Christian's apartment is just a short walk away from the Pont Cardinet metro station. It is situated in a quiet neighborhood, and is at the beginning of a tree-lined row of grand, Haussmann-style buildings. The adjoining streets are full of affordable eateries, and I discovered a divine bakery nearby as well.
A perfect mélange of the old and the new, the building celebrates its imposing façade as well as its modern interiors. There is a cute little lift inside to bring one up to the apartment on the sixth floor (it was just large enough to accommodate me and my luggage). One may also choose to ascend the stairs, sumptuously fitted with a red carpet of ornate patterns.
The guest room is on the upper of the two storeys of the duplex apartment, and I was pleasantly surprised to find it to be larger than it appears in the pictures. Painted, as it is, in a pleasing shade of lavender, and fitted with colorful pictures, the room exudes a lovely aura, furnished with a comfy bed with matching purple covers. I had many a good sleep under the gentle gaze of the figurine of the Virgin over the bed. The wardrobe, to stow away the luggage, has reflective doors which may double as mirrors. The electric kettle, very convenient for brewing a cuppa with the sachets of tea and coffee poised on the shelves, is joined at the reading desk with the credentials for the WiFi, framed as a picture. The bathroom is inside the room, as described, and the toilet is outside the room, along the corridor. The little window near the bed offers a glimpse at the building across the street, with Parisian ladies doing their chores, or happy children frolicking on the balcony.
I was welcomed by the cheerful Renato, who tolerated my broken French, was ever so helpful with my questions, and thoughtfully recommended that I visit Parc Monceau (a must-see, by the way). I also met Christian once, and he was kind and considerate. The household cat, curious and quiet, kept me company sometimes. I had a magical stay in Paris at Christian's place.