The first thing to know is that our experience matches well with the pictures we saw ahead of time, and the reviews we read. Specifically - The place is plenty big, especially for Paris. It's fully updated and the bathroom is quite nice. And it's clean. Bastille is also a very busy and lively neighborhood and the street is quite loud right below the apartment - it's a place for young people first and foremost. The good news is that the high quality windows block 90% of the noise so the place is probably perfect 9 months out of the year. We were there in July heat so they had to be open in the evenings....If you will be in that situation, think twice if noise 24/7 is an issue for you.