Une Semaine à Paris
French Listening Comprehension
Chapter 1 - Une discussion entre amis
Travel Insert
The bilingual audio book Une Semaine à Paris includes inserts with detailed travel information after each chapter. Here is the travel insert for chapter one.
Choosing Your Best Paris Accommodations
Hotels
French hotels are rated one through five stars, and this government rating is always posted near the main entrance. Paris offers an astonishing number and variety of hotels, many eminently affordable, charming, comfortable and in great neighborhoods. Of course Paris' luxury hotels are among the finest in the world. But the good news is that there is a wide choice for just about every traveler.
Generally a two- or three-star hotel is more than adequate unless you are seeking luxury-level accommodations. Often a good two-star has virtually all the amenities of a three-star hotel, but may lack one qualifying feature, e.g., separate restrooms for men and women off the lobby. Remember, most Paris hotels are in older buildings - which often means that higher price does not equate to more space.
Inquire, based on your requirements, to avoid disappointment. Many hotel websites show sample rooms, or offer standard or deluxe rooms. Be sure to specify the type of sleeping arrangements you are looking for - two singles, a double or a grand lit (more like a queen) are most common. Private bathrooms are to be expected, but may have a shower only and no bathtub, or a bath with shower attachment.
Jack's Inimitable Travel Guide -
list of hotels and "hotels of charm" from
an independent site
Paris Hotels - you can browse this site for various
quartiers and price ranges.
Consider renting a short-term apartment if you are staying a week or more. There are many advantages - apartments are likely to be less expensive than a comparable hotel and you have a kitchen! Apartments, from studios to luxury apartments with several bedrooms, are widely available. Choose your optimal quartier, then start to investigate.
When searching for short-stay apartments it is wise to keep some practical concerns in mind. Always clarify deposit, confirmation, and payment policies. Find out how close the nearest métro station is. Determine if the neighborhood is quietly residential, or lively far into the night. And where are the nearest market streets, marchés volants, or other necessary services?
In terms of the apartment itself, check to see if a contact person will be readily available. And don't neglect to clarify the sleeping and bathroom arrangements (as with hotels). Finally, clarify the kitchen amenities. If you envision gourmet feasts and have only a two-burner cooktop, the challenge can be disheartening.
For suitable apartments in and around hip
Montmartre, contact Perfectly Paris
Apartment Rentals. Another good
option for apartments throughout Paris is Cooper
Apartment Rentals. Or
try
Paris Vacation
Apartments with listings in Montmartre and near the
Louvre. All of these small-scale, owner-managed services have websites
that graphically display the lodgings they list.
Aparthotels: A useful hybrid
Aparthotels such as the modern,
international, Citadines chain or the local
Paris Home Plazza Bastille offer little charm but are a good compromise between a hotel and an
apartment. Check their websites for more information.
If staying in a hotel is not your option of choice, you might consider a Parisian Bed & Breakfast. By staying in a private home, guests gain an insider's perspective on French culture, and the city itself. B&B breakfasts are continental - coffee, juice, croissants, bread, and jam. The levels of comfort and the sizes of rooms vary. Bathrooms may be shared or they may be private.
Good Morning Paris and Paris B&B Services are two agencies that match travelers with rooms (and hosts) that meet their requirements. Good Morning Paris' B&B offerings range from 35-40 euros for a single room, 42-58 euros for a double, 55-70 euros for a triple per night. Paris B&B Service offers a range of slightly more upscale choices, with many, but not all, of their lodgings exceeding 100 euros per night. Both of these placement services list locations throughout Paris, including in the choicest quartiers. And each takes special care to match guests with 'hosts' that provide a good linguistic fit.
Other Useful Resources for Finding Accommodations
The book Sandra Gustafson's Great Sleeps Paris is an excellent and reliable source for hotel and apartment services recommendations.
Travel guides - Time Out, Fodors, Frommers, the Eyewitness Guides, Lonely Planet, and more all will have hotel recommendations in various price ranges.
French Links Tours is writer and custom tour guide Rachel Kaplan's comprehensive site for several quality accommodations suggestions.
Your Great Days in Paris - a brief consultation with Paris expert Sally Peabody can save you time and money. Sally can get you suggestions for hotels that fit your style and budget.
This travel insert from Une Semaine à Paris was written by Sally Peabody of
Your Great Days in Paris and is featured here with permission.
I have featured a total of three chapters of Une Semaine à Paris on my site. If you are interested in the entire book, read my review by clicking on the link in the red box or visit the author's website.
| Une Semaine à Paris - Chapter 1 French Listening Comprehension Exercise |
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| Transcript | Translation | Travel tips | ||
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Une Semaine à Paris sound files and transcript are used with the permission of Camille Chevalier Karfis Audio book & podcast author at French Today |
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