Property Description

Le Marais, 3rd arrondissement, Paris, France. On Rue Charlot. Ground floor on garden courtyard. Sleeps two to four. MINIMUM STAY: Generally 5 nights for advanced reservations for high season, and 3 nights for low season. However, we are open to any stay that fits well with the existing calendar. Just ask by SENDING EMAIL -- NOT by requesting to book!!

THE BEST ROMANTIC HIDEAWAY IN THE MARAIS. That's our goal, and judging by over 150 FIVE STAR REVIEWS, we hope we have succeeded. What is more, from detailed instructions for arrival to reserving restaurants or taxis for you, we go out of our way to make your stay easy and trouble-free.

FORMERLY A 17TH c. ARTISAN'S WORKSHOP! This beautiful completely renovated garden apartment is located in what was once an artisan's workshop in the days of Marie Antoinette. Located on the historic courtyard of a classic Parisian building in the Marais, it is among the oldest in Paris. The age of the building will be obvious when you first see the exposed posts and beams -- called 'colombage' -- in the courtyard itself, recalling the way all of Paris looked in the 17th century.

LIKE A COUNTRY COTTAGE IN THE HEART OF PARIS. With its short pitch of tiled roof and its double French doors and French windows opening onto the garden, it's a one-of-a-kind, romantic oasis of calm in the Marais. The old world charm combines with modern amenities, a high quality bed, a luxurious bath, and a well-equipped kitchen to make an ideal Parisian retreat.

AN EXCEPTIONALLY QUIET GARDEN APARTMENT, you will forget that the center of Paris is just outside, and feel as if you are in the countryside watching the birds out in the garden. The exceptional quiet means GOOD SLEEPING on the high quality bed that's been fit into a French antique, hand-crafted frame. Please read our visitors' comments -- many mention how quiet it is.

RENOVATED BY A DESIGNER with international travelers in mind, the result is a successful amalgam of old world noble materials and modern style. The apartment consists of one big room that serves as bedroom and living area, a separate and fully equipped kitchen, and a full deluxe bath. In the main room and bath are beautiful exposed stone walls, and the original thick oak beams are exposed on the ceiling as well. In fact, the beams are older than the building -- there are signs that they were recycled when the building was built.

DETAILS THAT MAKE THE DIFFERENCE. The floor has wide oak boards in the main room, with a welcoming antique killim rug, and antique stone tile in the kitchen and bath. Throughout there are clean lines and harmonious touches of color, giving a very aesthetically pleasing, peaceful ambience.

QUALITY BEDDING. Hand carving graces the antique bed frame, while the bed itself is high quality. For bedding, there are down and synthetic comforters (your choice), 100% cotton blankets, 100% cotton sheets, and six French pillows. The exceptional quiet of this apartment will further enhance sleep. The sofa is large and comfortable, and hides a comfortable full-sized bed should it be needed. An antique Paris bistro style table sits by the window for meals (expanding to seat four) and a wooden table serves as a small desk. (There are extra folding chairs available.)

WIFI -- AND LOW TECH, TOO. The high speed WiFi works flawlessly. Hidden away is a flat screen TV with more than 40 digital channels including CNN and BBC, and a DVD/CD/MP3 player with radio. There is an iPhone compatible alarm clock, a phone, and an answering machine. There is a whole library of Paris guidebooks. You will also find classical, jazz, and other CD's, many DVDs (including classic Paris movies), shelves full of interesting books, and reading lamps.

A VERY WELL-EQUIPPED KITCHEN, AND MORE. The kitchen has lots of charm and modern appliances: a full-size oven, four burner stovetop, built-in refrigerator with freezer, microwave, toaster, hand mixer, and coffee maker. It is also well-equipped with all utensils for cooking and eating -- more than you will find in most rentals. The bath is beautifully done with deluxe modern fixtures, a large bathtub, a deluxe shower (it's superb!), and both a washing machine and dryer tucked away in a closet. A hidden extra is a double-size hot water heater, so you should not run out. There is also a hair dryer, iron and ironing board, and vacuum cleaner. All linens, towels, and soap are supplied.

AN EXCEPTIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD. Steps away on the corner, you will find the wonderful open air Marche des Enfants Rouge, the oldest market in Paris. Rue Bretagne has its own offering of excellent shops including butchers, bakers, traiteurs, wine, fruits and vegetables, and right on the corner one of the best fromagers (cheese shops) in the city. There are also two supermarkets conveniently nearby. The neighborhood is chock-full of antique shops, funky designers, and art galleries on the narrow streets. There are many great little restaurants and cafes with terraces, as well as charming Parisian parks.

IN THE CENTER OF PARIS. The Picasso Museum is literally just around the corner, as is all the rest that the Marais has to offer, from the magnificent Hotels Particuliers (17th century city mansions), many housing museums, to the famous Place des Vosges. You can easily walk to Hotel de Ville in about 15 minutes, and then Notre Dame and the other major sites along the Seine. The Pompidou Center is also right close by. There are several Metro stations nearby, and bus lines that run through the Marais.

SAFE AND SECURE. The apartment is very secure: To get in the building requires both a code to get in the main door and then a key to get through an iron security gate. The door of the apartment itself has a high security lock. The windows have security blinds that close tightly over them if you want to leave for any length of time, and the windows themselves also have locks. In short, there are more security features than you need! Especially for this lovely, safe and quiet upscale neighborhood.

WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE YOUR VISIT A PLEASURE! We will answer whatever questions you have before you arrive, and provide detailed instructions for getting to the apartment. The day you arrive, someone will meet you, help with your luggage, and show you into the apartment. We accommodate early arrivals and late departures. We also routinely organize taxis for the day of departure -- they come right to the door to pick you up. In the apartment, you will find loads of guidebooks, other information on Paris, and a binder full of detailed information on the apartment, the neighborhood, and more -- where the best bakery is, nearby restaurants we recommend, how to get a taxi, where to park, and so on. We are happy to help make reservations for you. If you have any problems in Paris, we'll try to help. Our goal is to help you live in the neighborhood like a local French person -- an experience you would never have in a hotel -- while minimizing hassles and maximizing your enjoyment.