First of all, I want to say how impressed I am with Fodor's. The input is comprehensive, sincere and courteous. What a wonderful forum! (No, this isn't written just to flatter!)

I will be traveling to Paris with my 82 year old father in late May/early June of next year. My dad's health is pretty good, but I do have a few specific concerns related to his age:

1) I would like an apt that is central (hence, the request for the 4,5 or 6th), but also something near the metro and bus lines.
2) An apt that has either an elevator or only 1 or 2 flights of stairs.
3) A quiet apt. (relatively; I realize that Paris won't grind to a complete halt at night.)

I saw a couple of recommendations for an apt. on rue St. Andre des Arts in the 6th, which looks like a very good location. It was through wwwvacationinparis.com. However, this is just an example of what I'm looking for. I would be happy with any location that meets the above criteria.

Thanks in advance for any info or suggestions.

I stayed in the one bedroom www.vrbo.com/58971 in April, and I think it would be ideal for your father since it is on the ground floor. It is on rue du Vieux Colombier in the 6th, and a great location, two minutes walk to St. Sulpice metro station, bus right outside, cafes, shops, ATMs, etc., yet b/c it is on a courtyard it is very quiet and secure.

Happy planning and traveling.

Thanks very much for your reply, grandmere. It does look like a very good apt. If you read this reply, would you mind telling me what the owners were like? Did they meet you upon arrival? Were there any concerns with the apt (eg. appliances, hot water for shower, comfortable bed, etc.)

Thanks again.

The owners generally (from what I have read on the comments page) do meet guests on arrival, but they happened to have a chance to go to Rome when we were arriving; we did therefore not meet them until the night before we left. They did, however, email detailed instructions, including a little video of how to get into the apartment using a keypad; we had their cell phone # and were told to call when we got in or if any problems during our stay. They seem to be very helpful people; we just happened to be there when they were out of town but it did not present any problems. From the website you probably read that they do live in the same building.

We ate dinners out and used the kitchen for breakfast, snacks, etc. Everything seemed to work well. There is a Monoprix (supermarket) about 5 min. away, and that's where we stocked up on the few supplies we needed.

My daughter and young granddaughter slept in the bedroom, and I slept on the pull-out couch; it was as comfortable as a regular bed. I chose to sleep there b/c I wanted to be able to wander around at night w/o waking up my granddaughter and before the trip had figured the pull out would not be the most comfy of places, but I was wrong. Don't know how the French have perfected pull outs to this extent!

There was plenty of hot water for the three of us to take showers. There was only 1 bath towel and hand towel a piece, not unusual in Europe, and that would be my only "complaint". There is a washer/dryer. And free Wifi, which worked well with my Ipod Touch.

The ease of reserving was a plus. They accepted my check from a US bank and did cash it (sometimes landlords will just hold them until arrival b/c of difficulty cashing US checks; not sure how this works for them, but it did) I was glad to have that taken care of well before our arrival. One is to pay them in euro the balance upon arrival but since they were away, we did not pay them until we met them. And no security deposit requested, another plus.

I think it is a great place for the price, and it was perfect for our little three generation stay in Paris.
Feel free to ask any other questions.

Don't you want a 2 BR??

Here's a very nice one on Ile St. Louis (VERY central)

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