The Observatory web site has directions to get to Meudon: http://www.obspm.fr/admin/visites/acces-meudon.en.shtml
SNCF to Bellevue Station takes you to the closest elevation to the observatory (least uphill); the RER to Val Fleury brings you to the closest distance, but more uphill. It is also closer to lodging if you stay in Meudon. If you stay in Paris, which train to take depends on where you are staying. There are dozens of hotels close to Montparnasse station (where the SNCF train departs to Bellevue/Meudon). The RER line C runs along the Seine near the Eiffel Tower. An RER fare includes Paris Metro (but SNCF fare does not), so you can get from anywhere to Meudon with a single fare (about the same as the SNCF fare) by a combination of Metro+RER.
You can buy a week pass (Carte Orange, valid Monday through Sunday, no matter which day you buy it on) for Metro and RER for 21.60 EUR (zones 1-3, to include all around Paris and out to Meudon). You need a passport photo for the ID card that goes with the weekly ticket. The pass with ID card can be purchased at any metro station. Further information at http://www.ratp.fr/. You can click on the tiny British flag at the top to get an English version, but I have been unable to find information of la Carte Orange except in French.
There are several hotels in Meudon, where prices are lower than in Paris, but you will likely want to go in to Paris for sightseeing, dining, etc., so the choice is yours. The following hotels are in Meudon:
| Etap Hotel Meudon | Address: 3, Rue de Paris 92190 Meudon
Tel: +33 8 92 70 20 43 | 86 rooms standard rate 52 EUR/night |
| Commentary: This hotel is a walkable distance (barely), but about twice as far to the observatory as the distance from the train stations. | ||
| Ibis Meudon la Foret | Address: 7, Route du Colonel Marcel Moraine, 92360
Tel: +33 1 45 37 09 09 | 64 rooms standard rate 88 EUR midweek, 53 EUR weekend, 39 EUR any day by advance booking, non-refundable |
| Commentary: This hotel is about the same distance (a very long walk, 2 km or so) as the Etap, on the back side of the forest (Meudon la Foret), not convenient for public transport. The Etap is close to trains in to Paris, it’s just a long way to the Observatory. Ibis is a long way from both. | ||
| Hotel de la Gare | Address: 19, rue Banes, 92190 Meudon
Tel: +33 1 46 26 11 85 | 17 rooms, all with bath but some sans WC 28 or 35 EUR |
| Commentary: This is a very modest hotel. It is, however, the most convenient to the observatory and is located across the street from the Val Fleury RER station (hence the name). Marcello has visited them and sends the following report: "The rooms are correct even if really essential (they have the shower inside). Some work to renew the building has been realized few years ago. I cannot say that is a fancy place, but I think you can survive. The good new is that starting on February 1st, smoking is forbidden in public spaces: so the fact that there is the restaurant cafe downstairs does not induce a strong smoke cloud upstairs. Patrons have the right to smoke in the rooms (and they do not have non smoking rooms), but they told me that a lot of care is taken to make the air circulating each day. They told me that they speak English, so you can call them if you need more details (+33146261185)." | ||
In Paris, there are numerous hotels surrounding the Montparnasse station. I have no particular recommendation, so try Google, TripAdvisor, or any of the booking agencies for info. Most around Montparnasse seem to be >100 EUR. In the area around ESA HQ and where Marcello lives, and also close to the RER line C route, there are quite a few smaller and less expensive hotels in an area which also has many good restaurants. Here are a few suggestions:
| Hotel Baldi | Address: 42 Blvd. Garibaldi, 75015 Paris
Tel: 33 (0)1 47 83 20 10 | 28 rooms, 79 EUR |
| Commentary: Recommended by Rick Binzel. Hotel web site not very informative, try instead: this link | ||
| Tourisme Hotel | Address: 66 Ave. de la Motte-Picquet 75015 Paris
Tel: 33 (0)1 47 34 28 01 | 60 rooms, 75 EUR |
| Commentary: I’ve stayed here several times. | ||
| Hotel Farmus | Address: 94, Blvd Garibaldi, 75015 Paris | 25 rooms, 85 EUR |
| Commentary: Free Wi-Fi Internet, recommended by Marcello. | ||