Corina

We decided at the last minute to fly to Paris. I have our flights booked and now I'm working out apartment rental details.

I'm going within the first 2weeks of March and having trouble finding something with 9 consecutive days. I thought this would be low season, but apparently not. I'm also a little nervous renting from this agency since it rec'd a bad review in SlowTravelers.

We've always stayed in the 7th or 8th districts and thought we'd try something different. I have found what appears to be a nice apartment in the 5th St.Germaine area. Is the Latin quarter considered a less desireable area? I'm looking for some opinions. This is the apartment:
http://www.franceforrent.com/notreda...ce/index.shtml

Are any of you smart fodors travelers familiar with this apartment or the neighborhood? According to the map it's about a block after crossing the Pont de ArcheVeche bridge.

Any help is much appreciated.

LunaBella

Corina - I am familiar with that neighborhood and it's lovely. (I am partial to the 5th, I've also stayed in the 7th, the 4th and the 1st but these days I keep coming back to the 5th.) I will be staying at a hotel when I'm in Paris next month over Easter since we're only there for a few days but I really love going the apartment route if there for a longer stay. And I must say this apartment looks wonderful!

However, I've no experience at all with this booking agency so I can't comment on that. Love the lovely photos of that apartment though. And even though I adore the 5th, there are definitely some areas of the Latin Quarter I would not rent an apartment in (rue de la Huchette area, for starters), but this isn't one of them, I think this area is fabulous for your first time in the 5th, you can walk to Notre Dame in 5 minutes, to the cafes of the 6th in 10 minutes, to rue Mouffetard in 10 minutes, and so on.

janisj

&quot;<i>Is the Latin quarter considered a less desireable area?</i>&quot; Actually, for many people the 5th/Latin Quarter is the <u>most</u> desirable area.

That is a gorgeous apartment, it is large, and its in a great location. Sorry, haven't ever used that agency so can't help w/ that.

Corina

LunaBella and JanisJ, thanks so much for your feedback on the neighborhood. This puts my mind at ease.

I agree with you the apt seems pretty large to me also (although no real views). A lot of the rentals we looked at were barely 450sf.

Any one else have any info to share?

CopperandJade

Corina, Your apartment looks lovely! In June/07, I rented an apartment just one block away from rue de Bievre, on rue Maitre Albert. I have rented apartments in the 5th arrondissement, the Latin Quarter, twice....beautiful. Having been to Pais 4 times in the last 6 years, if I had to choose between staying in the 7th, 8th or the Latin Quarter, I would chose the Latin Quarter, especially the 5th. I cannot imagine that you would think that it is &quot;less desirable&quot;.(!) Rue de Bievre will lead lead you, within 2 blocks to the lovely Place Maubert....Here is a market, Tuesday/Thursday and Saturday...fabulous!!!! Also, in the Place Maubert, is a short block of wonderful food shops---cheese, liquor, delicatessen, bakery, vegetable...open daily till about 7PM each day. There are also two lovely cafes on the place. The one closest to the market is superb for the day, the other, Cafe Metro is beautiful in the evening.

If my choice was to stay in the 5th, the 7th or the 8th, without hesitation, I would stay in the 5th.

Note: if you stay on rue Bievre, there is an old tiny restaurant just before Place maubert....on the right hand side, just before you look at the Place Maubert....inexpensive, lovely...the owner, an older man, will proudly show you a brass plate that Francois Mitterand gave to him...My lunch was 10Euros, and the fixed dinner was about 16 Euros. Enjoy.

cw

It looks like a lovely apartment, and I thought I had seen photos of it on another site. I did a quick search and it turns up on www.parisluxuryrental.com, www.goin2travel.com, and www.vacationhomes.com.

You could check to see which agency has the best comments, most convenient payment terms, etc. At least you know the apartment is real and is out there.

If you do stay there, please come back and tell us your experience.

CW

elsiejune

Corina, This is a beautiful apartment in a very central location. I wouldn't hesitate to take it. I can't speak for the agency, however, and you'll want to put your mind at ease over that. Why don't you ask them for some references? Good luck, EJ

Corina

thank you every one! Very helpful indeed.

CopperandJade it sounds like you know the area well......thank you. I'm printing out your all your hints.

cw: thanks for the tip. I did find the apt advertised in 2 of the 3 links you gave me. Funny enough, they are being marketed by the same company located in San Francisco, &quot;franceforrent&quot; and roughly the same rental rate.

I'd greatly appreciate any more tips on restaurants or the neighborhood of Rue de Bievre