The location is PERFECT. I cannot emphasize this enough. If you stay here, you are near Austerlitz, St. Marcel, and Censier metro stations. Each of which is sufficient to connect you quickly and easily to wherever you need to be. The neighborhood is just beautiful as well. The Jardin des Plantes is marvelous. Moufftard is wonderful. Really, it is a great place.
Having stayed here for nearly five months, I think I can give an honest and thorough review of this place. For people like me (student, on a budget) it is excellent. I really liked the shower, I found the bed very comfortable as well.
The host is very kind and accommodating. I really think she is one of the best hosts I have had in Paris, and I have taken quite a few Airbnbs in Paris. Perhaps to make things simpler, I include only a list of things I loved and things you should be aware of in deciding whether or not to take this place. For the record, I can say with complete honesty that I would stay here again if given the opportunity.
Pros:
1. Location, location, location!
2. Host is wonderful, kind, and understanding.
3. Excellent markets nearby.
4. Cafes nearby are marvelous. I recommend Cafe Mirbel.
5. Great proximity to metro stations, you never need to walk too much (though, being in Paris, you will want to (: !!!)
6. Apartment is small but cozy. If you like this sort of thing, like I do, it is perfect.
7. Bed is nice, stovetop works well, coffee maker is good too.
8. Shower tub is perfect. Very cozy.
9. If you get a bike, there is a space inside to lock it.
Potential downsides:
1. European 6 floor walk up (American 7 floor walk up)
2. Bathroom is down a short hall. It is de jure private, but in fact, other people I did not know did use it while I was there (sometimes delivery people, sometimes workers, of course they are not supposed to, but that did not stop them). Perhaps there is something that the host can do to take care of this, though. If you have an issue with this, I suggest contacting her.
3. If you stay for a long time, it is very involved to keep the place clean. This, of course, you should still do (as I did) but being an older space at the top of the building, it does not have some luxuries you might be used to.
4. Laundry is outside of the building, about half a mile away. This means you walk down and up six floors with your laundry as well.
5. Though the neighborhood is BEAUTIFUL, it is not uncommon to see homeless people or others in extreme poverty living on the street. They are not aggressive or bad in any way, but you should not be surprised. This, of course, is not the fault of the proprietor (who is wonderful), this is a deep societal problem in France.
6. The space is a bit cluttered with stuff that you don't really need. This can be easily fixed, though. For example, there is a fridge (you should keep this), but then a standalone freezer the same size, there are four chairs, there is a tower airconditioner (when it's hot, simply opening the window does the trick).
7. In the winter, it can get very cold here.
With all of this in mind, I encourage you to stay here if you are someone who can appreciate such an experience. This is truly a Parisian apartment. It is all the way at the top of a beautiful Parisian building. You will meet people in the apartment complex alone that will add to the magic of your time here, if you let yourself. I think this is a beautiful place and I think the host is very sweet. I give it 5/5.