is about €800, depending on the location. October, when university classes resume, is the hardest month to find a place, but over summer and into September it’s usually possible to rent something within a matter of days. Before any deals are signed, the company will arrange for you to talk to the owner by phone, assisted by an interpreter if necessary. There is a €55 annual membership fee and, in addition to the rent and one month’s deposit (paid directly to the owner), you’ll pay a charge of €35 for each month you rent.
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RESERVATIONS
During periods of heavy domestic or foreign tourism – Christmas and New Year, the winter school holidays (February to March), Easter, July and August – a hotel reservation can mean the difference between a bed in a room and a bench in the park. For really popular places – think location and/or price – book several months ahead.
Many hotels, especially budget ones, accept reservations only if they are accompanied by des arrhes (a deposit). Some places, especially those with two or more stars, don’t ask for a deposit if you give them your credit card number or if you send them confirmation of your plans by letter, fax or email in French or clear, simple English.
Most independent hotels will hold a room only until a set hour, rarely later than 6pm or 7pm without prior arrangement. If you’re arriving later than expected and you haven’t prepaid or given the hotel your credit-card details, let the staff know or they might rent your room to someone else.
The Paris Convention & Visitors Bureau (Office de Tourisme et de Congrès de Paris), particularly the Gare du Nord branch Click here can find you a place to stay for the night of the day you stop by and will make the booking for free. The only catch is that you have to use a credit card to reserve a room Be warned: the queues can be very long in the high season.
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ROOM RATES
When calculating accommodation costs, assume you’ll spend from about a minimum of €40 for a washbasin-equipped double in a budget hotel (count on anything up to at least €70 if you want your own shower). Bear in mind that you may be charged extra (up to €3) to use communal showers in budget hotels. If you can’t go without your daily ablutions,