Home Away from Home Sweet Home

I always stay at the Hotel Minerve at 13 rue des Ecoles when I vacation in Paris. Its a charming little hotel with a prime location in the Latin Quarter (5th arr.) within walking distance of the centre of Paris. The Plaza Athenée, the Ritz and the Georges V are much, much nicer, however, I can't afford to stay in any of these excellent hotels. One of my fondest reminders that I've arrived Paris occurs after I've taken the métro from the airport and I'm riding up the escalator at the métro station Maubert-Mutualité. About half way up you begin to take in the interesting smells of the fish stalls, the boulangerie/patisserie and, the amazing cheese shop. The outdoor market has a good variety of stalls selling anything from cheap clothing to specialties from Provence. The four or five permanent shops selling fruits and vegetables, wine, cheese, as well as baguettes are treats for the senses. You don't need any visual reminders that you've arrived in Paris, you can just breath in. Bring your shopping basket and mingle with the locals! A unique experience indeed!