A Visit to the City of Light

Upon arriving at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport, we spent almost half a day getting out of the airport, going into the city and finding our hotel.

At the airport, we bought the 3-day (zone 1 to 5) Paris Visite transport card [Euro 53] and 2-day Paris museum pass [Euro 42].  Going to the city, we used the transport card and took RER B train.

Paris Visite 3-day 5-zone pass

2-day Paris Museum Pass

When we got to Chatelet les Halles station, we went to their Tourist Information booth to ask for directions on how to get to the address of our hotel.  The guy in the counter was starting to give us directions when he received a call.  After that, he just told us "I'm sorry I have to go now" and that's it, he just left.  Whew! So, since he gave us a map, we just tried to use it and ask for directions on the streets.  After asking the locals (from restaurants and hotels), we were able to finally find the hotel. The alley where Hotel de Lille Louvre is, is just behind Timhotel Le Louvre.

When we got to the hotel, we cannot check-in yet so we just left my friend's luggage (mine would be delivered the next day) and went out again to start our adventure.

Day 1:
- Chateau Versailles

Day 2:
- Eiffel Tower
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- The Louvre
- Jardin des Tuileries, Placa de Concorde, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe

Day 3:
- Montmartre / Sacre Coeur, Placa de la Bastille

Mid-day of the second day, we went back to the hotel to check on my baggage however it hasn't been delivered yet.  The guy at the reception allowed me to use their phone to call the number on the paper that was given to me at the airport.  I was told that my luggage has already been dispatched from the airport so it would surely be delivered within the day.  We went out again to do some sight-seeing and when we got back, my luggage was already there.  It was delivered around 5PM that afternoon while my friend and I are out.

On the 3rd day, before we went out of the hotel, we already checked out and just left our bags at reception.  It was already 2PM when we got back, so we just retrieved our bags and made our way to Orly airport.  We took RER B train to Antony Station then transferred to OrlyVal for Orly Airport.  (Here's a link for other information on how to get to Orly airport.) 


Our Hotel [Hotel de Lille Louvre]

We booked our hotel via booking.com.  It is near The Louvre and accessible either via Palais Royal - Musee du Louvre or Les Halles metro stop (Chatelet Les Halles RER).  It's a bit hard to find as it is on a small short alley.  Location was great since it is near tourist attractions but still quiet at night, making it easy to sleep.  And, of course, it has wi-fi.

Hotel de Lille Louvre location
(from Google Maps)

We got a double-room with private bathroom.  It's just enough for two people to sleep in and have some space on the side of the bed. It has a coffee table, a window with a view of... just the other side of the building (so we didn't open up the drapes) and a small bathroom.  The size of the shower area is ok for a regular-size person but may be too small for a tall/big person.  What I noticed is that they don't have aircon but they do have heating facility, so I'm not sure how hot it would be in the summer months.

Steep stairs and ground floor hallway

Room (Image from booking.com)

Please note though that they do not have a lift so if you're carrying big luggages, you have to carry (or should I say drag) them up the narrow, somewhat winding plight of stairs to the floor where your room is.  Ours is only on the third floor, as the receptionist told us.

Price.  We got it at Euro184 for 2 people for 2 nights.  It's pricey (although I think a lot of things, including this, is pricey in Paris) considering that we booked it about 2-3 months prior to our stay.  They offer breakfast for a price, but we didn't include this in our booking.  

A lot of coffee shops/restaurants are within the area so I don't think you'll get hungry here.  There's also a nearby pharmacy, convenience store and a boulangerie (where we bought our delicious first and last meals in Paris).

Pastries from the boulangerie