I consider myself very lucky to have come across Celine and Stéphane's listing—deemed a 'Rare Find'—when I was seeking out suitable places to stay for my dad and I to stay for a few days in Paris after a week's walking in Alsace. Our criteria for finding a place were fairly straightforward, but surprisingly elusive: two (comfortable) beds, a calm space to retreat to at the end of the day (out of centre), easy to walk to and from, and with good local food shops and metro access. On the screen and in person, this apartment not only fit the bill, but far exceeded expectations.
The space has been very thoughtfully and sympathetically designed—it is beautiful and incorporates many of the original elements of the building (a print foundry), while being intelligently composed for travellers. Every thing that we could need for our stay was there, but every thing had its own place. The result was that the space felt very clean, spacious and uncluttered, while still being very functional and comfortable. The living space and bedroom benefit from copious amounts of natural light, while being very private and quiet.
On that note: For two light (read: neurotically fussy) sleepers, this apartment is a dream as it faces away from the street, has no detectable shared walls and is on the top floor of the building. The beds are also comfortable (including the fold-out sofa). If using the sofa bed and a sleeper who needs pitch black to sleep, I would recommend doing as I did and bringing a sleep mask (though there are curtains to block out the light in the bedroom proper, I don't believe there are any downstairs as the windows look out onto a private patio).
Communication with Celine was very efficient, clear and easy, as was check in and out. I really enjoyed speaking with both Celine and Stéphane—they are cool, interesting, smart and considerate hosts. They live right next door and effectively balanced being available to answer questions, while also leaving us to enjoy their space.
The neighbourhood was a wonderful surprise and a walker's delight. Every food shop you need (bio grocery, a well stocked Monop' in the immediate vicinity, two great butcher shops on Charonne, a great fromagerie, nice bakery; Nicolas for wine not too far way; or if using the Gambetta metro as a local, also some nice shops up on Pyrenées; good local weekend market near Dumas metro, acclaimed Aligre market is easily walkable) is close at hand.
If you're accustomed to walking, it's actually really easy access on foot (we enjoyed cutting through Père Lachaise to destinations in the 3e, 10e and 11e and from there it's a hop and a skip to anywhere) and if you're on holiday and not on a schedule, isn't that a huge part of the joy of being in Paris? Walking to the left bank was hugely enjoyable too, with only a few unavoidable stretches overcrowded Boulevards. We always seek out locations out of centre—calmer, more neighbourhoody, less touristically transient—and really liked being in and around the 20e. We preferred the walk from Alexandre Dumas metro to the flat over that from Gambetta, though during the day the shortcut through the cemetery (which closes around 6pm) from Gambetta made for a nice stroll. I walked through the neighbourhood and from Dumas a few times on my own at night and felt safe. A good amount of people and traffic on the street—mostly families.
It was such a pleasure to stay chez Celine/Stéphane and I will absolutely book their place for my next stay in Paris (if it's available!)
Merci encore: C'était un séjour parfait et je suis super ravie de revenir chez vous la prochaine fois! Nous avons bien dormi, bien mangé, bien bu et bien marché. Vos conseils (dans le quartier, les magasins proches, choses à découvrir) étaient excellente. Nous étions charmés et captivés par votre appartement et votre quartier—je ne peux pas attendre de rester là encore, dans votre loft bien pensé, calme et bel! Et avec vous comme voisins, bien sur!