We're considering renting this apartment for our week in Paris in February (2 adults, 2 children). Can anyone share their experience, with the apartment or the area? This is our third visit to Paris, with previous rentals in the 4th and 6th, but we're unable to find something that works this time in either area. Thanks!

http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_168.htm

No direct experience with this apartment, but it seems a bit pricey for a 4th (5th U.S.?) floor walk-up. Nothing wrong with the Ile St. Louis, though.

There is no way I would do a 4th floor walk up with two children. I'd keep looking. If you don't stay in the 6th or 4th which you have previously stayed in you can still find an apartment with an elevator in another arrondisement and you can use the metro or bus system to get where you want to go. Maybe I'm just too old, but 4 flights with luggage and children wouldn't work. Who is going to drag all the paraphernalia for two kids up 4 flights of stairs?

It's a great location, that's for sure. If you're healthy normal people I don't think you should let the stairs stop you. Lots and lots of families in Paris and other older cities walk up several flights of stairs several times a day, carrying whatever they have to carry, and it keeps them fit and healthy.

Thank you, everyone, for sharing your thoughts. I should have indicated that our children are 7 and 12, so we're past the extra gear stage. We also travel quite a bit, and thus we also travel light, so the stairs aren't really an issue. I was more interested in what the area is like in terms of restaurants, shopping, and so forth, as we've not spent much time on Ile St. Louis; as well as whether anyone had stayed in this apartment.

Hi. We stayed on the Ile at the Hotel Lutece on our last visit to Paris.

We enjoyed this location so much that we have booked an apartment for a week in September located on the Quai d'Orleans through Paris Address. We found there were lots of nice restaurants and casual ones too as well as a great cheese shop and bakeries.

I posted a question about the area on Fodors about a month ago and got a great answer from ParisAmsterdam but for some reason I cannot find the thread now. Maybe he will see this thread and post.

I'm sure you will be happy with this location as it is so central and quaint.

Ille St. Louis is like a oasis in the middle of the most toursited part of Paris. There is one main street for shopping/eating etc. and the rest of it is almost entirely residential. There is no metro stop on the island but there are several close by with St. Michel being the closest I think. You'll be able to walk to many places from there while enjoying the quiet of the Island at night.

There are several specialty stores on the main shopping street as well as the original Berthillon's. I have used Vacationinparis rentals and have been happy with their service.

If you (and the kids) can manage the climbs every day - the location is terrific. You will be close to the Pont Marie Metro station and of course near Notre Dame and both sides of the river.

The price is a wee bit high - but apartments on both islands are at a premium so that is understandable.

Have not stayed in this apartment but know the location and agree it is great - if you can stand the four flights of stairs each time you enter or leave.
I can say that the agency was great to work with when we recently rented from them. And I don't think the price is high for a two bedroom in that location.

Thank you, again, everyone for your thoughts. Given that we'll be walking about Paris anyway, what's a few stairs to climb? (My per diem is covering the rental; we'd likely not rent this apartment if the travel were entirely personal!) Will post upon our return to share our thoughts!

fourfortravel,

Below is most of the post I made for Royal re staying on the island.

I'm sorry but first I had to LOL at the admonition to not rent a 4th floor apartment with 2 kids and no elevator!

We did just that in the summer of 2007... believe me I am NOT in great shape and at the time was still smoking 2 packs a day... and I survived the stairs!

Kids do no have a problem... our then 15 year old daughter would remove her shoes and bolt up the stairs like a deer! I'd give her the key and she'd have cold drinks out for my wife and I by the time we puffed to the top! Go for it!

We stayed on the island at the corner of rue Poulletier and the Quai d'Anjou. Loved it.

Ended up at the Hilton on this summer's visit though... Priceline made it impossible to pass up at the price we got.

As for suggestions... well, there are 3 cafe's within a step or 2 of your front door! There's a pharmacy close by as well. Around the corner you'll find restaurants, plus Berthillon and Amorino. I'm afraid I have no opinion on the Berthillon vs Amorino question as I don't like ice cream at all. My wife and daughter seemed to gravitate more to Berthillon though.

We only ate diner once on the island... we always seemed to be elsewhere when it was time to eat. We didn't enjoy the crepes much at Cafe Med though.

Further along rue St Louis en l'Ile you'll find a small but well stocked grocery store on the right.

There's another smaller one on rue des Deux Ponts.

Also on Deux Ponts is a Post Office.

There are also shops for cheese, pate, and a couple of boulangeries along rue St Louis en l'Ile.

If you walk along the left bank side of the island and cross to the left bank at the Pont de Sully, just to your right you'll see a Picard frozen food store... they are supposed to be very good.

One of the things I enjoyed most about the apartment on the island was I almost felt as if I was living there rather than being a tourist. I'm an early riser and would walk up rue St Louis to the Cafe Louis IX in the morning for a coffee while my wife and daughter were still asleep... by the third morning the patron had my double express waiting by the time I bellied up to the zinc. Really made me feel like a local.

If there's anything else, just ask!

Rob