Francoise and her husband's apartment is one of the best kept secrets.... In the 11th Arondissement, it is a stones throw from Le Marais and all it has to offer - Places des Vosges, Musee Picasso, Musee Carnavalet..and wonderful wonderful fashion boutiques. But just a further walk and you arrive at Hotel de Ville and Le Louvre, Musee D'Orsay.., Pompidou Centre.

Francoise has this 'little patch of heaven' apartment so beautiful and clean. It has been so cleverly laid out to maximise the very cute spaces. There is an excellent air conditioner that will just take the heat and humidity away. Meanwhile, you can pinch yourself and think that you are living the 'Amelie' dream!!!

It is very romantic and quite snug... But you have all the amenities at your finger tips. The kitchen is wonderful - and it really shows what you can achieve in a smaller space!! I loved the fold down wall dish rack!!The shower room is compact but perfect - there is even a washing machine... and the shower pressure is wonderful - and so welcome after a hot day of walking or Metro- ing and getting to know every corner of Paris...

All that you need for a seamless time in Paris is close by... There are at least two supermarkets in walking distance, at least one bank with ATM facility around the corner, cafes at the end of the street and a beautiful Place de Gardette gardens where you can stop and watch children play and youth play table tennis. St Ambroise Metro is just three streets away but really from rue Rochebrune, it is not a long walk to rue de la Republique ( at one end) or rue de Bastille ( at the other end) and then further to the banks of the Seine and across the bridges to Ile de la Cite and Ile St Louis.

Francoise and her husband are the perfect hosts - they could not be nicer and more obliging. When I arrived with 'six weeks travelling' heavy valise, Francoise helped me carry my bags up the six flights of stairs. On leaving Paris early morning to get the train at Gare de Lyon, Francoise's husband very kindly came and carried my bag downstairs and then drove me ( thoughtfully to make it easier and more comfortable for me) out of his way to Gare de Lyon where he kindly dropped me off at the station.

I couldn't have asked for a lovelier, cleaner, more comfortable, more beautiful, more authentic place to stay in Paris...Being a writer, to wake up to the rooftops of Paris and the sounds of cooing pigeons - all against the backdrop of a steely summer sky, is all the inspiration you could ask for!!!