mrubio0806

Bon jour my fellow fodorites. Family of four staying in Paris first week of May. We are considering renting one of the following 3 apartments. Primarily, my concern is the location (safety, restaurants, boulangeries, etc.).

http://www.vrbo.com/452044ha#comments
http://www.vrbo.com/251557
http://www.vrbo.com/22481

MERCI BEAUCOUP!

Cathinjoetown

Of the two in Montmartre, I prefer the one on the 6th floor. The other is a 3rd-floor walk-up, probably not an issue for most. I've never stayed in Montmartre so can't comment on safety at night, it's fine during the day.

Apartment in the 4th looks good, for location I think I would go with it.

DebitNM

The last one, in Marais, is telling you not to go through VRBO but to contact them directly. I would not do that ,personally. That would make me very uncomfortable. They are trying to cut VRBO out of their % and I think that is pretty bad form. Makes me wonder what other unethical things they might do....

mrubio0806

Thank you so much Cathinjoetown. Appreciate your time. I am apprehensive about the Montmartre area.

mrubio0806

So glad I posted DebitNM. Didn't see that in the listing. Any thoughts on the other apartments?

DebitNM

I like the one on the 6th floor also, much brighter and newer looking. Can't speak to area, we stay in the 4th.

Seamus

Deb, not accurate - VRBO's system is that you pay an annual fee, which the owners have done or the listing would not appear. It is not like some other sites like airbnb that take a cut of each rental. They are perfectly within their rights to ask for direct contact, and many do.

mrubio - I actually like that property on Av Bourdon best of the three. Have stayed in rental properties around the corner on rue Mornay, and directly across the canal on Blvd de la Bastille and really liked the location. From there it is a very easy walk to much of interest and Metro lines 1,5,7,and 8 are nearby (stations Bastille, Quai de la Rapee, Sully Morland)as well as bus stops. It's also the largest of the properties. If you google the address you will find some credible positive reviews.

DebitNM

Thanks for the correction, Seamus.

millie2112

If you do not know your Montmartre area, some parts can be a bit scary.
I would also not stay around the Moulin Rouge area.
The last one - in the Marais area would be the best for a family

mrubio0806

seamus, i'm quite the novice when perusing apartments. Could you please tell me where I would find the address?

IdyllicItaly

I couldn't find an elevator listed in the features of the third apartment but then I read in the text, "Just take the elevator to a world of rich wood floors, Kilm rugs, chandeliers, three marble fireplaces, and an expansive view of the canal Saint Martin at the Seine."

I much prefer that location and the reviews are outstanding. It is so spacious, too.

bendigo

Did not get to Montmatre on our trip in December, but we stayed in Marais (on rue de St Antoine, beside Hotel de Sully).
It was a fabulous location, with much of interest in Central Paris within easy walking distance, the area felt very safe at night when we were out.

The apartment you have list looks fabulous - more luxurious than ours, which was small (5 of us) but comfortable and brilliantly located:

http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_18.htm

Seamus

mrubio - it's not always easy to get the exact address without contacting the owner/agent, but for this property on the VRBO page just above the large photos there is a link with the text "CLICK HERE - To See More of the Best of Romantic Paris" which takes you to a page of the owner and it prominently shows the address (along with phone number to contact them.)

BTW I also like the fact that this property has a clothes dryer as well as a washer - the combination machines so common in Europe can be a real PIA to use.

rg12345

Not sure if you have booked your apartment do check out this apartment, google canal-apartment-Paris.com. We are returning for a second stay in June, can't wait. Great area near the Canal St Martin, close to restaurants, great bakeries, shops, transport, loved it! Hope this helps...

mrubio0806

seamus, rg12345, bendigo, debitnm, millie2112 thank you all so very much! will do my homework and get back to you.

cw

Mrubio, the owner of the Marais apartment has a California phone number and his name on the personal website. It would be worth it to speak with him.
Agree the apartment looks lovely.

YankyGal

We love Montmartre, and typically base ourselves there when in Paris. Of the two in Montmartre, I like the location of #251557 better because it's closer to Rue Lepic (which is a wonderful market street), Rue des Abbesses (restaurants, cafes, more shops), and you have your choice of metro stops. But it really just depends on what's important to you.

I just went to Google street view, and it looks like a cute little block.

mango805

We stayed in the 4th for a month last summer, just around the corner from that apartment. It was a fantastic location--so easy to get to anywhere from there and we loved the Marais/Bastille area. Lots to see and do (and eat . It's personal preference, of course, but I'd pick it over the 18th on location alone. You'll spend less time in transit and more time enjoying Paris. Have a wonderful trip!

HappyTrvlr

VRBO..We have rented several apartments, cottages, condos and always have contacted the owners directly.