kurgy
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by kurgy on Jan 14, 2011 7:47:49 GMT -5
Hi everyone, Im going to Paris for a month mid Sept to mid October with my hubby & 2 1/2 yr old and have been trawling for apts for the past week or so. We are travelling for 3mths so our budget is limited! I wish I could rent Alyssium! I found this apt and was wondering what people thought of the area with regard to proximity to grocery, bakery & places to eat and any opinion about the area would be appreciated. I was attracted to it because of the view, we are not really into how luxurious the furnishings are - so this suits us - and I think thats why the price is lower than i would expect. I'd love an apt with a view of the Eiffel tower though - but I havent found one in this price range - not surprised! www.parisbestlodge.com/quai.htmlany thoughts would be appreciated. |
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Post by PariS on Jan 14, 2011 8:09:04 GMT -5
WOW! I would love to wake up to that view every day in Paris! It looks like a nice place, very clean and perfectly suited for a little one running around. The 4 flights of stairs would kill my legs after a long day, but you are young!  There are lots of places to eat around there, but looks like the nearest big grocery store might be a little trek (Franprix on rue Domat?) Unless there's one closer that I'm not seeing. |
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Post by Shoesy on Jan 14, 2011 9:12:28 GMT -5
 The view is out of this world !!!!!!!!!!! However, as Annette pointed out, being on the 4th floor w/o an elevator could definitely be a disadvantage with a baby. But that view....... 
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kurgy
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by kurgy on Jan 14, 2011 9:26:54 GMT -5
I know! the view is really what is making me want it! as for the 4 flights - yes - extremely daunting! we already decided that we are going to have to have a checklist by the door before we leave! carrying the 2 year old is also going to be a problem....BUT what about that view!!!
The location is pretty central though - we could walk to the Marais for dinner - yes? When we came in 2007, we stayed at the Marais and are kind of drawn to staying there again due to convenience and we just love the area...but this is a good alternative dont you think?
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Post by willow on Jan 14, 2011 10:43:43 GMT -5
That is a gorgeous view!! I was actually looking at the other apartments on that website and they all look so cute! I love the Marais area too, especially the Bourg-Tibourg area. I stayed in a 5 floor walk up and it wasn't too bad, at least not the first 3-4 floors. 5th floor was the killer.
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Post by lepetitchat on Jan 14, 2011 11:31:58 GMT -5
Actually, there's a grocery store right across the bridge on l'Ile St. Louis; it's gotten really good reviews...
Yup, just double checked; it's called Les délices de Saint Louis, located at 7 Rue Saint-Louis en l'Ile, 75004. I would take the apartment without hesitation, but remember that September is Paris's busiest month, so if you see something you like, snatch it!
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Post by jo on Jan 14, 2011 12:21:21 GMT -5
We've rented from Thierry at ParisBestLodge twice and have always been really happy with both our apartments and his service. That view is to die for!
Jo
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Post by framboiseetrose on Jan 14, 2011 14:03:22 GMT -5
kurgy, that is indeed a view. I have thought of renting it but the stairs is what made the final decision. Also, the 4th floor is actually the 5th floor US so you are talking FIVE FLIGHTS OF STAIRS. It could get hard after a long days trek all over Paris!
Thierry has a one bedroom (Luxembourg Gardens, I think) on 75 bd. Saint Michel. It is across the Jardin the Luxembourg and on a clear day, you can see the ET from the front window. I tried to rent that one but was not available during my trip.
Whatever you decide, you will have a good time!
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Post by Laura NY (aoi33) on Jan 14, 2011 15:34:22 GMT -5
Kurgy,
I spent a month in Paris when my youngest was 2 1/2. I took an apartment on the sixth floor with no elevator. I knew it was likely to be a challenge, so my babysitter and I worked for months getting her legs ready for the trip. We walked up and down lots of stairs before we got to Paris, so that she was able to handle both the stairs to the apartment and the stairs in the Metro. The first week she could only do three flights without being carried, but by the end of the month, she could do the entire thing and I suspect yours will too.
If you do decide to take the apartment, ask if there is somewhere in the internal courtyard where you can keep your stroller, as carrying that up and back every day would be difficult.
Please let me know if I can be of help with any other questions.
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kurgy
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by kurgy on Jan 14, 2011 18:06:19 GMT -5
Jo - I think I looked into Paris Best Lodge because u had mentioned it - so thanks - its the easiest website to use to peruse apts. I tried this autrement paris site which deals with marais apts only - drove me nuts! le petit chat - thank you for the grocery store tip - I really should have jsut googled ...sorry Framboistree - the Bd St Germain one is above our budget - I looked at it and thought - great next to a park for the toddler - but too much. There is that enclosed park behind Notre Dame, so i thought that would be good enough... Actually $2600E is too much, which is what is making me hesitate - I found one on flipkey for $2140 USD for the month!!! what to do?  just blow the expense for the view and nicer digs??? I'm such a view girl though - we moved to miami for 2 years and I said if we are going to live in Miami - we are going to have waterviews! so we had an amazing view of the city & Biscayne bay...hmmm what to do??? www.flipkey.com/properties/view/217934/paris+-+le+marais+4eme/#inquiry-formLaura NY - you lucky duck - you came to paris with a nanny! that would be ideal! I wish we could bring ours... i do have a few questions for you - would u prefer I PM you or should I just start a Paris with toddler/kids thread - which is the only thing lacking on this wonderful forum..You make an excellent point about the stroller thing - I completely forgot - we are only bringing the Maclaren so even if its light im sure its weight doubles exponentially with each flight of stairs! I will email him directly... |
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Post by Jody on Jan 14, 2011 18:32:29 GMT -5
kurgy, look at the apt we rented this past fall.Vacation in Paris Marais delight. It has a small living area with a sleeper sofa, a separate bedroom with a queen bed, the WC is off the living room, first floor no stairs , a nicely furnished kitchen. and an outdoor courtyard. It is across the street from a grocery supermarket,a a wonderful fresh fruit stand, 2 patisseries, a fromagerie, on 6 bus lines from right outside the door, a metro a block down the street, free intenet, free Englsh TV and phone calls, washer and dryer, though I never used them as there was a laudromat next doo that did the stuff cheaply and faster. It was 850 dollars a week as opposed to 850 Euro if I remembe correctly. There is a place to leave a stroller outside of the apt door. No view but there are vews all over Paris and when I get back to my apt. I am Viewed out!!
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kurgy
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by kurgy on Jan 14, 2011 21:46:50 GMT -5
Jody - that apt looks delightful! BUT are u sure it was $850/wk because its listed as $165/night USD - which is why i ignored it, as that is really over the budget! I have emailed them anyway to check for their monthly rate. What a great little flat.
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Post by Shoesy on Jan 15, 2011 0:30:21 GMT -5
IMO, if you really desire a view, then maybe you shouldn't settle for an apt. that doesn't have one. With a baby, you might be spending more time in the apt. than others would.
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Post by Jody on Jan 15, 2011 5:16:46 GMT -5
kurgy. 165 DOLLARS/day times 7 is $1155 . 850 Euro is about $1135 at today's conversion rate. Who knows what the Euro will be next week, it's been going up. I've been checking the GBP and the rate keeps creeping up
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Post by Laura NY (aoi33) on Jan 15, 2011 10:04:06 GMT -5
Oh Kurgy, if only I had been lucky enough to bring my fabulous, incredible nanny! She helped me prepare for the trip, but she did not come. It was just me and my two daughters, then ages 2 1/2 and 8 1/2. I envy you the extra set of adult hands.
My Maclaren has been to Paris three times and is worth its weight in gold, but it really needs to be stored downstairs. I promise you by the end of the day it really will have doubled its weight because of everything you have purchased and stashed in the basket underneath. Carrying all your purchases, food, the diaper bag, toys and walking/ carrying your toddler upstairs will be challenge enough.
Please PM me, as I think the others might find the nuts and bolts of this rather dull, but I am happy to start a new topic if anyone else is interested in hearing about it.
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kurgy
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by kurgy on Jan 15, 2011 10:45:20 GMT -5
Well, I missed the proverbial boat! I emailed Thierry last night to book it and put deposit down, but someone had come in and booked the last 2 weeks of september in that short time. My BAD! Oh well - c'est la vie as they say in France. My DH was part of the hesitation as he really wanted to stay in the Marais -so, back to the drawing board for me....sorry guys for wasting your time...im a bit heartbroken actually...i had always wanted to book it, but DH's hesitation stopped me from doing it immediately, Also im the type of person that has to look at everything first - bugger.....oh gosh, i cant believe i feel soooo bad and empty about this. Oh well, i'll find another dream apt. thanks again for all your input....i really appreciate it...
Laura - I will def PM you about kids in paris...
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kurgy
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by kurgy on Jan 18, 2011 11:09:32 GMT -5
I just wanted to update that I found one! It is on rue Galande & it has a Crazy View of Notre Dame. 1br, 35sqm - tiny! Very excited! thank you for all your advice - it really made me decide exactly what I wanted from an apt i was staying at for a month in Paris - and it was pretty much the view! Things have changed since our last trip to Paris - now that we have a toddler, we spend a lot more time in the apt when on holidays, so a good outlook has become really important to us. Once i have pics of the flat - i will post.
Now onto finding accommodation in Annecy, Provence, the Dordogne, Lake Como, Florence, Tuscany, Venice & Umbria.....I think I need a travel agent...
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Post by Jody on Jan 18, 2011 11:18:17 GMT -5
Congratulations! great location I have this one saved for our trip to the Dordogne in the fall www.sarlat.biz/It's a B&B but if you look at the top of the home page they do have 4 apts. for longer stays |
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Post by framboiseetrose on Jan 18, 2011 13:14:50 GMT -5
kurgy, congratulations!
We are also staying on rue Galande but in a smaller studio apartment (through Thierry) - with a view of Notre Dame and a little terrace. We are leaving on Saturday and it will probably too cold to use the terrace as the weather prediction in Paris for the coming week is cold and a couple of days of snow flurries....... Tant pis pour moi!
Enjoy your planning - it is as good or better than being there!
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kurgy
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by kurgy on Jan 19, 2011 7:23:12 GMT -5
framboisetree - have a safe flight on saturday! i do hope the weather improves and you get to sit on the terrace. That view is totally spectacular - I can't wait! When i spent 3 mths in Paris, 10yrs ago - it was in the winter, and there was nothing i adored more than seeing it in the early morning with a light dusting of snow...so, so pretty! But as we all know, Paris is pretty in every season.....
I will try & enjoy my planning.....once all the accommodation is sorted, I think i'll enjoy it a bit more...right now, I'm tearing my hair out!
Jody - thanks for the tip- I have emailed them to send me the details of their apartments. This whole Saturday to Saturday booking in all apartments is driving me a bit bonkers though! So we are now going to stay in the Dordogne for a week 10 Sept - 17 Sept, our last leg before our 1mth paris stint!
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There are lots of places to eat around there, but looks like the nearest big grocery store might be a little trek (Franprix on rue Domat?) Unless there's one closer that I'm not seeing. 
The view is out of this world !!!!!!!!!!! However, as Annette pointed out, being on the 4th floor w/o an elevator could definitely be a disadvantage with a baby. But that view....... 
just blow the expense for the view and nicer digs??? I'm such a view girl though - we moved to miami for 2 years and I said if we are going to live in Miami - we are going to have waterviews! so we had an amazing view of the city & Biscayne bay...hmmm what to do???
hahahha