There are other kinds of hotels in Paris. Not the "hotels de passe" (brothels) which disappeared after the war, but other places which have a family like feel: the "pensions". You share one meal -usually dinner- with the other "pensionnaires", and there are some rules you have to follow: some prohibit smoking (rather a good thing in this city...), in others you need to ask permission to have a friend visit. Since Balzac's time, many have disappeared but a few remain. They can be a wonderful way to discover the city and to meet people. The best "pensions de famille"

• Les Marroniers. Push the blue door and you are in a lovely apartment run by Marie-Odile Poirier, who took over from her mother, and cooks for her "guests". The location is also wonderful: right across from the Luxembourg garden.
  78, rue d'Assas, escalier A. 6th. Tel: 01 43 26 37 71. Metro: N.D. des Champs. Starting at 29 EUROS.
  
  
  
• Au Bon Accueil. Despite its name, the service is not very "bon" but nevertheless an excellent address.
  78, rue d'Assas, escalier B. 6th. Tel: 01 43 26 79 32. Starts at 46 EUROS . Metro: N.D. des Champs.
  
  
  
• Au Palais Gourmand. Very friendly family atmosphere. Starts at 36 EUROS
  120, boulevard Raspail. 6th. Tel: 01 45 48 24 15. Metro: Vavin.
  
  
  
• Pension Bairi. 62, rue du Faubourg Poissonnière. 10th. Tel: 01 47 70 78 72. Starts at 19 EUROS Metro: Poissonnière or Bonne Nouvelle. The friendliest place.
  
  
  
• Centre Parisien de zen. If you want a more peaceful stay, try this Zen center. You don't have to practice anything. You just need to take your shoes off and abstain from smoking. Other than that, you are very welcome. Every studio in this former school is clean and light and has its own bathroom and kitchenette. No Tv, no phone and the meditation room is open all the time. 35, rue de Lyon. 12th. Tel: 01 44 87 08 13. Metro: Garde de Lyon. Weekly rate for one person: 269 EUROS For two: 369 EUROS.