This will be a mixed review, as that was my experience of Jacques' studio. I must say straight off, however, that Jacques is delightful and could not have been more considerate and helpful. His studio is a cute little place right in the heart of the trendy and fun Marais, handy to good restaurants, lively bars, chi-chi shops, the Musée Picasso, three Metro stations and good bus services. Lots of mini-supermarkets and good quality organic food shops nearby make self-catering a breeze. It is very small: ideal for a single (as I was), doable for a couple, but any more would be too tight a squeeze. It is a tiny place, as is usual with central Paris studios in this price range, but still smaller than others I have stayed in. You can't really fit into the kitchen and the sleeping platform, reached by a ladder, is lower than head height. The kitchen has a fridge, microwave, 2-hotplate burner and an espresso machine, but needs to be a bit better equipped (e.g. no colander to drain pasta, no stirring tool or flat slice, champagne but no wine glasses). There is a pretty little garden courtyard which gives a pleasant ambience but is overlooked by many windows, so I didn't use it much. There is no other view, but a window at the back can be opened for a through draft. It's on the 1st floor, so very few stairs, and cooled down quite well with fans in the fierce Paris summer heat. The bathroom is big enough and the shower quite good. Several of the lights are non-functional, which is a bit strange, but there are enough that work-- except in the kitchen which is too dark and cramped to do much in. Sitting room is comfortable, with a sofa-bed (tricky and heavy to put down and up again) and big TV with a lot of channels that, unfortunately, are subscription only so not available. And it kept losing its signal (which I could not get back, though Jacques showed me how). But who wants to watch TV in Paris? Jacques is a charming host. He accommodated my day-late arrival (thanks United, two canceled planes in one night) and then when I arrived earlier than expected the next day, he hurried to be there and open up for me. I had a short wait in a cafe but that was a scheduling mixup and nobody's fault. He showed how to work everything in the flat; unfortunately I was exhausted and jet-lagged after a horrible trip and my French wasn't up to it just then, so I had to call him next day for a refresher, which he kindly gave. His directions for leaving the key on departure were clear and simple. This was a great base for my work at various archives and museums, and I was comfortable enough though not crazy about climbing up and down the ladder. In retrospect I would have preferred a view of the street,...