Apartment on Ile Saint Louis or 7th - help me decide!
Nov 21st, 2006, 09:34 AM
#21
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Did you find out anything about that agency? I just wouldn't trust an agency that lies about where an apt. is located (they say it is in the 7th, but the address is the 15th). There is no reason to lie like that, what else are they lying about? Even if they categorized it by subject as "7th/Eiffel Tower" area or near it or something would be okay, but the explicit apt. description states it is in the 7th, but it isn't. They call a hallway a dining "area" -- that's pretty funny. And the half bedroom is a closet, literally, apparently. Also, they won't list rates on the website, I avoid any agency that does that -- they only list broad price categories.
Well, that's my opinion, but of course, none of that may matter to you. But I agree with the others that the Ile St Louis is more convenient for restaurants, etc. That apt. in the 15th is right next to Village Suisse, an antiques shopping mall, so to speak. This is its website
http://www.levillagesuisseparis.com/
There are several nice apt. buildings on that street and a couple that aren't. I'd want to know the address.
Ile St Louis is one of the safest areas of Paris. I suppose it could be noisier there, though, and the apt. on rue Alasseur would probably be pretty quiet. I really don't think you are going to want to stay in an apt. a lot at night when traveling, that will be pretty dull.
Well, that's my opinion, but of course, none of that may matter to you. But I agree with the others that the Ile St Louis is more convenient for restaurants, etc. That apt. in the 15th is right next to Village Suisse, an antiques shopping mall, so to speak. This is its website
http://www.levillagesuisseparis.com/
There are several nice apt. buildings on that street and a couple that aren't. I'd want to know the address.
Ile St Louis is one of the safest areas of Paris. I suppose it could be noisier there, though, and the apt. on rue Alasseur would probably be pretty quiet. I really don't think you are going to want to stay in an apt. a lot at night when traveling, that will be pretty dull.
Nov 21st, 2006, 10:28 AM
#22
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Christina,
The address for the apartment on the Island is Rue des deux ponts and you can find more information to the link I provided above. The one in the 15th is at Rue Alasseur(no address, but both when you download all the info, if shows you at what part of the street it is)
Someone mentioned that rue St. Louis is the main street -can't find that on the map provided by the apartment. Some have said they have stayed on the street side, and although our bedroom will be facing a courtyard, our friend will be in the living room, so I don't want it to be so noisy that she can't sleep at night.
Also, just found out that the Island apartment is 1290 euros a week and the one in the 15th is 1200 a week. Also, you can call the company/agency for any problems with the apartment in the 15th, but for the Island apartment, we have to deal directly with the owners - anyone have experience w/ this?
The apartment in the Island does not have a/c, but we will be there May 21-26, and I don't think we will need a/c.
We've had some really good emails with Alacarte, but I might have to start another thread to find out more about the agency.
The address for the apartment on the Island is Rue des deux ponts and you can find more information to the link I provided above. The one in the 15th is at Rue Alasseur(no address, but both when you download all the info, if shows you at what part of the street it is)
Someone mentioned that rue St. Louis is the main street -can't find that on the map provided by the apartment. Some have said they have stayed on the street side, and although our bedroom will be facing a courtyard, our friend will be in the living room, so I don't want it to be so noisy that she can't sleep at night.
Also, just found out that the Island apartment is 1290 euros a week and the one in the 15th is 1200 a week. Also, you can call the company/agency for any problems with the apartment in the 15th, but for the Island apartment, we have to deal directly with the owners - anyone have experience w/ this?
The apartment in the Island does not have a/c, but we will be there May 21-26, and I don't think we will need a/c.
We've had some really good emails with Alacarte, but I might have to start another thread to find out more about the agency.
Nov 21st, 2006, 10:32 AM
#23
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Just looked at the map again, and it seems like the Island apartment is on the corner of Rue des Duex ponts and Rue St. Louis - from what everyone has said, Rue St. Louis can be noisy - is this a bad location to be on for an apartment?
Nov 21st, 2006, 10:34 AM
#24
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First, a note of worry...that there is going to be so much competition when I decide to get my place there also 
There is a real estate place on the main street that I look at, just in case...I was there this past Sunday.
Yes, I choose it over the 7th also. Good restaurants, nice shops, church with concerts,Berthillon,etc..
Busy during daylight till mid evening, then quiet morning deliveries, which may or may not affect you. Note that due to its location, the only nighttime traffic would be cars using the 2 cross island bridges to get from the Left to Right Bank, no traffic would be going down main street.
There is no Metro on the Island, but there is one on Ile de la Cite, and several easy walking distance on the Left and Right Banks. The RER from the airport also has a stop nearby. And of course, the scenery in this area are priceless.
Hope this helps
Mike
There is a real estate place on the main street that I look at, just in case...I was there this past Sunday. Yes, I choose it over the 7th also. Good restaurants, nice shops, church with concerts,Berthillon,etc..
Busy during daylight till mid evening, then quiet morning deliveries, which may or may not affect you. Note that due to its location, the only nighttime traffic would be cars using the 2 cross island bridges to get from the Left to Right Bank, no traffic would be going down main street.
There is no Metro on the Island, but there is one on Ile de la Cite, and several easy walking distance on the Left and Right Banks. The RER from the airport also has a stop nearby. And of course, the scenery in this area are priceless.
Hope this helps
Mike
Nov 21st, 2006, 10:35 AM
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First, a note of worry...that there is going to be so much competition when I decide to get my place there also There is a real estate place on the main street that I look at, just in case...I was there this past Sunday.
Yes, I choose it over the 7th also. Good restaurants, nice shops, church with concerts,Berthillon,etc.. Food wise, there is a bakery, cheese shop, wine shop,etc..
Busy during daylight till mid evening, then quiet morning deliveries, which may or may not affect you. Note that due to its location, the only nighttime traffic would be cars using the 2 cross island bridges to get from the Left to Right Bank, no traffic would be going down main street.
There is no Metro on the Island, but there is one on Ile de la Cite, and several easy walking distance on the Left and Right Banks. The RER from the airport also has a stop nearby. And of course, the scenery in this area are priceless.
Hope this helps
Mike
There is a real estate place on the main street that I look at, just in case...I was there this past Sunday. Yes, I choose it over the 7th also. Good restaurants, nice shops, church with concerts,Berthillon,etc.. Food wise, there is a bakery, cheese shop, wine shop,etc..
Busy during daylight till mid evening, then quiet morning deliveries, which may or may not affect you. Note that due to its location, the only nighttime traffic would be cars using the 2 cross island bridges to get from the Left to Right Bank, no traffic would be going down main street.
There is no Metro on the Island, but there is one on Ile de la Cite, and several easy walking distance on the Left and Right Banks. The RER from the airport also has a stop nearby. And of course, the scenery in this area are priceless.
Hope this helps
Mike
Nov 21st, 2006, 10:43 AM
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Luisah, maybe along wth Michael_Paris, Worldinabag,francophile03 we can all chip in and buy that apartment together ... you described 'my apartment' perfectly. I love the buildings and the view facing the Tour Argent-Left Bank.
As for the late night street noise on rue St. Louis - we have stayed in the Lutece, the Deux Iles and the Hotel St. Louis, going back almost 25 years. All of our hotel rooms have faced the street. Starting about 10:00PM and continuing until at least 1:00AM, _sporadic_ bursts of noise, from inconsiderate pedestrians laughing, talking loudly etc.. were enough to interupt our sleep every night, during each stay. There were times that I wanted to scream 'SHUT UP" out the window, but DH kept me in rein. As I said, the noise wasn't constant, just often enough to disturb our sleep. Funny, but I don't remember the garbage truck noise, I must have slept right through it or forgotten about it.
We spent five weeks in an apartment on Quai Bourbon (facing the Seine) and even though it faced the street, it was very quiet at night.
Anna - your apartment faces an inner courtyard, and is not directly on r. St. Louis en'Ile, so noise-wise you should have no probems. If you can feel our love and our excitement about staying on the Ile, go for it, you won't be disappointed.
As for your question about dealing with an agency vs. the dealing with the owner directly, that IMHO is a toss of the coin. Dealing with a local, hands on owner, with pride of ownership, can be very good. Same with a conscientious, responsible agency. We've done both, and have had good and BAD experiences with both. You never know how good they are until you need them.
Let us know what you decide and of course we will be looking for your trip report ..hint, hint, hint.
From your location, it is about a three minute walk to the Metro Pont Marie, up the street and across the bridge. You will be within easy walking distance to the Marais, Place des Vosges, and many many more sights. You really can't beat the location.
As for the late night street noise on rue St. Louis - we have stayed in the Lutece, the Deux Iles and the Hotel St. Louis, going back almost 25 years. All of our hotel rooms have faced the street. Starting about 10:00PM and continuing until at least 1:00AM, _sporadic_ bursts of noise, from inconsiderate pedestrians laughing, talking loudly etc.. were enough to interupt our sleep every night, during each stay. There were times that I wanted to scream 'SHUT UP" out the window, but DH kept me in rein. As I said, the noise wasn't constant, just often enough to disturb our sleep. Funny, but I don't remember the garbage truck noise, I must have slept right through it or forgotten about it.
We spent five weeks in an apartment on Quai Bourbon (facing the Seine) and even though it faced the street, it was very quiet at night.
Anna - your apartment faces an inner courtyard, and is not directly on r. St. Louis en'Ile, so noise-wise you should have no probems. If you can feel our love and our excitement about staying on the Ile, go for it, you won't be disappointed.
As for your question about dealing with an agency vs. the dealing with the owner directly, that IMHO is a toss of the coin. Dealing with a local, hands on owner, with pride of ownership, can be very good. Same with a conscientious, responsible agency. We've done both, and have had good and BAD experiences with both. You never know how good they are until you need them.
Let us know what you decide and of course we will be looking for your trip report ..hint, hint, hint.
From your location, it is about a three minute walk to the Metro Pont Marie, up the street and across the bridge. You will be within easy walking distance to the Marais, Place des Vosges, and many many more sights. You really can't beat the location.
Nov 21st, 2006, 10:56 AM
#28
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Michel,
It seems all fodorites will be there upon retirement! But, I didn't understand which street you were talking about here:
"Note that due to its location, the only nighttime traffic would be cars using the 2 cross island bridges to get from the Left to Right Bank, no traffic would be going down main street."
Is the Rue des duex ponts the street with the bridges?
Francophile,
You said Rue des Deux Ponts is closer to the bridge, Pont Marie, and is about a block from the rue St. Louis en L'Ile - I can't find Pont Marie on the website's map. Were you saying that I wouldn't need to worry about the street noise from Rue St. Louis since it is a block away?
It seems all fodorites will be there upon retirement! But, I didn't understand which street you were talking about here:
"Note that due to its location, the only nighttime traffic would be cars using the 2 cross island bridges to get from the Left to Right Bank, no traffic would be going down main street."
Is the Rue des duex ponts the street with the bridges?
Francophile,
You said Rue des Deux Ponts is closer to the bridge, Pont Marie, and is about a block from the rue St. Louis en L'Ile - I can't find Pont Marie on the website's map. Were you saying that I wouldn't need to worry about the street noise from Rue St. Louis since it is a block away?
Nov 21st, 2006, 11:08 AM
#29
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No. I wasn't referring to the noise issue at all. Again I don't find the rue St. Louis en L'Ile to be excessively noisy and the same goes for the surrounding streets. Noise is much more a problem in other areas like the Latin Quarter for example.
Nov 21st, 2006, 12:11 PM
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Pont de Marie and Pont de Sully (just) cross Ile St Louis from Right bank - Left Bank. Sully is away from most of the residences of the Ile (though I beleive the Rothschild's own the building at the very east end of the Ile).
Pont Louis Philippe kind of dead ends (at Brasserie de Ile St Louis).
Pont Louis Philippe kind of dead ends (at Brasserie de Ile St Louis).
Nov 22nd, 2006, 07:07 AM
#34
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"I see the market need for a time share on the Ile"
What a great idea, I'm in!
Anna, Are you saying the difference in price is 90 euros for one week? That's insignificant considering the superior location.
The streets on the Ile are very narrow, not wide boulevards and there will be very little traffic crossing the bridges at night; it certainly won't be like a raceway and you probably wouldn't hear it from the 4th floor. There will be traffic everywhere in Paris.
I've stayed in the 7th and found that I was spending a lot of time on the metro to get to the center. I walked through the Villages Suisse (antiques shops) and found it a charmless area. This is an area of wide boulevards. Other than proximity to the Eiffel Tower and shopping on the very busy Rue du Commerce, there's not much there.
You might take a look on your map and check the locations of where you want to go in relation to both the apartments.
What a great idea, I'm in!
Anna, Are you saying the difference in price is 90 euros for one week? That's insignificant considering the superior location.
The streets on the Ile are very narrow, not wide boulevards and there will be very little traffic crossing the bridges at night; it certainly won't be like a raceway and you probably wouldn't hear it from the 4th floor. There will be traffic everywhere in Paris.
I've stayed in the 7th and found that I was spending a lot of time on the metro to get to the center. I walked through the Villages Suisse (antiques shops) and found it a charmless area. This is an area of wide boulevards. Other than proximity to the Eiffel Tower and shopping on the very busy Rue du Commerce, there's not much there.
You might take a look on your map and check the locations of where you want to go in relation to both the apartments.
Nov 22nd, 2006, 07:49 AM
#35
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Another thing to do is to look up the apartment address at www.pagesjaunes.fr. This site has photos of the streetscape for practically anywhere in Paris (and some other cities). You can move up and down the street and around the corner.
Nov 22nd, 2006, 07:53 AM
#36
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I am all for buying an apt. on the island, but in the meantime I doubt I will settle for staying at hotels on the island. I am still missing the view of Notre Dame from the Pont Saint Louis.
Anna, please stay on the island. You will not regret it!
Anna, please stay on the island. You will not regret it!
Nov 22nd, 2006, 07:52 PM
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"Luisah, maybe along wth Michael_Paris, Worldinabag,francophile03 we can all chip in and buy that apartment together ... you described 'my apartment' perfectly. I love the buildings and the view facing the Tour Argent-Left Bank"
Nina, If I win the lottery and buy my apt. you, worldinabag and Francophile can come for a visit. And other Ile St Louis lovers too.
Nina, If I win the lottery and buy my apt. you, worldinabag and Francophile can come for a visit. And other Ile St Louis lovers too.
Nov 24th, 2006, 03:47 PM
#38
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We are leaning toward the Ile Saint Louis apartment, but I'm a bit worried about how we need to pay.
We have to pay an inital 50% of the total rent upon booking, which can be done by credit card.
However, upon arrival in Paris, we have to pay the final 50% and 500 euros security deposit also in cash - no travelers checks or other method possible since it this apartment is through the owner, and not the agency.
I'm really not comfortable with carrying over a 1000 euros in cash with me - does any one have any suggestions? I know others have paid in cash, but what is the best method? I've never had to pay cash for an apartment before, and I really would like some direction on what we should do.
We have to pay an inital 50% of the total rent upon booking, which can be done by credit card.
However, upon arrival in Paris, we have to pay the final 50% and 500 euros security deposit also in cash - no travelers checks or other method possible since it this apartment is through the owner, and not the agency.
I'm really not comfortable with carrying over a 1000 euros in cash with me - does any one have any suggestions? I know others have paid in cash, but what is the best method? I've never had to pay cash for an apartment before, and I really would like some direction on what we should do.
Nov 24th, 2006, 04:32 PM
#39
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Anna, I don't like the cash thing either but I have heard of that requirement.
However, right down the street from the apartment is a bank that will convert American Express travellers checks for you.(I don't remember the bank name but it's on the Rue St. Louis en l'Ile, about half way down on a corner.) We've done it before and here's the key: You need to buy the traveller's checks before you leave the states in euros, not dollars. That way the bank will not charge you an additional conversion rate.
If you don't have American express, there are a few other options for traveller's checks. Check with AAA.
Traveller's checks are beginning to be somewhat of a dinasaur with the proliferation of ATM machines, but they are still doable when you're faced with someone who only wants cash.
If this is through Alacarte Paris, why do you have to deal directly with the owner? That sort of defeats the purpose of the agency doesn't it?
However, right down the street from the apartment is a bank that will convert American Express travellers checks for you.(I don't remember the bank name but it's on the Rue St. Louis en l'Ile, about half way down on a corner.) We've done it before and here's the key: You need to buy the traveller's checks before you leave the states in euros, not dollars. That way the bank will not charge you an additional conversion rate.
If you don't have American express, there are a few other options for traveller's checks. Check with AAA.
Traveller's checks are beginning to be somewhat of a dinasaur with the proliferation of ATM machines, but they are still doable when you're faced with someone who only wants cash.
If this is through Alacarte Paris, why do you have to deal directly with the owner? That sort of defeats the purpose of the agency doesn't it?
