Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/01/07 Review Submitted: 09/03/07

Hi Randall and Diana, We would like to thank you for letting us rent your wonderful apartment in Paris just recently, August/07. We were impressed with the cleanliness of the apartment, it's convenient location to everything you need and the cozy atmosphere (great job on the decoration of the apartment!). We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Paris and it's largely due because of the location and niceness of the apartment. Moos was absolutely wonderful and explained everything to us as we arrived. We cleaned the apartment very well before we left as Moos said someone else was renting the place on the day he returned from holidays. Anyway, thank you again and if we return to Paris in the future, we for sure would like to rent the apartment again. Sincerely, Monique and Neermal

Owner response:Hello Monique et Neermal, Diana and I welcome you home and want to thank you for your addition to our message board. We are very happy to hear from you and know that you enjoyed La Cigale, the neighborhood, and Paris. Merci et à la prochaine fois, Randy et Diana

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Living in Paris

Guest: JG (San Antonio, TX)
Date of Stay: 12/26/11 Review Submitted: 01/12/12

5 of us spent another splendid week in Paris. This was a new location for us and it worked out great. Being in a "real" neighborhood close to one of the best market streets and next to the Metro was ideal. We were able in a couple of days to be a part of the neighborhood and know all of the market merchants. The butcher next door greeted us every time that we walked by. The apartment itself was spacious and had all of the comforts of home. We love to cook and were able to have fun in the kitchen. Having a separate eating area was nice. For those complaining about the noise, all I can say is that we did not experience more than one can expect from living in a large city, mixed use large apartment building. We could hear the neighbors on an occasion, but I am sure that they also could hear us. Yes, there is street noise, but hearing the city is a part of its beauty and charm. I loved hearing the city as it was waking up. The bottom line is that we would be more than happy to stay at La Cigale again. My only wish is that this was my apartment.

Owner response:Hello Julius, Thank you for you review. Diana and I have owned the apartment for 12 years and have had no complaints concerning street noise or problems with noise from the neighbors. Perhaps this was an unusual situation. We did have our contact in Paris go and speak with the neighbors. I am happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay at La Cigale and Paris. Merci Julius, Randy & Diana

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

Wonderful location

Guest: Helen L. (Easthampton, MA USA)
Date of Stay: 10/22/11 Review Submitted: 11/02/11

We stayed for a week in La Cigale. The apartment is very comfortable and well equipped, the location is amazing both for walking and finding public transportation. We were disturbed by constant neighbor noise within the building and that's the reason for 3 rather than 5 stars.

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Ideally located but noisy

Guest: Lisa H. (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)
Date of Stay: 10/05/11 Review Submitted: 10/24/11

I recently stayed at this apartment, for a 5 night stay in Paris with my husband and 2 small children. It was ideally located with the metro, bus and taxi stand at your door step. The one drawback was that it was extremely noisy. The front bedroom is on a very busy street. And the back bedroom had the noise of the neighbours walking around and playing music pretty much through the night. So may not be ideal for those who have young ones, and bring your earplugs.

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A wonderful trip

Guest: Teetah (Indianapolis, IN USA)
Date of Stay: 07/08/11 Review Submitted: 07/20/11

We all had a wonderful time at La Cigale. It was joy for me to be able to share old places and new in France with my family. Our grandsons had many new experiences, including learning that ice doesn't always come from an ice maker! :) We tried two of your recommended restaurants in Paris: La Cigale and Brasserie Balzar, and enjoyed them both. The children weren't as enthusistic about souffles as the grownups, but they enjoyed both experiences. My husband and I rediscovered rue Mouffetard, which we had gone to on our last trip. It was really special to be at the Bal Musette on the 14th of July and hear cabaret music played by accordionists in the square. I remembered most of the words to "Milord" and "Je ne regrette rien", to my delight. Some information in case one of your future tenants asks. We had no trouble with our ATM cards, but *did* have trouble sometimes paying tolls on the autoroute with our credit cards. It was weird: the cards worked fine on autoroutes in the south and north, but in the middle of the country we sometimes had trouble. Also, we were not able to purchase tram tickets in Clermont-Ferrand with a credit card. I love markets and have the "Paris in a Basket" book that's in the apartment. We went to the Sunday Auguste Blanqui market, and then took our older grandson (12) again on Tuesday. The Sunday market is much bigger, but for a first look at a Parisian market, the smaller Tuesday one is great, and very close on the metro. Both grandsons (12 and 8) loved the Cite des Sciences et de l'Industrie at the Parc de la Villette. The older one thought the Catacombs were neat. The Promenade Plantee and the Viaduc des Arts underneath are beautiful. The boat trip on the St. Martin canal is a different, fun way to see Paris by water. For anyone who will be in Paris while it is there, the exhibit of the ocean liner "France" at the naval museum shows how the other half travelled. Lastly, Parc Asterix is way cool for anyone familiar with the books (which my son loved as a child and which my grandsons are now getting into.) We had a wonderful trip, and our stay at La Cigale was a highlight.

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

Fantastic Week

Guest: Joe (Chevy Chase MD)
Date of Stay: 04/16/11 Review Submitted: 04/26/11

Many thanks for a lovely stay in Les Gobelins. Your apartment is terrific and more than met our needs, including giving our teenage boys the room they needed to sprawl about and rest after a day of touring. Your location is perfect, with metro and bus ever so convenient. The restaurants, market, local cafe and shopping were wonderful. Your help in planning our visit was immensely useful. We especially enjoyed the market up the street, the local cafe across the street and the metro access. We would rent your flat again in a heartbeat!!!!!!

Owner response:Thanks for you kind words and Diana and I are very happy that you enjoyed your time at our little corner of Paris. Merci, Randy & Diana

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

Great experience at LaCigale!

Guest: Sharon (Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/05/10 Review Submitted: 12/28/10

This was my first rental through VRBO, and I must say I feel as if I hit the jackpot! Randy called me immediately upon receiving my request for information, and after our conversation, it was an easy decision to make this selection. Even though I speak French relatively well, it was a pleasure (and so simple!) to make the arrangements and have my questions answered by a fellow American. I would guess I've visited Paris at least 25 times, but I can honestly say this time was one of the best. Moos met us upon arrival and gave us a comprehensive instructions of how everything worked in the apartment, very helpful! Even though it was December, we walked almost everywhere we went--Paris is a wonderful walking city no matter the time of year. But when we needed public transportation, it was right there--four bus lines, the metro and a taxi stand. The kitchen was fully equipped and we cooked all evening meals in--a particular pleasure since Rue Mouffetard is a 10-minute walk from the apartment. There, one can buy wonderful fresh produce, cheese, fresh fish and meats, wine and all sorts of gourmet items. For staples, there are two small groceries within the block, and a supermarket a few blocks away. Also nearby are two restaurant-bars, a post office and a newsstand. The apartment was clean, and the photos on the site represent it accurately. Be sure to take in a tour of the Gobelin Tappisserie (Tues, Weds and Thurs afternoons), located 5 minues from the apartment. I wholeheartedly recommend LaCigale, you won't be disappointed!

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+.

Highly recommend this apartment

Guest: Susanne (Carilsle, PA, USA)
Date of Stay: 08/09/09 Review Submitted: 08/02/10

What a wonderful space with a great location! I always feel I'm taking a bit of a risk when booking something like this on line - we were so pleased when we walked through the door. The kitchen and baths have been updated and are wonderful. The apartment had every amenity you could want and was very clean and comfortable for the 4 of us. It is in a great location - far enough away from the tourist traps -and close enough to access everything very easily via Metro, taxi or walking. Many choices for eating close by (the Italian restaurant just below was always busy and had great food) - and also very close to a grocery store that had everthing including a nice wine selection at very reasonable prices. The highlight of our trip was celebrating my brother's 50th B-day at Le Jules Verne restaurant in the Eiffel Tower on Bastille Day - what an unbelievable event - would highly recommend a lunch or dinner there. The Parisiennes were extremely gracious and helpful - many stopped on the street to help if we looked lost while studying the map. Speaking a bit of French does help - but was not necessary at most locations. I would certainly stay here again should I be lucky enough to return to Paris. Thanks Randy and Diane for sharing your lovely space!

Owner response:Susan, Thank you for your review. Diana and I are pleased to hear that you enjoyed your stay in Paris and at La Cigale. Merci encore et à bientôt, Randy & Diana

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Guest: Sharon Gillette (Michigan)
Date of Stay: 12/10/09 Review Submitted: 12/10/09

My stay in Paris in La Cigale was incredible! Moos was great, the apartment was much roomier than most accommodations in Paris. I absolutely loved the neighborhood, and the fact that metro, taxi, bus were just a few feet away- - -thanks for the buss pass info! AND, who knew one can find superb Mexican food in Paris! Thanks for the referral! I felt very much at home, and really didn't want to leave. Will most definitely book again! Can't wait to get back there! Bateau trip was really worthwhile.

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Guest: Mike Gutierrez (-)
Date of Stay: 08/24/09 Review Submitted: 08/24/09

We stayed at the La Ciqogne apartment in Montparnasse August 2-12. The accomodations for 4 were nice & comfortable. The usual French small rooms. In a nice quiet neighborhood very close to the Metro. Moos was very helpful & friendly to my wife & kids, who arrived a day before me. Will definitely go there again.

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