Lovely one-bedroom apartment with air-con., Marais - Paris

Well, OK, spring time was a bit delayed this year. Nonetheless, we had an enjoyable week at the apartment. Everything is as represented in the listing. In fact, it's better - there's even a dishwasher which I had not realized!

The neighbourhood is fascinating with all sorts of restaurants and small stores. There are three boulangeries within a street or two and a butcher right below the apartment. So we cooked for ourselves most nights but did try some of the local restaurants. Les Comptoirs de Carthage (27 rue de Picardie) is quirky but fun.

We tried to stay away from the big tourist sites such as the Louvre, Tour d'Eiffel, Versailles. There are lots of smaller museums that are just as interesting and much less crowded. Musee Marmottan was our favourite (nr Bois de Boulogne).

My husband and I arrived in Le Marais by train (we had flown into Paris from the US a few days earlier and taken the train to Strasbourg for a few days) on a cold and snowy Monday after many months of grief. (His father had died unexpectedly during the summer.) Walking up old wooden steps, we opened the apartment door into a warm, exquisite little pocket of romance in Paris and smiled. Delightful details abounded - simple, but noticeably tasteful. The small kitchen was perfectly appointed for cooks and we found great pleasure in the challenges of cooking our meals using two burners. Every day, we looked forward to time spent visiting the collection of markets JUST OUTSIDE the door. There, we chose our cheeses, meats, fish, vegetables, fruits, chocolates, breads, pates, and our wines. One night, we needed more wine - my husband looked out the window to see if the wine shop was still open - it was - and he rushed across the street to see what our next wine should be. Most of the market men and women did not speak English, and this was fun, too! There was a lot of pointing and smiling. We enjoyed a beautiful snowstorm in Paris in March! And warmed ourselves with a drink in the cafes all along the street late at night after dinner. It was easy to find the metro stations - one day we had a cooking class in Montmartre and used the metro. Another day we rode to visit the Jacquemart-Andre Museum (opulent bling - gorgeous!) then walked down the Champs Elysees, then to the Eiffel Tower, and rode the metro back to Le Marais. Walking around Le Marais was a cinch - we visited the Carnavalet Museum - a new favorite! And one day we met our daughter to visit the Holocaust Memorial - a necessary heartbreaker. It was easy to walk to Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle (my favorite). The neighborhoods and small streets of Le Marais are irresistable.

The only thing that didn't work out is that our views to the gardens (as depicted in the pictures) from the bedroom and kitchen were blocked for now. I am a garden designer and when we travel, my husband often has to work a few hours, so it is nice if there is a separate room where I can also work and write. I hoped to sit by a window and write with a quiet view of a garden.

But - Le Marais is a treasured area of Paris and there must always be some kind of restoration going on.

Paris did not disappoint us, even with snow! This apartment was a great value and a lovely work of Parisian "heart" art. Just go!

A beautiful apartment in a wonderful section of Paris. Everything you need within a short walk of your "home away from home". The photos and descriptions of the apartment are accurate and the apartment is fully furnished with everything you need to enjoy your stay (including a very helpful handbook written by the owners). I would recommend this apartment without hesitation. Great cafes, bakeries, street markets, and chocolate shops around every corner!

My wife and I travel a lot, and have always stayed in hotels. I was a little hesitant about renting an apartment from a private owner, but was VERY pleased with the professionalism and efficiency of Julie & Fabrice. They responded to all of our questions quickly and were very helpful. The apartment is clean and all the appliances and fixtures are modern. We will definitely be back.