Alan' s apartment is wonderful and stylish place to spend some time in Paris and is a lot larger than the photos indicate. Check in was simple and easy and Alan was really responsive to a question we had about the child lock on the electric hob. In terms of the local area it was really good, friendly and down to earth. We used the Avron metro station (10 mins walking) down Rue de Vignoles (left out of the apartment and first left) which has a great variety of restaurant and bars. Great menu to be had at the Enfant de Balle (bottom end of Rue de Vignoles) and also superb Pizza at Come Prima (rue de Alexandre Dumas) simple and small place but very good food. There is an excellent and vibrant food market on a Sunday morning at the square which is one block up from Rue Vignoles and just 5 mins from the apartment. There is also a Intermarche 2 minutes away (left out of the apartment and then first right) as well as artisanal bakery (2nd left when leaving left out of the apartment). The Cemetry of Pere Lachaise is well worth a walk around (Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison both laid to rest there) quite an extraordinary place to visit. (Out of the apartment 2nd right and straight on - there is a small footpath to gain access). You are 25 minutes from the city centre and all in all I would highly recommend Alan's apartment and the location. Enjoy!