We were expecting much more from Juliette's apartment based upon the (outdated) photos and prior positive reviews.
Summary: I would not stay here again. I would not recommend this apartment to family or friends nor anyone with allergies or health concerns over cleanliness or mold.
Positives: Juliette's apartment is very well located in a beautiful Le Marais neighborhood surrounded by good food, groceries, shops, and galleries. The apartment is also a short walk to multiple metro stops that will get you everywhere in the city. The location is far and away the best part of the apartment. The apartment is also spacious enough for a family of 4 and features bunk beds that my two daughters enjoyed. Juliette is a friendly and responsive host who was quite accommodating and provided many great local recommendations.
Negatives: The climb up 4 slanted flights of stairs and the quirky sitting shower/bathtub were expected per the description and prior reviews. Our issue is with the disregard for cleanliness.
The apartment is in need of an apartment-wide deep cleaning. There is mold present in several places, most notably around the windows and in the bathrooms. As it seems that mold and/or dry rot may have infected some of the walls (e.g. beneath the hall window and around the master bedroom window), some renovation may be necessary before I would say this apartment is suitable for further AirBnB rentals. The apartment is also full of dust, which led to 4 nights of lousy sleep as we were all bothered by runny noses, sneezing and itchy, red eyes. My daughters tripped over the broken floor panels in the family room. Many of the "clean" dishes had to be cleaned again before using. We had to throw out expired food and rotting fruit and vegetables, which had been tossed all together in the bottom tray of the refrigerator. Wet laundry had been left in the washer, which also reeked of mold when we discovered it midway during our trip. I could go on.
I am not sure if other reviews had better luck with timing, had stayed at Juliette's after a recent spring cleaning or renovation, or are simply being too polite, but the apartment is not a 4.5 star experience. We felt like we were duped by the listing's photos and prior supportive reviews. I am hopeful this review influences necessary improvements in the apartment and helps other guests avoid a similarly disappointing experience.