JHopkins2112

Reading through the forums I followed the recommendation to use Google maps street view to check out the location of an apartment we booked earlier this morning and I'm a little concerned about what I saw. Thought I should ask here to see if my concerns are warranted or if the Google street view just caught an unusual snapshot of the area?

We are a family of 4 - 2 adults and 2 young teen daughters.

The apartment address is 46 Rue Volta

Any feedback appreciated.

Christina

Well, what are your concerns, you don't say? It looks like a pretty typical street in a lot of Paris, if you don't like it, look somewhere else, but it's not remotely shocking to me. I don't really understand what your concerns are. Looks like an apt above some shops, which is pretty normal. What is the link to the website where you booked it, in that area that is a typical street (lots of streets in the 3rd/4th arrondisement don't have any setbacks and certainly no trees or anything. There are lots of areas around there that are pretty modest, not deluxe. I am guessing this isn't a deluxe or expensive apartment.

Here is some other discussion of that street and a little more view, apparently has what used to be thought the oldest house in Paris, but guess it isn't. http://www.marilynztomlins.com/artic...ich-is-oldest/

Here are some other views by a real estate agent of that property http://www.meilleursagents.com/prix-...volta-4766/46/

JHopkins2112

You're right - it's definitely not deluxe or expensive. In fact, it's less than we had planned on spending but is one of the few places we could find that has air-conditioning. We are late in our planning and are feeling a bit concerned that if we did not pull the trigger, we'd end up having to book a hotel - something we haven't done in over 10 years.

On street view I see several businesses that either are out-of-business or shut down for the day. I also see lots of graffiti. Granted, I know the Google street-cam can take a snap-shot of an area that isn't truly representative of the character of a place. Perhaps this was a Sunday or a day when businesses are typically closed?

Here is the link to the specific apartment:
http://www.clickappart.com/apartment.../details/id/87

Leely2

Yes, that particular stretch of that particular street looks ugly. The apartment looks nice, however, and the neighborhood is not unsafe or anything, if that is your concern. Your apartment is right around the corner from Chez l'Amis Louis, which is delicious (though expensive!).

http://parisbymouth.com/lami-louis/

If you do end up staying there, try to book a table. Will be a splurge.

Seamus

Champs Elysees it is not, but many of those shops are just closed, not defunct. And graffiti is just a fact of life. It is not at all an unsafe area, looks pretty typical of that northern edge of the Marais and is well located for a visit. Place itself looks fine - I'd stay there without hesitation. You may find that having 4 persons including two young teen girls in the one bedroom (even more, one bathroom) space a bit confining but wouldn't worry about the location.

JHopkins2112

Thanks for the helpful responses. I don't mind graffiti but the combination of graffiti, numerous closed businesses and sparsly inhabited sidewalks made me worry that we may have booked a place in a sketchy area, for lack of a better way of putting it.

4 of us will be cozy (a tight squeeze) but I have had a hard time locating anything with air-conditioning that is still available that won't blow our budget.

Thanks again for your replies. I feel better about our booking and will definitely look into Chez l'Amis Louis. Thanks for the Paris by Mouth link. I've found several numerous other interesting places to visit on that site!

PatrickLondon

If it's any reassurance, the photos on Pages Jaunes were taken on a sunny day with more of the business premises open. One tiny scribble on a wall, as far as I can see.
http://tinyurl.com/qbcvgxw

This is the workaday/ordinary bit to the north of the Marais, and the businesses in it appear to be mainly offices and services rather than retail shops, though there are restaurants - and some of those might only open in the evenings, perhaps. Nothing to worry about in the neighbourhood, as far as I know.

Christina

I wouldn't worry about the area, I think you are just not familiar with big cities and what they can look like. A lot of Paris is not remotely glamorous or beautiful, and there is graffiti in some neighborhoods. That's isn't an expensive or deluxe area (I am not crazy about the RB that much, or the Marais, let alone this area which isn't really the Marais, and this is one reason why -- a lot of the neighborhoods have narrow streets, etc., I prefer the 13th-15th arrondisements which are "newer" parts of Paris and there is more greenery and wider streets, and more space). There isn't a lot of graffiti around where I usually stay, but there is in certain parts of Paris or more around major streets, train stations, etc., and there is some within some blocks.

If it is just not a lot of people around, I think they deliberately take a lot of those photos when no one is around, for one thing. There isn't hardly any part of central Paris where no one is around, the real estate is too expensive. If you look at Google earth for my house, there is hardly a car on the street, which isn't normal, they took it in the middle of the day when most people were at work.

jpie

I lived very close to that area of Paris for 3 years just a bit further south near on Michel Le Conte and rue Beaubourg and the area is really fine. Many of the shops in that area are not retail-they are sewing shops for t shirts and other stuff like that which is kind of odd but the area itself is nice and fairly convenient to most things. Not a super long walk to the Rue Montorguei market street about .5 mile. And if your kids like science the Musée des Arts et Métiers is worth a visit lots of interesting arts and industry exhibits.

http://www.arts-et-metiers.net/?lang=ang

Also since Volta is mostly closed shops at night it will be nice and quiet most likely.

Christina

I just looked at that apt listing and was actually considering it, I hope you come back and post what it was like -- at least the agency, which I have read good reviews about. I was really considering one of theirs in another area.

I think the apt looks a lot better than some, and having AC isn't easy to find. That was actually a little too expensive for me (160 euro), but the one thing That I might not have liked about it was that it was on the first floor, I prefer to be a bit higher. You should be fine, it's only for 3 days, if I recall your other post, at least it isn't far to the metro stop.

seafox

yes, very typical area, street, not a concern, as I recall not too far from that street are many shops that sell to the trade only (luggage, hand bags etc.). So, they have limited hours and limited clients....all of which is actually good.

Christina

I think they have a lot of shoe shops on nearby rue Meslay.

MaineGG

And at 7 rue Volta you can find a great bahn mi sandwich.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/banh-mi-paris

MaineGG

Oops, make that banh mi.

JHopkins2112

Thanks to each of you for taking the time to respond. I feel much better about our choice and will be happy to report back on the actual apartment (Christina). We love a good banh mi MaineGG - thanks for the heads up!

We've always booked apartments or homes for vacations. More bang for your buck, so to speak. Rarely do we book properties without reviews from prior renters but we are feeling pressured by lack of time and really wanting a place that had air-conditioning.

Thanks again!

jpie

Yes seafox is right-lots of luggage and handbag places that are mostly wholesale.