Any tips for the 7th and surrounding area?

Hi S,

You have looked up Paris under "Destinations"?

What interests you?

Yes. My husband and I met in High School french class, so going to Paris is a dream come true. We know we will go to the D'Orsay and the Louvre. Tour the Jardins Luxenbourg and Tuilarre. I want to do a day trip to Versaille. We used a gret walking tour gour in London and they have a Paris group as well, so we will do a couple of those. But I'm looking for some non-touristy things to do as well.

Walk over to the market on Ave. Saxe on Thursday or Saturday morning to watch your affluent neighbors do their shopping.

That market was great fun; my family went in November.

My son's favorite vendor was the mini-cake guy: gorgeous little cakes in a huge variety of flavors. I'd post a photo if I knew how!

Rue St. Dominique is a pleasant destination for small window shopping, nice eats, and delicious coffee to make in the apartment from Cafe Richard. Christian Constant's food can leave an impression on you years later; I still think about one fish dish we had at Violin d'Ingres a few years later. For non-touristy things to do, some of my favorite things are to shop at the open air markets, cook food with my favorite cook books, maybe pack a picnic lunch to eat at the park with locals who are out picnicing and playing on the fields, take nice long strolls and just sit on the benches and watch people go by.

Well, for totally nontouristy, there is the tiny park and play area behind Ste. Clothilde and Ste. Clothilde itself:

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/paris-ste-clotilde.htm

The Rodin Museum and Gardens (touristy? still fabulous)

And Napolean's Tomb and other tombs and Le Invalides.

Ste. Clothilde is my favorite spot in the 7th.

I don't know if the other two places are too tourist oriented to you, but the latter is an important national monument, and the former is gorgeous.

gosh I can't believe the coincidence - my husband and I just celebrated 30th anniversary - and planning to stay at an apt. in the 7th in September. Funny. Have you decided on something? We've got Champagne from Parisperfect booked.
Happy Anni!

laurela,

You will be very pleased with Champagne..often said to be the best 1 bedroom in Paris!!

I will be arriving in Paris on April 15 for a month...in a parisperfect, of course..

Enjoy your planning....

Joan

I would buy cheese at the gloriously smelly cheese shop on the Rue Cler to take home to your apartment.

Then I woulf find a wineshop for a bottle of nice wine or bubbly.

Next I would visit a pharmacie and treat myself to some bubble bath (buy two- one to use in Paris and one to take home- the scent will always remind you of your trip!)

There is nothing more romantic or decadent than a bubble bath with wine and cheese in Paris before going out for the evening...or even staying in!

Of course, this assumes that your apartment has a bathtub. If not, what about doing all of the above, without the bubble bath, and picnicking outdoors with a view of the Eiffel Tower?

The Champagne apartment comes with the best of views of the Eiffel Tower along with its wrap around balcony. You will be staying in for your picnicing!

When Stu Dudley sees your post here, he will tell you how they didn't like to leave the apt.

Joan

The 7th arrondissement is just a tiny musty scrap of Paris. I hope you have plans for venturing farther afield.

Be sure to ride the Batobus, through Paris, on the Seine. It is very inexpensive to buy a hop-on-hop-off pass. (I think it was 13 EUR for a two-day pass three years ago.)

It will take you within walking distance of the top tourist sites in Paris, and is especially lovely after dark. It stops running in the evening, around 9 or 10, depending on the season.

http://www.batobus.com/english/index.htm#

We stayed in Champagne for 3 weeks this past Sept/Oct. We've visited Paris may times before - perhaps 3 months worth of visits over 30 years. We had plans to take day-trips to Chartres, Rouen, Chantilly, Reims, and a few other chateaux.

When we arrived at Champagne and took a gander at the view, we ditched all our day trip plans, re-arranged the furniture to take advantage of the views, and spent a LOT more time in the apt than we had planned. We also dined out less than normal. In addition to the fantastic views of the Eiffel tower and the Hauseman buildings just in front of the tower, we had a great view of cafe life at the cafe on the corner. We even had lunch there a few times. While we were in Champagne, they re-paved & widened the sidewalk in front of the cafe, and the cafe owner extended the tables out in front. About 1 day later, the cafe cops arrived, measured out how far the tables stuck out onto the sidewalk, and made the cafe remove the tables & chairs.

The views and activity out our 7 floor-to-ceiling windows kept us ammused constantly (including the hooker that showed up at 4am when I was up & wandering around the apt on my first jet-lagged night).

Don't get Chinese carry-out from the place down below the apt - it's very bland.

We have Champagne rented for just before Christmas this year.

Stu Dudley

Stu,

You hadn't told me the story about the 4 am hooker!

When I stayed in the Meursault last fall there were several apartments across la Motte Picquet that I became very familiar with their family life, dining hours etc.In Dec. from the Cote du Rhone there is an apt. even closer, across on Monttessuy, that you become very familiar with their lifestyle, also...from the St. Amour(almost next door to where the Champagne is) but facing Bourdonnais and all the activity that that busy intersection..no balcony, but huge windows that open to catch all the activities...and the ET....

Joan

Thank you so much for all of the suggestions. Yes, we plan to walk all over the city. We are staying in the following apartment http://www.parisaddress.com/paris-apartment-rental/qs.php?ref=BRANLY
Happy Anni to you as well laurala
I'm just getting so excited. What about restaurants in the area, especially for Sunday night as that is our 1st night in town and I understand a lot of places are closed. How far could we walk for dinner? I assume that the 6th and 8th are very doable. What about other districts?

Thank you again.

Going to Montparnasse would extend your dining options on a Sunday.

If you are looking for a nice place nearby:
http://www.cafe-de-l-alma.com/en/the-place-1.html

Stretch your legs a bit and see the area:
http://tinyurl.com/dmvyof

For Sunday dining make a reservation at Fables de la Fontaine; this fabulous seafood place is resonably priced as well. You can reserve on-line at the Constant site.

Fables is always great...The constants feed me whenever in Paris.

Only reason I did not mention it, is I thought you might be saving it for a later visit!

Enjoy..

Joan

Gracejoan, as you know, the ParisPerfect folk provide an extensive listing of their favorite restaurants and shops in the immediate area. While I am sure that they consider it proprietary, maybe you could share some of your favorites with the original poster. For example, I keep forgetting the name of that high-end food shop on Augereau, just down from Cafe Constant.

Hello Scrap - This isn't an 'untouristy' thing but I don't think the majority do this walk - Go to Bastille and walk along the top of the Viaduc des Arts called the Promenade Plantee. It's a charming rooftop walkway along the old disused (no longer there) railway tracks which takes the walker through archways of roses, beds of flowers and shrubs and a pond or two. It's dead straight and you will encounter quite a few joggers striding out vigorously.
To get to it you must exit the Bastille metro and walk down rue de Lyon a short way (past the Opera House). As you encounter rue Daumesnil look on your left for stairs going up to the promenade.
If you stick on it all the way to the end you can see the old Gare beautifully preserved. From here you can go down the steps onto rue Daumesnil and walk up to metro stop Daumesnil where you will find two or three cafe`s overlooking a fountain surrounded by lions.
If you like, start here instead and end up at Bastille and Port de Arsenal with all it's boats moored cheek to jowl - cafe`s and restaurants aplenty around this area.

After a good lunch you could take the romantic little boat trip which leaves from here and goes up Canal Saint Martin passing under the old rustic cast iron bridges and negotiating at least 6 locks. Just check cruising times in your Paris Guide Book. Theres always a metro to bring you back home wherever you land up.

oakglen,

You are probably thinking of Dubernet on Augereau..always a favorite for foie gras!
Others regularly mentioned..the 4 Constants, of course, Au Bon Accueil, Les Clos des Gourmets, 153 Grenelle, Le Florimond, Petrossian, Chez les Anges, La Cuisine are just a few, added to the above. I will add Cafe Max as a personal choice for the wonderful salads that Valdo does, just for me!! I'm sure for you, too. Just tell him Joan from NC sent you!! My good friend Florent and his great little place "Flirt The"(like Flirt Tea)for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea...small, simple and inexpensive, with some surprising good food and desserts. Be sure and mention me there! We are good friends and will be seeing one another at a Cafe Constant GTG on 4/24!!
I have some great dining plans for my next visit..looking forward to it and getting together with old friends, new friends and my few days in "my" Alpilles in Les Baux!

a bientot..
Joan

Joan,
Thanks for Dubernet, their wares make great gifts for friends. We also love Les Clos des Gourmets and Le Florimond and I commend Leo le Lion to you. Cafe Constant tends to be a favorite hangout when we want something light or at an irregular hour. Have you tried D'Chez Eux lately; we haven't been there recently but have fond memories of the various duck dishes. Also, I wonder if the ownership change at Thomieux has improved the cuisine? I guess we are overdue for another visit!

>>I wonder if the ownership change at Thomieux has improved the cuisine?<<

According to Alexander Lobrano writing in "France Today" magazine, the menu has shrunk and so have the portions. The quality remains poor. He gives it a thumbs down.

Our dinners at Clos des Gourmets and Leo the Lion were not nearly as good as the Constant resturants or Bon Accueil.

Stu Dudley

oakglen,
d'Chez Eux was sold recently, for whatever that means. I have not been there in some time. Thoumieux was not to my liking in the past, perhaps it has now changed. I think you might have mention Leo the Lion to me before..I hear some rave and some lousy reviews of it. As we all know, what might please me will not please another!! You can have that even for Taillevent, which is somewhat of a favorite.

The places I mentioned are but a few in the area..many more, some of which are very popular, but may not be one that I care for, for whatever reason. There are plenty of them.

Joan

Looks like Stu got in there ahead of me while I was still writing. He maybe had the answer re Thoumieux..I thought I had read soething to that effect. Probably on e-gullet. I do follow it quite regularly....

Joan

Joan & Stu,
What's your best recommendation for lunch on arrival day for a PP apt? You know we'll be fresh off the plane and not yet able (usually) to really move in to the apt. until later in the day. We didn't like Champs de Mars last time around. Cafe de l'Alma, Flirt The, Les Cocottes are the places that come to mind. We'll be arriving on a Thursday and hope to hit the Saxe-Breteuil market on the way back to the flat. Is there anything in that direction that you can recommend? Merci, EJ

We are not lunch people, but if the weather is nice and you don't want to be inside, I would dine at the Cafe Champs du Mars and watch the activity in the neihborhood. This was the cafe we kept an eye on about 18 hours a day. Great Salads. We had lunch there twice. I believe that the PP restaurant & cafe write-up prefers this over the other cafe just across the street & directly under Champagne.

I was dissapointed with the Saxe-Breteuil market. We went there looking for Ceps (mushrooms), but there were none at all. This market was not nearly as lively nor did it have as many different food vendors as the Convention market on Sunday. We've visited well over 50 different farmer's markets throughout France, and Saxe-Breteuil did not impress us. I think there are 2 weekly markets there, and maybe we visited the smaller one. We found plenty of cepes at the produce store just a block away, and also on Rue Cler. There were nice cepes at the Convention market.

Stu Dudley

Elsiejune,

You may be able to get into the apt. in the morning upon arrival. I have always been lucky that way. I usually take a flight that arrives at 8:35 (will be so in April). That would make my arrival at the apt. to be around 10. In case it is not ready, I will just have my driver take me to Cafe Constant where I will have petite dejeuner..the PP office is practically next door.

If I can go directly to the apartment, I will most likely go to Les Cocottes for lunch. I do like it for lunch! Flirt The is a very simple place..depends what you might feel like. Do you have dinner plans for that evening..might depend on that, too.
My arrival night, I am walking across the Seine to what may be a charming little Italian restaurant that I have found on Tremoille, between George V and Montaigne. Arrival night, I eat early, (PP has already made reservations for me, 7:15!) have some wine and to bed early..in the morning, I am on Paris time and ready to go! Remember, flying from Asheville with the shuttle to ATL it makes for a long day before getting on plane and then the miserable trip over!I am ready for early to bed!

Joan

hi there!
will be getting in to Paris late afternoon on Saturday...
I guess all the markets will be closed already, no chance to visit any except on Sunday morning. Which one would be the best? Rue Cler is very near from the PP apartment I am in, but I guess Saxe will not be open. I am so looking forward to lunching/dining at some of the restaurants mentioned here (I don't know French at all, so hopefully I do not order something I can't eat like brains or liver or tongue)

The next day which is a Sunday, is the supposedly first Sunday of the month and I think some of the musuems have free admission. Which means long queues??

3sica,

Sunday market..probably Convention as Stu has mentioned above. As you said, rue Cler is nearby, too.

I have not been to the museums on 1st Sun. of the month. I have often read that they can be quite crowded...you can give it a try..if lines are too long you will find something else to do.

You won't have any trouble with your dining...

Joan

Yes Stu did mention it, but where would that be?

This will help you with all the markets.

http://www.v1.paris.fr/EN/Living/markets/markets.ASP

3sica

You might like this one, too:

http://www.intransit-international.com/life_paris_markets.html

thank u joan, chking them out now....

3sica

The 2nd one has all kinds of markets listed..click on different types.

You may find plenty to keep you busy. They all give the locations. You can find the metro and/or bus to take.

Joan

If you feel like a great meal on the spur of the moment... (and have a piggy bank to break) wander over to the Rue du Bac. Joel Robuchon's rest. is in the Hotel Pont Royal. It's on the border of the 7th and the 6th. We've been there twice and had a grand time both times. I think they take reservations for the 6:30 seating, but otherwise it's first come first served. Last time we were there (we stayed at the Pont Royal) I noticed people waiting to be seated were having drinks in the hotel lobby. However, this is just our preference....we're always disappointed when we make grand plans months and months ahead (to eat I mean -

l'Atelier Joel Robuchon in the Hotel Pon Royal is a 1 starred restaurant and La Table de Joe Robuchon in the 16th is a 2 star..if these have not been changed with the latest Michelin updates.

The Table is said to have the best bargain of the starred places for lunch. I do have lunch reservations made there for April. Looking forward to it. I try to follow e-gullet and pick up these things.

Enjoy..

Joan

Thanks , I forgot to mention it was l'Atelier.

More food ideas. As pisceantraveler, Christian Constant is a favorite chef in that area. He also has a "baby bistro" open for a few years now called Cafe Constant: http://www.cafeconstant.com/1.aspx

Very reasonable prices 33 Euros for entree plat and dessert (no wine)and one nice thing is they offer wine by the glass which sometimes can be hard to get.

Café Constant
139, rue Saint-Dominique
75007 Paris
FRANCE
Tél.: 01 47 53 73 34

They don't take reservations for less than a large group, so it is good to get there a bit early. They even serve breakfast-a very neighborhood kind of a place.

Also, one of the favorites of foodies in the area is AU BON ACCUEIL. Here is their info along with Patricia Well's comments

AU BON ACCUEIL
14, Rue de Monttessuy
Paris 7.
Telephone: 01 47 05 46 11.
Fax: 01 45 56 15 80.
Métro: Alma-Marceau.
Closed Saturday, Sunday, and July. 25 € lunch menu ; 29 € dinner menu. A la carte, 40 €.
You might call Jacques Lacipière a revolutionary. When he opened his traditional little bistro in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower it became an instant hit. In the spring of 2003 he transformed the tiny dining room into what might well be the first Elegant Bistro. The walls are wood, the recessed lights are halogen, the chairs are cozy, the napkins a pale grey linen, the napery a crisp white. The menu is still ingredient based --- fresh sole from Saint Gilles Croix de Vie and milk fed lamb from Pauillac – and the dishes are way beyond bistro, but the welcome sounds of good times are still there, and the wait staff still dons their black Bon Accueil work aprons.
The food and the wine list chart new territory. The food is light and complex, full of surprises. I loved the tiny roasted shrimp-like langoustines teamed up with cébettes – tiny spring onions – bits of bacon and a dark, rich jellied consommé. Fresh green asparagus from Pertuis, in northern Provence, sit upon a bed of tiny minced vegetables, showered with shards of Parmesan. A main course poultry – volaille du cros de la Géline – is first poached, then roasted, making for a bird that is both moistly tender and crisp at the same time. Set on a bed of creamy morels bathed in sweet vin jaune from the Jura made a traditional combination taste brand new indeed.
Desserts get points for beauty as well as flavor. The thin apple tart appears as a golden rose, almost too beautiful to eat, but we did. Served with a salted caramel ice cream, it made for a perfect ending. Equally fine is the tiny raspberry tartelette, with the plumpest and ripest raspberries set on a crunchy cookie-like pastry.
On the wine list I was delighted to discover Domaine Joblot’s rich, juicy, smoky white Givry Clos de la Servoisine 1999, decently priced at 46 € a bottle. Equally exciting, and beautifully priced at 23 € a bottle was the 2001 white Chateau l’Ermitage Costières de Nimes, cuvée Sainte-Cécile, a wine rich with the Northern Rhône flavours of Roussanne and Marsanne and loaded with pleasantly oily, mineral richness.

Finally on only a semi-food note I think the Pagode is open again. It is a very unique movie theater and also has a nice tea salon in it. I can't vouch for its status because I have visited it since the renovation but some folks here may know.

marking

Thanks for all the good advice. Sorry it took me so long to respond, but I was hit by a nasty virus Tuesday night, and am first lifting my head off the pillow and getting back to the computer today. EJ

Dear gracejoan and stu dudley!
I haven't logged on since March and your comments about the Champagne apartment were greeted with much ballyhoo and jumping up and down with joy with the French Open on tv in the background. Joan, I'm your biggest fan and just re-read your Sept/Oct 08 trip reports which are fabulous. Can't believe how easy it is for you to make friends - you just seem to charm everyone.
We started planning our trip to Paris (starts this Sept. 19) nearly 2 years ago...now it's so close. I'm practically screaming inside and can't wait to get there.
Thanks again, J and Stu for adding to the excitment of arrival at Champagne.

laurela,

I just returned from a month in Paris..you probably saw the running thread on that, too..April 15 to May 13..had a great time..many pictures etc.

Yes, you will enjoy the Champagne..everyone does
You have all the Christian Constant restaurants just down the street from you.

I am working on many plans for when I return on Nov 3 for 6 weeks!!

Enjoy your planning..that is half the fun..

Joan

Bookmarking

Like the OP, this will also be our first trip to Paris. Am also needing tips for the 7th and surrounding area - this thread is perfect for us!

Just booked Paris Perfect's Pouilly apartment for our June trip a few hours ago (yes, it's very last-minute: the Pouilly is the only apartment available in the studio, 1 or 2 bdrm categories), and am now eagerly doing my Fodors research.

After reading all your comments about the Champagne apartment, I would love to stay there next time.

What would be the best way to go to Versailles and Giverny from the 7th (separate days)? We're only staying for 8 days and probably will not have time for more excursions outside Paris. Is it realistic to plan on seeing all of the following or should we cut back and save some for next time?

1. Louvre
2. Ile de la Cite/Notre Dame
3. Orsay
4. Eiffel
5. Champs-Elysees/Arc de Triomphe
6. Montmartre/Sacre-Coeur
7. Giverny
8. Versailles
9. Delacroix Museum? Pompidou?
10. Opera Garnier

Has anyone tried the Paris Segway tour? If that's not too crazy an idea, that would sure be a hit for my two teens.

I would love to have a bit of downtime, just walking around the different neighborhoods and was wondering if I should cut back on our to-do list. Would also love to be able to cook 1 or 2 dinners in the apartment too. That means finding time to discover the amazing food markets mentioned above to shop for the ingredients.

And it sure would be nice to have a little time to do some serious shopping. Hmmm, maybe we should cross off the Delacroix and Pompidou museums and the Opera Garnier from the list? I sure could use some advice from our expert Fodorites.

OP: am so sorry for the hijack. Thank you so much!

gelatolover--was not sure why this old thread had been revived, but now I see it does contain some good notes for your stay in the 7eme. I hope you'll get more helpful replies.

Just wanted to assure you that you will really appreciate the location of Pouilly. We just returned from a week in that apt. (after a week in the Marais), and found it to be an ideal spot.

I hope you do prioritize some downtime. We certainly operated that way---relaxing in the mornings, going out when we felt like it, then just seeing where the day took us. Other than a concert on our 3rd day, our entire 2 weeks were unplanned, unstructured and unhurried. Didn't make one single reservation for dining, and had some terrific meals. Ate in 2 of the Constant places by just walking in. (which is the only option at Cafe Constant anyway).

Enjoy the planning---and your trip, too, of course !

This past December we returnted to Champagne for another visit - this time for 11 nights. We had the same itinerary that lifes2short had - none. Just enjoyed the Christmas decorations, the snow, people watching, lights on the Eiffel Tower, cooking at the Apt, dining in the "hood".

Stu Dudley

And I was in the Champagne just ahead of the Dudleys. I then moved to the Chateau La Tour where the Dudleys and a few others got together for pre dinner Kirs (prepaared by Stu) and then went to dinner together...

Joan

I enjoyed the Bistrot du 7ieme, reasonable price, good food.

lifes2short: It's reassuring to hear that the Pouilly's location is ideal. The apartment's actual address is not given on the website, the only info being given is that it's "centrally located in the heart of the 7th".

stu: I would love to have plenty of downtime too, but with this being our first trip to Paris, we'd just like to do as much as we can, in the short length of time that we're there. The apartment isn't available for longer than 7 nights, unfortunately, but now we're looking at moving into another place for a few more nights. We're going to finalize our schedule in the next week or so.

It sounds like we have several parisperfect.com regulars in this board: maybe we can all plan a pp get-together one day? You can show us all your favorite haunts in your favorite hood. Meanwhile, please keep those recommendations coming, thank you so much!

gelatolover--
Without revealing the precise address, I will tell you that Pouilly is on a short street that runs directly off rue St Dominique. You probably could have guessed as much ! I'm sure your PP contact will provide the address if you ask: there's lots of google-mapping, street-level-viewing and maybe even RATP route-mapping to be done between now and June. You need a head-start !

Good luck with planning your other accommodations. While I realize this is a thread about the 7eme, and I further realize you didn't ask....I still hope you'll consider trying a completely different area for your remaining nights. There are countless neighborhoods offering the color, vitality and vibe that would enhance your Paris experience and provide a nice contrast to your apartment area.

I never realized that PP doesn't show the address (or approximate location) of their apartments. I find that odd.

If you look on their website regarding a specific apartment, along with the other choices (slideshow, etc.,) there's a button labeled "location." It gives the general location.


We loved the PP apartment we stayed in (Sancere) and would go back in a heartbeat!

Enjoy

luvparee

I did see the location button but it gave the general location, not specific enough to "walk" around the street and see the immediate neighborhood.

The Pouilly apartment is on rue Sedillot. Apartment addresses are not listed for general security reasons.

cw; go to google for street views via camera..can go up and down the streets..fun to do.

PP people seem to get together often...

Joan

Pouilly is at the north end of R Sedillot. R Sedillot is a short street - near the "heart" of the r St Dominique restaurant/foodstuff area - plus a couple of blocks from R Cler. You will get the specific address when you make your final payment.

Here re the buses that service the hood. The N indicates that it runs in the evening past 8PM.

Bus Routes
28N 42N 63N 69 72N 80N 82 87N 92N RER-C Batabus

Bon Marche 87N
Ile St Louis 87N, 63 N
Jacquemart Andre 28, 80N
Louvre 69, 72N
Luxembourg 82
St Germain de Pre 63N, 69, 87N
Pl Madeleine 42N
Opera 42N
Arch de Triomphe 92N
Marais 69, 87N
Montmartre 80, or 80 to 30, 54
Castel Beranger area RER C
Belleville 63 (Odeon or St Michel) 28, 82 (Montparnasse), 69 (St Paul) to 96 OR 69 to 26
Train Bleu 87N, 63N,

Stu Dudley

Good list Stu....all the buses I use regularly...can take the 42 bus the other direction too for Commerce area for shopping..there are buses to every place that you could want to go. Seldom that I use the metro anymore. The Navigo Decouverte is really great..never even have to take it out of purse..get on and off bus whenever/wherever. You get to see so much more, too.

Joan

Bookmarking this great thread.

thanks - bookmarking

Thanks everyone, for your very helpful response! Stu, thanks for the bus info. I am extremely intimidated at the thought of riding the bus in Paris, but I think we will muster the courage to do it.

Still looking for another apartment to extend our stay by a few more days.

May I respectfully ask our Parisian experts what you think of this apartment, location-wise? It seems to be such an incredible deal (compared to PP's Pouilly - is there a catch?)

http://www.rentalfrance.com/index.php?location=huchette

Thanks again, and OP, sorry again for the hijack.

Salut de nouveau, gelatolover. With only 4 Paris trips under my belt, I'm by no means an expert. But I will say that, IMO, the Huchette location would be a wonderful counterpoint to your stay in Pouilly. You will have plenty of quiet on rue Sédillot, so why not spice things up with the animated atmosphere of rue de la Huchette...especially since it's only for a few days ?

Again, since you asked only about the location--not the apt. itself--if I were in your shoes, I'd go for it !

PS gelatolover---you will probably get a better response to this specific apartment question by starting a new thread for that purpose. Bonne chance !!

gelato lover,

You ask if there's a catch because the apartment is cheaper than the PP apartment. I don't think there's a catch. The rentalfrance apartment is much smaller, Pouilly apartment has two baths, and if you look at the bed arrangement in the rentalfrance apartment it looks as though you have to climb a ladder to get to the queen bed.

It's not as nice an apartment so it's cheaper. I'm not saying that it's not a good place to stay (as long as you don't mind that bed arrangement) but the two units aren't really comparable amenity wise and the price reflects that.

I don't know, but maybe this thread was re-activated because someone's trip with the most wonderful perfect apt in Paris fell through because the agency (Parisperfect) cancelled it on the anniversary couple and told them they'd have to stay in a different apt. than the one they booked. That thread has been pulled apparently, as some people who promote Parisperfect agency don't like anything negative said about them.

People shouldn't get so wrapped up in a vacation apt, it can fall through from Parisperfect as well as other agencies. Things happen so apts aren't available, even if it is rare. The odds that you will be switched to some other equally perfect apt exactly like you want that just happens to be unrented for your time period are slim to none.

Christina - your facts are misleading about the Paris Perfect/anniversary couple's situation. Please know the facts - or don't make a statement like you did here.

Respectively
Stu Dudley

Better yet--please don't turn what has been a useful, productive thread into an excuse for more schoolyard squabbling.

This thread was revived by gelatolover on 3/12/10, with notes that clearly explain why it was being revived. The fact that he/she has booked a PP apartment, and also wants a DIFFERENT place for a few additional days, has nothing to do with all the recent drama started up by a different OP.

Gelatolover has asked a simple question about the location of a place being considered on rue de la Huchette. While the issue might have been better posed in a new, separate thread, it is not all that confusing if one goes back to gelato's revival posting on 3/12.

Stu...

Thank you for posting the bus information. I'll be staying in the PP Mersault apartment at the end of May and your bus information will come in very handy for me.

gelatolover has been asking questions on this thread since March 12th, long before the debacle thread of the unavailable apartment for anniversary woman. I see no conspiracy here. I was addressing her question about cost. (And, I have never stayed at a PP apartment nor do I have any future plans to do so.)

>>>Respectively
Stu Dudley<<<

Oops - respectfully

lifes2short, cw, and stu:

Thank you for all your help. After reading cw's post, I went back to the link and noticed the picture showing the ladder leading up to the bedroom. Ooops. I was just amazed at the disparity of the rate between the two apartments (2205 euro to 770 euro), despite noting the obvious difference in the size and the extra bathroom. We just finalized our air arrangements, and we are staying 3 extra nights, and still without an apartment. Of course, we can easily get 2 hotel rooms per night for all 3 nights after a quick look at our Paris guide books. I still am trying to pursue the apartment angle though. Can't imagine spending 7 nights at the Pouilly only to move into 2 cramped bedrooms for the next 3 nights.

I was also not sure which neighborhood to try to look for an apartment - it is a bit overwhelming, specially since I know nothing about Paris. We can either stay at the 7th or move to another area, maybe the 5th or the 6th.

Still waiting for a response from the Huchette agency. The biggest stumbling block is the fact that most apartments have weekly rates while some have a 3 night minimum, with a 100 - 150 euro charge if less than 5 nights. The Huchette's weekly rate looks so good compared to staying in a couple of hotel rooms for 3 nights, that we don't mind paying for the weekly rate even if we only used up 3 nights.

So sorry for this long digression. Thanks everyone, for all the help.

You might want to take a look at Alcove & Agape B&B's for your final 3 days. This one looks intriguing, doesn't it? http://www.bed-and-breakfast-in-paris.com/Dicillin.php?ob=c0299900001lst300000000295

I haven't used their services as yet, but Francoise was helpful and very quick to respond to emails. DH & I will be staying in PP's Cabernet the last week of May. We've stayed in several of their apts. over the years, and I'm sure you'll enjoy Pouilly and the neighborhood. Rue Sedillot is a lovely, quiet street. EJ

elsiejune: Thanks, I just checked out the B & B's link - oh boy, that website makes for some really quaint French-to-English translation.

Finally found our 2nd apartment - http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_189.htm

It's within the 7th district as well. I found out that the PP's Pouilly IS available for a second week, but unfortunately, not for just 3 or 4 more nights. It would have been more convenient if we didn't have to move to the next apartment, but, oh well, it shouldn't be too bad since it's practically in the same area.

I know, I should have started a new thread, (as I hang my head in shame) - please excuse my rookie Fodor skills.

Joan, Stu, and others: we're looking for a couple of excellent "splurge" restaurants in the 7th. I sure would love to hear your recommendations! Thanks again.

gelatolover,

With "splurge" I think you mean the higher end ones. Violon d'Ingres is the premier Constant and is a very good buy. Fables de la Fontaine has excellent seafood. Au Bon Accueil is a very nice restaurant. Le Florimond is always good and a regular for me, too.

I won't overdo and will give Stu room to add, comment.

Enjoy looking..

Joan

Joan's top three are our three favorites also. We've checked out Florimond on several occasions & the menu selection did not seem unique or adventuresome enough for us. We've probably dined at 10 other places in the immediate "hood" - but the two Constant restaurants (Violon & Fables) & Bon Accueil are ones we've dined at multiple times.

Stu Dudley

Perhaps you could define "splurge" restaurants as there are 3 or 4 "over the top" restaurants for very special occasions in the quartier...Arpege, Le Divellec and Jules Verne for instance. I have eaten in all the restaurants mentioned by Stu & Joan a few times through the years and have no reservations in recommending them. One disclaimer is that since J. Lacipière opened Chez Les Anges, it has been our experience that his original, Au Bon Accueil, has suffered slightly, the excellent young Japanese chef left and the results can vary...still good to me, but not as consistent. For consistency you seem to benefit from having the chef/owner on the premises and for that I don't think you can top Christian Constant and Pascal Guillamin(Le Florimond).

laidback,

Glad to have your input. I had not been to Au Bon Accueil in some time until last spring. I surprised with the complete change in appearance. I was there for lunch only. Just did not have a chance to get back there in the fall.

I also went to Chez les Anges for dinner last spring. I like the place. Different, with the huge oval bar where some sat for dining, or so I thought. I was not at the bar.

I also tried La Cuisine on down bd La Tour Maubourg..I think you had mentioned it to me. I only tried it for lunch and meant to get back for dinner...where oh where does the time go!!

a bientot...

Joan

Thank you, saving for summer trip.
P

Yes, Joan - that's what I meant by "splurge" restaurants - we only dine in these places during extra-special occasions. I guess being in Paris is reason enough to call the whole trip "extra-special" and "splurge-worthy".

Thanks to Joan, Stu and laidback for your recommendations.

We'll have to get busy making those dinner reservations very soon. Have you had any experience making online reservations at any of the above places, or will it be better to call them?

Thank you so much - am looking forward to all those wonderful meals.

I would be glad to give you Catherine Constants email adddress for Violon. She Might be able to help you with Fables, too. As You probably know, Christian made arrangements some time ago for the chef to be buying Fables..I guess that has been accomplished now.

I use the 1010 dialing numbers to call other places ahead of time. I usually try to call before noon Paris time..if you are an early morning person, or late in the afternoon Paris time. Not during busy serving hours. Using the 1010 numbers will cost less than a dollar to do it and far more satisfactory than trying online.

a bientot...

Joan

Thanks all - especially nice to hear from you, Joan! I have not been on the website for some time (trop d'etudes de francais) so it was good to hear (read, I mean) your voice again.

I'm headed back this year in August - only time the hubby could get away from work - to celebrate my 50th birthday. My 6th time in the 7th! After reading your posts I realized that there is still so much that I have not seen (well, I mean, so many restaurants that I have not eaten at). We will be exposing our two teenagers to real French cuisine for the first time with a dinner at Le Florimond. I'll be checking for all of your future suggestions, and looking for this spring's trip report from Joan.

Merci a tous... (pas d'accents, pardonnez-moi).

dlejhunt,

Good to hear from you, too! I canceled my trip for the month of May due to some family health problems. So, I will be reading what others are doing! I am set for the month of November along with mid April - mid May for 2011.

You will have fun exposing the teenagers to dinner at Le Florimond. Laurent comes up with some pretty fancy (and large) desserts that I'm sure they enjoy! Your teenagers will probably like the Constant's Les Cocottes and Cafe Constant too, along with all the patisseries in the area!!

The 7th is full of so many restaurants that it can be easy to ask yourself about straying further afield. I always do have favorites in other places, plus try new ones, too.

Au Gourmand is generally on my list and never disappointed. Daniel will have the 'new' Spring opened, too. I also spotted another restaurant in 'his' neighborhood to think about..old standbys for Sunday lunch (not brunch) at l'Obe and lunch or something at Bar Vendome and probably Le Meurice..it just goes on and on.

Enjoy your planning and good to hear from you.

a bientot...

Joan

Joan...

I'm disappointed to hear you had to cancel your May trip. I was looking forward to seeing you in Paris...I guess now I'll just have to make a trip to the Frankie Bones in Asheville!

PS...sorry to hi-jack the thread.