Yurtgrrrl

My husband and I are traveling to Paris for the first time this fall (early October) for our 20th anniversary. I have had a heck of a time finding the right place. Most of the apartments I've been interested in are booked. I need light, cleanliness but not sterility, and a real kitchen.
At the moment I am looking at a 1BR on Rue de La Huchette : http://www.flipkey.com/paris-condo-rentals/p397911/ and a slightly larger apartment on Rue Lafayette across from St. Vincent de Paul church: http://www.escalea-paris.com/en/apar...ntal-paris.php. Can anyone comment on either the neighborhoods or the apartments? As it is our first time there is something compelling about being centrally located. But I have lived in big cities and have never enjoyed the most touristy parts of those cities. Rue Lafayette looks to be close enough to the action but far enough away to retreat at day's end. There is also about a $1K difference between the two so while it is not the deciding factor I need the benefit of Rue Lafayette to be worth the difference. Any suggestions or advice will be deeply appreciated. Merci.

adrienne

I would stay away from rue de la Huchette as it is bound to be noisy and it's in a very touristy area which you don't want.

The second one looks like a dream with that sun porch. The views will be spectacular. But it's on the 5th floor and there is no elevator. Are you up to that a couple of times per day? The price on the second apt is much greater because there are 3 bedrooms rather than 1.

bardo1

I would absolutely pay the extra 1K for the week to get the Rue de La Huchette apartment - and not just for the convenience factor. EVERYTHING (not just tourist sites) is steps away and it's a very pleasant area to be in, pass through, and come "home" to every night.

The area near St. Vincent de Paul is not the most charming - though being a block from Gare du Nord is certainly convenient for Metro access (particularly the #4 line).

bardo1

Oops! I had just assumed that the 1st was the more expensive apartment due to its central location. I didn't realize the second one was a 3BR. This is certainly an apples vs. oranges decision...

Yurtgrrrl

Thanks Adrienne. We are fairly athletic so we are not worried about the stairs. I assume I will need some way to work off the wine, cheese, and pastry I expect to fully indulge in!

Bardo...thanks too. I have looked via Google earth at the street level photos and the area around Lafayette looked good to me. Can you say more about your comment, "not the most charming?'

Thanks!

TPAYT

For a first time in Paris the Huchette apt. is a good location. A very busy location, yes, but close to all the action near the Seine. IMO, the Layfayette apt. is too far to walk to most sites. Of course, the Metro is available and easy to use. We just enjoy the ability to walk to most things.

We're set for our 9th trip to Paris in Sept. The first few we chose to be a bit away from the river because of price. We found that we were always walking towards the Seine for everything. Our last 5 trips have been spent on Ile St. Louis, for us the perfect location.

Here's 2 agencies we have used with great success:

http://www.guestapartment.com/
We stayed in Hibiscus and loved it. It's a studio, but really huge with tall beamed ceilings, perfect location.

Here's another agency we used:
http://www.servissimo-paris.com/list...1c9921d4da8ce8

We stayed in #53 right around the corner from the Hibiscus apt. above, so again a great location. A much plainer property but large & quiet with lots of light. The only problem is that the kitchen has only a frig, microwave, and cook-top (no oven). This wasn't a problem for us though. You could check out their other properties for a better kitchen.

Both have 3 bakeries and 2 small grocery stores within a few steps.
Both have excellent agencies within 2-3 blocks of the apts. for anything you might need help with.

We would definitely stay at either of these places again.

IMO, I'd stay as close to the River & Notre Dame as possible for a first trip to make it easy for you to get around. Our first trip was for 4 nights at the end of a tour and we have been coming back in Sept-Oct. ever since. Even after 8 thrips we still have things on our list to see.

BTW, we've had all kinds of weather at this time of year, but last Sept-Oct was absolutely the best. In the 80's and sunny every day. We're hoping for a repeat this year, but whatever the weather, Paris is a real gem.

Enjoy your trip!

RJD

As you've discovered it's a little late to be reserving for early October. Neither place you found seems fully satisfactory. Five maybe six floors is a lot to walk up each time and as adrienne says Rue de la Huchette is not a great place to stay. (Some streets near there are fine.)
Why don't you see what Thierry has available for that time: http://www.parisbestlodge.com/
He is reliable and easy to work with.

bardo1

<i>"Can you say more about your comment, "not the most charming?"</i>

Only that the Gare Nord area is more "auto-y" and not "pedestriany" and lacks the ambiance of areas with more sidewalk cafes, etc.

Christina

I just booked an apt and was looking in Paris for the same time period and while a few were booked I wanted, I found many available and had at least 3-4 possibilities on my final list. There are many more available and you shouldn't have any trouble if you just need a 1 BR.

If you hate touristy areas, rue de la Huchette will be a horror, it is probably the most touristy area in Paris. St Vincent de Paul church is nice and has a good organ, but I wouldn't want to stay in that area myself and would not pay a premium for that location. It sounds like you don't really want to stay there, anyway. You can read about the church here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-V...de-Paul,_Paris


These are some of the agencies where I had my final choices on my wish list, I think they have calendars so you can check

http://holidays-france-rentals.com (lots of nice ones)
http://www.parisaddress.com
http://www.clickappart.com/
as well as VRBO, of course

FYI, your period may be even more difficult than mine (mine was end of Sept) as the beginning of October is a very very busy time in Paris and this year, that is the week of the Auto show, also.

nytraveler

I would be hesitant about a 5th floor (european - so 6th floor to us) walk up. these are high ceiling buildings - so you're doing probably a hundred steps up - not great with luggage or bags of groceries. and you'll be getting lots of exercise just walking around he city - we find we do 6 or 7 miles most days.

Yurtgrrrl

TPAYT;
Thanks for the suggestion of guestapartment.com! Amazing that in all my searches I did not come across it. There was not much left but we took Narcisse. It will be a far better location then either of the others.

I am grateful to everyone who responded. Now on to Paris!

TPAYT

Narcisse apartment looks beautiful. We've stayed in that building twice and the ceilings are stunning. Say hello to Tom & Phillipe from the Paytons from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. They run an excellent service, helpful in every way.

Our favorite restaurants on Rue St. Louis en Ile are:

http://restaurant-ilotvache.com/inde...o=presentation

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...de_France.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...de_France.html

At lesser prices, Au Bougnat is one of our go-to places. Probably have eaten here8-10 times & never have been disappointed. It's about 2 blocks inland from Notre Dame, easy to find on Rue Chanionesse.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...de_France.html

There is always discussion about Berthillon vs. Amorino. We prefer Amorino (right across the street & a bit down from you) with the flower shaped cones. It is usually open until 11pm for that after dinner walk.

Onion soup at Le Fleur en Isle(right by the bridge) is excellent.

The best baguettes are at the bakery right near you on your side of the street. When it's closed there is another one on your side a few blocks down and another one around the corner where the ATM is located, toward the right bank. Next to that bakery is a fresh produce shop with an orange juice squeezing machine.

While I made coffee in the morning, MDH would go for the juice, baguettes & croissants---yummmm!

The grocery store across the street & a bit down from you is closed on Tue. but there is another smaller one around the corner on the street where the ATM is located but toward the left bank. Sorry, I can't remember the name of the street but you'll find it easily.

I think you'll be happy that you stayed near the Seine. Any other questions, fire away!

ncounty

Sorza is great as tpayt said. If you go early, before 7 pm, you can get their 17 euro 2 course dinner special. Our spaghetti carbonara wss fantatic. My son enjoyed the eggplant appetizer as well. He says it is the only time he has liked eggplant. THe location is fantastic.