Five Stars *****
Having lived for many years in France, and returning as a group of three, older people, including a person who had never visited Paris, it was important for me to show them the city I love.
I spent a lot of time corresponding with AirBnB hosts, trying to find the best place. Manuel from the very beginning was the best in responding to questions.
His place is located in a very authentic Parisian neighborhood where one can get the full flavor of what it is like to live in Paris, and not simply a touristy area. His home is surrounded within only a block by some lovely restaurants, multiple bakeries, supermarkets, pharmacies, corner stores, green areas, and accessible public transportation on two different subway or metro lines within one or two minutes walking distance. It is located maybe only 10 minutes from the Latin Quarter and the heart of Paris. I spent much of the time with no need of walking further than two minutes from his place, because all of the amenities were there.
He personally greeted us when we arrived, and we immediately loved his home, located on the top floor of a very nice building. The pictures in his listing of his terrace do not begin to show the beauty of the view. It is one of the largest terraces I have ever seen in Paris, where terraces are rare, with a rooftop garden composed of large trees and many dozens of plants, accompanied by spectacular views of the Paris skyline, including among many, the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre. My companions and I spent many evenings and mornings enjoying this view on the terrace, which could easily hold 20 people. It is a one-of-a-kind in Paris. I have rarely seen such a terrace.
The actual bedrooms were totally satisfactory, small, but that is typical in a world capital, such as Paris. The shower and bathroom were in separate rooms, which is helpful when traveling with other people. The kitchen meets all of one’s needs if one wishes to prepare a simple meal, and it includes an oven, microwave and large refrigerator, and there are kitchen appliances.
What I also liked about Manuel’s place is its rather eclectic fashion. As opposed to staying in a boring, sterile cold hotel room, his home is full of literary works, graphics and cultural references. Wonderful literary and theatrical works decorate his bookshelves and his walls, even in the bathroom. It is clear that this is a home precious to him, and his creation of his space was conveyed immediately, and it is a joy he can share it with others. I could have spent the entire trip in Paris perusing through his extensive literary collection, without even leaving his apartment.
Finally, Manuel was not simply a landlord who fulfilled basic obligations, but once when one of our roommates had a logistical, bureaucratic issue (unrelated to his home), he immediately came racing over to offer help to insure he could help one of our roommates negotiate the bureaucratic maze. He went beyond the call of duty.
The only complaint I have to say is that Manuel has not boasted or bragged enough about his home. It is truly a lovely place. He should put more photographs on his website.
If you are looking for a truly authentic experience in Paris in a real neighborhood, and not just a boring hotel experience, Manuel’s place is to be considered highly.
Thank you, Manuel!