Paris Apartment Thread
Feb 17th, 2009, 10:58 PM
#162
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This is a great thread! I read most of it, but I don't see the answers to my questions. I am trying to rent an apartment for the month of July, hopefully for about $2000 E. There are some options, but I am conflicted about the requirements:
1. One landlord wants me to pay the full amount up front. I'm not sure I can bring myself to do this in blind faith.
2. Another landlord wants me to pay the deposit before he sends the contract. Is this a French thing?
3. There's an apartment on rue de Seine that looks good, but is that an OK location, close to the bridge that leads to the Louvre? Is it ok to be right on the river?
Thanks to anyone who can help me sort this out!
1. One landlord wants me to pay the full amount up front. I'm not sure I can bring myself to do this in blind faith.
2. Another landlord wants me to pay the deposit before he sends the contract. Is this a French thing?
3. There's an apartment on rue de Seine that looks good, but is that an OK location, close to the bridge that leads to the Louvre? Is it ok to be right on the river?
Thanks to anyone who can help me sort this out!
Feb 18th, 2009, 08:59 AM
#163
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Sparsam, I"m not sure if I can answer you but I will try.
The company we are using, ParisAddress, only required a deposit and we had the option to pay the balance on arrival. (I paid in full because it was easier for me at the time.) I honesty don't remember, but I believe we saw the contract before we paid anything.
I don't think being on the river would be a problem, unless there are boats going by with bright lights that might disturb you.
Our rent for a place in the Latin Quarter is under $1000. I mention it above, but we are staying here:
We made our decision and paid or deposit on 5 rue Frederic Sauton.
http://www.parisaddress.com/paris-ap....php?ref=FRSA5
It is our first time in an apartment so I won't know until after we get back in May how it was.
The company we are using, ParisAddress, only required a deposit and we had the option to pay the balance on arrival. (I paid in full because it was easier for me at the time.) I honesty don't remember, but I believe we saw the contract before we paid anything.
I don't think being on the river would be a problem, unless there are boats going by with bright lights that might disturb you.
Our rent for a place in the Latin Quarter is under $1000. I mention it above, but we are staying here:
We made our decision and paid or deposit on 5 rue Frederic Sauton.
http://www.parisaddress.com/paris-ap....php?ref=FRSA5
It is our first time in an apartment so I won't know until after we get back in May how it was.
Feb 21st, 2009, 08:03 PM
#165
sparsam7
I'm not sure about the requirements (are you dealing with an agency or an owner direct?), but being close to the river is as good as it gets IMO. I guess it depends on what you're going to do(do you need to be close to the Metro, etc.)
I'm not sure about the requirements (are you dealing with an agency or an owner direct?), but being close to the river is as good as it gets IMO. I guess it depends on what you're going to do(do you need to be close to the Metro, etc.)
Feb 21st, 2009, 09:22 PM
#167
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Cummingsfamily,
I have not heard of this firm, either, but they seem quite high priced to me. The prices are not easy to find, but the only one I looked at, a one bedroom, cost €1300 for a week, and had a €390 booking fee.
Ouch!
I have not heard of this firm, either, but they seem quite high priced to me. The prices are not easy to find, but the only one I looked at, a one bedroom, cost €1300 for a week, and had a €390 booking fee.
Ouch!
Feb 22nd, 2009, 02:45 AM
#168
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jetsetz, I have been meaning to add a reference here to a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment that we stayed in a few months ago. It is newly renovated, beautifully decorated, and wonderfully located:
www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p210013
It is on Rue des Archives in the Marais, just a few blocks north of BHV. It does have an elevator, a washer and dryer, and WIFI.
This is our third time dealing with Sheila and Bruno, the owners. They are prompt, responsive, and reliable; they also have an excellent representative in Paris, who shows guests through the apartment.
You can read a bit more description, including a few comments on the immediate neighbourhood, in our trip report. Just page down to my post of January 9 2000 @ 12:12, here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nd-picardy.cfm
Anselm
www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p210013
It is on Rue des Archives in the Marais, just a few blocks north of BHV. It does have an elevator, a washer and dryer, and WIFI.
This is our third time dealing with Sheila and Bruno, the owners. They are prompt, responsive, and reliable; they also have an excellent representative in Paris, who shows guests through the apartment.
You can read a bit more description, including a few comments on the immediate neighbourhood, in our trip report. Just page down to my post of January 9 2000 @ 12:12, here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nd-picardy.cfm
Anselm
Feb 23rd, 2009, 07:46 AM
#172
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TPAYT,
Thanks for your reply. For my 21 year old daughter, I would like to be near the student action. Of course, I do want to sleep, too, and I understand people hang out in cafes in the summer until pretty late...
I found two apartments in my price range for a 5 week stay on lodgis.com
http://sublet.lodgis.com/en/paris/qu...lle-apartment/
and
http://sublet.lodgis.com/en/paris/de...86-B11/#imgbig
I don't know how you all are turning these into links, so I'll just leave the addresses for cut and paste!
What does anyone think? Xavier Privas looks so busy (I clicked on "Neighborhood"), I wonder if even on the 4th or 5th floor, it will be possible to sleep. The Hirondelle place looks quieter, but is it ok to be on the 1st floor? Five weeks is a good chunk of time, so I don't want us to be miserable! Does anyone have experience with this?
Thanks for your reply. For my 21 year old daughter, I would like to be near the student action. Of course, I do want to sleep, too, and I understand people hang out in cafes in the summer until pretty late...
I found two apartments in my price range for a 5 week stay on lodgis.com
http://sublet.lodgis.com/en/paris/qu...lle-apartment/
and
http://sublet.lodgis.com/en/paris/de...86-B11/#imgbig
I don't know how you all are turning these into links, so I'll just leave the addresses for cut and paste!
What does anyone think? Xavier Privas looks so busy (I clicked on "Neighborhood"), I wonder if even on the 4th or 5th floor, it will be possible to sleep. The Hirondelle place looks quieter, but is it ok to be on the 1st floor? Five weeks is a good chunk of time, so I don't want us to be miserable! Does anyone have experience with this?
Feb 23rd, 2009, 01:40 PM
#173
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These both look good to me, but the second would be out of the question for my old legs after a day walking the town, as it is on the 5th (6th U.S.?) floor.
BTW, your URLs came through as links just fine. The site recognizes the format and does it automatically.
BTW, your URLs came through as links just fine. The site recognizes the format and does it automatically.
Feb 23rd, 2009, 03:04 PM
#175
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Sparsam,
The one on the first floor is probably on the second floor U.S. For a one month stay, I would go with that one because it is larger and is on a lower floor. If you're concerned about street noise, I'd ask the owner about it and ask for previous references.
Rue de Seine would also be a good location and is not so far away from these two apartments.
The one on the first floor is probably on the second floor U.S. For a one month stay, I would go with that one because it is larger and is on a lower floor. If you're concerned about street noise, I'd ask the owner about it and ask for previous references.
Rue de Seine would also be a good location and is not so far away from these two apartments.
Feb 23rd, 2009, 06:25 PM
#176
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Thank you all for your responses. I don't know where the rue de Seine place is exactly because the owner doesn't reply to my emails (hmmmm...guess that means it's probably booked?). But here is the link:
http://www.vrbo.com/139382
http://www.vrbo.com/139382
Feb 23rd, 2009, 06:33 PM
#177
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Sparsam,
I stayed in the apartment on Rue de L'Hirondelle for a month in 2004. I loved the apartment. It wasn't luxurious, but it's very comfortable, nice layout, and has everything you need. The bathroom needed some repairs (a couple of times the shower leaked into the little restaurant below), but that was 5 years ago so hopefully it's been fixed by now! It's on the 2nd floor, not ground, is on an extremely quiet street (no cars), and is in a fantastic location. I tried to rent it when I went back several years later, but I was only going for a week that time and it has a month minimum. I would definitely get that one over Xavier Privas which is very touristy if I remember correctly. Hope this helps!
I stayed in the apartment on Rue de L'Hirondelle for a month in 2004. I loved the apartment. It wasn't luxurious, but it's very comfortable, nice layout, and has everything you need. The bathroom needed some repairs (a couple of times the shower leaked into the little restaurant below), but that was 5 years ago so hopefully it's been fixed by now! It's on the 2nd floor, not ground, is on an extremely quiet street (no cars), and is in a fantastic location. I tried to rent it when I went back several years later, but I was only going for a week that time and it has a month minimum. I would definitely get that one over Xavier Privas which is very touristy if I remember correctly. Hope this helps!
Feb 24th, 2009, 07:20 PM
#179
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Hi
Here is a report on our recent apartment stay in the Marais. (Jetsetj: I think rentparis.com might have what you are looking for).
Our apartment was rented through RentParis.com, and it was at 6, rue Rambuteau. http://www.rentparis.com/appart-en-47.html
We arrived in Paris on the morning of Feb. 8, and stayed 6 nights until Feb. 14. RentParis offered a shuttle service, but it was 5 euro more than Shuttle Inter, which we used instead. Shuttle Inter was a private shuttle and the one offered by RentParis.com was a multi stop, so there was really no choice.
We would normally arrive by RER and metro, or RER and taxi, but I had broken both my feet in December and we didn't think that it was wise to push much walking after flying all night.
We called the apartment from the airport, and when we got there, Jean Pierre was not in sight. However, on our last trip two years ago, he was waiting for us. I think Sunday morning isn't his favorite time to be out and about. But he came rushing up as we waited, with a bottle of champagne to appease us (I think).
There was a new washer in the apartment, and he suggested we read the booklet. I thought that was a little weak in the "show us around the apartment" department.
The apartment description makes it sound like the apartment is up two flights of stairs, but it is only one flight, and then a few more stairs, perhaps one fourth of a flight. The stairs were wide and deep, and not a problem for me with my cane and limp.
Although the entrance to the building is very old and not quite a renter's dream, upon reaching the top of the stairs there is a security door (new and modern) and then the apartment door.
The apartment looks exactly as it does on the website. It was small, but I knew that. The kitchen was nicely layed out, and although I didn't cook, we did snack and have sandwiches, desserts, coffee, tea, and toast at least once a day. We had tools and dishes sufficient for those things.
The bathroom was compact but didn't feel crowded. There were plenty of nice towels, more than usual, and the bed lines and kitchen towels were all nice. The shower was a good deal larger than the usual apartment or budget hotel shower, and had plenty of hot water, good pressure, and there were face cloths, which was a nice extra.
The bedroom had a large closet, two bright windows, with shutters on the outside, and curtains in. There was plenty of room for our things. Even though we pack light I have a ton of medicines and other health related paraphenalia, and there was enough room.
I don't want to make it sound too big; a few more days and I would have been feeling cramped, but the place was just fine for a week. Having the lovely open space behind the apartment was great. Tons of light came in and the brightness helped.
If I could change anything in the apartment, I would get rid of the silly vase of fake flowers and string lights in the corner by the television, and replace it with a coat rack, and perhaps a shelf. That didn't at all spoil our enjoyment, but would have made a bit better use of the small main space. When our coats were wet, it was hard to find a dry spot to hand them. Even hooks would have been good.
We like rentparis.com and think they are easy, if not warm and friendly, to deal with. Our email dealings were with Andrew and somehow, the English French thing doesn't work perfectly. I had been asking about a possible change in apartments, after the accident in which I broke my feet, saying my doctor didn't want me to do too many steps. Andrew suggested I get a new doctor! I was a little miffed and reminded him that we were return customers, and that I had written both positively and somewhat extensively about RentParis.com. He was a bit nicer then, but don't go looking for BFFs when dealing with RentParis.com.
The price is great (we payed 80 euro per night) and the apartment had a wonderful location, was spotless, comfortable and pleasant. Service is prompt and to the point, once in Paris. On our stay two years ago, we needed something fixed and it was immediately taken care of. On this trip, we called for a taxi through the rentparis.com office, and the taxi was there promptly to take us to the airport the next morning. Their service is good; it's just not warm and fuzzy, and let me do whatever I can to make you happy.
There were fresh roses in the apartment, and JP's champagne. I can answer other questions, but this is all I can think of right now.
Would I stay there again? Only with someone I really like, and only for a week or less. But for a budget room, this was a great deal and very pleasant. Nice fixtures, cool Ikea type furniture, excellent shower.
Here is a report on our recent apartment stay in the Marais. (Jetsetj: I think rentparis.com might have what you are looking for).
Our apartment was rented through RentParis.com, and it was at 6, rue Rambuteau. http://www.rentparis.com/appart-en-47.html
We arrived in Paris on the morning of Feb. 8, and stayed 6 nights until Feb. 14. RentParis offered a shuttle service, but it was 5 euro more than Shuttle Inter, which we used instead. Shuttle Inter was a private shuttle and the one offered by RentParis.com was a multi stop, so there was really no choice.
We would normally arrive by RER and metro, or RER and taxi, but I had broken both my feet in December and we didn't think that it was wise to push much walking after flying all night.
We called the apartment from the airport, and when we got there, Jean Pierre was not in sight. However, on our last trip two years ago, he was waiting for us. I think Sunday morning isn't his favorite time to be out and about. But he came rushing up as we waited, with a bottle of champagne to appease us (I think).
There was a new washer in the apartment, and he suggested we read the booklet. I thought that was a little weak in the "show us around the apartment" department.
The apartment description makes it sound like the apartment is up two flights of stairs, but it is only one flight, and then a few more stairs, perhaps one fourth of a flight. The stairs were wide and deep, and not a problem for me with my cane and limp.
Although the entrance to the building is very old and not quite a renter's dream, upon reaching the top of the stairs there is a security door (new and modern) and then the apartment door.
The apartment looks exactly as it does on the website. It was small, but I knew that. The kitchen was nicely layed out, and although I didn't cook, we did snack and have sandwiches, desserts, coffee, tea, and toast at least once a day. We had tools and dishes sufficient for those things.
The bathroom was compact but didn't feel crowded. There were plenty of nice towels, more than usual, and the bed lines and kitchen towels were all nice. The shower was a good deal larger than the usual apartment or budget hotel shower, and had plenty of hot water, good pressure, and there were face cloths, which was a nice extra.
The bedroom had a large closet, two bright windows, with shutters on the outside, and curtains in. There was plenty of room for our things. Even though we pack light I have a ton of medicines and other health related paraphenalia, and there was enough room.
I don't want to make it sound too big; a few more days and I would have been feeling cramped, but the place was just fine for a week. Having the lovely open space behind the apartment was great. Tons of light came in and the brightness helped.
If I could change anything in the apartment, I would get rid of the silly vase of fake flowers and string lights in the corner by the television, and replace it with a coat rack, and perhaps a shelf. That didn't at all spoil our enjoyment, but would have made a bit better use of the small main space. When our coats were wet, it was hard to find a dry spot to hand them. Even hooks would have been good.
We like rentparis.com and think they are easy, if not warm and friendly, to deal with. Our email dealings were with Andrew and somehow, the English French thing doesn't work perfectly. I had been asking about a possible change in apartments, after the accident in which I broke my feet, saying my doctor didn't want me to do too many steps. Andrew suggested I get a new doctor! I was a little miffed and reminded him that we were return customers, and that I had written both positively and somewhat extensively about RentParis.com. He was a bit nicer then, but don't go looking for BFFs when dealing with RentParis.com.
The price is great (we payed 80 euro per night) and the apartment had a wonderful location, was spotless, comfortable and pleasant. Service is prompt and to the point, once in Paris. On our stay two years ago, we needed something fixed and it was immediately taken care of. On this trip, we called for a taxi through the rentparis.com office, and the taxi was there promptly to take us to the airport the next morning. Their service is good; it's just not warm and fuzzy, and let me do whatever I can to make you happy.
There were fresh roses in the apartment, and JP's champagne. I can answer other questions, but this is all I can think of right now.
Would I stay there again? Only with someone I really like, and only for a week or less. But for a budget room, this was a great deal and very pleasant. Nice fixtures, cool Ikea type furniture, excellent shower.
Feb 26th, 2009, 05:44 AM
#180
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This site is great. I would like to know if anyone has feedback on a VRBO property 175859.
http://www.vrbo.com/175859
This will be my first time to Paris and want an apartment in a great neighborhood at a resonable price, so what else is new.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
http://www.vrbo.com/175859
This will be my first time to Paris and want an apartment in a great neighborhood at a resonable price, so what else is new
. Any feedback would be appreciated.
