A Postcard from Paris...

Two other journeywomen and I recently spent three nights in Paris. We stayed at Hotel de Saint Germaine, 50 Rue du Four, in the Saint Germaine des Pres district. It was very small but clean, reasonably priced and situated in a great locale. In fact, we stayed out past midnight every night but still felt comfortable coming back to this neighbourhood.

In general, we found the French people very helpful. When we were looking at maps many folks stopped and asked if we needed help. Getting around on the Metro was so easy -- highly recommended. Tried to see most of the sights, but there�s never enough time to see everything one wants to see! Boat ride down the Seine - a must. We were blessed with lovely weather too, so that made it even more enjoyable. Re: cafes etc. a small restaurant very near to the Sacre Coeur - L'Instant Gourmand, 4 rue Yvonne Le Tac, was very nice with very friendly owners. Did "people watching" at several places -- lunch at Le Bastille, drinks at Les Deux Magots (expensive but a Paris landmark). Most places we found were very reasonable but then we usually had light meals, although �always� with wine! Well, we were in Paris, weren�t we?

My trip to Paris was from the UK via the Eurostar. Excellent way to go! My train tip? To turn on the water in the faucets in the washrooms, you have to step on buttons on the floor -- one button to turn on the water, another to empty the basin. Very easy once you figure out how!

Journeywoman Maureen D. hails from Ontario, Canada. We were so pleased that Journeywoman inspired her to travel.

Ed. note: Here's another hotel suggestion sent to us by Joan, the owner of Le Travel Store in San Diego, California. She writes...

I spent a week -- on my own before my husband joined me-- at the Hotel Practic in the Marais district in Paris. This little gem is on a quiet street near Place des Voges, a short walk to almost everything. The neighborhood is wonderful. The hotel is on a quiet square but close to a metro stop. Perfect for a woman traveling alone. My room was on the sixth floor (no elevator) -- but the walk up is good exercise. I left the hotel at midnight my first night and walked accross the Seine to the Latin Quarter. It was cold and moist and I tell you when I came upon Notre Dame, in the mist, at night -- she took my breath away. P.S. If you go be sure to ask for the top floor room on the square. The interior rooms aren't so nice but the ones in front are great. Expect to pay about $US70/night for a double with shower. ( 9, rue d'Ormesson, Paris 75004. Tel: 48 87 80 47. Metro: St Paul.)