Polite Parisian Alert! Come to the Hotel La Sanguine

I know the rude Parisian stereotype is sadly more the norm than the exception, but I happened upon a family-owned AFFORDABLE hotel in Paris, Hotel La Sanguine, down the street from the American Embassy with a whole family of really nice Parisians! The only reason I even found it was because I had to go to the Embassy, forgetting in my American naivety that they don't allow laptops in any way shape or form. And the latest appointment they make in the day is at 2:30 pm, so I had been traveling since 5 am to get to Paris on time. And then the guard tells me, "Madame, you have to take your laptop around the corner to a hotel where they will hold it for you."

What he didn't tell me was that only one particular hotel, l'Hotel La Sanguine, was the only one that would do this, as they had a conciergerie at the front desk. So after asking at least 4 restaurants and other luxury hotels refusing to do this, I finally found Hotel La Sanguine about a kilometre from the Embassy. I arrived to see another American leaving his luggage and quickly running back to the Embassy, so I knew I was in the right place. The concierge immediately smiled and told me it would be € 5 to hold my laptop, for which I almost kissed him!

Now it was almost 3 pm, and I knew they would be closing the notary section at the American Embassy very shortly. And of course, I chose a hot and humid day in Paris, so I was dripping sweat on arrival--I felt like Meg Ryan after her Paris arrival in the French Kiss movie--very hot and flustered. At least this time, they let me go to the front of the line!

After all this, I found out that this particular paperwork came from the French Tribunal Court and not the American Embassy! I was about ready to faint or strangle the nearest person, American or otherwise, but I happened upon a really, really, really nice embassy worker, Nathalie Trouve, who said she would research my request and email the information. Luckily, I was still in Paris until the next day at noon, so I could still make it to this other tribunal place.

Now I just had to go retrieve my laptop! Of course, my phone was now dead, so I opted to just head back to the Hotel La Sanguine and hang out until my phone was charged. The concierge was very welcoming on my arrival. I asked if he served any drinks--"Bière, Heineken?" That couldn't have sounded better! I plugged in my laptop and phone, chugging down the refreshing beer.

We started chatting, and he told me that since last year, he saw very few Americans, which made him sad. Between Charlie Hebdo, the Bataclan Attacks and all the negative press about all the train and plane strikes going on, he wasn't really that surprised. I told him he should invite all the Embassy guards there to let them know about his hotel. He just smiled politely and said that he was making progress with other Embassies to try and get more regular traffic to his hotel.

He told me that his in-laws ran the hotel in an old-fashioned way and everyone in the family played a role. I appreciated his sarcastic humor, quick wit, and willingness to help out an American in distress. So I told him I would mention him in my blog. So if you're looking for a room with its own bathroom, a luxury in many 2-star hotels in Paris, and with a price STARTING AT € 90/NIGHT for a single room, you really can't do better than this! In the foyer, they also offer a European-style breakfast for only €10-13 and even ROOM SERVICE, this is definitely a hidden gem.

So yes, polite Parisians who like Americans do exist, especially at the Hotel La Sanguine.