One of the reasons we chose the hotel for our April visit to Paris was the proximity to Le Jardin…read moredu Luxembourg -- the Luxembourg Garden. This is one of my favorite places in Paris. Besides the layout and beauty of the Garden itself, it is a wonderful way to experience the softer side of Paris. Despite April overcast and rainy weather, walking through the Park was uplifting as always. Tulips greeted us when we entered through the Gay-Lussac entrance. Once in the Park, we found more flowers and trees in bloom. Beyond Les Voiliers du Luxembourg -- an octagonal fountain for sail boats at the focal center if the Gaeden -- we walked through a canopy formed by rows of chestnut trees. It was great staying within a few blocks of Le Jardin du Luxembourg and visiting daily.

Quality/Quantity - Huge and good size garden. Many locals here eat (and drink) their lunch…read more Family friendly. The landscaping here is amazing. Well, most of Paris's gardens! I am so impressed I used to do my own landscaping so I know how much work it takes to make gardens look like this! Several small snack kiosks; see my pictures. Ambiance - 25 hectare, beautifully landscaped. There is a French and English part, I did not know and sadly probably would not be able to tell the difference. Rose garden, statues, etc. Kid friendly - A merry go round, slides, play areas, etc. Restaurant, snack kiosks, etc. Service - Self service. Price - The garden is free. I think you have to pay to go into the building. Owner Comment - Congrats on all your success since 1612.

From the owner: Une plage à Paris Pour tous les aficionados de l'été à Paris, le Batofar investit les quais. Les…read moregourmands retrouveront avec plaisir " La Plage du Batofar " . Vous pourrez y déguster entre autres de bons petits plats, de nombreux finger food ainsi que des tapas savoureuses. Ce lieu hors du temps vous accueille tous les jours au restaurant (ouvert midi et soir) mais également au bar, où la détente est de mise avec ses nombreux transats. Les apéros musicaux animent les débuts de soirées du mardi au samedi à partir de 19h et le brunch musical du dimanche vous réveillent en douceur.

The Bunker. or: the most depressing public-pool in Paris…read more You cannot argue about most windowless basement-pools in Paris. They are mostly build in very crowded neighbourhoods, squeezed into the basement of another construction. But Didot is different. Piscine Didot is not build underneath some other structure nor is there a lack of space around it. It just doesn't have windows because (educated guess) it was cheaper to build it this way. And this really is the nail in it´s coffin. It is awfully dark in there and the blue-yellow color-theme on the walls doesn't help. One wall has been painted with a beach-motive and palm trees but this only increases the bunker-feeling. Top Tip: If you don´t want to spend the money for windows, paint it all white. Other negatives? The locker-system has not been converted to € (I wish I was kidding) and only takes 50cent pieces because they are roughly the size of the old 1 Franc-pieces. Too few showers and changing-rooms. Piscine Didot is also in no way handicapped accessible. Positives: It was clean when I was there and the people working there were all very friendly. The basin itself is in good shape and not too shallow at one end. I spotted no mold.