Paris_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 7th Edition) - Lonely Planet [259]
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GARE DE LYON, NATION & BERCY
The development of Bercy Village, with its selection of restaurants and bars, has done much to resuscitate the 12e. The neighbourhood around Gare de Lyon has a few budget hotels and a popular independent hostel.
HÔTEL DU PRINTEMPS Map Hotel €
01 43 43 62 31; www.hotel-paris-printemps.com; 80 blvd de Picpus, 12e; s/d €50/60, tw €65-70, tr €75-80, q €88; Picpus;
It may not be in the centre of the action, but the 38-room ‘Spring Hotel’ offers excellent value for its standard and location, just steps from place de la Nation. What’s more, there’s an inhouse bar open day and night. Singles have showers but share a toilet; doubles have everything.
HÔTEL LE COSY Map Hotel €
01 43 43 10 02; www.hotel-cosy.com; 50 av de St-Mandé, 12e; s €40-65, d €50-99; Picpus;
This family-run budget hotel immediately southeast of place de la Nation positively oozes charm. The 28 rooms, though basic (the cheapest singles and doubles have washbasins only), are all different, decorated in warm pastels with original artwork by a young painter from Marseilles and have hardwood floors. If feeling flush, choose one of four ‘VIP’ rooms in the courtyard annexe, especially room 3 or 4 on the 1st floor.
HOSTEL BLUE PLANET Map Hostel €
01 43 42 06 18; www.hostelblueplanet.com; 5 rue Hector Malot, 12e; dm €21; Gare de Lyon;
This 43-room hostel is very close to Gare de Lyon – convenient if you’re heading south or west at the crack of dawn or arriving in the wee hours. Dorm beds are in rooms for two to four people and the hostel closes between 11am and 3pm. There’s no curfew. Internet access costs €3/6 for 30/60 minutes.
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13E ARRONDISSEMENT & CHINATOWN
The 13e is where you’ll find the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, as well as the péniches (barges) on the Seine fitted out with music clubs and restaurants. The southern 13e is a happy hunting ground for budget hotels.
HÔTEL LA DEMEURE Map Hotel €€€
01 43 37 81 25; www.hotellademeureparis.com; 51 blvd St-Marcel, 13e; s/d €165/202, ste €290; Les Gobelins; Filles du Calvaire;
This self-proclaimed hotel de caractère, owned and operated by a charming father-son team who always seem to be at hand, is a bit away from the action at the bottom of the 5e. But the refined elegance of its 43 rooms, the almost ‘clubby’ public areas in warm red and orange tones and the wraparound balconies of the corner rooms make it worth going the extra distance. Famed for those extra touches, the suite has an iPod, and the modern red fireplace in the lobby actually works.
HÔTEL LA MANUFACTURE Map Boutique Hotel €€€
01 45 35 45 25; www.hotel-la-manufacture.com; 8 rue Philippe de Champagne, 13e; s €120-145, d €165-195, tr €195-230, q €266-278; Place d’Italie; Filles du Calvaire;
The graceful, minimalist La Manufacture is located on the fringe of the Latin Quarter. The 57 individually decorated rooms adhere to clean lines and sport very bold plumage. Rooms on the top (7th) floor are the most spacious and coveted; room 71 boasts a view of the Panthéon while room 74 glimpses the Eiffel Tower. The lobby bar is a delight.
PARK & SUITES GRANDE BIBLIOTHÈQUE Map Serviced Apartment €€
01 53 61 62 00; www.mysuiteapparthotels.com; 15 rue de Tolbiac, 13e; ste with kitchenette for 1-/2-person €142, for 3-/4-person €151/158, €889/917/994 per week; Bibliothèque;
Close to the Bibliothèque Nationale de France these 70 fully equipped studios for up to four people are a good choice if you want to stay in the Bercy area. Rates drop to as low as €93/98/103 per night for longer stays.
GRAND HÔTEL DES GOBELINS Map Hotel €€
01 43 31 79 89; www.hotel-des-gobelins.com; 57 blvd St-Marcel, 13e; s €90-100, d €105-150, tr €150-185; Gobelins; Filles du Calvaire;
This three-star Logis de France hotel may be a bit out of the way but rue Mouffetard and its market Click here is just minutes