We spent 6 incredible nights in Cyrielle's flat on Rue du Mail. It is the perfect place to stay if you wish to explore Paris. The flat itself is on the very top floor of a typical Parisian building with lots of charm and character. The kitchen is well-equipped for preparing simple meals and coffee, and stocked with all of the essentials you might need during your stay: dishwasher, induction stove, microwave, oven, small refrigerator, and all of the pots and pans and glasses one would expect. The living room is quite cozy, with a lovenest-style couch (it is quite comfortable but very low to the ground), a large flatscreen television, a Jambox for playing music, surround sound, etc.

The bedroom has a great dresser for hanging your clothes and a comfortable bed with high quality linens. While generally quiet, there is some noise on weekend nights from nearby restaurants on the streets below. Never a bother, but something to be aware of if you're a light sleeper. I really appreciated the fans in the room which kept us cool during the unseasonably warm November weather and helped us sleep with white noise.

The bathroom is quite unique but wonderful to use. Plenty of hot water and good water pressure. All plumbing worked great. We enjoyed the towel radiator, which is a common appliance in Europe but rare in the US- hot towels after your shower! Having a washer and dryer at our disposal was also very nice.

In general, it is a cozy and well-appointed apartment. Others have mentioned the stairs, which were never a problem but will certainly get your heart pumping: 162 steps! Can be a bit slippery when wearing dress shoes.

The neighborhood was equally great. Rue Montmartre just outside the front door is filled with boutiques and restaurants as well as markets and boulangeries. Just a bit further is Rue Montorgueil, a lively if slightly touristy street with plenty to see and do. Rue du Louvre, also just outside the front door, gets you to the palais royal, the Louvre and the Tuileries in about 15 minutes. The Les Halles Forum at the end of Rue Montmartre, a mall connected to many metro and train lines, is the best option for getting around Paris, as well as to-from CDG on the RER. Again, only a 10 minute walk from the apartment.

I didn't meet Cyrielle but she was very available by email and phone. Her friends Mathilde and Nicolas assisted us with check-in and check-out and they could not have been more punctual or lovely. Highly recommend staying in this apartment and we hope to be back soon!