Planning a 40th birthday city break to Paris in November for husband. Am clueless. Au secours!

[SimplyDarling]

Hello there lovelies. DH is a massive introvert and I know his idea of hell would be a party to celebrate his upcoming fortieth birthday (beginning November). I am pretty sure, however, he would be delighted with a weekend break to Paris.

So how do I inject the wow factor, please? Any knowledgable types out there who can give me personal recommendations for parisian hotels / restaurants befitting a 40th? I have a vague idea I'd book the Jules Verne atop the Eiffel Tower but I'm aware of how hideously cliched that is so would be very very grateful for any and all suggestions. Whilst money is sadly a very large consideration, I would be prepared to splash out a little for the right thing, y'know?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or tips. :)

I had great success with airbnb for my DH's surprise 30th birthday this year! I chose a cheap and cheerful studio for €68 a night, but for just a little more you could get somewhere really nice and really central.

First, you might want to look at Paris B&Bs instead of hotels. For a much cheaper price you can get breathtakingly beautiful stays in Parisian homes - real baroque gems with private bathrooms and balconies and courtyards in the heart of Paris. Look up Paris B&Bs on Trip Advisor. Ask for ones located within 1 km of the Louvre for example, and you'll be dead centre for a fraction of the hotel prices.

Upgrading to 1st class on Eurostar is worth it. you get free champagne and St Pancras is such a romantic station to leave from. Get there early to be in time for coffee and cake at Peyton & Byrne or champagne and oysters at the oyster bar.

Can't advise on restaurants except that JV is a bit of a tourist trap. All the best restaurants I've ever been to in Paris have been the result of wandering down side streets (and whenever I try to find them again, they seem to have vanished!) Sometimes the most fun is to just find a classic Paris brasserie and have a croquet monsieur and a beer at lunch time or a coq au vin and glass of red at night. We've found several great places just off the beaten track on top of Montmartre. Ignore the shiny touristy ones on the square (except the creperie - that's good and cheap) and head down any of the slopes.

If he likes art - tip for Musee d'Orsay - go straight to the floor where the impressionists and post impressionists are (used to be 4th floor, but check) as there are rooms of the world's most famous painting there. Don't wade through all the boring brown classical re-enactments on floors 0-3 as you'll be exhausted before you hit the good stuff.

Have a lovely time. Paris in November is brilliant as it is such a beautiful city at night and gets dark early then. Also, the cold weather gives you lots of excuses to nip into bars for a little brandy or hot chocolate.

Ahh, replies--thank you! Great ideas here, and exactly what I was hoping for. Especially like the idea of upgrading on Eurostar! Although I may well take up the B&B idea for myself when I go with some girlfriends to Paris next year, I really think knowing him he'd like a good hotel. Any more brilliant suggestions?

Thanks again.

I was recommended this hotel on Mumsnet many moons ago-www.hotel-collegedefrance.com/en/#!/en/
It was fab