Claire's apartment is just as charming, clean and beautiful as the pictures show! My husband and I truly enjoyed this comfortable home in its central location, close to dozens of cafés and restaurants, and easy access to all metro lines.
The apartment is on 3 levels: Entry level: One small bathroom, toilet and sink only.
Second level: One bedroom, kitchen, living room, and extra sitting room.
Top level: Terrace, second bedroom, and full bathroom with typical tub-shower (no standing shower) and separate toilet.
The upstairs level has 4 large skylights that you can open for a breeze. It was not hot when we were there, but I did see there is a large fan. No A/C.
We loved the terrace, and it is easy to water the plants with the hose right there.
I do recommend you bring your own soap and shampoo. Claire provides toilet paper for the first day or two but for a longer stay you'll need to buy more at one of the many small grocery stores nearby.
The kitchen is very small but well-equipped with pots and pans, cooking oil, salt, pepper, dishes and utensils.
Claire provided a couple days of Nespresso coffee pods. Note carefully the size before you buy more.
The kitchen has a clothes-washing machine which was very convenient. There is a folding clothes-drying rack in the upstairs bedroom which made it easy to dry a load of clothes overnight.
An explanation about the keys and entry: It was a bit confusing, especially as I was jet-lagged from my long flight from California! The street door is opened with a fob, which looks confusing as there is only a place to tap the fob, no keyhole. Inside the street door is a metal gate which must be unbolted with several turns of the key, with one of the smaller keys. The sign inside says in French to re-bolt this gate every time, once you are through.
Claire's apartment door is the very last door at the very top of the stairs, 3 flights up, no elevator. Use the largest key to open this door, and also push and pull the door hard while you try to turn the key. It is a bit tricky, but you can see the bolts move in the door crack if it is daytime, and it does work easily when you get the hang of it!
I have visited Paris many times for 30 years, and I have rented many apartments there. Claire's is by far the nicest and most convenient! The things Americans may find a bit strange about the apartment, including the small kitchen and the lack of stand-up shower, are VERY normal for most Parisian apartments. For Paris, this apartment is huge!
I will definitely stay here every time I visit Paris!