We have just come back from a month-long stay at Dominique's place and are already missing the soft chime of church bells, as well as the gorgeous views from the Sénat and the Luxembourg on one side, and the church of St Sulpice on the other. But more than that, it is the warmth and conviviality of his place that made it feel like home from day one.
Aldric welcomed us on the first day and showed us around the well-appointed apartment, which is even more charming and spacious in real life than in the photos. He also demonstrated how everything worked, from the washing machine, dishwasher, oven, TV and cable remotes. The apartment has everything one could possibly need for a long stay, including a well-equipped kitchen. There was even a thoughtful welcoming a gift bottle of wine and some small staples, enough to bide us time to get to the grocery (a short walk just down the street).
Both beds, the one in the master bedroom and the pull-out sofa were so comfortable that in the morning, with the cool breeze coming in from the windows, on many days we were loath to get out of bed. There were at least 2 heat waves during our stay, but we simply closed the curtains while we were out, and when we returned opened the windows to let in the breeze and we remained extremely comfortable and unaffected by the heat.
A large bathtub like the one in the bathroom is a luxury in Paris. With the view from windows of the sky overlooking neighboring rooftops and the towers of Saint Sulpice Church, even bath time provided another way to relax and enjoy the sights of the city. In the dining room we benefited from the same view that included the Sacré Cœur basilica in the distance. From the terrace off the living room and bedroom we had an unobstructed view of the Luxembourg garden and the Sénat in a panorama that stretched all the way to the Panthéon. The terrace was a wonderful place to sit and enjoy afternoon aperitifs as we watched the world go by.
The location is ideal, and honestly could not have been more perfect. Aldric pointed out the closest and best bakeries and patisseries, groceries, and transport, all of which were within minutes or even steps from the building. Luckily for us, the building also has an elevator, which saved us from having to go up and down stairs with luggage and groceries.
Any questions that we had during our stay were promptly answered by Aldric who was always just a text message or phone call away. He was always very kind and attentive. Thanks to him we felt truly welcome and well looked after during our stay. Dominique's place is, in a word, marvelous. We would come back in a heartbeat.