Hôtel des Grandes Ecoles

[Anne]

This is not exactly an hotel review since I am writing here about an hôtel where I never stayed, and didn't even happen to see the inside of the buildings, it is actually a place that hubby and I happened to stumble upon and were taken with .

So one morning, on our way from our hôtel to the Cardinal Lemoine metro station, we discovered this place . We had already walked past it and seen the very small-written hotel name, but the place is completely hidden behind a huge door that was always closed, so we assumed that the hôtel was actually closed . But on that morning the door was opened, and we liked so much what we saw that we entered the place . The door opens on a small paved lane, along which there are three low buildings :







The place was really lovely, and so peaceful !

We stopped to read the panel that you can see on the second picture, and were amazed to discover that this place is no luxury hideout, the rooms only cost between 110 and 130 euros per night, plus breakfast 8 euros . The panel also said that the guests are welcome to sit in the garden, but only until 10pm in order not to disturb the other guests . It also said that they have made the choice NOT to install any TV in the bedrooms .
While we were reading the panel, an elder man stopped by and told us that he had been coming here for thirty years because the place is so exceptional in Paris .

I am quite sure that some bedrooms must be much better than others in terms of location, and only regulars know which ones to pick, but still, this is a place where we wowed to stay on a next visit .

Hôtel is located on 75, rue Cardinal Lemoine, 5th arr.

www.hotel-grandes-ecoles.com/

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

Wow, Anne that's a lovely place! Thanks for letting us know about it, as I don't think I ever had heard of it before (except just as a name on a list, with no details).

[Shoesy]

What a charming place! I didn't, however, see any mention of A/C, which I think is important during the summer months.

[Anne]

Shoesy, I suspect that this kind of old-fashioned place doesn't have A/C indeed, but then it is so quiet that one can sleep with the windows opened (although I know that this may not be enough for you guys who are so used to A/C )

[Shoesy]

Yes, Anne. When one is accustomed to A/C, it's very difficult to sleep without it on a hot day.

[geordy]

I save the charming un a/ced places for the colder trips! May thru
Sept. I have to have A/C just in case!

But I must have TV...not that we spend much time watching it but I like a music station for atmosphere! And after being in Paris on 9/11 I have to have an English station!

[joan1]

I have heard of this hotel before , I think it is one of Rick Steves books or something, but , alas I insist on A/C in summer( even though didn't need it this past August, LOL ) and I like t.v. as we don't go out much at night and I like to watch the news.
It does look very nice though, and perhaps when I go with my hubby one year in the fall or spring I would consider it. I love the idea of having a little courtyard.

[annettecinca]

Great find, Anne! I might consider it for our girls trip next year

[Shoesy]

We also feel that TV is a must. Of course we do not waste precious Paris time watching TV, but while we're in the room, dressing in the morning or getting ready to go to bed at night, we like to watch the news. It's important for us to keep up with daily current events, especially in our country where you never know what's happening.

[rssilverandlight]

anne266,

Thank you for the photographs of Hotel des Grandes Ecole.
I stayed there in September 2002 and found it to be
reasonably priced with lovely decor, a very helpful staff and
the usual Paris size rooms. The garden was restful and an ideal
place to sit and relax or read. If you want to get away without really getting away, this is the place.
It's in the 5th within a minutes walk of the Contrascarpe and rue Mouffetard and the Metro is less than a 5 minute walk.
It is popular place and books up early.

ps. Geordy - I was in Paris on 9/11 also.