This Hotel Transformed From One Of Paris' Worst To Worthy Of A Stay, Per Rick Steves

Known for its historic architecture and delectable cuisine, Paris is one of the world's most stunning cities. The City of Lights is also highly walkable, and strolling along its glittering Seine or café-lined streets are two of the city's most famous pleasures. Rue Cler is one of these market streets, in addition to the city's districts of Le Marais, Latin Quarter, and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. On this street sits the Cler Hotel, once described by European travel expert and renowned author Rick Steves as "the worst hotel on my favorite street in Paris." After a 2014 renovation, he now calls the 3-star boutique hotel "my kind of accommodation: a simple hotel, friendly staff, nothin' fancy." The tastefully appointed décor has earned this property a Traveler's Choice Award for 2024 on Tripadvisor, indicating it routinely ranks in the top 10% of listings. In a recent review on the site, Tom M. mentions "the hotel has clearly invested in some modern renovations giving the property a clean, functional look." 

Rick Steves recently shared a video of the property on Facebook. The short clip features his top-floor room with a partial view of the Eiffel Tower. If you visit the Cler Hotel and want an Eiffel Tower view of your own, make sure you book a room on the top floor. The hotel's website designates "Rooms with Eiffel Tower" to make sure you get the right room. Stays at the Cler Hotel also come with a breakfast buffet, but you can also choose to walk the famous street below to pick up your café au lait and croissants a la cart.

Rue Cler, a less-visited route on the city's trendy left bank, offers a memorable home base from which to savor the distinctive charms of Paris. Its calm ambiance creates a more authentic, local vibe not overrun with tourists — allowing you to experience Paris like a Parisian. Rick Steves calls Rue Cler his favorite pedestrian market street in Paris, offering quintessential delights like rich pastries, aromatic cheeses, and full-bodied wines. In another video from Rick Steves, he explains that charming brasseries with open-air seating dot the street, and he notes how locals' upstairs apartments add a neighborhood atmosphere. In an article about Rue Cler, he recommends stocking up on picnic provisions at nearby shops specializing in only one thing: bread, meat, cheese, produce, or wine.

Quality food abounds on both sides of this popular street. For a French café experience across from the Cler Hotel, try Le Petit Cler. Well-rated on Tripadvisor, it's open all day, but guests particularly rave about breakfast and lunch. Sarakay53 writes, "The prices are reasonable, the service is quick and the food is outstanding!" For a different approach, visit nearby Davoli, Tripadvisor's number one-ranked specialty food market in Paris. It's an Italian gourmet store with outdoor seating, highly recommended for its tasty grab-and-go provisions. Finish at creamy Amorino, a highly acclaimed international gelataria, for a gastronomical day trip to Italy. So the next time you're in Paris, stay at the new and improved Cler Hotel, where you can wander Rue Cler, shop like a local, and make the most of your trip to Paris.