We looked forward to our time in Paris and when we arrived there at the apartment of Jim Romano, we knew immediately that our expectations were more than satisfied. After the challenge of airports and luggage, Jim Romano’s local contact for the apartment, Yolanda, was on hand to greet us and walk us through all the steps from operation of the washer/dryer to personal challenges with issues such as cell phones and Sim cards. Yolanda also took us for a walk and a brief introduction to the neighborhood that was a very helpful orientation for the next couple of days as we settled in. The manual Jim left in the apartment was also an excellent guide full of tips on where to eat, shop and meet people who may share our interests. We felt very much at home, especially when we found later the first afternoon, a complimentary bottle of Bordeaux wine and Evian water on the kitchen counter.
Our first days were the discovery within walking distance (less than a fifteen minute walk) of numerous major sights e.g., Pont Alexandre III (one of the most beautiful bridges one could ever expect to see), Napoleon’s tomb, the Rodin museum, the Grand and Petit Palais. We found only a bit further walk away were Musee D’Orsay, the Tulleries, the Eiffel Tower and the l’Oraganerie. Less than 5 minutes away was Rue Cler and its markets, a delightful place to stroll for fresh breads in the morning or for fruits, vegetables and fish for evening dinners at home. Most charming was the fact that we had the ‘feel’ that we were in an authentic Parisian neighborhood rather than in much more ‘touristy’ and crowded adjacent areas such as Saint Germain and the Champs and Rivoli.
The presence of an in-apartment dish washer and washer/dryer (although we never used the dyer, preferring the drying rack which worked well) were also conveniences we came to appreciate more as we were there. The kitchen was very, well supplied with spices and utensils for cooking along with an excellent stove. The large, beautiful wood dining room table provided a venue for the hours we spent over meals either planning and/or debriefing our days. The apartment was ideal also with a subway station one block away and it provided a comfortable, roomy respite after a tiring day.
The crowning amenity was the weekly cleaning Francis Martin provided as part of our stay. It was deeply appreciated since the three good size rooms (plus bath) would have normally required more time and effort that we were able instead to spen