We found Sylvie's apartment very pleasant and comfortable for a family of four (two twelve-year-old kids). We liked the privacy afforded by having two real bedrooms separate from the living space. And after a day of fighting the crowds at the Louvre or Eiffel Tower, we appreciated coming "home" to a relatively spacious apartment in a less touristed part of town. The Metro is very easy to get to from here - less than a 5-minute walk - so we had easy access to all the sights. But we also enjoyed exploring the neighborhood. Sylvie gave us tips for several good restaurants nearby, along with a terrific street market. There is a city bike rental rack directly outside the apartment building.

The building has a little garden, and most of the windows face away from the main street. It is in an urban setting with some street noise and traffic. You don't hear much of anything with the windows closed, but we were there during a heat wave, so we had them open. It's still quieter and slower paced than some neighborhoods closer to the center. The apartment has wifi, which the kids liked, and lots of light, which the adults liked. It was clean and offered all the amenities we needed. We think it gave us the best of both worlds - a direct line to the biggest tourist destinations and a glimpse into the everyday life of Parisians. Sylvie was a thoughtful host. We would gladly stay in her apartment again.