julies

We might just jump on some last minute tickets to Paris next month. I just started thinking aobut this trip in the past hour after I discovered the plane tickets, so I haven't had time to do much research. I've got a handle on an apartment between Picpus and Bel Air metro stops. I've done enough looking on this forum to know that the location is probably okay, but am wondering about the price. It is 2 rooms with a small balcony in a residential neighborhood. There are only 2 of us, and we don't have excessive demands as far as a place being fancy. If we decide to take this trip should I just take this place (someone from my hometown in the US owns it) or should I really put some research into it. We've only been to Paris once for a long week-end, but are interested in more than just the typical touristy things and would like to do more than just sightsee all day every day. Advice? Thanks.

julies

Forgot to mention, if it makes a difference, the apartment is on the Blvd. de Picpus.

Gretchen

How long are you going for? You could enter the address in pagesjaunes.com and walk up and down the street. I will say up front that we have never rented an apartment but I would not do it for a week stay. Also does this $ cover cleaning, etc.?

StCirq

That sounds like a good deal to me. I haven't spent a lot of time in that neighborhood, but what I've seen of the Picpus area was perfectly nice - a sort of typical residential Parisian neighborhood with plenty of cafés and restaurants and shops and whatnot, and certainly safe.
There's also the Picpus cemetary, where Lafayette is buried. There's a nice Franco-American ceremony held there every July 4, with a band and speeches by the American Ambassador to France and some French dignitaries and descendants of Lafayette as well. When I was there, they ended by pouring a vial of American soil on Lafayette's grave.
I'd check out the exact location on PagesJaunes, though. That's always a good idea.

nytraveler

I would think $600 a week is a good price for 2 rooms for anything better than a tent in the Park. As long as the neighborhood isn;t positively dangerous go for it.

tweetexT

This seems like a good deal. Most apartments are expensive. However, if you want to look around, you can try searching for apartments in areas closer to Notre Dam. I used Rentparis.com last year and was very happy with them. Their rates have gone up a bit since last year but you still get a good deal with a week long stay. Their website also has pictures of the apartments. Getting an apt is so much nicer than staying in a hotel, a very relaxing experience when you can go buy a loaf of bread and some cheese and enjoy it in your apartment.

tweetexT

check out a recent post by lucygirl. She also used rentparis.com. She had apt#11 in Marais. I had stayed in #12. Washing/drying combo machines do take forever to dry clothes. Make sure when you use them, not to overload like we do here. Also, there are laundromats in the Marais area that you can get to very easily. I'd definitely recommend staying in the Marais if you want to walk everyplace and enjoy the markets.

julies

Thanks now all we need to do is to make a decision about whether we are rally going to do this. The ideas about the yellow pages and paris rents web sites are also appreciated. Normally I do extensive research before trips, but this time I am so bogged down with work that I might just take the easy way out. WE have discovered the joys of renting places where we can have a kitchen and spread out for a week long stay when we've visited other places in Europe and enjoy that concept so much more than a hotel room that we thought we'd try the same thing in Paris.

julies

Oops I forgot to mention the cleaning. We'd be doing our own and I don't think there is an extra cleaning charge which I think can really add onto the cost of a rental.

MorganB

I live in the area and it is just fine. Blvd Picpus is not ultra attractive because there are many 1960/1970s bldgs on it. It is a wide blvd with an elevated metro line in the middle for about half of it. However, at the Picpus metro stop on blvd Picpus is the Square Coureline which is very charming. Rue de Rendez-Vous is nearby and is an excellent shopping street with lots of food shops. You are also close to Place de la Nation for a large selection of metro lines and larger stores like Printemps.

In the opposite direction is Avenue Daumesnil and Place Felix Eboue which is a nice place to have coffee while looking at the lovely huge fountain in the middle of the square. On rue de Reuilly before you get to place Felix Eboue you will find the Raimo ice cream parlor. Little known, the ice cream and sorbets are made on the spot and rival that of Bertillion. It is open till midnight during the summer. That means dont get there later than 11:30 or so if you want service.

You are also right next to the Promende Plante which is an old rail line that has been planted and adapted into a garden footpath. You can go all the way to Bastille on it and near Gare de Lyon it is elevated and offers some nice views as well as an enjoyable garden environment.

adoptionisfab

I dont know the area but the price is GREAT if it is for 6 nights. It would be hard to find a decnt room for 83 Euros a night! When you have an apt you can also save a little money with breakfast etc.

Beatchick

I agree, it is a great price, especially for 2 people compared to hotel costs. Julies, I hope you guys have a great time in Paris this trip!!

MorganB, wow, you've really opened up the 12th for me! I've been wanting to check out the Promenade Plantee for the past 2 trips - now I must really walk it next trip on my own. Thanks for the tips!!

Keren

Beatchick,
Do explore the promenade plantee, it's great. I think Ave. Daumesnil is lovely, and the area around Nation is so nice too. The only reason I won't be staying there on my next trip in September, is because I wanted to stay in the left bank this time. But next time I surely will. I love the non-touristy atmosphere of that area.

julies

I knew I'd get some great help. Thanks so much.

Beatchick

Keren,

My next solo trip I definitely will go. I just found a website yesterday that had pictures all along the way. Much prettier than I'd imagined. I think I'll enjoy myself tremendously!!

I'm happy you had a good experience of it as well.