Anselm, thank you so much. This really helps. Did you ever go to the market they talk about which is open two times a week?

What are some suggestions for great food elsewhere? We too love to explore the city.

A friend of ours loves the Left Bank at night and says there are a lot of very good ethnic food restaurants and good value. He is trying to remember the names of an Italian restaurant and a Moroccan one he loves.

Thanks again.

Can't answer for Anselm, but went to the market both on Thursday and Sunday---it is fantastic and I can't wait to go again when I am in Paris this April.

I had always liked staying in the 6th but last time stayed right off Place des Vosges and this time am staying in a different apartment on rue des Turenne around the corner. Fell in love with the shops n rue St Antoine and in general, felt this area was perfect. The apartments I stayed in are/were each 2 bedroom and rented for 1200-1400e for the week (both vrbo).

As far as food choices, I have to stay I took Alexander Lobrano's Hungry for Paris as my food bible and it never let me down---all different price ranges and neighborhoods. Happy to elaborate if you want the places.....

Yes Kathrynj, please elaborate. Thank you.

May I also ask a question about cancellation to the people reading this topic. This is the first time we are ever booking an apartment for a holiday. How does cancellation work? Do you have to buy separate insurance?

Please advise. Thanks again.

Cancellation varies from agency to agency (or owner to owner). It should be spelled out on the website and/or the rental agreement. Usually it is more strict than a hotel since it is harder for apartment owners to find replacements the last minute.

Some people buy trip insurance especially if they feel they might have to cancel the trip. Usually that type of insurance has to be bought within a few days of when you put down your deposit and requires a receipt from the owner / agency. A good link is at:

http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/..._insurance.htm

Byron1, I think you are referring to the market on Boulevard Richard Lenoir? Yes, I have been several times. It is a wonderful experience, not just for the food but for the ambiance. It's easy to find; Richard Lenoir runs directly north from Place de la Bastille and the market stalls start at the intersection of the Place and the Boulevard. That's a longish, but pleasant, walk from Rue du Temple or a very quick ride on Metro Line 1 from Hôtel de Ville to Bastille.

Another great concentration of food shops is on Rue Montorgueil in the 2nd. It is a pedestrian street running north from Rue Etienne Marcel towards Rue Réaumur. Again, walkable from Rue du Temple, and well worth the effort.

Restuarants: I second Kathrynj's recommendation of Lebrano's <i>Hungry for Paris</i>. He's very good, not only on food but on ambiance — what it looks like, feels like, and sometimes a bit on who dines there. And yes, he does cover a range of prices.

I do have a bit of advice on dining in Paris: don't hesitate to plunge into the arrondissements that seem to be well outside the areas most frequented by tourists. If you look at any food guide you'll see that there are wonderful restaurants all over the city. In fact, some of the up and comers purposely establish themselves in areas like the 11th, where the rents are a bit lower.

If you are located in the Marais, you will have great bus and Metro connections all around the city. You can plan your transportation on the RATP site (www.ratp.com). On the opening page, just type in the address of your apartment in the "Départ" box and the address of your restaurant in the "Arrivée" box ... just fiddle with a bit; you'll get the hang of it in no time.

AA

Does air conditioning matter to you? It would to me. I haven`t checked the above sites to see if these apartments have it, but I would want it.

On my trip last May, ate dinners at La Gaigne, Cafe des Musees, L'Ami Jean, Breizh Cafe. Lunches at L'As du Falafel, La Gazzetta, La Cerisaie.

Went to the Richard Lenoir market twice and between that and the wonderful shops on St Antoine, we had some meals at home or just at a small place en route somewhere. I echo the rest of what Anselm said---it is so wonderful to just wander around Paris. This time I did Canal St Martin and Montparnasse Tower which I had not done in all my previous visits.