Wanting to spend more time in Paris, we decided we would rent an apartment for the first half of our stay and then stay in a hotel the second half and compare the two stays. We rented an apartment through Airbnb, and, being fairly familiar with Paris, we selected a good location. The apartment is as pictured, but, somehow the pictures make everything look bigger.
We got to the apartment just before 2:00 p.m., but, it was not available until 3:00 p.m., so, we just had to wait in the very small lobby of the building with no chairs. That was not a good start! Eventually we were given access, and, we were introduced to some of the peculiarities of apartment living. First, entry to the building requires a code (fair enough as this is a big city), but there is a code for daytime entry and then a different code for night time and weekend entry. Up a few steps and the elevator goes to the second floor, where you then have to enter another code to pass through that door before walking down a long hallway to take the elevator to the third floor. Finally, you unlock the door to the apartment. Of course, none of these kinds of details are included in the description of the apartment. C’est la vie!
Being hungry, we decided to eat before unpacking. With no shortage of nearby restaurants, we selected a small cafe. After unpacking and organizing, it was time for dinner!
We are staying in the 8th arrondissement (there are 18 arrondissements (sections) of Paris) for this first week. Although we have stayed in this arrondissement, we have never stayed in this particular area. Our apartment is very near the Gare Saint Lazare train and metro stations.
After another wonderful dejeuner (lunch) I decided it was time to start doing all the things on my list. The first item was to take the metro to the Abbesses metro station. Why? It is the deepest metro station in Paris and was classified as a historical monument in 1978. What was not mentioned is that the only way out of the station was to climb the 460 steps! I huffed and puffed my way to the top. Upon leaving the metro station, the Saint Jean de Montmartre Church is directly across the street.
Most tourists go to the Montmartre basilica. I did not see a need to go back as we had been there several times, and, the first time we were there many years ago, my purse was stolen. My purse had little of value in it as I had put most of our valuables in the hotel safe deposit box. That was the good news. The bad news was that the safety deposit box key was in it, and, we had to pay (not inexpensive) to have it drilled open. C’est la vie! In spite of that memory, I still enjoy visiting the streets of Montmartre and walked a good length of the Rue des Martyrs The street is an old historic route leading from Pigalle to the village of Montmartre. There was a contemporary book written entitled The Only Street in Paris which describes the neighborhood’s rich history and vibrant lives.
As I mentioned, there are lots of cafes and restaurants, and, we have been drinking and eating our way through Paris. Generally speaking, the outside small tables are for drinking, and, the inside tables, which are usually larger, are for eating, So, the routine is to stop for a drink at one cafe or restaurant and then go to another for dinner.
One of the highlights for me visiting Paris is that I get to see my longtime friend Dominique. We met when we both lived in Dallas and were members of the Dallas Art Museum. After Dominique retired she moved back to her hometown of Paris. We are generally lucky enough to get invited for a meal at her private club, Le Cercle de l’Union Interalliee located on rue du Faubourg St. Honore in the heart of Paris next to the British Embassy. It was founded in 1917 with its purpose being “a place of welcoming providing moral and material resources to the officers and personalities of the Allied nations. . . .”
Leaving the Club we decided to do a bit of window shopping on rue Faubourg St. Honore as it houses many of the exclusive French designer stores (which is why it was window shopping, not actual shopping!). For you shoe aficionados perhaps this pair pictured at a mere 695 Euros is meant for your closet.
Our experiment with apartment rentals while traveling will soon come to an end as we will shortly be moving back to a hotel. With my next post I will share a short editorial as to our experiences. But now, it is back to enjoying Paris!
My roommate and I are thinking about a trip to Sicily and Malta. Your comments on Malta didnt sound overly enthusiastic…. Is it truly worth visiting, and what is max number of days to stay there? Thanks. Suzanne
Actually, Malta is beautiful. Because we were with the Travelers Century Club group, we did not stay in Valletta, which is where I would recommend staying. Where we stayed in St. Julian’s was absolutely beautiful, but, it was a bit out of the action. I would stay 3, probably 4 days, so, you could get all over the island. There is tremendous history there. From Sicily it is a fairly easy trip as well. Pam and Bill Girtman took a ferry.
Thank you for sharing your Paris air bnb time.
You made the most out of it and I am looking forward to hearing your “compare” report while staying in a hotel.
I am getting to know this area and appreciate all that is here. Not being in a hotel gives you a totally different perspective.
Hi Donna, I was very impressed with the shoes and would certainly have bought them save for the color green which is not a favorite! Mimi
Mimi, I could check to see if they have them in red and arrange to send them sent to you?!
Donna, I am reading a book now, written by someone who is like you. It’s called We Came, We Saw, We Left (Nine Months, Six Continents, Three Teenagers) by Charles Wheelan. He’s a good writer and I think you would love it. I’ll share it with you when I see you in June-soon!
Love Paris!
Kathy
I like the title of the book. I will look forward to reading it. This is our last day in the apartment, just as I am beginning to know my way around! It is just weeks until we’re there!
Hi Donna, I did love your window shopping but maybe we can find something more useful than the shoes…maybe anew handbag! Your pictures make me feel as if I am on the streets with both of you. The highlight for me is you and Dominique at the club. Two chic ladies surrounded with beautiful textiles and furnishings. I could spend hours looking and touching all of it. The comparison will also interest me. Maybe in the fall when in Naples you could treat me an afternoon of trip photographs. Enjoy my friends!
I usually do more than window shop (but very rarely on rue du Fabourg!), but, I haven’t this time. I still have time, though! I will be happy to share pictures, but, I am sure you will want me to do some serious culling first. We have one night left here in the apartment, and, then our last week in a hotel. Plus, we are spending more time with Dominique. Love that you loved that picture!!
I’ve been to Paris maybe 5 times. Each time it was better than the last. Your experience just add more to my knowledge of Paris.
Can’t wait to hear more when you return home.
I, too, am anxiously waiting for your comparison between apartment vs hotel.
I am not sure one ever gets to really know a city like Paris. . .maybe if you grew up here and lived here.
I would love to receive your travel updates. I was lucky to stay with a family in Paris with friends. You get a very different view when really living there. It was years ago when my daughter was 16. We were on our way to Greece for the summer but stayed with friends who were there on Sabitcal from Syracuse university. It was a fun visit staying with familiar friends and also stayed a week in barbizon area. Great art Thanks. Nice trip. Raquel shared this with me.
I’ll be happy to include you on my list to receive our travel updates. Living somewhere does provide a totally different perspective, but, unfortunately, I have not been lucky enough to live in Paris!