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Discretely tucked between the rue du Temple and Rue des Archives, Rue de Braque is just one short block long, where the castle-like edifice of the Archives Nationales makes for a dramatic backdrop.
The buildings on rue de Braque are mostly 18th century stone buildings, the pitted stones glowing in the Parisian afternoon sun. The grand facades lean slightly over the narrow street, as if protecting it from the bustle of modern Paris.
Our flat is located on the first floor and overlooks a large tranquil courtyard, the west-facing windows running the length of the flat and bathing every room in natural light all day. At the far end of the courtyard is a "mur végétale" a wall planted with moss and ferns and vines.
The one bedroom flat, at 46 square meters, is fully renovated and decorated in a bright, modern style. The décor’s whimsical pairing of white, bleached wood, and bright red seems to mirror the nearby Pompidou Centre, Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers’ groundbreaking 1977 design, an eye-catching structure of bright colors plunked down amid the muted tones of the surrounding stone buildings.
The flat is entered through a long hallway, passing the kitchen at left before moving into the lounge. The modern kitchen can be accessed by either the hall or the lounge, and is fully equipped with a large refrigerator and freezer, microwave and traditional ovens, a two-burner induction range, and plenty of cooking supplies and dishes for preparing a quick tea to a full dinner.
The lounge is spacious and comfortable, with the large leather sofa and chair for relaxing, and the large red “hand” armchair for a bit of fun. A large entertainment center it equipped with a flat screen TV, DVD, and stereo.
A second hallway leads to the bedroom and bathroom. The bathroom is newly remodeled as well. It contains the toilet, a large vanity counter with a sink and a mirror, a towel warmer, and a generous shower cabin, which is equipped with a rain-shower overhead nozzle.
The bedroom sleeps two in comfort with a queen-size bed (160 cm) and one wall of the bedroom is covered with built-in cabinets and drawers for storage.
Extra sleeping for one person is provided with a top of the range inflatable single bed.
LOCATION:
The neighborhood is a tourists’ delight. Situated on the edge of the 4th and 3rd arrondissements, the flat is between the Marais and the Arts et Métiers areas and is only a 20mns walk from the Gare du Nord or an easy bus ride on the No 38.
The Marais is home to some of the best shopping in Paris, with trendy boutiques galore, as well as great cafes, bars, and a considerable nightlife.
A short walk will also lead to numerous museums and sites, including the Pompidou Centre, The Musée Picasso, th Archives Nationales, Place des Vosges, the Hotel de Ville, and much more.
The area around Arts et Métiers is also part of the wholesale leather goods district – if a shop displays the sign Vente au Détail, a funky handbag or briefcase may be a great bargain. Nearby metro stops are Rambuteau, and Arts et Metiers or Hotel de Ville
Around the corner is the Rue Rambuteau market and a short walk east takes you to a superb market area, the rue de Bretagne, home to one of the oldest markets in Paris, and to the west, the rue Montorgueil is a pedestrian market street lined with great food shops, restaurants, and cafes. |
