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Review 3894: Owner, Place des Vosges (#166715)

www.vrbo.com

Recommended
Review by ebabe69 from UK

2bed/1bath in 3rd arrondissement, Paris

When

2 - 6th November 2008, 4 nights

Location

Great location on Places des Vosges in the Marais with entrances/exits both onto the square and from the rear of the building onto rue du Foin. The building is very secure for anyone with safety issues. There’s a lift that goes directly to the apartment (useful for anyone with mobility issues) and the lift is big enough to take a few people and their bags – any regular visitors to Paris will understand this point!

There are numerous metro stops. St Paul (Line 1) – probably most useful to anyone wanting to get to the usual tourist haunts, Breuget Sabine (Line 5 direct from Gare du Nord/Eurostar) and Chemin Vert (Line 8) in walking distance of the apartment.

It’s an easy walk from the apartment to Île Saint-Louis and Ile de la Cité (Notre Dame).

Nearby Amenities

If you exit from rue du Foin and turn left right there on the corner is Au Levain du Marias for your morning croissant, pain or pastries in the afternoon. There’s a Monoprix supermarket on rue St Antoine (closed Sun) and another small supermarket on rue St Gilies (off rue du Turenne). There are numerous small ‘corner shop’ type places that are open all hours and days for basic supplies.

There’s a plethora of shops and restaurants in the immediate area. Rue St Antoine has smaller branches of various well known stores and most people are now aware of the calibre of shopping in the Marais. The Sunday and Thursday street market on Blvd Richard Lenoir is a foodie's delight.

The House/Apartment

Place des Vosges is one of the historical squares of Paris. Although this apartment is part of a large square with other apartments the apartment itself was very private and peaceful.

Garden

There is a garden but not really for sitting out in, more you pass through it when heading for the square.

Furnishings/Cleanliness/Living Areas

Entrance Hall: Lift takes you directly to the front door. Large hallway with full length mirror, umbrellas for guest use, coat hanging space. Door to laundry room with full size washing machine and separate dryer and drying rack. Laundry detergent provided.

Sitting Room: Dining table for four, antique seating for four or five some large verdant plants, stereo and lots of book in French and English. Windows look onto the garden courtyard of the building.

Bedrooms/Bathrooms

Master Bedroom: Large (7’ maybe) bed. Wardrobe, antique side tables, side lamps, antique desk and chair. Computer with Internet connection and printer, flat screen TV with cable (endless CNN and Bloomberg (if you can face it!) and BBC World News), air conditioning unit and telephone. There are free international calls available to landlines plus free calls to cell phones in the USA and Canada. A real plus for anyone away from home wanting to stay in touch.

Second Bedroom: Double bed, wardrobe, hanging space, bedside tables and lamps.

Both bedrooms where peaceful at night. This is a major city so some street noise is to be expected usually but it was very quiet here.

Hallway leading to separate WC and ...

Bathroom: ‘Rose’ type shower over bath with good pressure and hot water. Also hand held shower attachment (useful for younger kids washing hair etc). Good supply of towels, liquid soap and toilet tissue.

Kitchen

Kitchen: Off sitting-room, smallish but well equipped. Cooker, microwave, fridge freezer, 1/2 size dishwasher, pots and pans, coffee maker, electric kettle, toaster, juicer, mixer and supply of kitchen foil, cling film, paper towels, coffee, tea, spices etc.

Problems or Bonuses

One note: This apartment is furnished with several antique pieces that the owner takes pride in. In my opinion it would not suit those with a very young child who doesn’t understand why they can’t put a cup on a particular table or the slightly older more rambunctious child. I’m sure from about age 10/12 years, it would be fine.

Agency and Representatives (and price)

The owner was a delight to communicate with and ticked all the right boxes with me (having rented many properties around the world). Very helpful and quick to respond to emails.

If you don't speak French the owner is fluent in English.

The nightly and weekly rates are very competitive for the space and location compared to hotel of a similar calibre.

Do you recommend this vacation rental to others?

Having stayed in numerous Paris apartments this would be in my top two (the other being larger and sleeping up to eight) and I will happily return in the future. Presuming this review doesn’t mean it is always full! This apartment sleeps four, maybe five if one was a child. It’s also a great apartment for two couples wanting to share.

This review is the opinion of a Slow Travel member and not of slowtrav.com.

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