Here is where I am right now, and need to make a decision. I feel as if I am all over the map, literally and figuratively. My husband and I are going this November (yes, we are last minute!). We are celebrating my 40th and we have never been to Paris. We want to stay in an area that has a lot of choice for restaurants/bars but is also convenient to the sites/metro.

In no order:

vrbo.com/181279
-Location on Rue Rollin. Coincidentally, found this listing on vrbo and the owner lives in my state, in my city and knows my family! There is a certain comfort level in that. Not too mention an element of "meant to be".

homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p249349
-location Rue de Sevigne

homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p255763
-location Rue de La Sourdiere

The last two are owned by a woman who has very good reviews and she called me from Paris and spoke to me at length. I was very impressed by her knowledge and friendliness. So, all apartments have a washer/dryer and all would have an English speaking hostess meet us. They are all similar in price, also.

At this point, I do not know what to choose, or why, but have odd emotional attachments to them all because of my hometown attention and the wonderful phone call from Dauphine.

Any comments on these properties? THANK YOU!!!
(I pulled this from my other post - sorry for repeating, wanted the apartment choices to be seen directly)

I am a bit partial to the first one. The last one is nice too.
Go with what your feelings.

Apt #1: It looks great, the biggest one of the three and the least expensive, there is a 100euro cleaning fee, I like the layout. A bonus will be to be able to pay her in american $$$'s. Near Rue Moufftard is great. The area will be great for bars and restaurants, I'd probably take it.

Apt#2 & 3: I love the Marais, the apartment is in a great location for rest and bars,love the courtyard entrance. It's about half the size of #1. #3's location is great for site seeing but i don't find this area very exciting in the evening for going out.

I've loved almost every apartment I have ever rented, some more than others. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the above, all look good for a first time visit. Just pick one before it's no longer available!!! Have a great birthday

I'm partial to the 5th and that apartment would be my choice as long as you are sure it would not have a lot of street noise. Mouffetard can get very busy and the inexpensive eating places draw students.

Marais would be a close number 2 for me - really a tie. That's a very pretty area, lots of better dining nearby and Place des Vosges is spectacular (although you can get equally good food to the places on the square a block or two away for less cost).

Opera is the more formal, monumental part of Paris, and touristy. Convenient to the grands magasins, Louvre etc. but really it's easy to get around from anywhere. If high-end shopping is your thing, this is a bullseye.

These are all good. #2 is probably closest to what you say you're looking for in terms of neighborhood. I am the same age as you and stayed on Rue des Tournelles, other side of Place des Vosges, the last time I was in Paris and that was perfect for me. This apartment looks darker and smaller than the others though. How important is that to you?

Re: #1. I agree with Alan_CT about Mouffetard and students, etc. However it wouldn't be a dealbreaker for me if I liked the place. There's lots to do and see in that area--though that's true for a lot of areas.

#3 looks quite nice and I'd stay there without problem, but the area doesn't match what you say you want as well as #1 and #2.

Hard to choose. If it were me I'd ask to see if there were any more photos of the Sevigne apartment because that's my favorite location. But they are all nice and I don't think you'll be disappointed with the respective neighborhoods. It's easy to get around in Paris.

Always looking for a good apartment in Paris so did some searching on rue Rollin and found this. http://www.chezlouise.com/paris-apar...irAppart2.html. It does not reflect on the quality of the apartment you are interested in but may influence you re noise level, rowdy students, etc. The apartment itself looks lovely and meets our priorities except that we have found we enjoy renting further from the center. Good luck with your search.

I have different tastes than you so wouldn't ever pick a couple of them due to location. I don't like the Marais, for example.

However, I have stayed in the rue Mouffetard area a couple times and like it and can just say that the comments about being noisy due to students and rue Mouffetard really aren't relevant for the location of that apt. It's not on rue Mouffetard, it's on rue Rollin, which is a quiet, out-of-the-way street with not a lot on it except residences, as far as I remember. It certainly isn't on rue Mouffetard and noise from it would be irrelevant. That street isn't any main thoroughfare, it's kind of steep and there isn't any good reason a lot of people would be on it to go to/from anywhere. It isn't the street you would normally choose to go to the metro from rue Mouffetard/pl Contrescarpe, for example, as it's too far north.

hmmm, I just read the above review (although I don't think much of the guy) and maybe my impressions are not quite accurate, I have been on it but didn't see that kind of thing. I guess it depends on the location on the street. I probably would have second thoughts after reading that.

We rented a little apartment on Rue Rollin a few years ago, and I love the location. We found it very quiet and convenient. It's just around the corner from the Place de Contrescarpe and the top of Rue Mouffetard. Or you can walk down the steps to Rue Monge. There are a couple of Metro stations within five minutes.

I wouldn't want to stay right on Rue Mouffetard, but I like staying nearby. It's also just a short walk down to the Seine and Notre Dame. We've chosen this general area of the Latin Quarter for our last four trips to Paris.

I've read that strange review of that other Rue Rollin apartment before and it sure doesn't match with our experience on Rue Rollin. Our rental was off the street and we found it extremely quiet. You could ask the owner if the apartment overlooks the little street or is off the street.

Kathy

Carmella88, Yes, you are in an enviable position in knowing and trusting the owner for accurate information and I agree with kathywood that it. was a strange review. I also know from experience that noise tolerance is very individual. I am somewhat crazed about researching apartments so apologize if this muddies the waters. It is a nicely set up apartment and more info on actual location will most likely settle your mind.

I'd chose #1; love the area near Place Contrescarpe and "Mouffe" and you can just head dow the street every day for some goodies to take home.
I dont like the Marais or the First as places to stay (that's just me, but it would rule out the #2 and #3 flats)

I just booked the #1!

I am a bit wary, though, as it is payable upon arrival and there is no contract. The apartment has wonderful, current reviews, though. There is to be an English speaking greeter/host to meet us, who was mentioned several times in the reviews.

Hopefully, all will be as promised. We own a home and rent it via vrbo.com as well, and have always had good experiences, so hopefully, our renting experience through the same agency will also be good.

All apartments are payable on arrival. Some also have hefty security deposits, others do not.