Before I go into any detail with my review, let me first say that the rooftop patio is why you rent this place. It is the star of the show and worth every single penny. I dare say there are no other AirBnB's in the city that offer the view of Paris that one gets from Bertrand's rooftop patio. Words simply cannot describe it.
Now to review the home itself. To be honest, I had fairly low expectations when I booked this AirBnB, given the relatively few reviews, the unusual layout, and its location so close to Gare du Nord. I'm pleased to say Bertrand's place far exceeded my expectations, and then some, even before I saw the jaw-dropping view from the rooftop. I would even go so far as to say I felt honored to be staying there.
It should be noted that this is not a good fit for folks looking for all of the comforts of a 4-star hotel or bougie flat. It's eclectic - my mother (who was traveling with us) insists that it the kind of Parisian "hippie pad" musicians and artists aspired to in the 1960's. That being said, it has everything you need, and then some. There are windows everywhere, giving the entire space a wonderfully open, airy feel. Our group consisted of my husband and me, our three teenage girls, and my mother, and there was more than enough space for us all to sleep comfortably. The bed in the main living area is quite firm, so be aware of that. Our eldest teen took the downstairs bedroom, which offers the most privacy, but even the other bedroom spaces have curtains or dividers to ensure everyone feels like they have their own space.
The kitchen is small but well-equipped. The bathroom is also small and the shower is the typical French tub faucet attachment situation that once represented pretty much all "showers" in France. But the tub is very deep, and the shower does attach to a pole if you prefer, so this was not a problem. In no way did any of us feel like we had less than what we needed. Even our teen girls loved the place, quirks and all.
In short, Bertrand's place is incredibly inviting, comfortable, unique, and well-equipped. Bertrand is an excellent host who genuinely wants his guests to feel at home and taken care of. Even though I don't love the neighborhood, I would gladly stay here again, and am incredibly grateful to have shared the experience of staying here with my family during our short stay in Paris.