Thaïs's studio is in a very interesting building and I liked the old classic vibe of it. Entrance to the building requires a code so that bit of extra security feels nice especially if your a female travelling solo. The space is comfortable and quaint with a bed and a futon couch that I'm sure can pull out to fit other guests if you're travelling with more than just yourself. There is a space heater and the weekend I spent there was chilly and rainy. Just so I didn't waste any electricity during the day I turned down the heater and would turn it back up when I would return late and go to bed. Without it it would be pretty cold inside, but it does a good job at heating up the place. Thaïs made space for me in the bathroom and wardrobe to put my things and the bathroom also has a little heat fan I would turn on to heat up the bathroom. I don't know what the norm is in Paris, but the shower head was actually quite low on the wall. I'm 5'7" and it hit around my neck. If you're taller than that you'd have to do a bit of crouching, but it is detachable if you prefer to wash with that hand held nozzle. I would advise to bring your own soap and hair products. I was welcome to make tea or coffee or cook of I wanted to. There are so many cute tins of tea that I enjoyed looking at and tasting! One last thing about the space is that when you close the door from the inside you have to hear it click to lock. I don't know how often this happens but today when I left there was a ladder blocking the door and men were doing some electrical work in the hall. It was a bit noisey but I was awake and on my way out. As Thaïs was on vacation Cuba, I unfortunately did not get to meet her, but her mother lives in the apartment above and I returned my keys and checked out with her.
The neighborhood is very close to Montmartre but not exactly Montmartre I think? It took about 10 minutes to walk to Montmartre Cemeterie and then another 10 to Sacré-Cœur. There is a good pâtisserie a 4 minute walk away Thaïs told me about and the La Fourche M13 station is close by. If you didn't know, you could get a Paris metro pass for 1,2,3 or 5 days that works on all trians and buses within the central Paris zones 1-3. You can buy them at any station. My favorite place to get a tea in the morning I found was a Cafe called DOSE, about a 10 minute walk North West. Best London Fog I've ever had and very good food.
The neighborhood and Paris in whole felt generally safe. Everyone warned me before I left to watch out for groups of pick pockets that approach you with clipboards and papers for you to sign. I didn't see this until my very last morning near Arc de Triomphe. Trains get packed as well. So watch out for your pockets or zippers. I kept my money in a bra holder and my phone plugged into my ear buds and my camera bag directly in front of me so I always was aware of my belongings.
Other than this, I did notice at night a loooot of men are out walking around and not so many women. In any Arrondissement I was in. It made me a bit nervous but no one really bothered me. I didn't really look like a tourist and therefore I was stopped a few times and asked a question on the street that I couldn't understand or answer.
Overall it was a really good trip. A little short and I was crazy in wanting to film the sunrises everyday, but well worth it and Thaïs's home was lovely :)