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Post by Jody on Aug 4, 2008 5:20:39 GMT -5
I like all of them, no wonder you've had a hard time making the decision. The 4 flights of stairs would killme though. But it has a great view and location.
I'd personally chose the Marais Bourg because of the seperate bedroom, the lift and the computer.
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Post by Happygoin on Aug 4, 2008 6:17:20 GMT -5
I'll be the dissenter here. The apartment I love in Paris is a third floor walkup, and I feel just a little virtuous each time I climb the stairs, given how much food I've stuffed into myself all day. No matter how much I walked, they didn't bother me a bit, really. And I'm as lazy as the next girl
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Post by Shoesy on Aug 4, 2008 8:02:18 GMT -5
Happy - Did you go up the stairs several times a day or just at the end of the day?
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Post by Happygoin on Aug 4, 2008 8:06:22 GMT -5
Oh, probably several times a day anyway, Shoesy. I really didn't mind either. Well, wait a minute...there was the first night when I had two or three Kir Royales on top of jet lag. That time was bit dicey. Other than that, though, I really didn't mind.
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Post by Darcy on Aug 4, 2008 9:12:47 GMT -5
"Natives who beat drums to ward off evil spirits are objects of scorn to smart Americans who blow horns to break up a traffic jam."
Happy, I love this! ;D
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Post by Happygoin on Aug 4, 2008 10:15:01 GMT -5
Thanks, Darcy. We're just not as smart as we like to think, sometimes .
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Post by iowamom on Aug 4, 2008 10:56:37 GMT -5
Thank you all. I really appreciate the input. I'm thinking about braving the stairs because I love the apartment so much. Actually - to add to the confusion - they have offered me another alternative if you want to weigh in... haveninparis.com/rental/houdon.phpThis one adds an additional flight of stairs - now we're talking 92 total I think. I'm a little nervous about it but I love both the apartments. My husband and I are in our late 40's and in reasonably good shape. I picture doing some light cooking so the kitchen is somewhat important. I'm not overly concerned about the bedroom not being seperate as in my first original choice. The only thing holding me back on that is location. Those of you that have visited before - can you comment on that? Again - thank you all. I feel much better making this decision with your advice! - Tracy
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Post by annettecinca on Aug 4, 2008 11:01:42 GMT -5
Iowamom, if you do a search here for "Tibourg", you will find quite a few references to the rue du Bourg-Tibourg area. Several members here have rented apartments in this area and mention it in their trip reports (Willow, Trechic, etc.) Set your search preferences to look back about 400 days and allow 30 posts.
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Post by iowamom on Aug 4, 2008 11:15:06 GMT -5
Thanks for the tip AnnetteCinCa
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Aug 4, 2008 11:34:30 GMT -5
This one is really great, I love the decor/feel! As to the stairs - we rented an apartment over Christmas once and were pleased because although it was on the sixth (US) floor, it had a small elevator. Well, the very first day the elevator stalled (with three of us in it), and it took at least an hour (late afternoon on Christmas eve) to get someone there to help (of course, we could not speak much French as we were trying to call on the emergency phone). So, after that I took the stairs because I just couldn't face the possibility (it turned out that there had been relatively frequent problems with it, per the repair guy). My solution was just to take it slowly, and pause to catch my breath if necessary - and I reasoned (well, okay, rationalized) that I could eat pretty much anything I wanted given the extra exercise I was getting. In any event I would not hesitate over the question of stairs, unless someone has physical issues (knees, heart, whatever) that make it problematic beyond just the exertion level. And, as noted above, this is an area that many people on these boards like, so don't hesitate on that basis.
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Post by Jody on Aug 4, 2008 12:12:38 GMT -5
That one's a beauty. Gitte loves that area nad alwaays stays there. If you have no health issues with the stairs , it looks ideal.
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Post by GitteK on Aug 4, 2008 12:46:16 GMT -5
If you are serious about renting an apartment 92 steps up, you should have your head examined !! Which is meant as a joke, of course. But honestly: there are so many lovely vacation rentals in Paris WITH a beautiful decor and WITH safe and functional elevators in the building. Why would you want to pick a quite ordinary, average apartment, located on the 5th floor = 92 steps up - unless you are by any chance training for a trekking tour in Nepal ? At the risk of repeating myself.............. if I were travelling as a couple and I wanted to live in the most central Paris, this would be my choice. And one flight of stairs only www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_125.htm
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Post by willow on Aug 4, 2008 12:58:01 GMT -5
Iowamom, I really enjoyed that area! And 92 steps isn't too bad...I rented an apartment in the area with 5 flights of stairs and it really wasn't till the last flight that I was tired.
The area is great..very lively, lots of good restaurants, close to Amorino's and Mariage des Freres. Also lots of neat boutiques. I posted some info on the area in the Quartier section.
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Post by willow on Aug 4, 2008 12:59:29 GMT -5
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Post by GitteK on Aug 4, 2008 14:11:38 GMT -5
iowamom, if you have really set your heart on renting from Haven in Paris (and you would like to stay in Montmartre) - you could also consider the "Livingstone Penthouse". That one has an elevator and a breathtaking view: haveninparis.com/rental/livingstone.php
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Post by iowamom on Aug 4, 2008 15:15:28 GMT -5
Thank you all for your suggestions. One of the issues I'm having is that the apartments many of you have suggested are already booked. Vacations In Paris did give me some availability but nothing I really love. The Livingston Penthouse is not available either. Unfortunately it appears I'm choosing from the leftovers. I'm sure the steps are the only reason these are still available. We decided to take this trip what is apparently relatively last minute according to the rental agencies.
Thanks again for your advice. I think I'll confer with my husband one more time - maybe go practice going up 92 steps to be sure what I'm in for - and rent an apartment so I can start looking forward to the trip and picking out the wonderful places I'm going to visit while I'm there!
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Post by Sandy M on Aug 4, 2008 16:25:53 GMT -5
Also keep in mind that you will be doing lots of steps everyday if you take the Metro very much - not too many of the stations have an escalator or elevator. At the end of the day, after doing all the Metro steps plus any walking you do, those 92 steps to your apartment might seem rather daunting.
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