By Elle McLaughlin
The Hotel College de France
The Hotel College de France is a located in the heart of the Latin Quarter of Paris. It's right next to the Sorbonne and a quick stroll to the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the Pantheon. It's also convenient to several Metro stops. The 29 rooms are small but clean and cozy.The building is old and charming. You can ascend to your room up the half-timbered spiral staircase decorated with ancient stained-glass windows or in the bijou elevator. Some of the rooms have balconies that overlook the surrounding side streets.
Wows and Woes
The location is just perfect. Step out the door, and you are in the middle of everything you could want to see in Paris. The balconies are a nice touch and have room for a table and two chairs. However, there is no air-conditioning at the hotel. To stay cool on hot nights, you have to rely on a combination of ceiling fan, floor fan and open windows.
The elevator is small and slow. It also only goes up to the 5th floor. If you have lots of luggage, try to avoid rooms on the 6th floor.
Insider Tips
The breakfast at the hotel is nice in a pinch or if you don't want to go out in the morning, However, there are some amazing bakeries nearby that are worth exploring.
The restaurant across the street Le Pré Verre is a great option, but the neighborhood is also filled with options for gourmets on a budget, small bistros and ethnic restaurants. These include Arab, Greek and Vietnamese choices.
Author's Most Memorable Moment
The hotel is very close to the Luxembourg Gardens, which is considered one of the best parks in the world. It was great to be able to start and end the day strolling through the greenery and to people watch. We even saw Carla Bruni!.
Bottom Line
It's in a great location. Its comfortable rooms, affordable rates and gracious staff make this a pleasant option for budget travelers.
About the Author:
Author and journalist Elle McLaughlin has been writing about travel and lifestyle topics for magazines since 1994. Always in pursuit of a good story, she has harvested agave in Mexico, made cheese in Vermont and picked grapes in New Zealand. McLaughlin attended the City University of New York, majoring in history and minoring in international relations.
Photo Credits:
Elle McLaughlin
