F1 -- An Inexpensive Option for a Hotel Near Paris, France, Overlooking a Cemetery!
copyright 2011 Lisa B. Falour, B.S., M.B.A. all rights reserved LISA, INC. (EURL) cutecatfaith.com
The F1 motels are no-frills and are part of ACCOR Corporation, which is the Motel 6 company. This one on a street named Lenine in Saint-Denis is the best-situated and most reasonably priced one in and around Paris, France. 39 euros per night. You can take the 153 bus to Porte de La Chapelle in Paris from here and then get the métro and go where you please in Paris, or walk to the Basilica of Saint-Denis and get the 13 métro line into Paris. There is also a tramway, and two commuter railroads nearby. The 253 bus will take you to Stade de France, where you can get the RER B trains, and the tramway will take you to the RER D line in Saint-Denis.
I do not care for the RER commuter trains, however.
From CDG-Roissy Airport, you can take the 350 bus from Roissypôle, the bus station, and pay three tickets to get to Porte de La Chapelle. From there, you get off, cross the street, and take the 153 bus back North, paying a fourth ticket, into Saint-Denis. This entire journey could cost you way less than 10 euros, if you have the carnet. The stop for the F1 hotel is called Saint-Rémi. It is a slow ride but you will have lots of space for your luggage, and it is way cheaper than other ways. (No airport tax -- the 350 city bus is mostly for airport employees.)
Try to buy your bus/tramway/métro packets in tens -- a carnet -- for the best savings. I do not recommend the PARIS VISITE transit passes they sell to tourists. The bus drivers carry cash, but do not expect them to break a large bill. If you buy on the spot, you get gouged -- nearly two euros per ticket. Really, try to get someone to mail you a carnet in advance. (If you are lucky, you MIGHT find a place at the airport to sell you one . . . ) Otherwise, they charge you an inconvenience fee.
I do not recommend Orly Airport. It is very far away, and there is no direct link to Paris. It is about 50 km from the City, and a taxi ride will ruin you. Or at least be a horrendous waste of money you will soon regret.
The cemetery of Saint-Denis is not particularly pretty, but cemeteries in France are interesting to visit, in general.
The first Sunday of each month, many cultural sites in France are free. Get there early, though -- it's crowded!