My wife and I stayed at Agnès and Pierre’s place for two nights in February, and it was FANTASTIC!
Location:
The apartment is nicely situated in the Le Marais district of Paris. While being centrally located in the city, it feels a lot more like an authentic Parisian neighborhood than a tourist hotspot. The building is on a quiet street with minimal outside noise. There are numerous restaurants (The Bistro for a great burger), coffee shops, and bars (Le Perchoir in Oberkampf is an absolute must!!!), located within walking distance. The apartment is very close to the metro (Filles du Calvaire is right around the corner or Oberkampf from Gare du Nord), so exploring the city is a breeze.
The Apartment:
While some reviewers have stated that the apartment is very small, we found it quaint but not cramped (and actually larger than the photos would lead you to believe). The lock on the main entrance door wasn’t working (we we assured it would be fixed soon), but we felt the place was very safe and secure anyway. Since we arrived an hour early, the unit was still being cleaned. However, the cleaning lady, Olivia, was very welcoming and showed us where we could store our bags until the unit was ready. When we returned, the apartment was spotless and stocked with everything we needed. The bed was extremely comfortable, and the bathroom was amazing (roomy + large vanity + hot water + pressure). The kitchen had everything one would need for meal prep or hosting a nice takeout dinner for two. The coffee maker comes in handy in the mornings, and the fridge works well to keep the beer and wine chilled.
Communication:
I can’t say enough about the care the hosts take to make sure all runs smoothly. They answered all my questions prior to booking, were quick to send check-in information, and were available throughout our stay. They’ve made a ‘manual’ available in the room (packed full of instructions and thoughtful recommendations). We never met face-to-face, but we’re confident any unforeseen issues would be resolved promptly.
Additionally:
This apartment is realistically designed to sleep only two adults. However, Agnès and Pierre also own the unit above this one. If you’re traveling as a small group (we were two couples), rent both units (as we did). Trust me, this option will be a much better value in Paris than getting a slightly larger unit claiming to accommodate four people. Only downfall of this unit would be the narrow spiral staircase leading up to the apartment entrance. It’s one the “first floor” (second floor by American standards), so unless you’re elderly or have massive amounts of large luggage, this really shouldn’t be an issue.
***I strongly recommend. Snatch this place up if available.***