Our Home in Montmartre

• Happy in Montmartre

  Happy in Montmartre

  • Guest two for the road
  • Date of stay 02/22/13
  • Review Submitted 05/11/13
  My husband and I had the pleasure of staying here for a week in late February, after making last minute arrangements with the owner, who was most helpful in getting the key, useful directions, and instructions to us promptly. The apartment was comfortable and well-equipped and everything worked! Being there in winter we were concerned about the heat situation but it was very comfortable. We turned it down while out and things warmed up nicely after a day walking in the Paris chill. Lots of hot water,a good shower and a comfy bed. The kitchen was just fine for our purposes. We had most of our breakfasts there as well as making a couple of lunches and suppers when we were too tired to go out again. Some better knives would be helpful but everything else was more than adequate. We had a wonderful time shopping in the area as there are lots of good patisseries,produce stores,etc. There are some wonderful restaurants nearby and Mark provided an excellent list of suggestions complete with addresses and a map. It was great to have a washing machine as we'd been travelling prior to arriving here. The clothes air-dried quickly so no need for a drier. The building was very quiet,clean and secure which we really appreciated. Not a view but we were out all day seeing Paris so we didn't really need one. We had memorable walks up to Sacre Coeur and the great view by hiking directly uphill from the apartment building! A good climb!! Go at night as well as daytime! The building is a short walk to the Metro,which we made great use of.What a great system! We also hopped the bus a few times but mostly we enjoyed walking almost everywhere!The apartment is in a great location; we explore in all directions and if too tired we took the Metro "home". Having the internet access was fantastic. Also, the good sound system as we are musicians. I don't understand a complaint I read after we returned to Canada, about the selection of videos as we greatly appreciated the movies chosen for their Parisian or French connection.We enjoyed a couple of them. The apartment was pretty much true to the photos we'd seen.There was a waterleak repair that had not been completed....a small area of unpainted plaster and exposed pipe in the hall/bathroom. We've heard that this has now been repaired but it didn't bother us at all. I have already recommended this apartment to friends.If we are lucky enough to have another Paris holiday we won't hesitate to contact Mark. Merci Mark!

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, tourists without a car.

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• Disappointing Stay

  Disappointing Stay

  • Guest Pomo
  • Date of stay 10/28/12
  • Review Submitted 02/18/13
  Although pleasant in terms of lay-out and space, this apartment is in dire need of cleaning and updating. Coming in to the entry hall, one is confronted by a mess of peeling plaster on the right wall outside the bathroom. The owner says that a leak in the bathroom plumbing is responsible. Needless to say, the plaster is crumbling in the bathroom as well. A date pencilled on the wall (early spring of 2012--March or April, I think) suggested to me that the problem is long-standing. Needless to say, finding the apartment in this state upon entry does not leave a good impression. The owner requests that occupants undertake "light housekeeping." I thought that meant cleaning up after yourself, rather than previous guests. Some examples: said bathroom was littered hair/dust balls; almost every dish and piece of cutlery had to be re-washed because of caked-on food; and, upon my arrival, I had to clean the bathroom sink and mirror, after which I couldn't find a hand towel to dry my hands because they're not provided. All furniture upholstery in the apartment is dirty, from the light-colored dining room chairs to the arm chair and couch. It's great to have a full set of chopping knives, but they're so dull as to be next to useless. At a more general level, the apartment is in desperate need of a paint job. It would do wonders to the apartment's current grimy and dingy appearance. Owner is pleasant and semi-responsive to requests. For example, he helped when I had trouble operating the hair dryer, but didn't replace the tea pot when I told him that its lid had been broken by a previous tenant. He provides lots of CDs and (dated) DVDs (although the system wasn't working when I stayed there). However, for the money I spent for the week, I would've appreciated more a clean and well-maintained dwelling.

  Owner response: I'm baffled by this review, which arrived out of the blue almost four months after our guest's visit. I tried to contact her about it, but she did not reply. I visited the apartment prior to her arrival, and verified that it was in good order. I met her there when she arrived, explaining that the (actually relatively minor) water damage in the hall had appeared the previous March, but that before repairs could be made things had to dry out—there's no point in painting over damp plaster. However because water had infiltrated behind the tile, the necessary drying out was still in progress. (Update: Repair was completed in March.) During her stay she contacted me about the hairdryer and the teapot lid. I explained how to work the hairdryer and apologized for the missing lid, which could easily have been replaced had she indicated that it was disturbing her so. None of the other issues she raises now were mentioned to me at the time. There are plenty of towels on hand, of all sizes, and the apartment is not in "desperate need" of a paint job. In fact the kitchen, bath, and entry hall were repainted only a few years ago, when we remodeled the bathroom. While by comparison the less-recently repainted bedroom and living room are not as bright, they certainly are not "grimy" or "dingy". Our DVD collection, on the other hand, is indeed dated, consisting mostly of some of the (Paris-related) classics that have delighted us over the years, such as Irma la Duce, An American in Paris, and Casablanca. We're not trying to anticipate this year's Academy Awards! Finally, visitors to our apartment are not "tenants", they are guests in our home. But each guest, or potential guest, is different. It can be a first visit to Paris for one, and a fifth for another. One couple may plan on mostly eating in—so that a well-equipped kitchen and good local food shopping are essential—while another may plan on mostly dining out—so that a choice of good local restaurants is more of a factor. One may be looking for a three star restaurant experience, and another for a five star hotel experience. And so on. And so one of my tasks as host is to try to assure a good match between the needs and expectations of each prospective guest, and the character of our apartment and our neighborhood. Although I regret that in this instance it looks like I didn't do that job very well, many of our guests are satisfied repeat visitors, so we must be doing something right.

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• The best of Paris

  The best of Paris

  • Guest Bearcatty
  • Date of stay 07/05/12
  • Review Submitted 09/26/12
  I stayed in this charming flat a number of weeks ago. The owner's description is thorough and accurate; no need for me to repeat him. I've rented any number of flats in Europe (Berlin, Prague, Barcelona, others)--all attractive, but none compared in value or appeal to this cozy walk-up in Montmartre. The original artwork, owner's personal book/CD libraries, the neighbors you meet on the stairs...all add to the intimate feel. You'll imagine you're visiting a friend's home. And Mark, the owner, will in fact become your friend, with invaluable tips and advise on shopping and dining, transportation, saving a few euros, etc. What ultimately matters though, in my opinion, is the personal experience, the impressions we take back with us. Isn't this why we travel? Now weeks later, I'll find myself going through my day and I'll randomly recall walking back from a busy schedule to my Parisian home, or sitting on the couch with a glass of cab and a plate of cheeses and bread and listening to Miles Davis, or strolling to the cafe right across the square for a nightcap. Smiling at those reveries and wishing like crazy I were back in Montmartre.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway.

  Owner response: Thanks, Ron. I wish I was there right now -- we don't get over often enough! (Glad you enjoyed our jazz cds -- we're going to add a few more on our next visit!)

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• Magical Montmartre

  Magical Montmartre

  • Guest Nashville_AMP
  • Date of stay 09/02/11
  • Review Submitted 10/19/11
  When you rent the owners' enchanting second home, it will be as though you have been magically transformed into a real Parisian, a resident of the lovely neighborhood of Montmartre. My husband and I had the pleasure of staying a week at this apartment this past September. Each afternoon, after a long day of sightseeing, I would open the living room windows and see window boxes filled with geraniums and hear the sounds of French children playing in the alley below. My husband and I would often eat at Au Relais, the lovely neighborhood cafe that is just next door to the apartment building. A local market, an excellent patisserie, and a Metro station were all within easy walking distance. My husband and I spent a day and half exploring vibrant, beautiful Montmartre, home to Sacre Coeur, a stunning cathedral built on Paris's highest point. We became engrossed in the rich history of the neighborhood, once home to such great artists as Renoir, Picasso, and Toulouse-Latrec. If you long to experience life as a true Parisian on your trip to Paris, I know you will not be disappointed in this home away from home. Not only will you fall in love with Montmartre, but you will be enchanted with your temporary residence as well. The bed is very comfortable. The adorable kitchen leaves nothing to be desired. There is even a telephone where you can make calls to American land lines for free. The owners have left an entire notebook of helpful information about the apartment and the neighborhood and are very easy to contact in case you need them for anything. My husband and I enjoyed our experience so much that we felt compelled to write this recommendation. Just writing these words makes me want to make a return visit. Thanks again to the hospitable owners. We are so glad we discovered you!

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway.

  Owner response: My thanks to our September guests for their thoughtful review... and for the care they took with our apartment during their stay. About the only "correction" I would make is to mention that the living room does not overlook an alley, but rather a small tree-shaded mini-park -- where neighborhood kids do indeed play!

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$900/week for 1st week, for one or two guests.
Additional nights are $85/night; additional weeks $595/week.
$2850/month (30 days) for 1st month; $2500/month for each additional month.
Please note that our rates are in US Dollars. 
Our rates are constant during the year; we don't push them up for 'high season'. 
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References are available on request.

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.