When visiting Paris, the only area I stay in is the Rue Cler area. Located in the 7th arrondissement between the École Militaire and La Tour Maubourg Métro stations, Rue Cler is a pedestrian-friendly, cobbled-stoned street with great fruit markets, boulangeries, chocolate shops, delicatessens, cheese shops, flower shops, a post office and a Franprix grocery store.
The cobbled-stone charm of Rue Cler.
The area surrounding Rue Cler is so delightful! Of course, the main attraction is the Eiffel Tower which is just a short 10-minute walk away. The beautiful Parc du Champ de Mars is located in front of the Eiffel Tower. Have a picnic! Stroll down Rue Cler, stop at different shops for some cheese, fruit, pastries and a bottle of wine, then walk over to the Parc, sit and wonder at the marvel of the Eiffel Tower. Even better, go at night when the Eiffel Tower is all lit up, and at the top of the hour, the lights twinkle!
The Rue Cler area also has excellent transportation options to connect you to those other must-see sights. Rue Cler is located between two convenient Métro Line #8 stations: La Tour Maubourg and École Militaire. You can also catch the RER-C line at the nearby Invalides Métro stop which is just one stop past La Tour Maubourg (Direction: Créteil-Préfecture). Taking the RER-C line is the easiest way to visit Versailles.
Using the Paris Métro is the easiest and most convenient way to get around Paris. It is simply the best public transportation system in Europe, if not the world. There is a Métro stop near every major tourist spot in Paris; many of the Métro stops are named after the sight located nearby. However, if you have the time and want to see more of above-ground Paris, opt to travel by bus. Catch Bus #69 near the corner of Rue Cler and Rue St. Dominique and travel all the way to Père Lachaise Cemetery, passing many of the city's top sights such as Musée d'Orsay and Musée du Louvre. Want a scenic route to the Bastille? Catch Bus #87 on Avenue de la Bourdonnais and you'll travel along Boulevard St. Germain and cross over Île St. Louis. Near the École Militaire Métro stop catch Bus #82 to the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg. Catching an late morning train to Gare St. Lazare? You could take Bus #28 on Avenue de la Motte Picquet.
The Rue Cler area is the perfect location to stay during your trip to Paris. Not only is the Eiffel Tower within walking distance, two other often-missed sights are close by: Hôtel des Invalides, where Napoléon's tomb is located...
an underappreciated museum with a beautiful garden where you can walk among some of Rodin's most famous sculptures such as The Thinker and The Shades. One evening walk down Avenue de la Bourdonnais to the River Seine. The best €11.50 you'll spend in Paris will take you on an evening cruise on Bateau Mouches boat.
And where do I recommend you stay in the Rue Cler area? I only stay at Hotel Muguet which is located on the quiet Rue Chevert. Hotel Muguet is ranked a 3-star hotel by Paris guidelines and gets 5-star rankings on Tripadvisor for its convenient location, friendly staff and superb cleanliness. But you won't pay 5-star prices at this hotel! Room rates vary from €100.00 for a single, €120 for a queen or twin standard room to only €180.00 for a room with a view of either Les Invalides or the Eiffel Tower! If you are visiting for more than a week, consider booking their 2-person fully-furnished flat located on Rue St. Dominique, just off Rue de la Bourdonnais, just steps from the Eiffel Tower. The rate varies between €135 and €145 a night, depending on what time of year you visit.
Hotel Muguet on Rue Chevert, Paris.
Our room overlooked the indoor/outdoor garden.
Hotel Muguet is such a wonderful place to stay despite the fact it goes against one of my main rules for choosing hotels: breakfast is not included in the price. The hotel does serve a nice continental breakfast consisting of cereals, hard-boiled eggs, fruit, yogurt, juice and coffee. However, in my opinion, it's not worth the price (€12.50). Instead, leave the hotel, walk the two blocks to Rue Cler and find your favorite fruit market or boulangerie. Nothing compares to fresh French pastry in the morning!
Once you've stayed in the Rue Cler area in Paris, you'll never stay anywhere else!
A Great Europe Trip Planner
Photos were taken by me during my trip to Paris.
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