Firstly, let me say that Fred and his cat are amazing hosts with great knowledge of the area, good communication and fantastic flexibility. The location is also great, in the heart of the Bastille district with great restaurants, bars and shops within walking distance. The room is simple and cozy, with good wifi, a comfortable bed, TV and everything else you could need. Bathroom is shared which wasn't an issue, and everything was clean.
There was a small get-together in the adjacent courtyard the night of my stay, and I had the privilege of talking with some very kind people about France, the US, Paris and life. They shared snacks and drinks with me and were an excellent group of people. However, as the night progressed and I was winding down in my room adjacent to the courtyard, a confrontation broke out with loud shouting and some fighting. I was briefly frightened, but after a minute or two Fred returned inside to let me know what was going on. Everything was ok and nobody was seriously injured, but I think its important to note this experience. From everything I understand, this was outside of Fred's control and this is the first time anything like this has happened.