Where to stay in Île-de-France, from Paris to Seine-et-Marne
Three stays in Île-de-France, two in Paris, a simple hotel near Vaugirard and apartments by the Gare de l'Est, and one in Meaux, in Seine-et-Marne. Affordable options for short stays, reached on foot, by metro or by car, more practical than luxurious.
3 places to stay
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
Places to stay in Île-de-France
3 places to stay
Where to stay in Île-de-France by area
My selection comes down to three places, with a clear choice to make between Paris and its suburbs. Two are in the capital, one in the east of the region, in Meaux. If you want to do everything on foot and by metro, stay in Paris. If you are coming by car, or if your plans centre on Disneyland Paris, Meaux is worth considering.
Paris
- Hôtel Avenir Vaugirard, in Paris. A small hotel listed as two-star, near Convention metro station and the Porte de Versailles. Simple, old-fashioned and affordable, with a welcome people appreciate. It suits short stays, not demanding travellers.
- Résidence de Bourgogne, in Paris. Apartments near the Gare de l'Est, a short walk from the Porte Saint-Martin. Well located and affordable according to many guests, but poorly soundproofed, and reviews are mixed.
Seine-et-Marne
- 5ème avenue de Meaux, in Meaux. Rooms with a kitchenette, a garden, a terrace, a bar and free private parking, not far from Disneyland Paris. I can see it suiting car travellers who enjoy a friendly atmosphere.
None of these three places is trying to dazzle you. They meet a specific need, sleeping in the right place without spending your whole budget. It is an honest choice for anyone who spends most of the day out and about.
What types of accommodation you'll find in Île-de-France
In this selection you sleep in a small hotel, an apartment or a room with a kitchenette. Île-de-France is an urban region, where you look first for a good location and a fair price. Charming guesthouses and countryside gîtes are rarer here, and I have none of them in this guide yet.
The apartments at the Résidence de Bourgogne offer a little more independence than a hotel room, which helps for a few days away as a group. The Vaugirard hotel is the most classic option, with its drawbacks, notably its age. In Meaux, the kitchenette and the parking count for more than the decor.
Which accommodation to choose for your trip
The right choice depends mostly on how you get around. In Paris, being close to the metro does almost all the work. In Seine-et-Marne, it is the parking that decides. The table below sums up my preferences.
| Type of trip | The places that suit it best |
|---|---|
| Short weekend in Paris on a small budget | Hôtel Avenir Vaugirard, Résidence de Bourgogne |
| Trade fair or event at the Porte de Versailles | Hôtel Avenir Vaugirard |
| Arriving or leaving by train from the Gare de l'Est | Résidence de Bourgogne |
| Car trip around Disneyland Paris | 5ème avenue de Meaux |
| Travellers who are fussy about comfort or noise | 5ème avenue de Meaux |
If calm matters a lot to you, bear in mind that the Résidence de Bourgogne is poorly soundproofed and the Vaugirard hotel is old. In both cases these are places to sleep, not places to spend time indoors.
When to go to Île-de-France
Paris can be visited all year round, with a particular charm in spring and autumn, when walking is a pleasure. Summer can be hot in the city, especially in an older building, so check that your room is well ventilated. Winter is quieter, good for museums and cafés.
Big trade fairs and school holidays fill well-placed hotels quickly, especially near the Porte de Versailles. Book early if your stay falls on an event.
How to get around the region
In Paris, the metro and the RER do most of the work, and a car is more of a hassle. Both Paris places in this selection are close to a station, which is exactly the point.
In Seine-et-Marne it is the opposite. A car is the most practical way to reach Meaux and the parks and sites in the east of the region, and the free parking at the property is a real advantage. Depending on the timetable, the train can also take you back to Paris without trouble. Either way, avoid trying to fit everything into the same day.