James's apartment was a great place to stay. It was beautiful, clean and everything was relatively easy to use and figure out. The apartment building is on a hill, you walk up the hill to the building entrance and then down two flights of stairs to get to this apartment on the ground floor. The neighborhood was beautiful and calm with many stores/pharmacies/restaurants located nearby at the bottom of the hill. The manager Yan was helpful and kind and even let my friend stay after check-out time because her flight was later that night.
Here are some notes/things to consider:
1) The apartment is on a hill (of course it is! Because you can see Sacre Coeur as soon as you step onto the street-- which is amazing!) I didn't get the full impact of what this meant until my stay. When you return to the apartment via Metro Lamarck Caulaincourt - you have to walk up 120 steps to get out of the metro and then walk up the hill to the apartment.
2) Take a picture of the hosts detailed notes to carry with you. The building is secure, with codes and buttons for entry and exit, but we could not remember how to get out of the front door! (Because the buzzer was located down the hall (which was clearly written in the host’s notes but we forgot.)
3) The shower is REALLY SMALL! So if you’re a bigger person like me – you have to squeeze to even get into the shower. If you’re smaller like my friend, it is still a tight fit to bend down to reach the soap once you’re in the shower.
4) Download a taxi app while you’re still in your home country (if you don't have a sim card that works in France). My flight left too early in the morning and I did not think to call the taxi driver the hosts suggested until it was 2:00 a.m. Because my friend's phone works in Europe, she was able to download an app for G7 CAR SERVICE and we were able to schedule a pick-up online.
G7 Car Service was amazing! They showed up on time (early) in a beautiful, clean, modern car with Wifi!
5) The apartment is very small – but comfortable. There is a platform step that separates the dining area from the kitchen, living and sleeping area. Which as a naturally clumsy person was not good for me since I fell with hot tea – and split my chin open. But all was good, James’s home was well stocked with band-aids, antiseptic, and burn cream.
6) Good surprises:
Wine, sparkling water, tea, coffee and a kitchen with everything you need to cook a meal if you so desire.
*Cafes, restaurants, shops, convenience items all nearby.