jsmla
Junior Member
Posts: 84
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Post by jsmla on Nov 9, 2007 14:51:37 GMT -5
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Post by luckyluc on Nov 9, 2007 15:24:52 GMT -5
Bienvenue Jennifer,
Our great forum goes a bit slower in the weekend, but do not get discouraged with all the Paris connaisseurs we have I am sure we can contribute to your planning! Probably more than you wish for. My first comment would be that since you are familiar with rue Cler and the 7th, you should concentrate on the Marais for a different feel. I must run for now but will check back later.
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Post by Jody on Nov 9, 2007 16:14:43 GMT -5
Welcome, Jennifer I didn't have a chance to look closely at the apts but I did notice that one is on Pl du Marche Ste-Catherine. Our Gitte says it's one of her favorite places and we've all decided we have to see it. I think trechic was there just last week. We've had several discussions about it but I don't rremember on what thread I'm sure Gitte will be able to find it for you. One other apt. was located on rue Debellyme , the street with the excellnt reataurant Le Pamphlet! I think Truffaut is familiar with the area as he's recommended the restaurant. I plan on dining there next week , so I'll give you my report. Do remember though the French count floors differently than we, so 3rd floor might just be the US 4th., so you might need to check for elevators, if that is important to you!
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jsmla
Junior Member
Posts: 84
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Post by jsmla on Nov 9, 2007 16:42:54 GMT -5
Thank you so much for the replies. I liked the Ste. Catherine address because it looks like I could walk to the Louvre from there. Scott's not much of a museum person and I'll probably go there on my own at least once.
Stairs aren't much of a problem. I've managed a 6th floor walk-up in New York with just a bit of huffing and puffing. Noise would be a big problem though. I'm a very light sleeper and want to be far, far from the party.
Jennifer
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Post by Jody on Nov 9, 2007 19:28:48 GMT -5
I jis reall looked at the vrbo listing ....and I've added to my wannado list!
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Post by Anne on Nov 10, 2007 2:20:56 GMT -5
Jennifer, since you are a light sleeper, you really shouldn't take the one on place du Marché Ste Catherine . If the weather is nice, the restaurants ans café terasses will be full of people until late in the evening . Same applies to any pedestrian area in the Summer, unless the appartment has good double-glazing and A/C because there is no way to sleep with opened windows in such areas, especially during week-ends .
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Post by trechic on Nov 10, 2007 6:43:04 GMT -5
I do feel that the 10 -15 min walk to the Louvre was a bit misleading! I am a walker and from where I was staying - it would take me 10 mins to get to Pl du Marche St. Catherine.... and at least a 25 min walk from me to the Louvre. I thought perhaps the owner of the apartment really meant if you took the metro you would be there in 10 - 15 mins.
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Post by trechic on Nov 10, 2007 6:49:16 GMT -5
www.parisbestlodge.com/bourg.htmlWhat about this one?? Did you check for availability on this one or perhaps his Place des Vosges apt?? The rue du bourg-tibourg is where I stayed...in the smaller studio across the street. This is a wonderfully lively little "village within Paris". I loved it. And Thierry does respond quickly every time and is a complete delight of a man, who takes his business very seriously. He is fair and honest.
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Post by Happygoin on Nov 10, 2007 7:50:41 GMT -5
Jennifer, I'm glad you're willing to step out of your comfort zone and stay in another area of the city. I am really looking forward to adventures in the Marais next time. I don't know it and everyone has wonderful things to say about how much fun it is. You have enough lead time that you'll have no problem finding the exact right apartment. And, while you're in the Louvre, Scott can sit outide in the Tuileries and watch the Parisian girls stroll by .
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jsmla
Junior Member
Posts: 84
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Post by jsmla on Nov 10, 2007 8:01:37 GMT -5
Yes, I think French girls may be something Scott will enjoy in Paris! Our problem is availability. I've got it narrowed down to three: www.vrbo.com/49273 I really like the look of this one but am wary of dealing with vrbo. Is anyone familiar with this owner? I'm afraid I'm not good with "surprises" and I have major dirty hotel/apartment issues. www.parisbestlodge.com/rosiers.html Love, love the owner here! A bit pricey but this is the only thing he has available for our time frame and the extra room might be nice over the course of a week. He's offering it to us for 950 Euros for the week. www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_133.htm Very, very small but much cheaper and I can lock in the rate in USD which would be nice. We are not Paris pros and I'm stepping far out of my comfort zone here. We've always stayed in the same hotel each time we've been to Paris so an apartment is something completely new to us. Scott's leaving everything up to me and I want to make a good decision! Thanks so much! Jennifer
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Post by trechic on Nov 10, 2007 13:03:27 GMT -5
Someone on TA I believe has rented the "cottage" on rue Charlot and liked it. I know jcjflorida stayed on Rue Charlotte this past trip (2 weeks ago) and her apt was the lower end between Rue de Bretagne and Rue de Poitou. She much preferred the 4th to the 3rd. If your cottage is up higher towards Republic (?) then I don't know anything about that area, as I did not venture in that direction. I can tell you that I very much loved the area Rue Pavee (musee Carnavalet) and Rue Sevigne (see my recent photos) Rue Jarente (see my photos) Place des Vosges. Most of the store fronts and cafes/bistros were taken in this area - they are clearly marked as such. I will try to locate who it was who stayed in the "cottage" and then you can PM them directly to get their experience.
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jsmla
Junior Member
Posts: 84
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Post by jsmla on Nov 10, 2007 13:34:48 GMT -5
Just an update:
Thank you so much everyone! I'm currently in the middle of an e-mail frenzy about the Rosiers apartment. The owner assures me that it is a very quiet apartment and I like the idea of the extra space. I'm an early to bed type and this way Scott will be able to stay up as late as he likes without any worries. We're planning on eating in quite a lot (to save a bit of money and keep my picky husband happy in the process!) and I like the fully furnished kitchen.
I'm not too worried about the stairs. We have quite a few in our own home and I've stayed in hostels where we faced 6 flights at the end of every day. It will be good for me. The big problem will be dragging all of our junk up there on arrival but with the washer/dryer we won't need to bring as much.
I've booked our airfare ($1340 total roundtrip for two) based on availability at this (as of yet, unbooked) apartment which was kind of rash but the fares were almost half of anything else I could find.
Once again thank you all so much!
Jennifer
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Post by Jody on Nov 10, 2007 13:55:17 GMT -5
That's a great fare! I hope I can do as well for our spring trip.
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Post by trechic on Nov 10, 2007 16:42:43 GMT -5
Ohhh, good choice! You will love that area...it is just fabulous!!! And Thierry is just great!
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Nov 10, 2007 18:06:37 GMT -5
Jennifer, my husband also is a light sleeper. Our solution is to use a fan in the bedroom and keep it on all night any time of year (almost any apartment will have one tucked away in a closet or cupboard, mainly for use in summer).
The white noise is minimal but soothing and blocks out a lot of other small sounds and allows him to sleep -- sort of explains why I can't stay awake on planes (those engine noises just lull me to sleep on most trips). I enjoy it not only because it blocks noise, but I also like having the air movement. Give this a try and you may find it makes a big difference if there are street sounds, etc.
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Post by suzanne on Nov 10, 2007 18:56:08 GMT -5
I go nowhere without my fan. I got it at Smarter Image and it will run on either electricity or batteries. I am a very light sleeper so a fan is a must for me. Not to mention, that at my particular time in life anything blowing cold air is required most nights.
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Post by cybee on Nov 10, 2007 19:47:50 GMT -5
Suzanne, You are like me in being a light sleeper, so that is a key thing I look for when considering a room (hotel/ apt) also! I use a non-soft air purifier for the same reason you use a fan..block out noises with white noise! But I likely need something I can travel with like you! (e.g. fan or other white noise maker ...I had one of those white noise makers where you can chose a variety of "white noise sounds" but its lovely sounds sometimes had an annoying repetious sound and frankly I think just fuzz may be better (less distracting than say...ocean waves (Unless they are real!)where you start pondering on the sounds and any pattern/ loop it has (maybe I need a more expensive type with no clear repetitious sound)! ha!
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Post by suzanne on Nov 10, 2007 20:01:29 GMT -5
Cybee, we also have one of those noise maker things and I agree it gets annoying.So we use it as an alarm clock now. The ringing bells and the bird calls are especially good at waking us up.
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Post by cybee on Nov 10, 2007 20:07:44 GMT -5
Ha! Yes, Suzanne! I did the same thing! I rather liked bird songs waking me up...but then the noise maker part of the clock went on the blink..so no more birds waking me up!
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