We loved our two-week honeymoon here! For our needs and likes, the neighborhood was ideal.
Notes: (1) The Marais is not meant to be a clinically clean neighborhood. If you don't like dirt, try a different arrondissement. (2) Lots of great restaurants, patisseries, and architecture here. Just start walking, a new direction each day. Amazing the wonders you can experience and film. (3) L'As Du Falafel is right below you. As the waiting line indicates, it's the best on this street. We loved both the falafel and the curry chicken. Mi-Va-Mi just isn't as good. (4) Be careful on the ladder going up to the loft. It's especially scary when you are exhausted after walking 5+ hours across the city or in the morning when you are still asleep. (5) There are almost always people in front of the building who are lined up for falafel. If you are looking for a quiet retreat, this might not be right for you. Having said that, the double-pane windows do an excellent job of keeping things quiet. We liked the noise, but sometimes, the music and screaming babies were too much and it was nice to be able to shut it all out, if we wanted to. (6) The isolated toilet room has no fan or vent. Buy a room spray or box of matches to alleviate. (7) You are a 15-minute walk from: Notre Dame, Ste-Chappelle, Pompidou, Les Halles, L'Ile de la Cite, and so much more. (8) Carry a small pocket flashlight with you. Navigating the 1750 stairs in the dark in this building can be tricky. (9) The Wi-Fi is not fast. However, you are in Paris, so worrying about browsing speeds should be far down your list of concerns. (10) You can buy a cheap umbrella to use when you are taking your millionth walk and get caught in a downpour. Just leave it behind for the next lucky visitors. (11) Your hosts are excellent communicators. Have a question? Just ask. (12) We recommend that you wake up very early at least one day and walk around Paris before the city wakes up. It is an amazing experience. (13) Have a great time!