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Post by luvparee on May 21, 2007 14:25:34 GMT -5
(This is a duplicate of a post last Friday --- thought I might get additional traffic here. Those of you who have previously answered, thanks for the information. For those who have not, feel free!)
I have pretty much decided to rent an apartment for my next trip to Paree! I was in an apartment in the 7th last summer and loved the experience. I will be traveling solo (hopefully!!) and want to be able to shop the markets and feast on roti chicken and other wonderful market purchases!
This trip I'm doing the lesser knowns of Paris and I'm leaning toward the 3rd/4th so that I can really enjoy more of the areas of the Right Bank as most of my other trips have centered around the 6th and 7th. However, I have not been to Luxembourg Gardens yet and want to stroll Rue Monge/Mouffetard and get down to the Montparnasse area.
I also want to really get into the Marais and Montmartre so I guess I need to be in the middle of the Seine!!
I have started looking into VRBO sites and, like everyone else, I'm looking for the perfect little Parisian flat for perhaps $100.00 per night!!!
If any of you have stayed in such a spot, please let me know. I am going to make myself get over my Metro intimidation this trip so being away from "central" Paris would not be a problem. I love to walk, but want to make sure that an area that I would come back to at night would be well-lit and safe for a female alone.
Merci!
P.S. I think I am leaning toward the Marais -- not too terribly north as I like to walk (as stated) and would love to start my morning with a cafe creme in a local cafe, people watch, and then stroll along the Seine before I decide what I'd like to experience each day.
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Post by Truffaut on May 21, 2007 17:13:16 GMT -5
You might have a hard time finding something in your budget in the Marais. Also, if you're looking for a neighborhood that's more "off the beaten path", you'll probably want to look elsewhere. I'm fond of the eastern part of the 17th (for obvious reasons), but you might want to look in parts of the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th. There are some nice apartments available at reasonable cost. Montmartre can be very good, but sometimes there are transportation issues, depending upon the apartment's specific location.
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Post by GitteK on May 21, 2007 23:54:27 GMT -5
Agree with Truffaut that your budget is a bit too low to find an apartment in the heavily touristy arrondissements bordering the Seine right in the "middle". And if you want to do the "lesser known Paris" and want to stay away from the crowds, I suggest you look for something a little more outside. Maybe in the 9th, 11th, 12th, 14th or 17th Take a look at www.parisaddress.com - I have booked a studio in Montparnasse for next summer (hmmm..... YES, I like to be ahead with my planning !) - and they are so nice and reliable to deal with. Also there is of course our darling Gail at www.perfectlyparis.com. Her apartments are mostly in Montmartre, but also some in the 9th and the 17th. Good luck.
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Post by Shoesy on May 22, 2007 3:37:35 GMT -5
And might I add that the studio apt. looks lovely from the pictures that I've seen. You sure know how to find good apts., Gitte.
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Post by Happygoin on May 22, 2007 11:57:42 GMT -5
Hi luvparee. I know I sound likea broken record but I love dealing with vacationinparis.com. They are based in NJ and have an 800# so they are easy to contact. I have rented through them four or five times now, all with great success. I have rented another one for December. You can have a look at vacationinparis.com/apts/id_100.htm The nightly rate is $120. It is in the 5th, quite close to the river. I can't wait!
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Post by GitteK on May 22, 2007 12:41:21 GMT -5
happy ! checked out your apt. Super location - do remember to visit the open air market on Place Maubert Mutualité, tuesdays 07.00-14.30. Apt. is maybe a bit on the small side - but compared to a hotel room it is more than adequate - plus you have a washer/dryer. So you can even return home with a suitcase filled with clean clothes ! AND you get a welcome bottle of wine, not bad at all. I see that there is an internet access. We DO expect you to bring you laptop and write us a goodnight tripreport every evening !!!!
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Post by Happygoin on May 23, 2007 6:25:42 GMT -5
Geez, Gitte...you flatter me. I don't even have a computer at home, much less a laptop to travel with. Last fall, we stopped in to an internet cafe to check in with the airline for our flight the next day and it took us about an hour to hunt and peck our way through the foreign keyboard. It was pretty funny. I do like the look of the apt. And you're right, it is small. But perfectly adequate for me and, for the same price, most hotel rooms would be tiny. I'll mail you the bottle of wine since I, like Ms Shoesy, don't drink the stuff. Now if you're talkin' champagne....
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Post by Shoesy on May 23, 2007 23:00:23 GMT -5
Speaking of wine, at Jewish marriage ceremonies the bride and groom are supposed to take a sip under the wedding canopy (chupah). I think I might have only pretended to sip the wine, so I often wonder if my darling Mr. Shoesy and I are really married.
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Post by Happygoin on May 24, 2007 10:47:07 GMT -5
Oh Gitte, I'll show you what a real heathen I am...all wine tastes like vinegar to me. Oh god...people are fainting all over the forum right now...I can't help it. I just don't enjoy the taste (except for one exception, in Paris, when a traveling companion and I were at Au Petit Marguery and she had a nice bottle of some red stuff and I actually enjoyed it!) But I always have several bottles in the house, to cook with. And, no it's not that supermarket stuff, I actually buy nice bottles of wine, even a barolo now and then to make a nice beef pot roast with. I'm sorry...but just think how happy all those raisins are at not getting the stuffing stomped out of them.
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Post by sistereurope on May 24, 2007 10:59:01 GMT -5
That's ok happygoin and shoesy...Gitte and I will be more than happy to have your share, right Gitte? (You don't even drink the FREE bottle in your apartment in Paris??? shudder!!!!!!)
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Post by trechic on May 24, 2007 11:49:20 GMT -5
Luvparee - I want to tell you about Thierry at "parisbestlodge.com"! I have rented a small studio in the Marais for Oct '07 for 10 nights for 900Euros. I believe for one week it is 700E - YES, he gave me one night free! He has gotten rave reviews on all of the "other" forums and he is extremely easy to deal with. He answered my emails immediately and required 700USD as a deposit which he will hand back to me when I leave! I will pay him in full in Euros when I arrive. The website is www.parisbestlodge.com Best of luck!
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on May 24, 2007 17:55:46 GMT -5
Thanks, trechic -- I hadn't heard of that one, and am always glad to have new resources!
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Post by Happygoin on May 25, 2007 7:01:31 GMT -5
Trechic, that's not a bad price at all. I still am so firmly on the apartment side of the apt. vs. hotel debate. I love having a little room to move around in. And I'd rather make my own espresso in the morning and eat in from a traiteur, at a dining table instead of on a bed, for dinner if I feel like it. You're going to have SUCH an adventure, Trechic!
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Post by luvparee on May 25, 2007 12:34:41 GMT -5
Thanks for the information, Trechic! As a matter of fact, I just came across a review of one of their apartments this morning on another board. I actually had to do some real work this morning (!!) so haven't gone through their list of apartments yet (just put in on my "favorites" to go back to). I am having alot of fun looking at the many apartments in Paris making a short list to go back to. Thanks again!
I'm dreaming about the patisseries, boulangeries, cafes, traiteurs, tea rooms, and restaurants, etc., I want to go to. I may have to MOVE to Paris!! Read of one apartment where Picard was close by -- what a wonderful concept that I wish was in the US. However, I'm sure the variety wouldn't be 1/100th of what it is in Paris!
joy/luvparee
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Post by susanb on Jun 7, 2007 22:34:23 GMT -5
Depending on how my health is holding up, we very much would like to return to Paris next June, towards the beginning. My lungs are very bad so it is imposible for me to climb flights and flights of stairs. The reason for this trip is to see as many gardens as we can in a 2 week period. Does any one have a most excellent park area to stay in? Thank you for all suggestions except if they are the naughty ones from TA S.
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 8, 2007 3:09:58 GMT -5
Susan - I pray that your health allows you to take that trip to Paris next June and that you get to see many beautiful gardens. I bet that just thinking about being in Paris can help make you feel better.
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Post by greyghost1 on Jun 8, 2007 18:26:12 GMT -5
Metro intimidation? It is so easy to use, much easier than NYC or London. Try it, you'll really love it and miss it when you leave.
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jun 8, 2007 21:11:14 GMT -5
"Metro intimidation" was my second name for the first several trips -- I walked literally everywhere, which probably was good for me, but eventually tried the Metro and immediately loved it!
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grunblack
Full Member
Can't wait to get back...
Posts: 132
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Post by grunblack on Jun 12, 2007 3:48:25 GMT -5
Another useful site I found was parisattitude.com very easy to search on and good information.
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Post by GitteK on Jun 12, 2007 4:25:19 GMT -5
grunblack - observe that Parisattitude take huge adminstration fees which come on top of the rent. Just so that you calculate that into the full price.
Frais d'Agence (TVA incluse)
De 7 nuits à 40 nuits 30% du loyer total. De 40 nuits à 3 mois 1/2 mois de loyer. De 3 mois à 6 mois 75% d'un mois de loyer. De 6 mois à 10 mois L'équivalent d' 1 mois de loyer. De 10 mois à 12 mois 10% du loyer total. Plus de 12 mois 10% d'un an de location plus 5% des loyers compris entre le 13ème mois et la fin de la location.
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