Background:
A mom of a "certain age" who has been to Paris lots of times, planning a trip with 2 daughters in their 20's. I have always stayed in the 6th arrondissement, but I'm thinking that my daughters might enjoy the Marais.

I'd really like a 2 bedroom apartment (3 beds), so that we aren't ready to kill each other by the end of the week.

Here are two apartments that I'm looking at:

http://www.vrbo.com:80/34050

http://www.vrbo.com:80/76435

The first one is on rue des Tournelles, and I think it looks really nice. I've been to some restaurants right by it (Chez Janou is apparently just a block away) and I know the area is nice.

The second one is on bvd. Henri IV (right by the place de la Bastille) and looks just gorgeous, and huge.

The downside of this one is that it's on a busy street, but the owner assures me that since it's on the 6th floor, with triple glazed windows, the traffic noise is not a problem.

Both have all the amenities imaginable- wifi, cable, etc. The second one has maid service once during the stay, free long-distance to the US, and separate washer and dryer (not a combined unit). It also includes concierge service from a hotel a block away, which we probably wouldn't use too much.

Both owners are from the US, and seem very nice to work with.

I'm leaning toward the second one (blvd. Henri IV), but of course it's a little more expensive, and actually, both are a little more than I originally planned to pay, but isn't that always how it is!

Any input, or do you see any issues that I'm overlooking? Are there any great advantages of one neighborhood over the other? Which would you choose?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Marcy

We actually have grown to prefer the area over near the Bastille due to the close proximity of shops & such. Since part of the fun I have in France, is to cook. We've never had a noise problem although we have never stayed right on the 'main drag' either. I think either would serve your purposes nicely.

They both look very nice, but I would choose the first one on Tournelle because of the beds given the number of people you are having to sleep there. Unless someone doesn't mind sleeping on a convertible couch or doesn't mind a prison cot, more or less.

That apt. only has a 160 cm and 140 cm bed. Because you have two grown adult daughters, I presume you are intending to split one of them into the suggested "twins". Apparently both are two mattresses pushed together. Okay, I personally would not pay that much money for a place and not get a real double bed for myself that is not two twins pushed together (I don't like that and can always feel it). However, even the larger bed split into two makes only two 80 cm beds. That is very very small for a bed, about 32 inches. That is smaller than a normal twin-sized bed in the US which is around 38 inches, I think.

I wouldn't want to sleep on a 32 inch wide mattress myself, but they do have that soft (but I hate them, also).

That's the only thing I really notice. Bd Henri IV doesn't seem super noisy or bad to me, so that wouldn't bother me (especially high up). They look about identical in price on VRBO, but maybe you are getting some price on the other or maybe it's the seasonal rate, I'm not sure when you are going. It says 2240 euro a week vs. US$2750/wk for the other. But, if you are getting the one at $2500 low rate, I wouldn't pay $250-300 more a week for the other one given those beds.

That's the only thing I see, they aren't really that far apart, and both are close to a couple metro stops, about equally. I think the one on Henri IV might be more convenient in that regard as it's not far from two different lines (Bastille and Sully Morland lines).

How much more money would the one on Henri IV be? The beds are the only read issue to me, but if you truly don't care about that, both are great.

I like them both, and agree that Bastille is a great area.

FYI, my mom took my sister and I to Paris for Christmas a couple of years ago and we stayed on Ile Saint Louis, which was a nice compromise between what my mom most likes about Paris and what my sister and I do. A short walk up blvd. Henri IV and we were in the Bastille area. Even my mom grew to love it.

I'd stay in either location. Have fun.

Oops, that should be "my mom took my sister and me to Paris..."

Thanks, SAnParis, Christina, and Leely, for your replies!

Christina, that's a good point about the beds. I was thinking that my daughters could sleep in the larger bed, made as twins. They're both small, so I don't think the size of the bed would be a problem.
I would take the 140 cm bed, which would be fine for me, although I agree, I don't like it when you can feel the "crack" in the middle.

That apartment is about $250 more than the other, but with more space, maid service, free US calls, and nice views, I think it might be worth it.

SAnParis, or Leely, can you tell me what some of your favorite shops are, around there?

And do you know if there's a Monoprix grocery nearby? I love Monoprix!

We've stayed on r. des Tournelles twice, both times were for one month each. Unfortunately that apartment is no longer on the rental market

We love the street and the convenience of everything being so close, shops, metro, Barcane across the street, Lipp deli (can't remember the correct name) down the block - a take out paradise, not cheap, but soooo worth every Euro. The only noise was an occasional scooter whizzing by. Great shopping, food and otherwise only minutes away, as is the Place des Vosges and the Bastille Metro.

It is a short street, maybe two block long (?) and our apartment was basically around the corner from Bofinger, Le Petit Dome etc. The patisseries, chocolate shop, wine, numerous stores, on r. St. Antoine are just a few minutes away.

The other apartment on Henri IV sounds as if it is basically in the same area, judging by the owner's descriptions of things nearby, so the above conveniences would also apply. Without knowing the actual address or the metro stop, it is hard to know exactly how close together the apartments are.

Within the last few months, someone posted here regarding renting the Henri IV apartment. I rememberd it after looking at the lovely pictures on VRBO. I don't know if they took it and if so, have they already stayed there.

Do a search on the VBRO number, 76435, or Blvd. Henri IV apartment, or post a new thread with those two things in the title and maybe the OP poster will see it.

By the way, when you go to VRBO, just put the numbers 34050 or 76435, it won't take it if you include 80/.

Since they are close together, and unless you can get personnal pros and cons, from here or Slowtravel or another message board, you will have to go with your budget and your gut feeling. They both look fabulous and all things being equal, I would stay in either of them.

As the mother of one daughter, I'd go with your instincts and get a larger place to help keep them 'friends' for the week.

If you haven't stayed in that area, or done much exploring here, don't worry, you'll love it.

We are now converts and our upcoming trip in December will be our fifth stay in the area, only a few blocks from your choices.

If you let the girls loose in the Marais, hold onto your Visa card .... the shops are fabulous. Don't ask me how I know

When are you going? Be sure to let us know what you decided and then please ... post a trip report.

Nina

Marcy,
I have booked the Henri IV apartment for next spring and will be staying there with two other ladies. I plan to sleep on the sofa bed and am not worried by that. We chose it because it is new, gorgeous and a good location that we haven't tried before (last few trips were in the 6th). There is a Monoprix on Rue Saint Antoine close to Rue Saint Paul. Buses 86 and 87 go right down Blvd. Henri IV and the metro is close. I think it looks great!
Peg

I wouldn't care so much about the crack in the bed thing, if that were the only issue. I'd show your daughters how big 32 inches is in comparison to how they normally sleep, and make sure they are okay with that. It's a little bigger than a baby crib mattress. If they don't sprawl around a lot when sleeping, maybe they won't care at all (I do, and am used to a double-sized bed for myself).

There is a Monoprix on rue St Antoine near rue de Turenne (about two blocks east of the St Paul metro). That's the closest one. I think they have a supermarket in that one.

We stayed right off a rue St. Paul last time & the Monoprix is maybe two or three blcoks. Any kind of shop you can think of is right there...

If the Henri IV apartment is close to the St Paul Metro (the next stop from Bastille), then it is about 10 mintues away from the r. Tournelles apartment. I say a 10 minute walk only if you don't stop at every patisserie along the way. Then it becomes a 10 pound walk!

That is also closer to the Marais itself, which is only a few blocks away. Both areas are good and you will probably be walking in both - especially if you go to the Place des Vosges - which you should not miss. A wonder place to visit, and to sit and relax or have a picnic, watching the children play.

Nina

We weren't able to stay in that area last year because we planned our trip at the last minute - 6 weeks to me is the very last minute.

I haven't been in that Monoprix for a few years, but it is large with groceries down stairs - and a fabulous cheese counter.

We buy cassis for Kir at home. It's domestic in Paris, but once we bring it home, it is 'imported' and _a lot_ cheaper than what we get here. Of course now with the carryon restrictions, I don't know if I want to put a few bottles in my checked luggage, although I probably will try - wrapped in bubble wrap and clothes. We never bring bubble wrap with us, we 'find' it in trash cans in front of gifts shops etc.. at night. It's clean because no food stuff is in their cans and there is always a lot of it. We think of it as recycling Paris' trash.

The worst thing that can happen is that I end up with a 26" kir in my suitcase.

I love Monoprix too.

Nina

There is a market right by the St. Paul metro entrance/exit on the side of the street going toward the Seine. (I don't know east from west). It is a larger version of our 7-11 and is good for small purchases, milk, etc.. I think it is on the corner - you'll see it every time you use the metro.

Nina

I'm going to confer with my daughters about the beds and then pick one.

It sounds like either one would be good, but I think for winter that it might be nice to be closer to all the shops, so maybe the Henri IV location would be just a little better for that.

I'm glad to hear where the Monoprix is!

Nina, I have decided to take some bubble wrap this time, just in case. We had to find some during our most recent trip, and I've just saved it in my suitcase for the next trip.

It's a pain having the restrictions on fluids in carry-ons- we've always carried wine on the plane before, and now we have to check it.

Nina- I'm with you about the Visa card- I'm betting we can do some serious damage in the shops! We're looking forward to doing some shopping.

I'm excited to stay in a new area- maybe we'll be converts, too.

minimn- I'll let you know how the apartment is, if that's where we end up.

When are you going? You said winter, so it sounds like it is pretty soon.

We also say that we'll pack bubble wrap and then never do. It's amazing how much is just tossed out at night, waiting for collection. I guess I'll put it back on my packing list, and per usual DH will talk me out of it. Truthfully we have never had a problem finding it, but then again we've never put bottles of liquid in our check ins.

Marcy, enjoy your trip.

Nina

It's official, we've picked the Henri IV apartment. My daughters say they don't have any problem with the beds.

Nina, we're going in January- hoping to catch some of the sales.

I hope it won't be too freezing, but one of my daughters lives in Minneapolis, and she says it's a pretty safe bet that it won't be as cold in Paris as it is in Minneapolis!

I figure having some bubble wrap in my suitcase on the way there is just another way to assure that I have room for purchases on the way back.
But now I'm curious, and I'm going to keep a lookout for packing materials being thrown away, as well.

Marcy, so glad that you made your decision. We're there over the holidays, until Jan. 5, so I guess we won't be fighting over bubble wrap and cardboard.

One year we bought a wonderful handmade harlequin music box with moving parts, from the marionette store on St. Louis. I can't tell you how much midnight shopping we did, and how long it took for DH to encase it in cardboard and bubblewrap.

It was so large when he was done, that it became my carryon. We always have duct tape with us and got some string from one of the stores where we made a purchase. It was a project from beginning to end, but over ten years later, it sits in a place of prominence in our house and we love it.

Nina

That's terrific, Marcy. We'll all look forward to your report when you return next year. Have a wonderful trip and good luck with the shopping! ( I once rented an apartment in Paris over the New Year's holiday and was leaving on Jan 6. When it came time to check out, the landlady's husband had to handle the transaction. He said that she couldn't possibly take care of anything that day as the soldes were beginning!!)
Have fun,
Peg

I was in Paris this week and I am considering renting this very apt in the summer. The owner told me it was quiet with the windows closed. The neighborhood is fine and very convenient...close to the isle st. louis and marais. The street is a fairly major thoroughfare during the day.
I imagine that even on the 6th floor with the glazed windows there will be a traffic hum at least during the day. If you are used to city sounds I think it will be fine. Please let us know how it works out!