Vacation Rentals by Owner

COULD NOT ASK FOR MORE

Guest: Walter Lee (Charleston,S.C.)
Date of Stay: 02/08/12 Review Submitted: 03/29/12

We stayed here while on an around the world trip and there was no where on our trip to compare to this stay. From working with Joelle, to the apartment ,to the location we found itr to be a 6 star experience. I could go on and on but suffice it to say this is a wonderful place and its terrific owner.

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

Cozy sanctuary

Guest: Brendan&Kris (San Francisco Bay Area)
Date of Stay: 12/26/11 Review Submitted: 01/21/12

We stayed at Joelle's apartment for 10 days over the 2011 Christmas/New Year period and it was a delightful experience. The apartment has everything you could wish for in an efficient and pleasant space. The bed is comfortable and the noise level is low. The building is secure and the location is outstanding - a short walk to la bastille and the metro station there. the metro is easy, safe, efficient and wonderful - think london's underground but better. Bastille is on the main line to downtown and nearly all the other lines cross it making it very easy to get around. The apartment is also 10 mins walk to Notre Dame (went to first mass of the year - amazing!) and to Il-St.Louis - well worth the time. You know your reasons for going to Paris and staying in Le Marais at Joelle's apartment would be a perfect compliment to your trip.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Magnifique!

Guest: Michael (Long Beach, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/16/11 Review Submitted: 01/26/12

I couldn't imagine a more pleasant place to stay in Paris. I spent five days in Joelle's apartment from December 16 - 21. The week before Christmas is a magical time in Paris. I would describe Paris at Christmas as the City of Lights on steroids.The weather was cold and rainy, but the apartment was so cozy and warm. The hustle and bustle of Parisians shopping and preparing for Christmas was less than 5 minutes away, but the apartment felt like my quiet sanctuary. The Marais is my favorite section of Paris and to come home to the apartment at night added so much to my trip. It is an easy and pleasant walk to Notre Dame and the Seine. There are so many great things to do and places to eat within a few minutes of the apartment. I recommend the outdoor market at the Bastille. The apartment had everything I needed. Arriving and finding a bottle of wine on the table was such a welcoming touch. I immediately felt at home. Joelle is such a pleasure to work with. She obviously takes great pride in the apartment and does everything she can to provide a home away from home. The information book on restaurants was great. I especially appreciated her advice and her descriptions and recommendations were perfect. I went directly from Paris to London and also rented an apartment. There was no comparison to Le Petite Bijou as far as warmth, comfort and feeling welcomed. In fact, I was quite sad when I left Paris. When I arrived in London, I spent a night wondering if I made a mistake by not spending more time in Paris. I can't wait to return to Paris and Le Petit Bijou. Thanks Joelle.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Deux thumbs up

Guest: Happy Traveler (Napa, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/22/11 Review Submitted: 12/28/11

This is the way to stay in Paris! As a single woman (in Paris for two weeks) this place was perfect. Plenty of closet space to unpack, efficient kitchenette with coffee pot,stove and microwave, great bathroom with heated towel rack and shower with terrific water pressure, very comfortable queen size bed and tall windows (with bars) opening to the street. Great security and location. The closeness to the metro station was a big plus. There are MANY wonderful restaurants in easy walking distance and the boulangerie/bakery that bake twice a day are only a block or two away. (YUM) I felt safe, comfortable, well located and tres french!

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A Little Gem

Guest: Sharon (Richmond, California)
Date of Stay: 09/24/11 Review Submitted: 12/02/11

This very compact apartment made our stay in Paris this past September perfect. Clean, comfortable, nicely decorated, great bathroom layout and comfortable bed all added to the appeal. Located on the first floor made for easy access with our luggage. Painted and limestone walls added warmth. Kitchen and dining area is small but adequate. Location was excellent. Convenient Maris area. Wonderful Bistro and laundry facilities within one block. Only issue was because of heat spell we had to sleep with windows open and experienced some noise on Saturday night. Would not notice if windows were closed and very quiet other nights. Owner Joelle was very easy for work with.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Perfect place to discover Paris

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/13/11 Review Submitted: 10/10/11

My husband and I (mid-60's) spent 10 wonderful days at Le Petit Bijou - a perfect location for discovering the treasures of Paris. The apartment seemed small at first, but the storage was more than adequate - 2 night stands with drawers, and a large roomy armoire, allowed us to unpack our suitcases, move in and feel at home. It was a relief to return to the quiet neighborhood in Le Marais after hours of walking throughout the city, walk a short distance from the Metro around the corner, and be home. The apartment is stocked with a great variety of books on Paris, many of which helped us discover places our own guide book didn't mention. It was nice not having to walk up steps - the apartment is on the ground floor but still very quiet.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Gretchen ... Atlanta

Guest: Gretchen (Atlanta)
Date of Stay: 07/09/11 Review Submitted: 07/18/11

I stayed at the studio for a week with my teenage daughter. We had a fabulous time. The neighborhood seemed very safe and one time my daughter walked back to the apartment by herself. I ran every morning and had no problems. It is around the corner from the metro which turned out to be very easy to navigate. The bakery on the corner was delicious and we got breakfast there almost every day. The neighborhood is lively at night and very quiet in the morning. The restaurants in Paris are all expensive and slow so be prepared to sit and enjoy a long evening. We found an italian place near by that was delicious, less expensive and had quicker service if you are not up for a long drawn out night. Turn right out the door ...turn right at the corner with the bakery and go straight up the block across from the Chermin Vert metro station . Enjoy...

Owner response:Thank you so much Gretchen for referring your friend to my listing! It was nice to have you! Joelle

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

What a JEM!

Guest: tleo (Alexandria, VA)
Date of Stay: 06/25/11 Review Submitted: 07/05/11

We LOVED our stay in this apartment and cannot wait to stay again! The location was exactly what we were hoping for; great bulangeries, bistros, grocery stores, shopping, very near the metro, away from most 'touristy' things, and we felt safe. This property is perfect for two! The water pressure is wonderful and the bed is so comfy! The kitchen comes stocked with anything you could possible need (wine opener, utensils, plates, and even basics such as salt/pepper/vinegar). This owner is simply a delight to work with; she is wonderful! Also, on our way out, we got to meet the Paris contact; SO WONDERFUL! You'll love this property!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfect Anniversary Celebration at Le Bijou

Guest: Barb (New Jersey, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/18/11 Review Submitted: 07/08/11

My husband and I just returned from 7 amazing nights in Paris. We stayed at Le Bijou in the Marais district and were thrilled with our choice of apartments. Joelle, the owner, worked with me all winter, making suggestions and sharing valuable information that made our planning so much easier. We had the special treat of meeting Joelle at her studio as she was in Paris that week taking care of her other rental. She's as nice in person as she has been via email. A pleasure to meet her. The location is perfect, close to the Metro and a number of Paris' wonderful sites, but the best of all was the restaurants. We ate in the neighborhood most nights as one place was better than the next. Renting the studio made it feel like we actually lived there and it was easy to take the Metro to the other disctricts to catch as many sites as we could. We did start with the open air bus tour the first day to get the lay of the land and I highly recommend doing that in any new city. Coming back at the end of a long day to the cozy, but comfortable apartment was a pleasure. It is very clean and as previously mentioned, smells good and has a very comfortable bed. Since we were celebrating our 40th anniversary, Joelle and Moon surprised us with a bottle of wine and choclate along with a welcome card when we arrived. A perfect start to a perfect week!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Our Anniversary in Paris

Guest: saz (Mill Valley, Ca, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/27/11 Review Submitted: 05/31/11

My husband and I stayed at this lovely little apartment for our first time visit to Paris, which also happened to be our 23rd wedding anniversary. The apartment itself was charming, warm, and had everything a person would need to have a home away from home. Every morning we would go to the bakery on the corner, get our croissants, then up to the next corner to get our espresso and hot chocolate and sit and enjoy while we mapped out our day. Just outside of the bar/coffee shop was the Chemin Vert metro station, and the one we called "ours". Getting around the city was a breeze, and at the end of a long and exhausting day of walking and climbing, it was wonderful to have a metro station so incredibly close to our apartment. We also found a favorite restaurant, La Vache Acrobate on Rue Amelot, went there several times, great food, and they treated us like family. That is what was so incredible about this apartment and this neighborhood, you felt like you belonged. This was a magical holiday, one I will always treasure. Merci beaucoup, Joelle, I'm so grateful that I got to experience this amazing little corner of Paris.

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

Beautiful Memories March 2011

Guest: We LOVE Paris! (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 03/27/11 Review Submitted: 04/10/11

Le petit bijou is a wonderful place to stay in Paris. The location is perfect! Amazing restaurants very close in proximity. The Chemin Vert metro station is a 2 min walk around the corner. Place des Vosges is a 5 minutes walk. Major shopping district also very close. After staying here for 7 nights it was hard to leave. Thanks for the beautiful memories, Joelle. We look forward to returning soon!

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Thanks for the memories.

Guest: Happy camper (Portland OR)
Date of Stay: 01/19/11 Review Submitted: 01/28/11

This is a note that I sent to the owner of the 'petit bijou' upon returning home to Portland OR. Hi Joelle, We're home now after a wonderful vacation. Please convey our appreciation with Moon. She was most gracious and a delight to meet. The time we spent in Paris will always be remembered with fond thoughts. The apartment was absolutely perfect and we so enjoyed the little touches that were provided. The wine, the water, the TOWEL WARMER! Hi Joelle, We're home now after a wonderful vacation. Please convey our appreciation with Moon. She was most gracious and a delight to meet. The time we spent in Paris will always be remembered with fond thoughts. The apartment was absolutely perfect and we so enjoyed the little touches that were provided. The wine, the water, the TOWEL WARMER! Trust all is well with you. You are the best! Be of good cheer! Brian and Leslie

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfect 3 Day Respite from Business Meetings in London...

Guest: HBanana (New York, NY, USA)
Date of Stay: 11/28/10 Review Submitted: 12/02/10

This is the 3rd time I've stayed in Joelle's wonderful studio in the Marais. I had a few days between meetings in London and wanted some R&R in Paris. Joelle was totally flexible and gracious in getting me in at the last minute. It was like being in my home-away-from-home. I got to sleep in a most comfortable bed, get some well-earned rest (Joelle: thanks for the heads up about the construction going on across the street - it wasn't bothersome at all!) and do some holiday shopping for the folks back home. Ah,I do love Paris. Thank you Joelle, thank you Moon for making me feel so welcomed in Le Bijou. I can't wait to return.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Fabulous Stay in the Marais

Guest: CB and J (San Francisco, CA/USA)
Date of Stay: 11/15/10 Review Submitted: 02/23/11

My husband and I went to Paris in November, just before the Thanksgiving rush. We waited until the last minute, and luckily found Joelle's incredible studio apartment in the Marais. We had the pleasure of meeting Joelle before we left because we also live in San Francisco. Joelle has impeccable taste and it's reflected in the small, but incredibly comfortable apartment she maintains in Paris. The bed was the best! There were ample linens, the kitchen (even though we never cooked), was stocked perfectly for a studio. It was so clean and smelled good, too. We loved walking right out the door and into Paris life. Joelle provides so much information on area restaurants, things to do, and the apartment had so many guide books, I was sorry we brought ours with. She is the consummate host, leaving us a delicious bottle of wine and the coziest apartment imaginable. We can't wait to go back!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfect place....

Guest: Senior Gypsies (Napa, CA USA)
Date of Stay: 10/15/10 Review Submitted: 11/06/10

My husband(of 50 years) and I stayed a week in this comfortable apartment in Oct 2010. The location was perfect for getting to the Metro (2 stations close by), walking or catching the bus. Being on the ground floor was heaven to our old knees! Resturants, bakeries, grocery stores and a laundrymat were nearby. Although the location was central to a great district - the Marais, it was very quiet. The inside was as pictured - cozy but meeting all our needs. The owner and our Paris contact responded quickly to our questions and needs. Free calls to the USA was a gift for connecting to our children. WiFi was included. We highly reommend this charming apartment.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Perfect Stay!

Guest: David (New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 10/10/10 Review Submitted: 11/01/10

Couldn't be a better way to experience the real Paris, thanks Joelle!

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Guest: Jerry and JoAnne (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Date of Stay: 04/06/10 Review Submitted: 04/06/10

All of the positive comments others have made were also a part of our experience. We loved coming back to this charming place after a long day of exploring this wonderful city.When we first arrived, the building management had turned off the water to the apartment due to a leak and had not informed Joelle or Moon, who looks after the property, However, they quickly arranged for us to stay in the larger apartment until the problem could be fixed. While the other apartment is much larger and very nice, the studio has everything you need. We had friends staying in a nearby hotel in a very tiny room at the same price as we paid for the studio. The great location, the on the mark recommendations, and the ease of working with Joelle and Moon made this a very enjoyable experience. We highly recommend this property and plan on returning.

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March 2010 le Bijou

Guest: Aliza + Ben (Chapel Hill, NC)
Date of Stay: 03/05/10 Review Submitted: 04/14/10

We had a wonderful experience staying in le Bijou. We feel as if we could not have picked a better studio apartment in a better location. Its proximity to Chemin Vert and Bastille (major metro stop) made it easy to get around the city. Also close to the #69 bus which is great! The 4th arrondissement location is very acceessible to all of Paris, while also being a quiet retreat at the end of the day. The apartment is on a side street which provides some privacy. We loved opening up the curtains in the morning to see the sun coming up over the buildings and saying Bonjour Paris! The apartment was comfortable and safe. It has all the amenities one could want and they all worked well during our stay. Joelle provides a bunch of convenient guide books, maps, walking tours, and recommendations in the apartment which make for great bedtime reading to plan out the next day. Staying in the fourth arrondissement gave us the neighbord feeling we wanted for our trip- we were able to really enjoy our time in this beautiful quarter, exploring the restaurants and museums located there and visiting the farmers' markets. Joelle was extremely helpful as we prepared for our trip and made the entire process very easy. We love le Bijou and hope to stay again in the future!

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Guest: Alanna Farnsworth (Windsor, VT)
Date of Stay: 08/20/09 Review Submitted: 08/20/09

I was in charge of finding my daughter a place to stay in Paris, for 12 nights, on her recent R&R from her Doctors Without Borders assignment in the Central African Republic. Now, her accomodations in CAR are more than a little primitive, so it wouldn't have taken much to please her, but she was over-the-top excited when she arrived at Joelle's apartment for her stay. First of all, let me say that Joelle was a dream to work with. I needed to send a package to the apartment for my daughter to have upon her arrival and Joelle arranged for that. My daughter needed to arrive early and leave late from the apartment, because of her flight times. Joelle arranged for that. She was absolutley MORE than accomodating and I'd be sure to recommend her apartment to anyone looking for a place to stay in Paris. Now, as for the apartment. My daughter's largest need while in Paris was for rest and she said that the bed in this apartment was absolutley the most comfortable she'd ever in her life, laid her head down upon. She loved the towel warmer in the bathroom. She loved having plentiful hot water. And, she loved, loved, loved the location so near the Place des Vosges, where she would go and read for the day. I loved the free international calling, that allowed my daughter to talk with us regularly while in the apartment. I cannot recommend this apartment enough. I can't imagine anyone not being totally happy with it. Thanks again, Joelle!!

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Guest: Jim T.1 (Sandy Spring, MD, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/04/09 Review Submitted: 07/04/09

On a recent trip to France (May 2009) I stayed for a week at Joelle's "Le Petite Bijou" apartment in the Marais, in the 4th Arondissement of Paris. Overall, I was very pleased with my stay. The location is excellent, just a block from Place des Vosges, "the most beautiful square in Paris", and a few blocks from all the action in the vicinity of Place de la Bastille, incl. twice weekly street markets. Be sure to get a baguette from the little bakery just a half block north up the street! The apartment was remarkably quiet despite its location right on the street. The loudest noises were from the floor above, not from outside, and those weren't a problem. Security also seemed to be fine, and the neighborhood safe. The apartment is exactly as pictured, although the decoration is slowing a little wear and tear around the edges (not a significant problem and scheduled to be freshened soon). The bed, bed area, bathroom, and linens are all especially nice (I loved that red wall!). On the other hand, you should be warned that the kitchen area is very small (as is quite common in Paris studio apartments). At the time of my visit, only wired Internet was available (which was fine, it was fast and secure) although the equipment in the apartment was wifi- capable. By the time you read this I am told the wi- fi should be enabled in case you need it. The apartment was cool while I was there, but I purchased a fan anyway which should be available for future visitors as well. While the apartment was very nice, Moon, the English speaking local contact, was even nicer. In addition to taking care of my other requests promptly and graciously, she saved me when I locked myself out of the apartment (just don't grab the wrong key when you leave)! She is the real jewel! In all, I recommend Joelle's Petite Bijou very highly. PS: Joelle is very nice too :-)

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Guest: Brad W. (Miami, Florida )
Date of Stay: 06/04/09 Review Submitted: 06/04/09

We highly recommend Le Bijou- superb location, clean, well-equipped and filled with helpful information to help one navigate Paris and The Marais. Like many others have commented, you "feel like a local." Coming back to the apartment after a long, busy, crowded day of sightseeing felt great. Wonderful restaurants in the neighborhood also.

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Guest: Susan and Teri (Massachustts)
Date of Stay: 05/15/09 Review Submitted: 05/15/09

It was such a pleasure to live like a Parisian in the heart of the Marais! The ideal location and comfortable apartment made our trip memorable! Our host Joelle made us feel at home even before we arrived. Merci Joelle et a bientot!!!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/28/07 Review Submitted: 02/28/07

At first we were sceptics and then we were concerned about the transition from owner to owner but let us assure you that this vacation was exceptional. Not only is the studio filled with romance, the décor is enhanced by the superb location in the heart of one of the finest areas in Paris. Take comfortable walking shoes because you are in for a real treat just to walk around the neighbourhood or for that matter anywhere that tourists want to explore. We toured around for hours and then returned to savour the true flavours of Paris in the local dining spots. Selections are plentiful and the recommendations are not only perfect but extremely accurate including prices. Upon arrival, may we recommend that you take a few minutes to learn about this delightful area through all the books that are supplied. The tremendous attention to detail is outstanding. Something very important but not mentioned is that all adaptors for everything imaginable are supplied. Be sure, to give a try to “Chez Janou” for authentic Parisienne cuisine located directly across the street. For fine wine, delicious pastries, fresh baked goods or even groceries, everything is within minutes. We especially appreciated the proximity to the studio from the Metro Station upon arrival.We are still telling everyone about our terrific time in Paris and at the studio. Incidentally, after over 13 years of marriage we found our home away from home. Thank you to the new owner Joelle Dussuyer for assisting us with all the details and arrival information. It certainly made our trip more enjoyable.

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Guest: Fazal Kaka
Date of Stay: 05/26/06 Review Submitted: 05/25/06

Had a great time in Paris..even though it was windy, cold and wet. Brigitte met us at the apartment and took care of all the little details. She is absolutely a wonderful, friendly, helpful person...you've got a great caretaker. Went through the "personal yellow guide" and it was very helpful for day to day activities. Great idea! The apartment is very, very cozy and comfortable. Host service...absolutely excellent :-) Just wanted to say "thank you" to Gretchen and Jonathon for their hospitality.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/10/06 Review Submitted: 01/10/06

We confess. We had never rented a vacation apartment before (although we had been to Paris a couple of times). It was comments like those below that convinced us that this would be the place to try first. And it was a wonderful experience. Indeed Jonathan and Gretchen make for ideal hosts. There is no detail too small for them not to be attentive too (including the multiple ways that you can get from the airport to the apartment). And while location can be frightening if you don’t know the specific area, this location is just superb. It takes you two minutes to get to the metro and one minute to get to food, or a laundry. We saved a fortune by being able to use this place like a home—not just a hotel room. We would not hesitate to come back again (and again). Thanks to Jonathan and Gretchen for making Paris such a homey place to visit!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/02/05 Review Submitted: 02/02/05

Jonathan and Gretchen, Thank you again for making our stay so wonderful. Your lovely, and very well appointed studio apartment, also had the advantage of a great location -- easily accessible to the metro and a major bus and taxi hub at the Bastille. The extremely helpful “inside information” you provided on where to go, what to see, and all the great little neighborhood bistros were invaluable! Gretchen, thank you again for taking the time to take us to the wonderful Marais flea market which we would never have found on our own! I am so happy to have had the opportunity to meet you both and spend a little time in your “le petite bijou.” In fact, we had such a wonderful time that we have already booked again for next October! See you soon, Judge McCartney

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Guest: Peter and Doris Walsh
Date of Stay: 04/13/04 Review Submitted: 04/12/04

"We loved our stay with you. The accommodation is delightful, the location perfect. The apartment was well-furnished with every possible amenity. This is the best apartment we have rented in Paris so far, and we have rented several. Thank you. We'll stay with you again!"

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