Montparnasse -- first night, where to go?

Hello,

I am going to study abroad in Paris for a year, and before we (the other 25 or so students and myself) move in with our host families we are staying a night at the Meridien Montparnasse. I%26#39;d like to know where we should go to have a drink, etc. on our first night there that is near the hotel, etc. (we%26#39;ll probably be kind of zonked even though it will feel earlier to us).

Thanks!

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Welcome !

There are nice cafés in the area, especially around the Edgar Quinet métro (less than 5 minutes from your hotel).

Le Tournesol (on the Rue de Gaîté) is a neat youngish bar/restaurant with sweet prices (2.80€ a Martini, which is cheap for Paris). A bit noisy inside.

The Smoke, on rue Delambre, is a very cosy jazz-bar. But tiny, and 25 won%26#39;t fit.

There are, of course, the %26quot;big three%26quot; brasseries : La Coupole, le Select, la Rotonde, the three of them on Bld Montparnasse. More expensive.

In the even higher price range, and in the trendy/loungy flow, are l%26#39;Atelier and le Lotus.

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Thanks! I can%26#39;t wait.

Most likely it won%26#39;t be all 25 of us at once...we%26#39;ll probably break into smaller groups and go our own ways for the first night.

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If the first night is a Friday, don%26#39;t miss the skaters!

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If the first night is a Friday, don%26#39;t miss the skaters!

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You could try %26quot;Le Petit Journal%26quot; Montparnasse for jazz

http://www.petitjournal-montparnasse.com/

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You can go to Le petit journal Montparnasse next to Hotel. They have concerts at night too (mostly jazz).

Or you walk to Blvd Montparnasse which is around the corner and you will find a choice of cafes.

There are cafes also near metro Edgar Quinet and rue Delambre and Place de Catalogne etc. Seems like every other building in Paris has a cafe at street level!

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Oh my....the memories. I practically lived at the Meridien for almost 4 years. There is plenty to do in the area, which others have already covered, but if you%26#39;re tired and don%26#39;t want to go far, don%26#39;t discount the hotel%26#39;s lobby bar. On weekends, there will usually be live entertainment, but in general, the area is quite large, is usually a hub of activiity, and it%26#39;s the perfect place to relax and have a cocktail.

If you have the energy to explore, head to the Latin Quarter. Don%26#39;t be tempted by easy Metro access from the Gare Montparnasse though...it%26#39;s a huge station. Go across the street to the Gaite stop, and head toward Duroc on Line 13, where you can make a very easy correspondence to Line 10. If you move quickly and follow the correspondence signs, the trains are actually timed so if you get off one train, you%26#39;ll just make the next one. You can be from Gaite to Odeon or Cluny in just a few minutes.

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