Couples from Connecticut, Minnesota, and Ohio

Guest: Steve (Connecticut)
Date of Stay: 09/03/11 Review Submitted: 10/25/11

You can easily reach the tourist areas in the 8th and further down the Seine, but this apartment will put in the heart of everyday French life. Pick up a baguette et al. for breakfast and later enjoy a very reasonable Bordeaux for a local epicerie before heading to a restaurant or just relaxing with dinner brought in from the many local shops in the neighborhood. This is capped off with unobstructed views of Notre Dame and you will have a hard time deciding which view is best - day or night. I have traveled to Paris many times and this accomodation was by far one of the best, if not the best, I have rented. We were a group of six adults and bathroom/bedroom layout was perfect for all of us. The large living/dining area provided all the room we needed to catch up on the day's activities or reminisce about times past in college. Eirwen and her team are excellent and were always available from start to finish. A week in this apartment you will never forget, and it will keep you thinking of when a second or third week can be booked.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+.

I Thought I'd Died And Gone to Heaven...

Guest: Paigeturner (Virginia, USA)
Date of Stay: 08/24/11 Review Submitted: 09/16/11

I've lived in France. I've been to Paris many times over 40 years, but this apartment is a whole other experience. It's really heaven on earth, with the most heavenly reminder gracing the windows all day and night, floodlit even until 1 a.m. each morning. There is literally nothing between you and Notre Dame but air. I hesitated writing a review because I yearn to keep this astonishing jewel all to my greedy self, but no, it wouldn't be fair to Axel and Eirwen. Yes, this slice of heaven is expensive, really expensive, but it was my girls' first trip to Paris and my first return in 20 years. Let them backpack and hostel it like I did, later, when they're starving college students. This time, this first time, it was 5 quai de Montebello, and it became the address of a lifetime.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Great views, convenient location, fabulous apartment

Guest: Tricia (Melbourne, Australia)
Date of Stay: 06/30/11 Review Submitted: 07/06/11

The reviews on the vbro website are very accurate (so I will not repeat), as are the pictures of this stunning apartment. Axel and Eirwen were very helpful, including a change in itinerary that Eirwen effortlessly accomodated without charge. I travelled with my 73-year-old mother, her sister and my 14 year old daughter--the apartment was perfect for all, although please note it is a duplex with one small set of 18 steps inside (there is a lift to the apartment itself). This apartment is 5 minutes to St. Michel RER (2 stops to Gare du Nord--Eurostar--, 1/2 hour to Charles de Gualle and 35 min to Versailles)and 4 line, as well as 2 minutes to Maubert-Mutualite (10 line, which is 4 stops to Au Bon Marche). Don't hesitate to rent this apartment if you can get it. I'm a very very picky traveller and I work at a very senior level in the travel industry! If it had a balcony I would have been in heaven, but the multiple windows onto Notre Dame (SIX) were great. We highly recommend the restaurant La Tournebievre which is a neighbourhood restaurant around the corner, and Au Fil de l'O which is a barge right out in front for drinks and light meals or Sunday buffet. Lots of fresh food shops near the Maubert-Mutualite Metro which is 2 minutes left and left from apt. Use the "Batobus," which is the river barge that stops right out front with unlimited travel. Don't miss vespers at Notre Dame, the queue moves quickly.

Owner response:I am so please you enjoyed your stay in the apartment. I hope you will return to Paris soon.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Perfect Family Apartment in Perfect Location

Guest: Joan G. (Montclair, NJ)
Date of Stay: 08/18/10 Review Submitted: 08/29/10

I traveled to Paris this month with my fifteen year old twins, my twenty year old daughter and her boyfriend. I could not have made a better choice. The apartment is couldn't be in a better location and for those concerned that it is on a busy street (and it is), the owners installed double paned glass and it is amazingly quiet. The apartment is, in my opinion, nicer than the pictures here on vrbo. I worried a bit that the apartment might be a bit too formal for a crowd based on the pix. But there is a big comfortable couch and it is just one big open lovely space where the main attraction is the view. The owners leave a book with all the pertinent information (like the nearest place to get delicious warm croissants in the morning, the nearest fromagerie, and of course the nearest wine store). All of these things are about a block away. Including a small grocery store. The kitchen is small but serviceable. A half fridge with a small freezer. We cooked in one night after I found a picturesque open market near the Bastille. And the train station to Versailles (takes 35 minutes) - is a 5 minute walk. Over one bridge and you are on Ile St Louis. 5 minutes further by foot and you are in Le Marais. Head by foot in the other direction and a 10 minute walk takes you to Jardin du Luxembourg. Less than 5 minute walk to the nearest metro (Maubert). And a lovely 15 minute stroll down Blvd St Germain to the heart of St. Germain De Pres. As another reviewer mentioned, it's also a great neighborhood to let teenagers out and about. I think the freedom they had was a highlight for them (and for me!) The apartment is also air conditioned with a zone on each floor and this did come in handy for sleeping at night. The windows all open but it can get a bit noisy. Although the bells of Notre Dame are loud, clear and extraordinary.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.

First Class Property

Guest: Wally and Turid (Portland, Oregon USA)
Date of Stay: 07/17/10 Review Submitted: 08/02/10

Our family of four stayed a week at this apartment and would love to return. It is spacious, beautifully decorated, and perfectly located. The living room and two of the bedrooms have spectacular views of Notre Dame. It is a short walk not only to the cathedral, but also to St. Chapelle, Luxembourg Gardens, and the shops and restaurants on Blvd. St. Germain and around Place St. Michel. For the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, and Eiffel Tower (and just for floating along the Seine), we bought five day passes for the Batobus, which docks right across the street from the apartment and runs every 15-30 minutes. It was much more pleasant than taking the Metro. For eating in, which we did a couple of times, there are shops at Place Maubert, a few blocks away, that sell bread, cheese, pate' and wine . There also is an open air market for fresh vegetables and fruits three times a week. It is hard to overstate the value of the location. In the evening we could walk to everything from four star restaurants to bistros to take out, not to mention the street performances around St. Michel and Notre Dame. Our two teenagers (18 and 16), were able to walk the neighborhood independently, which everyone appreciated. We also very much appreciated the assistance we received from Axel, the member of Ms. Brisk's team who handled our arrival and departure. On our arrival, he showed us how to use the television and DVD player (which accepted American DVDs) and the air conditioner (which was most appreciated during the July evenings). When we checked out, he ordered us a van to get the four of us and our large suitcases to the train station. All in all, the quality of the apartment and its location helped make our week in Paris an excellent experience for every family member.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Guest: Steve Leder (San Francisco California)
Date of Stay: 01/19/10 Review Submitted: 01/19/10

The apartment was great--will make this our first choice in Paris. Eirwen and his team are top notch.

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Guest: Rebekah Ferris (Brisbane, Australia)
Date of Stay: 10/31/09 Review Submitted: 10/31/09

Stayed in the apartment for a month from the end of September to the end of October 2009 with our two children, 5 and a half and 18 months. The apartment is in a perfect location and was exactly as represented on the web. Very convenient for visiting the sites of Paris by foot or Metro and close to the markets in Place Maubert. Stunning view of the Notre Dame by day or night. Everything went smoothly from the day we arrived to the day we left. The apartment really made our holiday.

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Guest: Claire Smith (ACT Australia)
Date of Stay: 10/27/08 Review Submitted: 10/27/08

We had a fabulous family holiday in this lovely apartment. The central location was walking distance to most of the places we wanted to go. There are great cafes, bistros and restaurants very nearby. Good shops and a market are around the corner. The apartment is very well set up and beautifully furnished. We were very well looked after. The views are amazing. It is 3 minutes walk to the Notre Dame St Michael station which is on the correct train lines for the Charles de Galle Airport, Gare du Nord and the Chateau at Versaille, which is extremely convenient. We hope to stay again soon.

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Guest: Peter Cooper (-)
Date of Stay: 04/05/07 Review Submitted: 04/05/07

thank you for a delightful stay at the flat at Quai de Montebello. The flat was sumptuous and inviting and a welcome respite after a day of sightseeing and exploring. Just as importantly, your warm hospitality and responsiveness to our inquiries and requests help to make our stay in Paris exceptional. Truly, I am not sure how we would have managed in Paris without your assistance, and certainly we will contact you the next time we travel to there.

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