ScottD

My husband and I are planning a first trip to Paris. We are looking at this apartment www.vrbo.com/20279 on Rue St Severin. Can anyone offer any feedback?

It's our first trip to Paris, and there are so many neighborhoods that look interesting. We are a little limited by our somewhat last minute plans for Oct travel. Right by the river and lots of metro stops seems a safe bet. Am I missing anything important? FYI - We like to wander the streets and eat and drink - no nightclubs required!

MelJ

This is a good location--very central and upscale. The site says you are one minute from the St. Michel stop, which is a really cool, busy area, especially at night, so you won't have trouble finding restos and bars, but this is a touristy area so they're pretty expensive.

Personally, I don't like studios because one of the things I enjoy about renting an apartment as opposed to staying in a hotel is the ability to go take a nap in the bedroom while my DH reads, watches tv, etc. in the living area. One good thing this studio offers is an actual bed, as opposed to a sofabed (as many studios do), which can be very uncomfortable.

I also would like a microwave oven--perhaps a bit more of a kitchen.

Two flights of stairs aren't bad, but if you continue to look at apartments beware those that don't mention the floor or whether there is an elevator.

In this price range, you might be able to find something in the 4th arrondisement (Marais)area that would also be central enough for you to walk to the Seine, Notre Dame, etc. and it has a real neighborhood feel. Since you like to wander streets and eat and drink, you'll find no shortage there.

You're sure to get lots of really good info on here, so keep checking back.

Intex

It is not in a bad neighborhood at all, but for my first trip, I would rather be in the 6th, in the heart of St Germaine, just a bit farther over. I am not sure if you are still in the heart of the student district, but wait for someone elses opinion as well. but that is just my opinion. As far as wandering, there are alot of places nearby to wander, I am just not familiar with exactlyt where on the street it is.

Guenmai

It's not bad. I know the area. I would also pick the 6th for a first trip... the central part of the 6th.
I've been in the 6th since the early 80s. I can walk to a lot of places. If you have other ideas, run them by us. Happy Travels!

Guenmai

I think apartment #209 from vacationinparis.com would be a great location. I actually had apartment #122 from them in the spring. That apartment was on the east end of the 6th, one block from the 5th and not far from rue Severin. I would have preferred to have been more central in the 6th, then I could walk more easily to the 7th. But, there's always the metro and the bus. I just like to walk. And when one is carrying lots of bags, distance is everything. Happy Travels!

hmmm

It's a good neighborhood, comfortable, though not upscale in my view (as is much of St-Germaine a bit west). I trust you are aware that it's in the 5th, relatively near the Sorbonne, Pantheon, and Notre Dame, St-Chappelle, Concergerie to the north.

St. Severin church is a fine, older Gothic style church that survived the Revolution and is worth seeing.

The apartment is convenient to the Metro.

Enjoy Paris

Christina

It isn't the heart of the student district, it's the heart of the tourist district.

I wouldn't ever stay there, it is tourist central with tons of crowds and noise right out your window, it's smack dab on the pedestrian tourist streets near the Seine. Some folks do enjoy that, though, who are there for the first time and like being in the middle of that hubbub. I would worry about noise, regardless, though. ALl those crowds will be right in front of your window( well down a bit, it's on the second floor, but that's not that high, so it will be noisy).

Other than that, it's probably fine if you don't expect much, it is bigger than a hotel room. It looks nice enough. I personally won't even stay in a hotel that puts the TV near the ceiling like a hospital or up high, and I sure wouldn't rent an apt. that did that, but that is just my taste, you saw that, I presume, and didn't care.

ScottD

I knew you all would point out some things I had overlooked. OK - I am rethinking the location as it sounds like maybe too much in the middle of a central tourist area. The owner is so nice! We did want central but perhaps something more in the 6th or Marais will be better.

Stairs are no problem, and while the space of 1 BR is of course better, we are ok with studio if the location is right - price certainly being a consideration. And it must have a real bed, not a sofabed as MelJ mentions.

Guenmai - the vacationiparis 1 BR #209 you mentioned looks great! We are inquiring on that one.

Thanks again to everyone.

tuscanlifeedit

Scott

I don't think you would be unhappy here. And as you said, you have short notice and the price is
good.

You say that the owners are nice, and I assume that they are easy to work with. I think that can be a great boon for a first trip.

If you do settle on this apartment, you shouldn't feel that there is anything wrong with it. There are people who love this location.

We often stay in the Marais, because we seem to find good prices there but we have stayed in the 7th, near the border with the 6th, twice. We liked that too.

I guess what I'm saying is that all of central Paris is a dream, and you will love it.

I just booked tickets for February and feel a little nutty, as I sometimes do when I take the plunge, but we got them for 35K miles each, which is a fantastic deal for award miles. I'm going to post this bargain here on the Europe forum.

Guenmai

ScottD...you can pull up my report on my apartment rental experience. It's under, "Guenmai's Paris Apartment Rental Experience". Although I rented #122, I've given info on the area, rental agency, along with other info. Happy Travels!