We have stayed in Paris many times over the years, usually choosing a different area to explore. Viviane’s apartment is exceptionally large, comfortable, and well-located by Paris standards. It was such a luxury to have so many rooms, all beautifully decorated with interesting books and art to look at. It was also a welcome surprise to stay in an apartment that was only one flight of stairs up.
We made use of the kitchen, with its large refrigerator and oven, and had several of our meals in the light-filled living room. The bedroom was comfortable, and we had no need for heating in October, choosing instead to open the windows in the evenings. Perhaps because of this, the apartment wasn’t as quiet as advertised, as the café below had customers sitting directly below the windows and there we loud groups of people who loitered on the window sills across the street, playing music and chatting. The windows are double glazed, however, which blocked out the sound when closed.
The neighbourhood was wonderful, with an excellent bakery, an organic fruit and vegetable store, the magnificent Le Bon Marché department store, and the sprawling Raspail market (100% organic on Sundays) all within easy walking distance. Equally convenient were the several close-by metro lines that will get you anywhere in the city in a flash.
We never met our host in person, but by the reviews, it sounds like Viviane is a friendly and welcoming person. Checking in with the lock box was easy and convenient. We would feel luck to be able to stay in this apartment again on another visit to Paris.