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For a number of years, the owner lived in this apartment in Paris, where he studied painting at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux Arts (school of Fine Arts) a few blocks away. The owner spent a good deal of time renovating this apartment himself and adding a number of personal touches and aesthetic enhancements.
The atmosphere in the apartment is more charming 'Old World' than it is contemporary, despite the modern amenities that are necessary for comfortable living. In a building dating from the years immediately following the French Revolution (1790's), the thick walls, high ceilings, and tall windows are distinctive of the 'Directory' Period when buildings were still made by hand.
Studying French Art and craftsmanship while renovating an apartment in Paris provided the owner with a rare opportunity to play with a variety of decorative concepts. The owner also got to know the Museum of Decorative Arts, where he studied the history of French furniture.
Fortunately, the apartment’s original windows with their unique ‘crémone’ closing mechanisms were still intact, so the owner meticulously stripped off centuries of paint to reveal the metal mechanism underneath and the solid oak window frames.
This same respect for history and attention to detail is apparent throughout the apartment. Nevertheless, despite his concern with the overall charm of the flat, the owner did not neglect the need for modern amenities, so the end result is an aesthetically pleasing, highly functional environment.
A tranquil haven in an exclusive part of the 6th arrondissement with a security entrance, this apartment is situated two flights up with no elevator. A first, cobblestone courtyard buffers the street sounds beyond, while garden courtyard behind, planted with trees, provides a cool retreat and view in summer and a touch of greenery in winter. The building is midway between the place St. Germain-des-Près and the historic Bon Marché department store.
The Rue du Cherche-Midi, or "looking for the noon-time sun" street, was named as early as 1595 after a shoppe sign picturing a Greek astronomer with compass and quadrant that hung here. During fashion week it might more aptly be called "looking for the limelight", as fashionistas from around the globe converge to raid the shoes stores and the famous Poilâne bakery just a few doors down, whose traditional breads are made in wood burning ovens. Expect to wait in line for your bread at any time of year.
Taxis can be had within 30 yards of the building, and three major metro lines are a three minute walk away. One of these metro lines lies on a direct line to the Porte de Versailles exhibition hall, as does one of the many convenient buses nearby. Restaurants abound. Suffice to say it would be difficult not to find a good restaurant in the area. If you prefer to cook, a farmer's market provides fresh produce three times weekly one block down on the boulevard Raspail. Sundays draw the city's trendy crowd when the market turns "organic only".
Building Date: 1795
Dwelling Facing courtyard. 1 bedroom & 1 bathroom. Queen bed in bedroom and Queen size Murphy bed in living room.
Features
Level/Security 1st floor European. 2nd American. No elevator
Neighborhood 6th
Television with cable TV
Stereo no
Answering Machine Telephone and answering machine
Internet broadband with 4 port router & wireless connection
Fireplace yes in bedroom
Oven Yes, full size
Stove Vitro ceramic
Microwave yes
Refrigerator/Freezer Full size refrigerator / freezer
Dishwasher no
Washing Machine/Dryer yes
Contact Porter Scott
porter.scott@wanadoo.fr
+33 (0)6 11 30 53 57
175 euros per night
Phone use included for local calls only
From a practical point of view, the apartment is very functional. One previous tenant compared the place to a yacht to the extent that every inch of space has been utilized for something... if sometimes only for aesthetics. The kitchen was designed for people who like to cook, even though most visitors to Paris do not want to spend their time cooking. The bathtub is a luxury and provides solace to a walk weary body.
The apartment has served a number of tenants well by providing a restful place to read, write, cook meals, and get a good taste of a Parisian life of leisure (some people do come to work, nevertheless!). Safety is also significant feature of the apartment to the extent that the front door of the building is locked 24 hours a day. The only way to enter the building is to have a special key, or to have someone open the door for you. |
