We were a family of five people that stayed at Hugues' apartment and we loved it. After much browsing and deliberation we agreed to stay at Hugues' due to it's closeness to Gare du Nord and the metro. It was a great decision, it was always easy to travel to different sights and then on the way back walk the 130m from the M4 Gare du Nord-exit at Rue de Dunkerque.
We also loved that Hugues lives in the apartment since all the small stuff that usually are missing with hosts that have apartments that are only rented out, were there. Since we were travelling with kids we really loved the kids stuff, a chair in the kitchen, toys etc. No value if you are only adults, but as every parent who traveled with a 4yr old knows, priceless.
There are great restaurants (especially the brasseries) nearby as well as a Carrefour City-store where one can buy food items. One thing to note is that there is no washing machine, but there are laundromats within 500m. Also there is no microwave-oven but the dishwasher was very much appreciated. Also not a problem for us, but there is no TV which might be important to some.
If we are to return to Paris we would definitively use Hugues' apartment if he would let us. :-)