lynnejoel1015

looking at a VRBO studio apartment in the marais. just wondering if this location (Boulevard du Temple: http://www.vrbo.com/30917) will be obnoxiously loud or anything!

thank you, er... merci!

kerouac

Nice middle class neighborhood near République. Yes, it's a busy street, as the word "boulevard" would imply.

nancy1652

We stayed on that street for a month in April. The metro Filles du Calvaire was right outside our door. As soon as you cross the Boulevard, you're in the Marais. It's a very convenient location, with lots of reasonably priced restaurants, especially on Rue Jean Pierre Timbaud. The Boulevard is a busy street, but we didn't find it noisy. You should be quite happy there.

lynnejoel1015

thanks much! i didn't know that boulevard would necessarily imply busy street.

i live in LA where every Ave., St., Blvd., etc. is all a mess, and have never been to paris before-- first trip! this is a new lesson to me!

nancy1652

Do you know (or care) what floor the apartment is on? The view from window looks like it's high, and there doesn't seem to be an elevator in the building. Also, the first floor in French apartments really means it's on the second floor, and so on. You might want to check on this. It can get very old climbing a lot of stairs at the end of the day.

AnthonyGA

Boulevard implies large rather than busy. In Paris, a <i>rue</i> (street) is small, a <i>boulevard</i> or <i>avenue</i> is much larger. Large arteries tend to have more traffic, but it's the size that is implied by the name, not the volume of traffic.

tomassocroccante

Seems pretty clear that your windows look onto the courtyard, rather than the street (and down onto the skylight of the &quot;famous&quot; hotel neighbor!)

tomassocroccante

&lt;&lt;If you are traveling during the spring and summer months, you will enjoy our co-op courtyard, where you can bring your own baguette, cheese and wine to picnic on the garden's table and bench! &gt;&gt;

I cut the above from the apartment's website at Paris Essentials. Interestingly, the price there says &quot;from 125 E per night, from 770 E per week.&quot; The price on VRBO says from $99/498 - quite a difference, as 125E is around $170!

Micheline

I think it looks fine if you don't mind being on the third floor (really fourth).

tomassocroccante

Micheline, I'm thinking of doing a home exchange in the not-too-distant future - but since I'm on the top floor of a Manhattan brownstone (5 flights of stairs), I'm always looking for other people in walk-ups when I browse home exch sites. For me, the 3 flights up to a Paris 3rd floor apt would feel like a vacation in itself!

lynnejoel1015

thanks everyone, for your comments!

yes, i was a little miffed when i was quoted $718 for 6 nights, when on VRBO they say $498 for a week! i wanted to point that out, but we're still considering it.... is it wise to point out or would i offend and lose the possibility of staying there?

thanks!

L

tomassocroccante

I'd for sure ask. Maybe they've changed their rate and forgot about the other ad. Or maybe they'll honor it.

Leave the door open - as long as you don't accuse them of cheating, why shouldn't you politely ask? Even if all you get is an explanation, you'll have satisfied our ... er, I mean, YOUR ... curiosity.

travelbunny

I have noticed a number of apartments with multiple prices. The VRBO is usually cheapest. They are then listed on other rental sites. I assume the different prices represent &quot;cuts&quot; that the various agencies take and some of the services provided. I think this underlines the need to be a careful shopper.

tomassocroccante

Yes, certainly there will be some sites that are actual agencies that get a fee. VRBO charges only for the listing (as do many others) and no commission from either party.

It was a fairly large difference on the apartment in question though. 40%