Just back from Paris - feedback on our apt, tips, and photos
 

Hi Everyone!

I recently got back home from a trip to Paris with my Mom. Earlier this year, I asked several questions on this board to help plan for my trip; specifically, I wanted to know about renting an apartment. Many fodorites were wonderful in helping me out and I wanted to let everyone know that our apartment, Pastis through Paris Hideaways, worked perfectly for us. You will find information at the following link:

http://tinyurl.com/27tbaa


APARTMENT INFO:

First of all, the apartment was in our budget and it was very clean and safe. Secondly, we loved the Marais neighborhood and its location on Rue des Rosiers, not far from the St. Paul metro stop. Finally and most importantly, I don’t hesitate to recommend the apartment agency and owner. Katia at Paris Hideaways was very professional and easy to work with in answering all of my many questions and in booking the apartment. Once the apartment was booked, I dealt with Thierry, the apartment owner. He was always very pleasant and quick to answer my questions through email.

A little bit of info on the reservations process… Initially, when I booked the apartment, I had to pay a deposit of 60 euros to secure our reservations. Then, the final balance was due to the owner upon arrival at the apartment (cash). At this time, I also had to pay a security deposit of about 500 euros – either in cash or personal check (I chose to use a check). I was a little nervous about the security deposit part, but everything went smoothly and Thierry returned my check to me at check out – he had told me that he has never had to cash anyone’s security deposit.

PHOTOS:

I have some photos of our trip, including photos of our apartment, available for viewing on flickr: http://tinyurl.com/ywa7c7


A FEW TIPS:

So much information is already available here on fodors about Paris, so I don’t have a whole lot to say that hasn’t already been stated, but there are two things that I would highly recommend. One, the museum pass worked out beautifully for us – most importantly, we were able to skip all of the lines. The reason why it worked out so well for us is because I took a lot of time before we left deciding how we would use the Museum Pass - on what days and with what sights. We went with a 2-day museum pass to see the museums and sights we were interested in seeing in Paris and then purchased Le Passporte for Versailles, that we used on a third day, that included the train tickets, entrance, and audioguides.

Secondly, I recommend Rick Steves Paris 2007 book. I know a lot of fodorites don’t care for Rick Steves, but his Paris book was very helpful, particularly in helping us to determine how to visit sights at less crowded times. We also really enjoyed his neighborhood walks and museum tours.

Please feel free to ask any questions, etc. Once again, thanks to all for your help in planning my trip.

Nice pictures. I especially liked the ones that incorporated the leaves changing colors. Never a bad time of year to be in Paris.

Any restaurants you would like to recommend..I saw La Citrouille in your pics.

Info on appartment (use of facilities, noise,etc...)

Mike

Bailey,

Thanks for your report and your pictures - they were all lovely! I've never been to Paris in the fall, and the sights looked gorgeous against the fall colors!

How long was your trip? Don't worry to post more details...most of us love long trip reports. I just went back in May with my sister and our friend - traveling with family is always interesting!

Are all of Paris Hideaways apartments privately owned? Yours looked incredible, and what a bargin! Was it nosy though with it being on such a busy street?

forgot to add...

Was this you and your Mom's first time in Paris? If so, what did you both think about it?

Bailey, I loved the photos, especially the two of the vendors' stalls along the river. Very nice.

There is one photo of Place des Vosges taken from what appears to be the third or fourth floor of one of the buildings surrounding the square. Where were you when you took that picture?

Anselm

Bailey may have had a different viewpoint, but I was able to get photos of Place Vosges from a top floor of the Victor Hugo house which is open to the public.

Palette, when I saw the photo, that's exactly where I thought she was.
Great photos, Bailey. I was in Paris 11/3 to 10 and my photos didn't capture the fall foliage like yours did.

Thank you for all for the compliments on my photos. I really enjoy photography and I'm always trying new techniques, etc to improve my photos.

Michel_Paris - I do not have a lot of recommendations for restaurants since a lot of our meals consisted of crepes, paninis, or other food bought on the street. The weather was still pretty nice for picnics. We really enjoyed our prix fixe meal for 15 euros at La Citrouille. My main entree of roast duck was very good. We also enjoyed our dinner at Camille, located not far from our apartment. We both had something similiar to a pot roast with winter vegetables for 19 euros. Then, of course, I loved my falafel sandwich at L'As du Fallafel - that's a must! We were fortunate enough to stop by at 11 am on Sunday when they just opened with no lines. an hour later there were two very long lines.


Anna - I'm not sure if all of the apartments are privately owned or not, but I got that impression. I forgot to mention in my original post that it was completely noise-free which was shocking to me with our location - basically right over Chez Marianne (which I didn't get a chance to try). We had double windows and we didn't directly face the street - we were on the side.

AnselmAdorne - palette is right - the photo was taken from Victor Hugo's apartment.

Thanks, Bailey. I'll have to go in and take a picture.

AA

Oh, I forgot to answer a few other questions -

Our trip was for 5 nights. This was my Mom's first trip to Paris and it was my second - the first was a high school trip that took place 11 years. I'm amazed, and I think my Mom is as well, by how much we enjoyed the museums since we generally are not museum people. The museums in Paris are so interesting between their beautiful pieces of art and the beautifully historical buildings that house the art.

One more thing about the apartment's low noise level - there wasn't a whole lot of car traffic on Rue de Rosiers since it's such a small street - I'm sure that helped to keep the noise down.

Thanks so much for the update on the apartment. I remember when you were looking for one and I really liked the one you chose, I'm very glad it worked out so well.

bailey,
Beautiful photos!!! Thanks so much for sharing these. It looks like the museums are a lot less crowded than when we were there in April. Could this be true?

Thanks for your report and your beautiful photos.  I am taking my 15 y.o. daughter to Paris in March (my first time there, her second), and we are staying in the Marais as well.  In fact, at the Caron de Beaumarchais, which appears in your photo of the parked bicycles.  Do you have favorite pâtisseries, cafés or other shops that we shouldn't miss?

artlover - I'm glad that you liked the photos. I'm not sure about how the crowds compare - I haven't been in April, but maybe someone else could comment...

samsmom - I think that you will really like the location of your hotel. My Mom and I bought our groceries, etc at that market on the corner (right next door to your hotel) and the young man that always waited on us was always so friendly. There's also a lot of cafes and shops in that area. I loved every pastry shop that we ate at :), but this one pictured here:

http://tinyurl.com/2mnrya

had amazing pastries filled with almond paste. I'm sorry that I don't know the name, but they're located on Rue de Rosiers, not far from L'as du Fallafel. Next time I visit Paris, I'll be sure to stop by for another almond pastry. Also, I highly recommend L'As du Fallafel - their sandwiches are delicious. A few times we walked by, they were closed, but when in doubt, Sunday is your best bet for everything to be open in Le Marais. The neighborhood really came alive on Sunday.

I'm thinking about this apartment for our stay in May (my husband and myself.) The price seems fantastic for the location. Were you happy with the apartment itself? Is that double bed in the alcove as small as it looks in the photo? Was it comfortable?

Your pics are lovely. Thanks for sharing them.

Your photos are lovely!

plafield - The bed is a double and it seemed the same size as any other double. It was very comfortable - I didn't have any problems with my back or anything. I'm used to sharing a queen with my husband and this double wasn't a problem for my Mom and I to share. Perhaps if you like a king bed this double would be too cozy for you. For me, the affordable price was more important than the size of the bed. The orange sofa is a fold-out, but we didn't use it so I can tell you how comfortable it is.

Really lovely photo's bailey - my pick was the one you took of the top of the large ovoid dome of Sacre`-Coeur from the bottom of rue Rustique looking uphill.
The same picture is featured in The EyeWitness Travel Guide and I went especially one afternoon to copy the same photo shot. Well done you, it turned out great!

Nice trip report.

I have a question about the museum pass, should we purchase it on line before our trip or when we arrive in Paris. Also, I wouldn't want more than a 2 day pass, how many places were you able to visit in 2 days. We're not big museum people, we do want to go to the Louvre and d'Orsay museum and Versaille. Just wondering if it's really worth paying $46 for a pass.

Tod - I'm glad that you like that photo, it's one of my favorites.

Suze - We purchased our pass at our first sight which we used it at, which was Sainte Chappelle. Since it wasn't crowded, that worked out well for us. I wouldn't have bought it at the Louvre, Versailles, or somewhere else equally crowded. You could purchase it online or buy it at any sight that's not so crowded, even if you will not be visiting that sight.

We used our 2-day pass at 6 places. Versailles was on another day and we decided to get the Versailles Pass for that rather than get a 4-day pass (the next option up from 2-day pass). For us, the 4-day pass would have been too much - we didn't have enough sights planned to make it worth it and our fourth day was the first Sunday of month when museums are free. The combination we came up with worked out very well us - saving us a good amount of money and, most importantly, allowing us to skip the lines!

Nice photos. Thanks for sharing. I had the most wonder pastry ever at a shop in the Marais - something with almonds in it. Yummmmm.

OK, thanks. I think we'll do Versailles on a Tuesday and some museums on Wednesday, like that we should get our money's worth. Does it say on the pass what places it's good for?

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip. I remember your posts when I was planning our trip We also were on rue des Rosiers in June. I sent your apartment info to my friend who is planning to go with her daughter in the spring.

as for the museum pass -- yes, they give you a little fold-out information sheet with the pass which lists every museum and monument it is good for, their address, opening hours, what kind of museum it is, and closest metro stop. That information sheet is worth keeping in itself.

Beautiful pics. I especially love the one of the green park benches amid the golden trees. Very nice! Looks like a place ripe for endless conversation.

What wonderful photos; last time I was in Paris was 7 years ago; sure brought back a lot of memories; must be time to go again. I had to laugh because I've got a couple of the exact same photos.
This time though I am very very tempted to go with the apartment idea. Excellent info. thanks

bailey,
Thanks so much for the apartment information and the wonderful photos! I've just been sitting here, looking at them, and wishing I was going back to Paris. We won't be going back until 2009, so this was like a mini-trip to Paris :-)

Sandy

Bailey, your pictures are so beautiful!

I have a question -- from where your apartment was, how long did it take you to walk to the Eiffel Tower? Other atractions?

We are trying to plan a trip to Paris in the fall (our first time to Paris), and now your apartment has made our "short list" of apartments to consider. The other ones are in the 7th; do you have an opinion as to which location is better?

Thanks for the great report!

Bailey:

Great pictures! Now I remember why I am going to Paris next Wednesday..

Hi bailey, I could se your faces in the photos what a wonderful time you were having. I was hoping to return in Frebruary but my husband's new illness has cancelled that, but I can see my hotel, The Caron de B. in one photo. I see the cycles in front have spawned many more since my last visit.
Thanks for the photos and visit.

I am so happy that you all enjoy the photos and report - you are too kind with your lovely compliments. I'm glad that this information is providing some help to those planning trips.

Ronda - I know exactly what you mean. I think the almond pastry that I had is the best pastry I've ever eaten! Nothing has come close to how delicious it was!

Samsaf - I would say that the Eiffel Tower is too far of a walk from the apartment. I typically walk as much as I can when I travel since I don't get the chance to do so when at home, but we found that we had to break down and take public transportation in Paris since it's such a large city and we wanted to see so many sights during our stay. When deciding on this apartment, I didn't worry about what was in walking distance. I wanted an apartment in a nice neighborhood with lots of cafes and shops (lots of Parisian atmosphere) and it had to be near a metro stop. So, if I were you, I wouldn't worry so much about that and I would read up on the Paris metro and bus lines. It's a very easy system, but if I had done that beforehand I would have been more confident right off the bat.

cigalechanta - I'm sorry that your trip was canceled. I hope your husband is feeling better soon.

Thanks for the information, Bailey. I showed the pictures of the apartment to my husband, and he really likes it, so we're going to check it out.

Hi Bailey!
Just another Fodorite that would like to say "thanks" for the great photo log. My DH and I are going to France next May and will end up with our last 2 days in Paris. Unfortunatly, we can't change things around to spend more time, but we will be staying near the Louvre. I do know that we can't cover all the sights, but we are looking forward to just soaking up as much as we can within reason. Can you tell me what would be doable, in terms of sight-seeing on such a short trip? This is my first trip to Paris, and when you look at a map it seems like such a large city, yet when I talk to some people who have been, they say it's so walkable and easy to see in a short time. My DH is fun to travel with, but he does get art and museum overload, so do you have any suggestions? BTW, I think it's great that you had a holiday together with your Mom....that's something I would cherish for a lifetime! Thanks for sharing!!

Hi ctoner!

Have you purchased a Paris guidebook yet? If not, I would go to the library and check out a bunch of them. Whichever one(s) you like, I would go out and buy it. Like I said earlier, I really liked Rick Steves' book.

Then, I would go through and see which sights really interest the two of you. That's what I did for our trip and I used some advice in the guidebooks for itinerary suggestions for the number of days we had. Replacing sights here and there, taking our interests into account. I also looked at photos online - here and on pbasedotcom to get a sense of what appeals to me.

When you come up with your itinerary, I would group activities according to their locations, so you're not running around with your heads cut off. Also, some museums like the Louvre, Orsay, and Orangerie have evening hours, so that will enable you to stretch out your days if you want to fit a lot in.

Keeping in mind that there's a good chance our tastes are different, I wouldn't miss the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame (maybe squeeze in Sainte Chappelle since it's nearby), Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysses, and Montmartre. As far as museums go, I wouldn't miss the Orangerie and I'd try to fit in the Orsay. Maybe people would have a different opinion here. With two days, I would probably get a 2-day pass for a L'Open Bus tour and hop-on, hop-off.

Basically, I would come up with a list of sights that the two of you would be especially disappointed if you missed and do the best you can to take breaks between the sights to eat outside at the cafes and people watch, taking in the Parisian atmosphere. Be sure not to overbook yourself, you don't want to be stressed and exhausted. You'll just have to plan on going back one day.

Wonderful Pictures - Makes our upcoming trip (May) even more tantilizing..

Greg

Great photos! Thank you for sharing.

Thank you so much for the great trip report. I'm so glad you mentioned that your apartment was quiet-that's a huge factor for me and one that's hard to nail down from home.

The Paris Metro is one of the world's greatest public transport systems. My daughter was just mentioning that it's her favorite-easiest to navigate even though we don't speak French-and some of the stations are just plain beautiful.

Very nice. I can't access the photos right now, will come back later.

Finally got through to flickr. Lovely! Your style sounds like ours: light on the luxury, heavy on the beauty.

If someone has a museum pass and is near Ste.-Chappelle, my goodness, yes.

Thank you - I appreciate your compliments on my photos.

Susan - I agree with you, the Paris metro system is wonderful and very easy to use.

StokeBailey - I also agree about Ste Chappelle - I personally wouldn't miss it - the stain glass windows are unbelievable.