Romantic 1 Bedrm Apartment on Cobbled Mews

• Beautiful Paris Charmer

  Beautiful Paris Charmer

  • Guest jcw (Denver, CO)
  • Date of stay 05/19/13
  • Review Submitted 07/11/13
  My daughter and I stayed in this apartment for a week together. April is a wonderful host and gave us lots of good information about the place and the neighborhood as soon as we arrived. She was very accommodating. The apartment was lovely- lots of light, very comfortable and with the most charming courtyard entryway. Equipped with every convenience we needed for our stay, we really looked forward to coming back to the apartment after a long day of touring around Paris. The neighborhood is a true gem with many wondrous surprises around any corner. There are many terrific restaurants right around the apartment.There is a great boulangerie right up the street with delicious pastries, sandwiches and, of course, baguettes. It was wonderful to be in a neighborhood that wasn't full of tourists. We were able to immerse ourselves completely. It was also very easy to get where ever we wanted to go as Place D'Italie station is a short walk away. If by some wonderful fortune, I have the opportunity to get to Paris again, there is no doubt that this will be my very first choice of accommodations. It's absolutely perfect in every way.

  Recommended for: Families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Wonderful apartment, area and landlady!

  Wonderful apartment, area and landlady!

  • Guest Holly (Durham, NC)
  • Date of stay 09/02/12
  • Review Submitted 02/11/13
  First, I need to add a group to April's (the owner) list of people who are suitable renters: I'm 67 and was traveling alone, so it's not just young people who will love this apartment. I happily lived in the apartment for 2 months in Fall 2012, enjoying the location (non-touristy), facilities (open LR/K/dining area, split bathroom area, window views (courtyard and street), neighborhood stores and market, etc. It was perfect for me (and hopefully, you). Where to start describing all the good points? The market - I'm a foodie so the Tues/Fri/Sun street market located just 2 short blocks away was a big draw - lovely fruits and veggies, cheeses, meats, cooked food, etc (and huge freshly cooked potato galettes on Sunday mornings at the Polish food booth). The 3 boulangeries/patisseries within 1-10 minutes' walk (where I discovered choquettes, little airy puffs of sweet dough - miam!). A large shopping center (unusual in Paris) nearby, with an ATM and a large grocery store for basics (but I bought most of my fresh food at the street market). The ease of Metro/RER connections in many directions - about a 20 minute Metro ride to all the central tourist sites. The history of the area (the commune, the Montgolfier brothers' hot air balloon landing site, the tapestry factory, etc.) The "real" Paris experience, without all the tourists. And of course, April. She handled some unexpected dilemmas (I had to leave unexpectedly early for a family emergency) and was super friendly whenever we met. I could go on and on about her, the apartment, the area, and Paris in general, but I hope you've gotten the idea that I LOVED staying in the Paris Mews apartment and will definitely try to return in the future.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• A dream come true!

  A dream come true!

  • Guest Alwina (Boston, Massachusetts)
  • Date of stay 06/09/12
  • Review Submitted 06/25/12
  What a wonderful find this little apartment in the area of the Butte Aux Cailles turned out to be! The pictures and description of the apartment were accurate. The owner, April, was most accommodating and helpful. She has prepared a booklet about local sites, history, and other useful information. The property is well maintained and the location was perfect. The neighborhood is full of little shops, cafés, and a large grocery store (that sells anything you might imagine you'd need)! But don't buy too much at the Carrefours grocery store; there is an amazing street marché on Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays--my advice: eat before you go or you'll end up with more food that you can eat! It was easy to get to anywhere in Paris and beyond--3 metro lines stop at the Place d'Italie which is 2 blocks from the apartment. I walked to the Luxembourg Gardens and the Jardin des Plantes (30 minutes +). I ate lunch at the Mosque Tea Room (near the Jardin des Plantes)--try the lamb tangine if you go there, it is amazing. Mostly I tried to "live" in the apartment for 2 weeks. I took long walks and explored the Butte area as well as several other Paris neighborhoods. I even got to know a couple of neighborhood people (the woman at the bakery, a waiter in a café). I hope to rent this apartment in the future--maybe for longer! Thank you so much to April for sharing this lovely spot.

  Recommended for: Girls getaway, families with teenagers, sightseeing, romantic getaway, age 55+, tourists without a car.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• Good choice for visitors

  Good choice for visitors

  • Guest J Tan (Lexington MA)
  • Date of stay 08/11/11
  • Review Submitted 09/29/11
  First of all, the Owner April Tash is very nice and accomodating. She took time to explain the apartment facilities and also provided good recommendations on places to eat and to see in our short 5 night stay. The apartment is in a contigous 3 story block of apartments, on the mid level near the end side of the block. The apartment is quite safe, with double locks and up high from the street level. IF you are sensitive to noise, bring some ear plugs as morning foot traffic and people talking is to be expected If you leave the windows open.Situated about 5 minutes walk from Place D'italie metro station, passing by morning markets( usually Fri-sun only) in front of a hotel, and a couple of restaurants and a breakfast stand (squeeze between two restaurants, right in front of the inbound metro stairs, with a full Carrefour supermarket in the basement level of the adjacent Department stores building - makes it a convenient location to access food stuff and more. Chinatown/Little saigon is close by but suggest not to beeline to the first restaurant seen as there are quite a few choices further down. The apartment was comfortable with enough room for a family of four. Beds were comfortable. internet access was easy. There is a apartment written manual to help out. The washer dryer is the common european ventless type so it takes a while to get clothes dried. Lots of kitchenware to use but have to use a small towel as a drying area. The stairs going up is a bit worn and uneven but it is well lite with convenient switches at both the mid level and the ground level. If you have small children or older folks, just be careful with your footing. For first timers in Paris, this is a good area to be in , being near local folks as to observe local going ons, close enough via metro to most Parisian sights, able to walk out at night with good comfort level of security but obviously be safe and travel in pairs late at night.

  Recommended for: Families with young children, girls getaway, families with teenagers, sightseeing, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/6

• Very comfortable ... too comfortable at times ...

  Very comfortable ... too comfortable at times ...

  • Guest keith (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
  • Date of stay 08/20/11
  • Review Submitted 08/28/11
  It was really a great base for a visit to Paris - public transport is convenient with the métro station just literally around the corner. The market, three times a week, also gave us a fell of what Paris really is like. Also Chinatown was within easy walking distance for really great non-French food. The apartment was perfect for the four of us and at times was too comfortable to leave to go out and do some sightseeing. The owner did a fantastic job of anticipating what many travellers would need in preparing her little folder with all the information needed during their stay ..... now , if only I go to meet with her .....

  Recommended for: Girls getaway, sightseeing, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, tourists without a car.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

• California Family

  California Family

  • Guest Laura (California, USA)
  • Date of stay 07/02/11
  • Review Submitted 08/09/11
  My two college-age daughters and I spent the month of July 2011 in April's authentically charming yet modernly equipped apartment, with my husband joining us for 10 days. The short story is that we loved everything about the apartment and the neighborhood, not to mention April! The factually detailed story is that the listing description and photos accurately reflect the rental's location, appearance and amenities; the property was clean and well-maintaned and April was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. Specifically, the apartment gets lots of light and is bright, cheerful and tastefully yet comfortably furnished. In fact, the queen-sized bed was so comfortable that we're looking to replace our own mattress at home with the same mattress. One of my daughters coined the shower "the best shower in Paris", and I appreciated the compact yet complete kitchen. The neighborhood has a small village-like feeling, yet is a 2-minute walk to a large Metro stop which serves 3 convenient lines. Also, felt very safe walking home from the Metro even late at night. Last but certainly not least, it was a pleasure to make April's acquaintance, she seems to genuinely care about the well-being of her renters. We highly recommend this property for either short or long term rentals.

  Recommended for: Girls getaway, families with teenagers, sightseeing, romantic getaway, tourists without a car.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/7

• A great apartment for a long stay !

  A great apartment for a long stay !

  • Guest Julio (Buenos Aires)
  • Date of stay 03/12/11
  • Review Submitted 05/18/11
  I rented this apartment for a month (from mid March to mid April). The owner was extremely helpful and very friendly. The apartment is located in a very convinient area of the 13th arrondissement. it is sorrounded by several restaurants. Within 200 meters, you have Italian, Mexican, Thai, Japanese, Indian, and French resturants. The metro station (place d'Italie) is also very close from the apartment. With respect to the apartment itself, it is in perfect conditions. The pictures are very accurate. it's a very silent appartment, I never had any problem to sleep. In short, I was extremely pleased with it and I would rent it again if I have to come back to Paris for work.

  Recommended for: Families with young children, families with teenagers, sightseeing, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6

• Fully satisfied with our stay

  Fully satisfied with our stay

  • Guest Sir Walkalot (Prague)
  • Date of stay 04/26/11
  • Review Submitted 05/06/11
  This apartment is quite well-located - it is very close to the Place d'Italie metro station and a large shopping mall. Numerous restaurants are a short stroll away and Chinatown is within a 15 minute walk. The apartment is well-maintained and is a good size for couples or small families with young children. It is possible to hear some morning sounds outside the bedroom window but we didn't find it excessive at all but in the end, the apartment is in the middle of the city and some noise is inevitable. As a minor quibble, if travelling with small children it is worth noting that the staircase leading from the ground up to the apartment is narrow and can be difficult to navigate with larger strollers. The owner is a pleasure to deal with and did everything she could to ensure that we had a comfortable stay. Would not hesitate to stay here again the next time in Paris.

  Recommended for: Families with young children, sightseeing, romantic getaway, tourists without a car.

  Owner response: I am happy to host families traveling with young children. There are also may be some ways that I can adapt the apartment to make young travelers comfortable (so please ask). Just to specify: the apartment is most suitable to singles, couples, and can be adapted to couples with young children, three adults, or a couple and two other adults. Please note that to enter this apartment there are a lot of large uneven cobblestones to cross -- hard for anyone with a knee injury or having trouble walking on uneven surfaces. Pets are not allowed, nor is smoking, in order that the apartment be suitable for those with allergies.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

• Delightful!

  Delightful!

  • Guest Jill (Silver Spring, Md.)
  • Date of stay 04/16/11
  • Review Submitted 04/26/11
  Our two sons, my husband and I stayed eight days and nights in April's apartment. My husband and I stayed in the comfortable bedroom and our sons stayed in the living area, on the two twins. It was a great arrangement. They came in late without needing to disturb us, as the toilet is in the main area. The bathroom off the bedroom has a spacious shower with plenty of lush towels. April has gone to the trouble of including local information and recommendations to guide her guests. The location is ideal. The open market was a great place to buy produce, fresh meats and fish and treats. The apartment is great location and is a relaxing respite from busy Paris.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, sightseeing, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

• Good, with reservations

  Good, with reservations

  • Guest Anglo-French couple (London, UK)
  • Date of stay 11/13/10
  • Review Submitted 12/10/10
  We (Anglo-French couple, 55+) are staying for a month on a working vacation (November 2010). This despite strong morning-after reservations. What we’d booked was the ‘romantic’ apartment ‘at the end of an old cobbled mews’ shown in the bucolic photograph, the one that had inspired a previous reviewer to write ‘what surprised and relaxed all of us was the quiet – this mews is tucked away from the dawn and traffic noise of Paris’. Arriving close to midnight, and sleeping as we usually do with the window open, we were surprised to discover, at 5.30 in the morning, that the bedroom actually sits on the rue Bobillot, one of the feeder roads into the Place d’Italie, with heavy traffic noise from buses and trucks etc. The other two windows also give onto the rue Bobillot, at a slight angle, but with no real difference in noise. The bedroom faces the concrete wall of the Place d’Italie shopping mall. A more objective description of the apartment and its location would be ‘a just-renovated (European) first-floor apartment on the busy rue Bobillot, located opposite a shopping mall and accessed via a shabby cobbled mews and staircase’. Feeling seriously misinformed we emailed April that morning and to her credit she not only offered us a no-penalty departure but said that to avoid future misunderstandings she’d modify some wording on her website, which she promptly did. We looked at a couple of alternatives but had no serious time to devote to apartment-hunting, especially as the descriptions of the neighbourhood (our original motive for choosing the apartment) and of the apartment itself were accurate in all other respects. The shower would not be out of place in an apartment renting for twice as much. The cable internet allows you to send outgoing emails in Outlook, unlike some France-Telecom connexions. The separation of toilet and shower is useful for shared occupancy. All windows are efficiently sound-proofed by double-glazing, which also keeps the apartment warm in winter. Presumably the previous reviewer never opened the windows (their surprise at the quiet is otherwise inexplicable). Light sleepers and/or those who sleep with the window open and who are eager for an authentic Paris experience may wish to stop their ears with boules Quies, a nationally celebrated product, available in any pharmacy.

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

  Owner response: I regret that these lamenting guests had such a bad time in my apartment, an apartment that everyone else seems to enjoy. I was surprised when they refused to be released from any obligations, and a full refund, setting them free to move on to other accommodations that might better correspond to them. What then to change in my text? Do I replace "romantic" with "tree lined?" Should I not mention cobblestones? Or should I explain that a morning bus or truck on the street might awaken light sleepers who persist in leaving windows open at night in the winter? I believe it's best to trust people's common sense here, and let the photographs and other testimonials speak for me, and the quality of the accommodations I'm providing, including my double-glazed sound-proof windows. To correct one detail, I would note that the bedroom faces trees on rue Bobillot. From the window in November (when the trees are bare), these guests saw the medical center across the street. Next winter I’ll surely add vines to the flower boxes to keep that view cheerful.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 9/9

Additional information about rental rates

Rates include utilities, charges and taxes.

Min 5 night stay. Usually the turnover day is usually Saturday; I will try to make exceptions.

A calendar month is the basis for a monthly rate.

Refund for cancellation if apartment re-rents.

Usual entry time: 3 p.m. Usual departure time: 10 a.m.

50 percent of total is due to make reservation firm. Then the full amount on entry.

I can accept personal checks drawn on a French bank (euros) or US bank (US dollars), bank transfers, cash (euros only).

For those who wish to pay in US $: On the day of your first contact, I use XE.com (online currency converter) to figure the US $ equivalent.

Rates are subject to change without notice.

Fees:

• Refundable Damage Deposit: €200
• Taxes Included