What was your experience with the Rue Charlot apartment you were going to stay in at the end of Dec.?

Sorry, I have not been on in a while and just saw this.

The apt is as described, very nice, well-heated in the winter and pin drop quiet. The bath is great, as is the washer <i>and</i> dryer - I am used to just having a washer. Wifi was speedy and we could plug our laptop cable directly in as well. There was also a stereo that we used with our mp3 player. I would highly recommend to anyone with one caveat - there is no noise, not a sound and in the winter, it doesn't get a ton of light (I can't say in other seasons, but would venture a guess that in warm periods the lack of direct light is good and keeps the apt temperate). I know this isn't an issue for a lot of people, but I am used to noise, I live in the city and am used to hearing things, I like hearing things. It was disconcerting for me and the husband to have such quiet. Besides, I like to spy on people, and you really can't do that from a ground floor courtyard, or a courtyard for that matter (not that I had no clue about the spy-factor, I knew that would be not happening). I also have SAD so the lack of light was a bit hard for me to motivate. Those two things are personal quirks though that I don't think I share with most people here as I see "noise" being a factor for people. This place is perfect for those sensitive to sound/are used to living in a house or whatever. Also, to be honest, it wasn't the apt we normally stay in. Yes, it was a block away, but I like our usual place and the familiarity. The fact that it was not "our place" probably colors my judgement.

Overall, the apt was great, the owner is a breeze to work with, the bed/furnishings/etc are all perfect - the small dining table was great to have. I can't say anything bad (other than my personal preference BS about liking noise). I highly recommend staying there.

BTW it is http://www.vrbo.com/49273 for anyone who has no clue what this is referencing.

We also had to stay our last night at a hotel due to me being a dummy when booking the dates. We stayed at the Petit Moulin if only because it is around the corner from the flat and so I could say "lacroix sweetie! lacroix" over and over again. I was pleasantly surprised here. Service was great, rooms were well designed, would also recommend for those who are hotel rather than apt dwellers.

sorry aimeep, I just went back to the other thread and will address your original question: <i> I'm wondering about the neighborhood and what your rental experience was. We love to come back to our hotel or apt. after a long day and read -- is there good lighting? </i>

Yes there is plenty of lighting for reading either on the sofa or in bed - I did the same. If you want to plan your day with mapping or the like, the table would work well for that. As for the neighborhood, I personally think it is one of the best places to stay. you are at the northern end of the Marais and it is less touristy, the Enfant Rouges market is right there, as are a ton of small food shops, 2 boulangeries (the one on Bretagne is better than the one on Saintonge though) and a fromagerie. There is a great wine shop up the block - Julien, Caviste that stock smaller producers, avoid Nicolas for wine, I'd rather shop at the Diagonal or Franprix for wine than there. There are a bunch of boutiques and galleries on the block. The bus and metro are close, a five min walk away.

Thanks so much, Cherrybomb. Glad you had a good experience. We're staying there in the fall. Shouldn't mind if there's a lack of daylight, as I assume we'll mostly be out during the day -- but good to know there's good light for reading and planning our next day in the evenings. We live in the 'burbs, so are used to the quiet. In our last apartment rental we were in a building with an elevator, but the elevator went out the last 3 days of our stay, so we had to climb up and down 6 flights of a tiny circular stairway -- which just had a rope railing -- so ground floor suits us just fine this time! And the courtyard looks charming for a meal if the weather is nice. Hope you write a full trip report when you have time.

I live in a city, right on a bus line, corner apartment, bay windows, high ceilings and hardwood floors = loud loud loud. Your apartment sounds ideal to me and I love that part of Paris. Thanks for describing your experience. I have bookmarked the vrbo listing.

aimee, have a great trip.

Sorry Leely. I didn't mean to sound like a city snot. I just like noise and the SAD thing. This is why I would reccomend the apt despite my quirky dislike. I know most people like the quiet and are trying to escape. Just a preference on my end. Hope people stay there and enjoy.

AimeeP
My trip report on this one would be of no interest so I will not do. We went to see friends in town in addition to vacay so kinda no point. Plus it was weird being in a different apt and changed our experience. Am happy to advise on stuff to do that is off the tourist locale though. We spent most of our time in Belleville, Menilmontant, and off Canal St Martin. Mostly Belleville though. Some call me lame but I refuse to even left bank it.

C-bomb, I didn't think you were being a snot. One woman's "Too dark, too quiet" is another woman's "Oh PTL, I can finally get a good night's sleep!" That's why posting here is generally valuable to someone, somewhere.

Cherrybomb - I didn't see your reply as negative -- just honest. Which is what we're looking for when we ask questions. Your reply gave a good idea of what to expect. And I imagine just about everyone would like to know if an apartment gets a lot of street noise or is super quiet.
So thanks a lot!

Thanks. I just hate reading the jerky know it all responses which have kept me away for a while. I hate to be that person but want to be honest yet still borate that my prefernces are not universal truths. If you k ow what I mean.

Notate not borate. Stupid iPhone.

Cherrybomb, may I ask what apartment you normally stay at?

I sort of felt the same way you did when I stayed there. The lack of light meant I slept like a baby--in fact I overslept quite a lot, but my body was sure happy about it--but I would like something next time with light and perhaps a bit of a view. That area around Rue Charlot is so perfect, though, I"m hesitant about looking elsewhere.

I appreciate the honest response also. I am leaving today and staying there for the next two weeks. I'm thrilled that it's so quiet. Although I like a bright sunny place in the summer, the lack of light in the winter won't bother me, I love to have little lamps lit , even during the daytime.

I can add my review to this post when I return, a different point of view.

It's great!!! I hate to tell you that since it gets booked quickly and I've tried to rent it in the past without success.

A little bit of info. The bed is great, in fact, I think it is about the size of our queen bed at home, definately not a double by american standards. Lots of pillows, blankets and towels. It really feels like you have a garden apartment, there are french doors that open onto the garden, although it's 2C so we aren't doing that very much! It feels very open. I'm not really finding it dark, but it is winter. There are a combination of 16 lights/lamps so in the main room and kitchen, it is very well lit! There is enough of closet space, a full size washer and dryer, an oven and 4 burners, the only thing lacking is a dishwasher.

It is very clean, and very secure and safe, especially for single woman. It's charming!

Cherrybomb and susanna: ; Thanks for your up to the minute reviews of this wonderful looking apartment. looks like the perfect place. keep the info coming! and have a wonderful time, susanna!!

Thanks for the review.

cherrybomb, I read this earlier and decided to comment. I really liked your review of this apartment. Based on it, I wouldn't rent it. I read the posts looking for a quiet apartment and I respect that desire. I live in a quiet, non-city area and when I go to Paris I want a place facing the street, high up so I can see the rooftops and look down for some street activity. No quiet courtyards for me. I love the energy and life of the city. This apartment sounds lovely, just not for me. So there is at least one other poster who shares your preference.

susanna, I'm glad you love this apartment and I hope you will do a trip report. I would love to be in Paris!

I'm glad people love the apt - it just wasn't for us! everything susanna says is spot on, though I did not count light fixtures! then again, we were running lights during the day. The sleeping like a baby (too much so) is also correct for us!

I appreciate that people want honest responses/feedback, but at the same time, it is hard to be totally honest when it comes to being somewhat negative about a place and to an owner that is a great person and when I realize the place is great on all levels for many people.

Gomiki - we are both on the same page as to what we want for a place.

Thanks for the reviews of this apt. As a woman usually traveling solo to Paris, it sounds great. I would LOVE the quiet! I like light, too, but daylight light wouldn't be too important to me, as I'm usually out most of the day in Paris. For me, a comfortable bed, quiet, security - and easy walking to buses and Metro are what matters.

Susanna, please do a report when you get back!

Susanna - thanks so much for your report. I'm so glad to hear that the apartment has a good bed. Last apartment we rented the bed was so uncomfortable that my husband decided to try the couch. The apartments sounds exactly what we want for a relaxing evening after a busy day out!

And Cherrybomb -- you can see that your report was exactly what is needed to help make a decision. If someone just says "this place was great" or "I wouldn't stay here again" without giving reasons, we have nothing to go on. Reviews like yours help to decide what's right for us.

I know aimeep - but having an opinion can be controversial here...mine and $2.25 will get you a ride on the train as I like to say.