Opinion on Paris Apartment Locations
 

Hi all,

I've been agonizing over our choice of apartment in Paris and I would love some opinions on neighborhood. I hope you will be patient with me. I know I'm asking about a lot of properties (5), but I don't know how to narrow this down. I have read as many reviews as I can, I have mapped the properties, and distances from them to some of the sights we want to see. I just feel that someone familiar with the city could help me figure out the neighborhoods. For what it's worth, I would be happy in any of these apartments based on the pictures, price, etc I'm just really unsure of neighborhoods.

We are working with Vacations in Paris based on reviews here and the fact that we can get keys to most of their apartments mailed to us. We land at 6 a.m. (we would never have booked that flight but Delta changed our flight time by 4 hours!) and are told we would be able to get into the apartment right away if we start our rental the previous day. We are happy to pay for an extra night to have this peace of mind.

We are a couple with 2 children, ages 7 and 9, and I believe my 67 year old mother will be with us as well. We'll be arriving in early July and staying 1 week before continuing our travels in Provence and the Cote D'Azur. We live in the suburbs now, but have lived in cities and would love to be in a lively neighborhood in Paris.

We are happy to take the Metro to most of the sights we'd like to see. I'm most concerned that we have small markets, cafes and restaurants in our neighborhood. I also love shopping. It would also be nice to have a few sights to see in our neighborhood, in case some of our group wants to go back to the apartment for downtime, and the others want to sneak out for a short time.

These are the apartments I'm considering:

ID#136 - Marais Beauté Two Bedroom Tres Chic! -
19 rue Pastourelle
http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_136.htm
This space looks perfect, I just wish it were closer to Place des Vosges or the Seine so we could walk to some sights. Are there good family restaurants and cafes in this neighborhood? Would there be anything to see in walking distance (walking distance for a 7 year old and a 67 year old)?

ID#183 - Astrolabe Two Bedroom
7 villa de l'Astrolabe
http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_183.htm
I haven't visited Montparnasse on previous Paris visits, but it sounds like this could be a cool neighborhood. I need to confirm whether it sleeps 4 or 5 as the description contradicts itself in various places.

ID#193 - Arc de Triomphe with Views! Designer Two Bedroom
7 Avenue Beaucour
http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_193.htm
This apartment looks really gorgeous and the listing makes it sound as though it is within walking distance to many things, but again, I've never visited this neighborhood and don't know if there is much nearby. I see it is near the Rue de Faubourg St. Honore, which would be fun as I love to shop, but I don't know if there is much on that street in this area. I have only been on it closer to the Louvre.

ID#219 - Duquesne Delight!
25 ave Duquesne
http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_219.htm
Near Champs de Mars - again, maybe this neighborhood is too quiet?

ID#257 - Marais Beaubourg Two Bedroom Apartment
50 rue Volta
http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_257.htm
I have stayed closer to the Beaubourg before so this would be in walking distance to areas I have been near before.

Thank you in advance for your advice!
Christine

Your first choice is in a great location. You could easily walk to the Place des Voges in about 7 minutes. There are tons of great restaurants in this area for a family, good metro connections, and if you love it and it's perfect it should be fine.
The other one in the Marais is really only about a 5 min walk from the one above, it says it is by the Arts and Metiers museum, really, to me this is kind of the same area.

I'm not too familiar with the other three areas , although I have stayed by the Champs de Mars and did quite a bit of boring walking to get anywhere, so I would say not that one.

They alll look very nice.

Last spring we started a 4-week trip to France in a VIP apartment in Paris. Regarding the keys, one person in the VIP office demanded we mail them back immediately after our stay. Somebody else said we could wait til the end of our longish trip. Playing it safe, we mailed the keys back from France. But that did cost us some money, time and trouble. We went to the post office in Sarlat where nobody spoke English. My French is basic. But we did manage to communicate and successfully got the keys sent back.

Between that and disappointment in the apartment I'm not as enamored of VIP as others here.

The first two on your list have lofts, which you wouldn't need in the first one as it says it sleeps 8 and you will be 5. In the 2nd flat, you will need the loft if your mother comes along.

For #136 are you okay with the flights because otherwise it looks good.

For #183 someone will be sleeping in the loft which looks to be part of bedroom 2. The photo doesn't show a second bed on floor level so get VIP to clarify the sleeping arrangements--could be 2 have to sleep in the loft. Photo doesn't indicate how the loft is accessed--stairs? Ladder?

193 looks fine but I would pinpoint the location to be sure you are comfortable with distances.

The last two, many people like the Champs de Mars area, could be fine, could be lots of walking. I don't like the look of the last one. I think no dining or breakfast table which may or may not be important to you. I didn't check this in the others but as a rule, be sure you see what is important in the photos or ask VIP.

I know you've mapped the apartments, but have you looked at each from street level via Google maps and then "taken a walk" to a local grocery stores, etc? If you have not done so, that can be quite informative.

When we were shopping for apartments for my study-abroad student, we did as you did--mapped all the Metro lines to our selections and then ranked them in order of preference. Then via the Google Streetview, we strolled around each neighborhood, looking for markets, pharmacies, and restaurants. It took a ton of time, but it really clarified the choices, and my daughter changed how she ranked the apts accordingly.

When we visited her, we did the same thing to reserve OUR apartment.

I don't think you should consider the 183 one near Montparnasse Tower. I am surprised you say you would be happy with that. It is only 430 SF!!!! They say this is a 2 bedroom, but that is because there is no living room (notice there is no photo of a full room, they don't want you to see how small it is. Also, they put in a floor and have a mattress on a loft floor, not clear how you get up there but if it's a ladder, I really wouldn't consider it (whether for kids or not).

It's also on the ground floor, which I would never book, but it does seem to be secure enough if a private courtyard. I just wouldn't want it anyway, secure or not, as that means people will be walking by your windows. I also suspect the metro runs right under it, and on the ground floor, you will definitely notice that.

Other than that, the neighborhood is okay and certainly plenty of restaurants nearby.

Thank you to everyone who has posted so far! I have looked at so many apartments that they are all blending together and you have pointed out some very obvious things that I just didn't see!

For anyone else still responding, Christina is right and I'm so embarrassed that I didn't notice there is no living room! So I'm no longer considering 183 - Montparnasse.

I'm thinking Champs de Mars might be too quiet and too much walking for this group, so I will probably not do #219 Avenue Duquesne.

After considering your comments, I think the inside of 136 - Rue de Pastourelle is much more appealing than #257 Rue Volta (Marais Beaubourg), so I would choose 136 over 257 if I want to be in the Marais. However, the advice to look at Google Street view was right on! This is a bit of a shabby street though I hate to discount a great apartment because of that.

I'm still considering #193 Arc de Triomphe, Avenue Beaucour. The street view on google looked nice, and the apartment itself seems very nice. Oh, this is so difficult.

Oh and Mimar, I appreciate your input! I did wonder what they would want me to do with the keys, but I guess I assumed they would want them mailed back. Talking to postal workers should be interesting! I'm sorry your experience with VIP wasn't better. I did look at Paris Perfect but as they can't meet me til 9 a.m., I don't think i can do that. I don't know what I would do with my children & luggage on the streets of Paris at what will feel like the middle of the night to us. I think chez vous was too expensive. I looked at other websites with mostly shabby looking apartments. I have looked at options other than VIP! If I let myself, I would look forever and ever, but at some point I have to commit and that's what I'm trying to do now.

cboris,

Hang in there! Although I had reservations on 183, I missed the floor plan which clearly shows no living room!

I know your flight gets in at 5:00 but you will be very lucky to be ready to leave CDG by 6:30. You could slow this down by getting breakfast at the airport, it won't be much but you could kill an hour, then head in to Paris by say 7:30 which will take an hour or more if you end up with one of the PP apts in the 7th.

Very few apartments allow access before noon or later but you can often drop luggage. Only other solution would be VIPs day before rental or a day rate maybe at an airport hotel where you could all shower, etc. For me, that would be a waste of money.

I think once you are in the city, adrenaline will keep you going until you can access your apt.

Have you checked for later Delta flights?

Assuming you land on time at 6AM, it will probably be 8AM or so by the time you get to your apartment. So, if ParisPerfect can meet you at 9AM, that leaves only an hour for a nice breakfast nearby. You can drop your bags at most VIP properties at 10AM if you have keys in hand.

It is not unreasonable for VIP to request the keys be returned promptly. Those keys are expensive and they need them back for other guests.

I assumed the floor plan was showing the main floor and the mattress on the loft was in addition to that floor plan, so that there were two rooms on the main floor, each with a bed (one queen and one twin). In any case, there isn't any living room, either way, whether the loft is in addition to that or the loft is the room shown on there with a twin bed. there couldn't be if it were only 430 SF, you know how small that is, that is smaller than some studio apts I know of.

oh, I agree that it is totally reasonable to expect the keys back immediately. Although I'm one who thinks mailing keys to apts is kind of weird to begin with (and I'm not a VIP fan), but if you like that, I think you should expect you are going to have to mail them back as soon as you leave. But those who like that say they like that there isn't anyone lock to contact, etc., so that's what you get when you want that kind of arragement. Me, I prefer renting from local Parisian agencies with real offices and people on site in case of problems. I don't care about having to make arrangements or go to their office to get the keys, and if someone meets you at the apt, they can answer questions or show you how things work, also. I've had both (local office where I got the keys and could always call, and local owner who met me).

So I would actually expect a place who mails keys to tenants to demand they be returned ASAP.

ID#136 - Marais Beauté Two Bedroom Tres Chic! -
19 rue Pastourelle. There are plenty of restaurants and shops in the general area of this apt. Looks very nice however the area seems like a bit of a walk after being out all day. i stayed not too far from this apt and although I liked the area I decided I would prefer to be a bit closer to the Seine. Then you need to consider the 5 flights of stairs with lugging luggage and maybe having to do a couple of times a day (particularly for a 67 year old). I am that age and if I see anything over 2 flights of stairs without an elevator that is a deal breaker.
ID#257 - Marais Beaubourg Two Bedroom Apartment
50 rue Volta This is the one I would recommend. For what you are describing you want in terms of convenience for all parties this one is it. I have also stayed in this area a couple of times and I love it. IMO is an ideal location...1) Close to Rue Rambuteau which is a street with ample amt. of shops for fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese, chicken, pasta etc. It is not too far from Place des Vosges which is very pleasant to sit in the square or cafe for a cappuccino. Rue Francis Beaugoes (sp??) is not too far for browsing. Pompidou can get rather busy. VIP is very easy to deal with and it is nice to have the keys prior to leaving the states.The downside of this apt. is only a little over 500 sq. ft. however the time you would all be in the apt. at the same time prob. will be minimal.

I have a few comments on ID 193. I suggest looking at the street map carefully before you decide. I am not as familiar with this area and have never stayed in this area more of just a passing through on my way elsewhere in Paris. I think though this would be more of a "city" kind of atmosphere rather than village type and charming. Yes, you would have shopping which I think would be more higher end however there are not as many other sights in this area as there are closer to the 3rd or 4th. I admit my bias is the Marais. No matter which apt. out of these 3 you choose I think you would be pleased.

I have a few comments on ID 193. I suggest looking at the street map carefully before you decide. I am not as familiar with this area and have never stayed in this area more of just a passing through on my way elsewhere in Paris. I think though this would be more of a "city" kind of atmosphere rather than village type and charming. Yes, you would have shopping which I think would be more higher end however there are not as many other sights in this area as there are closer to the 3rd or 4th. I admit my bias is the Marais. No matter which apt. out of these 3 you choose I think you would be pleased.

Forgot to mention that when you do the streetwise view, what looks like a barren street away from a central one can often contain lots and lots of rather nondescript entrances into lovely courtyards.

#136 - 4th floor no elevator - no way.

#183 - nope, way too cramped

#219 - again 4th floor no elevator, again no way

#257 - maybe but a bit cramped for 5 of you

#193 is the best of the lot hands down. Good size, nicely furnished, 2 bathrooms, elevator to 4th floor, close to Parc Monceau for the kids. No contest, really.

I appreciate all of your feedback on all of these apartments, but it has me second-guessing all of my options. I do still like #193, but I also feel like I might want to be closer to Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Latin Quarter.

Can I ask for your opinion on 2 more apartments?

http://www.parisianflat.com/rent-a-p...haracteristics

http://www.parisperfect.com/apartmen...is/vouvray.php

Unless our flight is delayed, the Paris Perfect apartment will definitely have us hanging out in a cafe with our luggage, but perhaps that isn't so bad. I've emailed Parisian Flat to see how early they could let us in. I'm thinking Rue du Cardinal Lemoine might be more the location I'm looking for.

Thanks again, you have all really helped me.

Both locations, which aren't too far apart, are great and both apartments are attractive. Cardinal Lemoine apt has two baths as opposed to one in the PP apt. PP gets overall great reviews, bit out of my price range. PP apt also offers free calls to the US if that's important.

I would be happy in either and would probably make my final decision based on a combination of price and desirability of two bathrooms for 5 people.

I misread and thought you arrived at 5:00 but with a 6:00 am arrival you won't be waiting long for PP to open. These are busy areas of Paris, many cafes will be open serving basic "continental" breakfasts from 8:00 or earlier. They are used to people rolling up with their luggage.

I'm a big fan of the Parisianflat apartments.

I'm always surprised that I don't read more about them on forums. I have never heard a bad word about one of their apartments. They are beautiful and well located.

I actually rented the Rue Gay Lussac apartment three years ago, but unfortunately had to cancel my trip.

They were very gracious and promptly refunded my deposit.

Though I haven't yet stayed in one of their apartments, my experience with them was very positive.

You might want to check out Haven in Paris as well. They have a good reputation and some very nice apartments.

Here is a link.

http://www.haveninparis.com/apartments/paris/

A couple of other agencies that you absolutely can't go wrong with are Paris Vacation Apartments and Guest Apartment Services.

This apartment in particular might work for you.

http://www.parisvacationapartments.c...2-bedroom.html