I totally agree with Swiss, I wouldn't go up and down that ladder, day or night!

Out of the 3 new ones I like the Cluney, although you are getting into a more expensive apartment and if you are doing that there are a lot more options out there at that price.

The second new one looks downright uncomfortable, it's cold and stiff, doesn't look inviting.

I still like this one, the price is right and it is a good location in the 5th. Why is this one off your list?
Quartier Latin FRSA5

Agree with susanna re FRSA5. Location is terrific, apartment looks very inviting, and it looks to me like there is a refrigerator just to the right of the washing machine (albeit a small one).

It does mention it is on the 2nd floor and no elevator. Remember, the 2nd floor would be 3rd floor American.

We didn't take #5 off, just exploring other options. But you have convinced us. I've sent off a request. I still like the one at the Cluny, but it is almost $500 more a week. That's a lot of fromage et sauccison!

The one with the ladder, I think that is an extra loft, not the main bedroom, but I really do love the area of this one. It is just half a block away from where we usually stay.

Thanks! I'll keep all y'all posted!

cat, I really do not mean to be a wet blanket here. I know it is difficult to find that perfect apartment, one that has the perfect location but also fits budget.

However, if there is one thing I have learned when renting apartments / chalets / gites, it is that pictures and words can be very confusing.

If you end up considering the one with the ladder, PLEASE get in touch with the agency beforehand and find out about the bedroom.

To me, it does NOT appear the loft area is a second bedroom. Nowhere on the writing does it state loft or second bedroom.

Sure, it says it sleeps 4, but you will notice they said "double sofa bed". If you had 4 people there, 2 of them would be relegated to the sofa bed. The bedroom is actually in the loft.

At least this is how I read thru the lines.

When you're pinning down a place, get very specific with the owners or agency. You can never ask too many questions, IMHO.

Happy travels!

No worries, swiss. I appreciate you looking our for me. The reason I think there is a separate bedroom is that the loft area doesn't look as though you could stand up, but the bedroom pictured has very high ceilings.

It is moot, though, as we decided on 5 Frederic Sauton. They responded quite quickly so I'd say we're in. Changed dates from April to May, so it will be my Mother's Day Present to myself!

Good job, cat!

The hard part is done. Now you can enjoy planning your lovely return to Paris. And for Mother's Day! How special is that?

Great, it's a charming studio at a very nice price...I've even bookmarked it for myself!

cat,
check out vrbo #174027 and #75429. both had good reviews by fodorites and were on my short list for my trip in april.
i decided on vacation in paris #122 based on recommendation from guenmai and others.

ttt

Just want to say that it's not totally unusual for loft bedrooms to have a very low ceiling. We had that in a hotel once.

Abranz, both of those look great but we just love the Latin Quarter. I just need to make the deposit.

Swiss, the only plans I am making this time are booking the apartment and looking for great airfare. Part of the reason we are doing this trip is that the trip to Normandy was so full of things we didn't want to miss, we were exhausted! It was so planned we almost forgot to have fun! I think we are going to go into this trip with absolutely no agenda and let each day unfold on its own.

Cat... I just found the thread. I have been so off the boards I have missed fun!

We really have no plans as of yet for our 10 night trip to Paris in December. I feel a little stressed NOT having plans but we are sort of going to let it unfold.

I feel like I have done enough research etc to make sure we are armed with knowelege but no real plans... I will let you know how it goes.

Don't feel bad about the trip report. I have yet to do one for my trip with dd and feel so bad.

Sometimes the "fly by the seat of your pants" type of trip gives the best memories. I tend to be an over-planner, too, and sometimes that can be frustrating because of all the things on my list that don't get crossed off.

Taking a day - no, an hour at a time -- well, that seems wonderful. Can I come, too?

Well, you can be there, and I may even try to put together a GTG this time, but our room is definitely only big enough for 2!

Things we have planned:
Sitting at Deux Magots for hours!
Wandering the market at Rue Mouffetard and buying yummy things to eat
Wandering around La Orangerie Musee d'Orsay, maybe more than once.
Posing in front of Rodin's the Kiss which has now become a tradition.
Dinner at La Cave de L'Os Moelle (also a tradition)
Naps!!!

Possible plans:
St. Michel canal trip

Other than that, who knows?

cats so you booked your apartment before your air? I am always afraid to do that...

I have a feeling that as gas prices continue to fall, the airfare will go down. I have never not been able to find airfare. The place we are booking only had the one week in May open that we could go so I didn't want to wait. If airfare is not down by January or starts to go up, I'll book.

Right now I am seeing non-stop for 2 around $2200 with taxes.

Is there anything or any company that alerts you to low airfares? Or do you just check different companies off and on?

I get fare alerts that I programed through Kayak I believe - it is still giving them to me from when I set them up for my trip with dd. I was wanting dh to join us for a week and had them programed to alert me - let me go into my email and see what I can find.