Apartment Reviews: RentalFrance.com
Pascal’s Apartments:
The price of a decent hotel room in Paris starts at about 90 euros, or $110 per night, if you’re lucky. If you are a snob comme moi, you’ll pay at least 250 euros or $300 per night, and if you’re feeling super picky, a night at the Le Meurice will set you back about $700. Now, consider that these rates are only for 1-2 people, and consider that you are traveling with a family of four or a group of friends. Now, consider that you might want to rent an apartment instead.
The advantages of renting an apartment? More space for less money. A studio that can sleep four will cost you only about 100 euros per night. For four people. Apartments come equipped with kitchens so one generally saves money on food, and there is also the advantage of complete privacy and the experience of living in Paris for some time, rather than just visiting Paris.
As a complete snob who just purchased a new Gucci messenger bag from Le Bon Marché, I say if I can survive a rented apartment, so can you. I not only survived but also learned how to cook while listening to Edith Piaf and enjoying my view of the busy street life of St-Michel.
Now, let’s get down to specifics…
Touristy v. not Touristy: The most important thing to remember is that certain things are touristy for a reason. For example, something might be touristy because it’s beautiful or a king died there. In choosing a location, it is best to stay in an area rich in tourist sights but out of the way of the tourists. Some examples:
Rue des Chartreux
Some people enjoy the idea of staying in an apartment in Paris in theory, but prefer the cleanliness and matching décor of a hotel. This two-bedroom apartment on the quiet Rue des Chartreux offers the living-in-Paris experience with a hotel-like décor.
Here, newly renovated, air conditioned, and with a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall in the living room meets Napoleonesque furniture and French doors. This living room has an orchid settee by the sheer white window curtains, hardwood floors, and antique writing table, a lighted shelf filled with decorative objects, and a CD player, all of which are in perfect condition and serve a purpose while also giving the room an upper-class attitude.
The couch is not only good looking with its frilly pillows and tassels decorating the natural brown of the cushion covering, but also incredibly comfortable and ideal for curling up under the chenille throw with Diane Johnson’s new book.
The kitchen is brand new, with a round sink potted in the Spanish-like counter tiles, a microwave oven, and a small bar with stools where you can sit and sip a glass of wine while your company cooks you dinner.
The bathroom is tiny, yet as delicate in décor as the powder room at the Meurice bar. An unscratched wooden counter top matches the frame on a large mirror above the sink and pink walls bring out the flowers in the rich fabric of the shower curtain.
The first bedroom is all in blue and white—the wallpaper matches the bedspreads and head boards of the twin beds (which can be made into one full size bed) and the sheer white window dressings cover the length of the floor-to-ceiling windows that look onto a courtyard. A dainty round wooden night table rests between the two beds, holding an appropriate lamp. An antique chest with a few small drawers holds up a gold tureen that serves the sole purpose of being pretty, and a mirror reflects the blue of the room above it.
The second bedroom is the master and has a fireplace with a marble mantel and a queen-sized bed with a Tempurpedic mattress. Plenty of closet space and a huge chest with candelabra on top offer enough of room to hide suitcases and coats. The feminine comforter is piled with decorative pillows in all shapes and sizes—tassels and satin trim and fabrics in rich beiges and pinks. In this room you’ll feel like a princess. The sheer white window dressings highlight ceiling to floor windows with courtyard views.
The apartment is located a few meters from the Luxembourg gardens and is within walking distance of Montparnasse, St-Germain and RER stations, open-air markets, and a delicious bakery one door down. Amenities include a washer and dryer, free local telephone calls, TV with cable and DVD player, DSL line, full kitchen with microwave oven, and air-conditioning.
* 170 euros per night.
Rue St. Paul
If you like falafel, photography exhibits, and sipping cafés in what is considered the most beautiful Place in the world, Place des Vosges, then you’ll love this apartment on rue St-Paul. Its location in the heart of the Marais, also known as the Jewish quarter, will let you indulge yourself in Jewish delicacies and other ethnic foods. Within walking distance from the Hôtel de Ville, the Louvre, Châtelet, Bastille, Notre-Dame, Ile Saint-Louis, and of course the Place des Vosges, this 700-sq.-ft, two-bedroom apartment is ideal for a large family or group of friends.
Newly renovated in 2001, the apartment features a tomette tile floor and exposed beams. It sleeps six comfortably—two in each bedroom and two on the pullout sofa. The décor is modern and simple and reflects the Danish and Swedish designers—very square and neat.
The main bedroom is comprised of all-white simple furniture—a low bed frame, white night stand and white chest of drawers. There is a lamp on each side of the bed, which is perfect for those Brady Bunch couples who require their own bedside reading tables. The linens are blue, grey and white striped’; a painting hanging above the bed reflects these same colors.
The main bathroom located between the two bedrooms, features a heated towel rack, bathtub, shower, and sink with large countertop. The toilet is located in a separate half bath by the main-door entrance to the apartment.
The second bedroom houses twin beds with the same blue, grey and white striped lines and simple white furniture, in this case a chest of drawers and a tall lamp. A window looks out onto a quiet street.
The kitchen is medium sized, and its black cabinets and drawers add a certain sophistication. A washer, dryer and dishwasher live in here, and a pot and pan rack hanging overhead adds charm.
The living room is incredibly spacious—a comfortable sitting area with a sofa and two leather chairs clustered around a wooden coffee table facing a TV, along with a large chest (great for storing clothes) with a mirror hung above. A family-style rectangular dining table with chairs is to the right, next to the kitchen. In that area an open window above a bar makes it easy to hand food through to the table, perfect for when you have company over and wish to converse with them while preparing appetizers in the kitchen.
The half bath located by the entrance contributes to the apartment’s facility for entertainment. The large living room seems to invite late-night card games and after-dinner drinks.
Amenities include a washer and dryer, free local telephone calls, TV with cable and VCR player, full kitchen with microwave oven and air- conditioning.
* 170 euros per night.
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How French are you willing to go? One café a day? Two? Are you interested in shopping at fresh markets, and if you drink too much would it be nice just to stumble home rather than shiver in line for a taxi? Some recommendations:
Rue Buci
Perhaps the most visited quartier in Paris is the 6th arrondissement, otherwise known as Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and most particularly Rue de Buci. The flower shop, the pastries arranged artistically in the bakery windows, the famous Bar du Marche (café), the coffee-table bookshop and Paul’s boulangerie make this street quintessentially Paris. The street is always crowed with tourists and Parisians, simply because it is one of the most charming in Paris.
This charming one-bedroom apartment rests on one of the busiest streets in Paris, while maintaining a quiet tranquility. The cobblestone courtyard welcomes breakfast in good weather, and when it rains, just hop next door to Paul and pick up a croissant or sit and order their famous tartine, egg, coffee and orange juice while the waiters in pony tails and overalls across the way at Le Bar du Marché wink your way.
After breakfast walk to the Orsay, the Louvre, the Luxembourg Gardens, the church of St-Sulplice, Montparnasse, the Marais, St-Michel, the Sorbonne, and Rue du Bac for a little shopping at Issey Myake.
The apartment is approximately 420 sq. ft and was renovated in 2004. The living room is a comfortable size, with hardwood floors, and ceiling molding adding a bit of refinement. A small TV and DVD player offer movie nights served with fromage and caviar. A round table seating four makes eating in a pleasure, and the open kitchen allows conversation with guests while heating up the delicacies purchased at Fauchon.
Both sofas in the living room (one yellow conventional and one futon) convert into beds; three people can sleep comfortably. Two more can sleep in the queen-sized bed in the bedroom. There is a chest of drawers in the bedroom as well as an open armoire that allows one to hang coats, suits and all things prone to wrinkles.
The bathroom is small and white, housing a bathtub and shower. The towel rack located on the back of the door conserves space.
The French windows and innovative arts will make you feel like an artist in Paris, only you won’t be starving with the many restaurants, cafes and boulangeries at your doorstep.
Amenities include a washer and dryer, free local telephone calls, TV with cable and DVD player, full kitchen with microwave oven and air- conditioning.
* 120 euros per night.
Rue Xavier Privas
For the party animal. Or anyone who would enjoy the convenience of having about 60 restaurants on their doorstep featuring cuisine from all over the world. Greek, Chinese, Italian: it’s all there. But the fondue, that’s what will get you—fondue and red wine, good thing there’s only two flights of stairs up to the this one bedroom/loft, otherwise you’d have to get a Frenchman to carry you home.
Located in the heart of St-Michel, this newly renovated studio embodies the essence of the Latin Quarter, with red Spanish tiles, exposed beams and bed up a ladder (it’s a loft).
Underneath the loft, the living room invites two more sleepers into the pullout futon. Views of the tangled streets of St-Michel will make you a people-watching addict—you might even find yourself sliding the table and chairs against the window so you don’t miss anything. You can read at least three or four menus of nearby restaurants from the window, and if you have a visitor, no need to have them buzz: they can just wave from the rue below.
The décor is simple—basic light woods for the furniture and deep rust-colored curtains. The lights add a high-tech flair, strung on thin silver wires.
An incredibly spacious kitchen invites home cooking, yet with so many restaurants at your fingertips you might not want to. It depends how busy you are—the Orsay, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, Pont Neuf and the Luxembourg Gardens are all within walking distance.
The bathroom is exceptionally large for a studio. The black and white tiles on the floor offer a bit of charm, and a medicine cabinet hangs above the white pedestal porcelain sink for convenience. Soft towels dry you off after a relaxing bath or quick shower.
This apartment is equipped with a cable television, VCR and DSL line. The location is ideal for a summer rental— it’s located only a block or so from the Seine and equipped with air-conditioning and large windows that open onto lively pedestrian streets.
Amenities include a washer and dryer, free local telephone calls, DSL line, TV with cable and VCR player, full kitchen with microwave oven, and air-conditioning.
* 99 euros per night.
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There is one location that embodies the total Parisian experience—but you must be adventurous. It will be a total waste of location if you refuse to take advantage of one of the best open markets in Paris, right at your feet.
Rue Cler
This one-bedroom on the 6th floor of Rue Cler over looks one of Paris’ finest outdoor markets. A cobblestone street and the scent of fresh oranges, figs and celery is a meeting point of Parisians from the 7th arrondissement. On Rue Cler they gather the necessary ingredients for their home-made pasta sauce and perhaps a few ripe strawberries to mix in with the crème fraîche.
The 7th arrondissement has the comfort of the right bank, fashioned with wide boulevards and grand architecture without losing the coziness of the left—corner cafés, the market, and of course a bakery on every corner. For the tourist, the Eiffel Tower is meters away, and the park beneath it, the Champs des Mars, is perfect for watching tiny dogs and drinking a bottle of wine. The Ecole Militaire stands strong next to the métro, reminding us of a very short man behind bars.
The apartment, located at 30 Rue Cler, was renovated in August, 2002. It is small but charming and appropriate for the street that presents it. A stunning view of the gold tip of the Invalide’s Dome meets air-conditioning and cable TV. Though this petit one-bedroom takes up only 32 sq. meters, it can sleep up to 4 people (2 on the pullout couch and two in the bed).
The entire apartment floor is white tile, which gives off a spotlessly clean vibe, comforting in rental apartments where there is not a daily cleaning service. The tile is contrasted with the warmth of faux-painted walls in shades of apricot and blue.
In the bedroom there is some intricate painting detail along the window and on the far wall. The bedspread and curtains blend with the apricot/blue color theme. A wooden bed table holds a small lamp with a blue shade, perfect for late-night reading. There is a small sink and mirror in the bedroom, perfect for brushing the teeth after staying up past bedtime to finish the last chapter while munching on two (or three) galette biscuits.
The closet in the bedroom is of medium size and will protect several coats and three to four suits. Not to worry, there is also a large chest of drawers in the living room, next to the bathroom door, for other clothes one might wish to fold.
The bedroom door is a classic French windowed door—adding an extra charm and making the space seem larger as the one can see through the glass to the living room.
The living area holds a pullout futon that faces a small television. A coffee table rests an arm’s length away, just waiting for a hot cup of coffee. If you prefer a more romantic breakfast—one not in front of the morning’s news, that is—there is a charming table for two that rests against the wall adjacent to the kitchen.
The kitchen consists of everything that one needs while living over a fresh-food market—a stove, pots, pans, plates, utensils, refrigerator (for delicious leftovers), coffee machine, coffee mugs, glasses, etc, and if need be…a microwave oven. A full-length mirror is located on a wall in the living room so you can check just how much weight you’re gaining from the home cooking.
The bathroom is small and sterile. All white—there is a medicine cabinet in the shower, and yes, though it seems strange, it is actually highly convenient. The medicine cabinet will hold soap, razors, shampoos and conditioners without cluttering the sides of the bathtub. And if you’re embarrassed about your anti-dandruff shampoo, it’s the perfect hiding place.
This one-bedroom is about charm, beautiful views and the ultimate Parisian experience. Thought it is small for a one-bedroom, it is large for a hotel room and has more charm than most with slanted ceilings and an artistic paint job. Rue Cler is the perfect place to get to know Paris a little bit better.
Amenities include a washer and dryer, free local telephone calls, TV with cable and DVD player, stereo with CD player, full kitchen with microwave oven, and air-conditioning.
*110 euros per night.
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