Ruben’s apartment in the 5e is a trip back in time. The core of the building is half-timbered inside, a construction probably not made since c 1550—and the old stones and steps will make you feel that the apartment was witness to the French Revolution! Inside, the kitchen is all modern, generously sized, and extremely well equipped: you could host a lovely dinner for 4 at the charming dining room table and whip it all up with the modern kitchen appliances and excellent collection of herbs and spices.
The living area is very large for a 1-br Airbnb, but to be absolutely clear, this an apartment for just a couple. Some of the furniture is a little delicate--renters need to care with the lovely belongings! The collections of reading material are impressive and personal, perfect for catching up on Somerset Maugham or Graham Greene—as well as a deep collection of guidebooks, cookbooks, and more. You could comfortably spend days in the space, enjoying the giant windows and the light that pours into the apartment. The wifi is fast and strong—if you have to take a few zoom meetings you will not find them cutting out or dropping in any way. The bedroom is not large, but the bed is extremely comfortable.
That said, this apartment would be much easier to manage if there were a binder with general house instructions about garbage and recycling, about how to use the internet to watch television (which we never figured out), how to run the washing machine, etc. I was surprised NOT to find such a binder, and I hope Ruben’s team will put one in place. We were assured that there was an ironing board and iron in the apartment; it had been stowed in such a way in the big walk-in closet so as to be very well hidden. Remember to bring all your own toiletries, including a bar of soap! And those big, beautiful windows have their downside in the summer: when you have them open--as you will need to, for air--you hear the late-night passers-by (fortunately there is no nightlife scene on the street, but there are noisy passers-by), and the construction across the street starts first thing in the morning.