I stayed at the Courtyard Paris, Gare de Lyon, this time around. It’s located at 209-211 Rue de Bercy, 75012 Paris, France. And even though it wasn’t in the gay neighborhood, I could justify it because it was gay-neighborhood adjacent.

In the past, I’ve stayed at the Duo Hotel in the Marais (which is the gay area, the central area, Arrondismont four, the best area where everyone wants to be.) However, those hotels are usually pretty pricey and often tiny. Not that it’s a bad thing, but after doing some research on Courtyard Gare de Lyon, I felt that it was an excellent compromise for this trip.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that I recommend it. So let’s get to why I do.

Courtyard Gare de Lyon is in Arrondissement 12

One thing to keep in mind is that the city of Paris is laid out like a giant spiral. Their neighborhoods, or arrondissements, go from one to 20. 

The Marais or the gay neighborhood is in arrondissement four, and it spills over into three.

The Courtyard Gare de Lyon is located in arrondissement 12. That might seem pretty far away, but because the city is one giant spiral, it’s actually right next to arrondissement 4. So it’s not far from the gay mecca.

Regardless, considering the hotel is called Courtyard, Gare de Lyon means it’s across the street from one of Paris’ main central stations with an entrance to the metro directly outside.

So if you want to head to the Marais for a night of cocktails, bar crawls, and perhaps some French D, all you have to do is take the Metro one stop to have a fine French adventure.

Check out this post where I briefly talk about the Metro in Paris and how to get around.

Courtyard Gare de Lyon Review

And now for the hotel review. The Courtyard Gare de Lyon is cute. If I want to be over-critical, I would say its pretty basic. But by Paris standards, that’s more than you need.

The hotel is modern.

It has one restaurant where you can get breakfast, although I never did because I had a hard time adjusting to the time on this trip. I slept in pretty much every day.

Breakfast consisted of croissants and coffee each morning. Luckily there are many bakeries and dinners within walking distance.

The only thing to fear is my bad French and the disgusted faces the locals give you for butchering their language. Nevertheless, I gave it my all and usually succeeded.

Communal Spaces at the Courtyard

Other than a restaurant, if you head up the stairs, you’re greeted with a fancy and modern workspace.

You have a do-it-yourself cappuccino machine and snacks. Even though these snacks are free, I didn’t get any because I was worried they were for some work conference or something.

But it’s not like anyone checked.

It’s pretty, and the furniture was cute. There are multiple lounge spaces to chat, have coffee or conduct a work meeting.

The communal hotel space is pretty big, considering Paris is one of those cities constrained of space.

The Room

The hotel room, although basic, is pretty fantastic.

You get a nice-sized room. Hotels around Europe are usually pretty small. Many hotel rooms are so small your door hits the wall as you enter, followed by a bed/closet with a tiny restroom. Therefore, this felt massive.

Each bedside table came with a reading light, several outlets, and USB plugs.

But, they’re European outlets. Don’t forget your adapters as I did. I discovered I didn’t bring them in Nice. So I asked the front desk, and they gave me one.

Kettles and Tea

Apart from necessities, you also get a couple of bottles of water a tea kettle with tea and coffee options.

There’s even a cute table to sit, sip and spill the tea. No, not spill the tea, I mean gossip.

I felt the room was functional.

Apart from that, you have a city view that looks into the direction of the Marais. Paris is a beautiful city and looking out the window is something you can do all day.

The Restroom

The restroom is modern with everything you need. You have your soaps and shampoos.

The light is bright, and the water pressure in the shower is good.

Nothing to complain about here.

Let’s break it down:

The Courtyard Gare de Lyon is convenient, spacious, and modern. I would stay here again.

Do I recommend it? Oh yes. Pretty central to everything.