Sylvain's place was a perfect size for three adults. Two of us slept on the bed and the third on the sofa. His place is quite modern while retaining all the features of an older building. The entranceway opens into a private courtyard, which will be lovely in the warmer months (our visit was in February 2014), because of the many houseplants and shrubs that are placed there.

The apartment was very clean and well provisioned. One of the appeals for my group is that we do not smoke, and Sylvain's place was smoke-free. Although if one does smoke, as he points out, it can be done in the courtyard. (Don't overlook this place because you smoke!)

It was our first visit to Paris, and Sylvain was a perfect host. He gave us detailed directions for either walking from La Gare du Nord (Eurostar) or taking the metro. Once at his place, he got us oriented, providing tips on a great local boulangerie (le pain et des idees), and making sure we were set with the WIFI before he left.

His place is on a pedestrian-only street, so it is very quiet. It is a few blocks from the Canal Saint Martin. We awoke to a sunny day and walked to the Ile de Cite. It was a slow meander through the Place de Republique and down the Rue de Temple taking in the architecture and the jewelry row. The next day was rainy so we walked a few blocks over to Bd de Strasbourg and took a local bus that stopped in front of the entrance of the Louvre. It could not have been any easier.

If you arrive later in the evening, there is a place to eat a block away from Sylvain's place that was serving food at 23.00 hrs: La patache. There is a restaurant and right next door its companion bar/cafe. Too late for the restaurant, so the bar we entered. I could not read the menu because it was dark and my french is not good. I pointed to one cheese board and two hot dishes. My companions were looking to me to be the lead on this trip because of five years of French class 35 years ago. Hah! I am still not completely sure what I ordered but it was delicious, hearty, and filling.

Sylvain was a responsive host. His place is a great base camp because it is accessible to the iconic Parisian sights and the local experiences. I would highly recommend his place.