I would like to rent an apartment in Montmartre for two weeks in April; I found it on Homelidays web site, and the owner says that it is "well situation on the street that leads to the 'sacré coeur de Montmartre,' close to shops and to the "Lamarck-Caulaincourt" subway station." Does this sound like a good area? I believe it is close to where my daughter is staying, on the Rue de Navarin, and that's why it's appealing to me. Unfortunately, there are no customer reviews for this property--is that a bad sign? I've never rented sight-unseen before and would appreciate any advice you may have to offer. Thank you.

likeswords - You may find more responses if you post the link to the exact apartment so that people can read the ad and respond. Good luck.

Plug the address into the following for helpful info. See links on pj.

http://www35.ratp.info/Proxi/proxi.php?

http://wfd.pagesjaunes.fr/pj.cgi?lang=en

RonZ, I don't have the exact address, but I'll check out those links.

Robjame, thanks - this is the link to the apartment:

http://www.homelidays.com/paris-18-m...at112796en.htm

Hopefully one of the experts will see your post and comment. I think it looks a little sparse in furnishings but nothing alarming. We have to have a shower and the bathtub phone shower with no curtain would disqualify it for me. Did you check out my recent thread with the various apartment suggestions?
http://tinyurl.com/smxx2

It doesn't look that sparse to me - but then I've stayed in some <u>really</u> sparse places. Likeswords - usually if you e-mail the owner (after being hooked up by homelidays) he will give you the exact address. It looks nice for the price, and is large-ish, but a lot depends on the location.

I wouldn't worry much about no reviews since it was only listed in Nov so not much time for folks to have booked it, returned home, and remebered to post areview.

OH - should have clarified - being linked to the owner by homelidays so you can correspond back and forth won't commit you to anything. When I've used homelidays, I've contacted 4 or 5 owners before deciding on a flat.

I am not an expert but having gone through this same process last year (finding a Paris apt to rent) my feeling is this is a good apartment in a good area. The apt where we stayed was also near the Lamarck-Caulaincourt metro stop, although when we were there, that station was closed for refurbishment. You may want to check that it is open now. There were two other metro stations we used, a 10 - 15 minute walk from our apartment.
I wonder if your apt. has an elevator? I didn't see a mention of that. The site says 2nd floor which is usually North American 3rd floor. From the description it seems well-equipped, and I think the price is very fair. I would also like the fact that the owner lives &quot;on site&quot; - I assume, in the same building, so problems or questions can be dealt wih easily. I'd be willing to take a leap of faith on this one!

After your first email from the owner you will usually get some specific contact info -- (their email address, their full name, a phone number, or a specific address of the apartment.) I like to google all that info since these rentals are usually listed on more than one site at a time.

Hopefully it's been on another site for longer than Novemeber, plus you'll often see additional photos this way. Some people are reluctant to rent from a new listing for fear of fraud -- I'd have your daughter check out the apartment for you if she's already there. She can meet an agent or owner and see it in person -- a 15-20 minute appointment at most. She shouldn't hand over any cash deposit, however, if the apt has no history.

I think the apt looks pretty good for the price (70-ish E/night?) alhough I'd negotiate for a lower rate if you rent for two weeks, like 850-900 E total. I like that the place seems to get lots of light in the living/dining room. Do those french doors in the bedroom lead out to an actual balcony? I don't know that location very well but hopefully people will chime in.

&quot;I believe it is close to where my daughter is staying, on the Rue de Navarin&quot;

Let me first confirm that Lamarck-Culain court is a desirable residential area of Montmartre (actually on the northern slope of the hill), located in the 18th arrondissement. Rue de Navarin is way down the southern side of the same hill in the 9th. I wouldn't say it is &quot;close&quot; by Parisian standards. Count about 30 minutes by walking (uphill then downhill).

I am greatly valuing everyone's help. The apartment I was originally considering is now making me nervous. The owner says, &quot;You can make the reservation by paying half of the amount of the renting ( 700 &euro;uros ) with a banking transfer.

The other half would then to be paid in cash at your arrival. We also ask for a deposit of 500 &euro; (in cash or cheque) that will be returned to you at the end of your stay ( exept of course in case of a damage in the apartment ).
The final cleaning of the accomodation would cost 40 &euro; but you have the opportunity to make it yourself if you want to.&quot; The 500 euro deposit seems steep; is it a usual thing? And originally, I thought that the ad said 600 euro a week--now it's 700. Should I be worried?

Another one, somewhat closer to my daughter, is on rue de Martyrs, near place des abbesses. Homelidays reference number 120572. The owner says it is quiet, and I notice that while the description says &quot;hotplate&quot; there is a picture of a four-burner stove top (but no oven). I think that would be fine. Any caveats? Thanks!

I haven't stayed in area, but went to dinner at a wonderful restaurant near that Metro stop and felt totally safe. If you do choose the apt, I highly recommend eating at La Cave Cafe at the corner of Rue Marcadet &amp; Rue du Ruisseau. Its owned by my co-worker's brother (an American) but has a fantastic French chef. Sorry to change subject but I really liked this place. =)

I haven't looked at any of those apartments, but I like the area in Montmartre near the Lamarck metro stop a lot. I'd stay in that area, it's very nice.

Rue des Martyrs is a great market street, I also like it (for shopping), but I know it in the 9th, not the 18th. There are some clubs actually in the part right where the 18th starts (some popular ones, actually, like Divan du Monde). I don't find the part just north of bd de Clichy that enticing (which is where the clubs are, and I guess that apt, and some cheap stores) for a place to stay. It will be an okay area to stay if you like the place, though, it's not something I'd worry about, I just wouldn't choose it myself. Maybe that apt really is quiet.

If you saw the film &quot;Am&eacute;lie,&quot; Lamarck-Caulaincourt metro station is where Am&eacute;lie left the blind man after describing the market street to him (which, by the way, is not there). Excellent location, if the apartment is really close to the metro.

On another forum someone related a horror story of dealing with Homelidays - paid in cash and the apartment did not exist. (Don't remember which forum.) I would never use a rental service that does not take credit cards; you may need the protection your card offers.

clarification - homelidays is not a rental service. It is a listing site - much like VRBO or Craigslist. You deal directly w/ individual owners - some take credit cards, some take paypal, some cash on arrival, some cash in advance. Homelidays is not involved in the exchange of funds.

You are all being so helpful! I am certainly getting an education. I am also looking on Parisattitude.com

Does anyone have a recommendation for a rental agency that is trustworthy? I do feel uncomfortable simply wiring money to a stranger.

I recommend the Paristay Agency. Easy process. Good welcome. I got a charming central apartment.
They have a large choice of apartments on the web site:
http://www.paristay.com/

Hi likeswords...

I would absolutely rent from parisattitude. I tried to last year and Elena worked so hard to find me something in my budget that wasn't booked. I found something on my own through lodgis.com but I would prefer to rent from parisattitude next time.

Also, I rented from Rentparis.com in 2004. Process was very easy and #11 fit my budget, which is similar to yours it seems. I would rent from them again.

This is an OLD thread that EmmaD registered to top so she could link to a (her?) website . . . . . .