I'm in the process of looking for an apartment for March 2005 and am looking for some comments regarding the location of this particular apartment. Or if anyone has actually stayed in this apartment, comments about the apartment itself would be greatly appreciated. It seems that the 8th arr. is not so popular with posters here. Is Ave de Friedland a major thoroughfare and would it be too busy/noisy? It does say the apartment faces a courtyard. Other than the noise issue, I'm just looking for a safe neighborhood with convenient metro access. Any other issues I should be concerned with? Thanks.

I haven't rented that apt. Yes, that is a major street, but not like the Champs-Elysees, and since the apt. is upper floor and looks onto courtyard, I think that would be fine. At least, no worse than most other places you'd probably find. Even if you are in a small sidestreet, you can end up with noise if your apt looks out onto some kind of shop or cafe/bar that is open a lot and plays loud music (as you may guess, I had one of those).

I think it looks pretty nice if the size and furnishings and arrangements are acceptable to you. I wouldn't be crazy about those stairs to the bedrooms, the size is extremely small for a 2 BR apt, and the bed looks like one of those I've seen in France that isn't really a regular bed, but only a mattress (foam if you are unlucky) on a platform. It looks like it may not have box springs, not sure -- I'd ask about that if you care. I really don't like uncomfortable beds and I've had one of those platform beds before and foam mattresses and hate them. It's furnished very cheaply (sling chairs, folding tables next to bed, etc), but you see that a lot in Paris rental apartments, but that's obvious in the photos for you to decide if you like that.

I wouldn't let the location bother me for the purposes you want, it's pretty convenient and has good transportation access.

Christina,
Thanks for the heads up on the beds. I hadn't thought of that. I'll ask about the mattresses. A lot of the apartments I've come across in this price range seem to have similar "IKEAish" furnishings but that doesn't really bother me. I'm only staying 5 or 6 nights.

The other area that I'm looking at is the Marais. Any comparison of the advantages/disadvantages of each location would be appreciated. Thanks.

Here's the other apartment that I'm looking at if that helps: vrbo.com/15502 - it's bigger, looks nicer, but costs more and we would have to work around their availability. But if the location is worth it, we'll go for it.

Could like to recommend an apartment that we have stayed in if you are interested. It was wonderful ParisPerfect.com. It looked just like the pictures on the website and Madelyn and Phillipe were wonderful to deal with. We were thrileld with our home in Paris. We stayed in a 1 bedroom 2 bath, small but very adequate kitchen, large living room and dining area.

Forgot to tellyou the apartment name. ALl of them are names of wines. WSe stayed in Cabarnet.

Shar

I am interested in the Cabernet apartment. Since it appears your stay was recent, do you have a review of this apt or can you comment on it. We do not speak french, but have visited Paris 3 times before in hotels, Napoleon and Raphael. Apt seems to be interesting, but wonder about language
barrier, other tenants etc. Also were the towels adequate, or do we need to bring additional?

Thanks Jerry

I just couldn't resist commenting on apartment rentals. We rented two apartments for 2 weeks from Rothray Agency in June, 2004, and they were just wonderful. The book Great Sleeps in Paris raves about Rothray and justifiably so. Website is http://rothray.free.fr Prices are good and what you see on the site is very much like what you get.....top quality. Amazing service and such likeable people.

I contacted Rothray about an apartment rental. When the specific property I requested info for was not available, they gave my e-mail to several of thier property-rental agency friends. You would not believe the amount of e-mail I got from them, and it was not just for apartments with the same criteria of the unavailable Rothray's apartment, it was anything with four walls and a door. I would not hesitate to contact Rothray as I think the apartments and services are reputable, HOWEVER I certainly would request that he not share your information.

Margie,
I'm sure Rothray would be horrified to hear they had caused you so much grief. Both Roth and Ray are so professional and concerned about their clients. I do hope you give them another chance as I can't imagine nicer, more efficient people with which to work.

Actually, I don't think they were horrified at all! Anyway, as I said above, I would not hesitate to contact Rothray as I think the apartments and services are reputable, HOWEVER I certainly would request that they not share your information.

My husband and I have stayed in this VRBO apartment and I would definitely recommend it. The owner, Philippe, is exceedingly nice and has but one rental -- this one -- which he used to live in. We rented almost two years ago, I think, when he had just started renting out this apartment. It is not noisy at all and is centrally located. My husband loves the Arc so it was really fun for him to stay nearby. The neighborhood is definitely safe and very close to the metro. The apartment is also very well equipped. Philippe had a wonderfully detailed map (which I'm sure he would email you) of the various bakeries, restos, supermarkets, open markets in the neighborhood -- with little notes about which ones he liked best or which ones were open on Sunday, etc. I would say it is a bit of a walk to the closest Monoprix, which is on the Champs, but there are local smaller grocery stores nearby. I would also mention that although the apartment has a lift, you have to walk up a short flight of stairs after getting off the elevator to get to the apartment -- it's at the very top of the building -- not a big deal to us, but some people seem to have something against stairs. I also liked that there are two skylights above the sleeping areas -- you can peek out and look at the rooftops of Paris and see the tip of the Eiffel tower sparkle at night. I'd be happy to help if you have other questions.

Thanks, Lutece. We decided to opt for a hotel this trip since my in-laws aren't joining us anymore. I was in contact with Philippe and he did seem very nice, sending me lots of info about the apartment along with the map. Will definitely keep it in mind for a possible future trip.

Jerwick, we stayed in the Cabernet apartment from ParisPerfect last year at Thanksgiving and would highly recommend it. The property manager in Paris is American so there are not language issues, the location is great and the apartment well furnished, with plenty of towels, well equipped kitchen, good quality bed linens. I would return in a heartbeat. The same owners have several other apartments in the same building. All are equally nice.