I took my three children to stay at Thierry's apartment. Instructions to collect keys (from a local supermarket) were clear and the process simple. The apartment is in a very pretty and quiet courtyard. It's spacious and clean with fresh bedding, towels. it has lots of nice touches and artwork. The local area is interesting with the canal nearby with lots of places to eat and drink. There's a lovely park close by called Jardin Villemin. The river Seine was walkable with lots of land marks along the way, Notre Dame and the flower market. We used the Metro a few minutes away at Gare de L'est a couple of times it was reasonably priced and less daunting that I first thought. Arriving into Gare du Nord was a little overwhelming and I could have been more organised with directions - around the station is not a place to get lost in - feels a little unsafe.
We really enjoyed the trip - thank you Thierry.