Quoi peut ai-je dire? It was an exceptional experience having Raphael as a host and staying at his place. Communication with him before the stay was exemplary and swift. He was kind enough to give me accurate public transport directions from Orly Airport to Gare du Nord and then a short walk to his apartment. Raphael was waiting by the entrance of the building late in the evening to check me in. Getting to the residence was akin to gaining access to a maximum security facility. The 1st layer of security is a digital code that gets you past a heavy metal gate off the busy main street. This leads you through an ornate hallway to the building front door which again requires another digital code for access; the 2nd security layer. A very old fashioned narrow French elevator awaits to take you to the 7th floor; but before that, another digital code is required to make it move; the 3rd security layer. Exiting the elevator right, right and right takes you through a traditional Parisian apartment building hallway of yellow apartment doors a large window that gives you a very vivid view of the majestic Eiffel Tower. The end of the corridor brings you to a solid metallic door that requires a numbered key to open; the 4th security layer. Straight ahead, right and left to the end of the next hallway ends your journey at Raphael's apartment whose solid door is opened by another key; the 5th and final security layer. The small clean and cozy studio equipped with a sizeable bed, small table and chairs, TV, kitchenette with dishwasher, washing machine and microwaveis very traditional with a lovely sounding partially creaking hardwood floor that gives you an authentic Parisian feel. The bathroom is excitingly small with a very pretty tiled shower area. Sitting on the toilet would be a very interesting experience for a very tall person. However, it is impossible to ignore one of the main draws of the studio; the splendid view through both windows of the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides and the legendary Paris rooftops with chimneys sticking out. Oh the splendour of it all! Do not be surprised to spend a lot of time just looking outside and taking myriad photos. The authenticity of the place and the magnificent views make it absolutely worth it for a short stay in Paris. There is no need to spend a ridiculous amount of money in hotels, few of which would have the same view and vibe. Located no more than a 3 minute walk from Poissonnière Metro Station on the M7 line, the apartment is very close to the heart of Paris action, near L'Opéra Garnier and Galeries Lafayette for starters. Whichever direction you head once out of the flat, Paris is your oyster. Above all, the apartment is in a quiet and very secure locale despite being off a main street. Bakeries, grocery stores, cafes, restaurants and anything else you desire are within walking...