Mercure Rouen Centre and Hotel Jardins d’Eiffel in France

Let it be known that Americans are welcome in FRANCE! During more than two weeks in September ’03 in Normandy, the Loire Valley and Paris, the two couples in our party experienced nothing but friendly, courteous and helpful service from shopkeepers, hotel and restaurant personnel, ticket sellers, etc., even folks on the street. Yes, we always attempted to speak some French and keep smiles on our faces; I’m sure this helped. Here are a couple of hotel recommendations.

• Mercure Rouen Centre (7 rue de la Croix de Fer, 76000 Rouen, France; visit www.mercure.com) — extra-comfortable hotel a stone’s throw from the Cathedral.

Small room but efficiently designed with queen bed and pristine, modern bath. Plenty of light. Good for 2- to 3-night stay max because not much storage room.

€84 ($98) senior rate and €99 ($115) rack rate. Full breakfast buffet, €10 per person. Parking in garage, €8.

Rouen was a surprisingly delightful town to visit.

• Hotel Jardins d’Eiffel (8 rue Amelie, 75007 Paris, France; phone 33 [0] 1 47 05 4621 or visit www.paris-hotel-jardinseiffel.com). Quiet location in an area filled with restaurants; close to many attractions. Subway two blocks away.

Small, twin-bedded, air-conditioned room with comfortable mattresses. Expertly designed storage areas with enough hanger space and shelving for at least a week’s stay plus room for empty suitcases! Many small balconies. CNN. Most of the staff extra-friendly and helpful.

€160 ($187) for an “Executive” room, breakfast included, and less for a “Traditional” room, but the latter, although no smaller, is not as functionally designed. Not a budget hotel but a good Paris value, considering all the amenities. (We needed the air-conditioning in September.)

RONALD VON ALLMEN
Glenham, NY