Le Pré Verre – a Left bank Bistro that doesn’t target tourists

We all know that The Left Bank is one of the most atmospheric parts of the city, but not always one of the best places for eating out, with many eateries targeting tourists. Last week I discovered an exception when I was invited to lunch by Patrice and Kadijah, a couple with whom I have the pleasure of working regularly.

Being busy avocats, lunch is often “sur le pouce” en route between their cabinet and the courts. Their local bistro, situated just by the Sorbonne is Le Pré Verre and they rely on it for excellent food and quick and friendly service from the owners, chef Philippe Delacourcelle and his brother Marc, who is front of house and also responsible for the eclectic wine list.

I can testify to the high regard my friends have for this establishment which is producing French cuisine with a touch of the Orient. They tell me that dinner is even better than the lunch we enjoyed but they advised that unless you are a regular, booking ahead for both is advisable. I was a guest on the day but I checked online afterwards and the prix fixe is a very affordable €13.50 for lunch (starter, main, glass of wine and coffee!) and €28.50 for dinner (3 courses).

APARTMENTS TO RENT NEARBY

BASTIL06 – bld. Voltaire, 75011 Paris

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Guest Comments

We had the pleasure of staying at BASTIL06 for 10 days from October 4 to October 14, 2010. It was our fifth trip to Paris and our first visit renting a flat. There were four of us in our group and the flat was large enough for us and very comfortable. The living room was one large room with a “french” feel to it and was comfortable with 2 couches and a beautiful dining table that could sit six. The dining chairs were very comfortable as well. The kitchen was good sized and had all of the amenities (microwave, oven, stove, refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher). The larger bedroom was nice and the second bedroom was primarily an alcove with a fabric divider. However this worked fine for us. The bathroom was roomy with a tub/shower, double sink vanity and a washing machine.

The Blvd. Voltaire is a somewhat noisy busy street but the double paned windows kept the noise at bay when we wanted quiet. The large window/doors open on to a small balcony on to the Blvd. The area was nice with markets for groceries in every direction, as well as cafes and bistros close to the flat. The metro is less than a block away which makes it very convenient as well.

Staff from the management agency met us at our flat upon our arrival in the evening and set up up with the free wifi which was nice and allowed us to use our iPhone in the flat. They were very helpful and one individual came to change a lightbulb and followed up via text message to see if we needed any other assistance.

We would definitely use SCI PA Location again in the future and recommend renting a flat as it is a great way to enjoy the city.

Posted by: Morris Artiaga | 29 November 2010 at 04:16

STGER17 – rue des Grands Augustins, 75006 Paris

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Guest Comments

Hello

We enjoyed your apartment. The location was good, the apartment clean and well equipped. We will certainly contact you again when we are in Paris. Thank you.

Posted by: Mel Schoenberg | 27 November 2010 at 17:01

We enjoyed the apartment – the location was superb. We also enjoyed the fact that it was so quiet and that there was a separate kitchen area. I would definitely recommend it !! Great for 1-2 people.

Posted by: Kathy Green | 13 November 2009 at 22:50

Apartment was fantastic, well appointed and in a brilliant location. Have recommended your business to family and friends already – the apartment was exactly as described and was very clean and tidy. Cheers!

Posted by: Tom Francis | 31 July 2009 at 09:24

We enjoyed our stay for my wifes 50th Birthday on 15th June this year. The apartment was a perfect choice with its location close to lots of cafe’s and restaurants.
We found the apartment itself a good size for two, plenty of room, very clean and a lovely ‘Feel’ to it.
This was our first time in Paris and using this agency was a perfect choice, we will certainly visit again.

Posted by: Phil & Pam Mallett | 30 July 2009 at 15:27

This quiet apartment is a nice size for 2 people, although the bedroom is small–the bed takes up the whole room. The bathroom is very nice. The apartment has nice furnishings that have an older style Parisian feel. Its windows face a narrow high courtyard, so it is on the dark side–you have to look out the window to see if the sun is shining. Overall, it is not as bright or elegant as the pictures on the web would suggest.
The location of this apartment is superb–very close to the wonderful patisseries, take out shops, restaurants and cafes of Rue de Buci and Germain area. It is convenient to the St. Michel metro/RER stopand an easy walk to Notre Dame and Louvre. This is our second time with SCI PA Location, and as usual the service is very good: reliable, friendly, capable and English speaking.

Posted by: Van D. Reif | 17 June 2009 at 16:11

We LOVED this apartment, everything we wanted in the perfect location. Quiet, clean, highspeed internet service, so many nearby restaurant and shops. Just a perfect location between 2 metro stops and the RER to get to and from the airport. Agency personnel communications outstanding – we could not have asked for more!

Posted by: Michele & Steve Thompson | 17 June 2009 at 13:15

We loved this Paris apartment – the pictures do not do it justice nor do they highlight the proximity to fabulous restaurants and Paris sites. Would recommend this apartment and company to anyone thinking about a trip to Paris.

Posted by: Carolyn | 13 May 2009 at 10:02

Your Local Street Market – Maubert Mutualite in the 5th

Not the biggest of markets but certainly a relatively high quality one, Maubert Mutualite is half food/ half flea market. I took these photos last Thursday 25th Nov 2010 (it takes place on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning). The cold day meant it wasn’t crowded and the busiest stand was the one selling sheepskin hats !!

Maubert Mutualite would be your local market  if you were renting an apartment in the 5th, near or on bld. Saint Germain and on the border between the Latin Quarter and Saint Germain. The market sets up right above Maubert Mutualite Metr0 (line 10).

APARTMENTS TO RENT NEARBY

QLATIN01 – rue de Fer a Moulin, 75005 Paris

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Guest Comments

The Best!!!!! I felt like a parisian!!! Recommend!!!!

Posted by: Rogério Cunha | 11 December 2010 at 14:32

Great apartment in a great location. 5 adults stayed for 4 nights and it proved to be an excellent base with Metro stops just a few minutes/short walk away.

Rue Mouffetard is a short walk away too and is “tres bien” for food and drink. Good atmosphere on the street in the evenings too.

Apartment is set back off the road so peaceful for a good nights sleep.

This was the third time I’ve used SCI and the service provided is first class. Very helpful and flexible to adapt to your needs. I am already looking at booking another stay with them in a Paris apartment next year. Can’t wait.

Posted by: Gareth Gange | 19 November 2010 at 15:37

LOUIS04 – quai d’Orleans, 75004 Paris

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Guest Comments

We did a last minute trip to Paris in April 2011 and had four days to find an apartment. I had never used this agency and frankly was a little sceptical. Gladly, I was put at ease upon our arrival. Our last minute booking was no problem and Eric met us promptly to show us the flat with a big smile. This is a perfect rental for a family of three and a great bay window to watch Paris life go by. The pictures are true to form and the location was second to none. The only annoyance we could find was the WiFi is transient at best. And if that’s the worst we could find you know it is pretty good.

Posted by: Brett | 15 April 2011 at 15:21

We stayed in LOUIS04 for a week at the end of January 2011. It was perfect for 2 people, and the location was just the best. We wanted to be on Ile St Louis, and it was as magic as we hoped, and convenient to everything. The apartment with the view of the Seine was more than we could wish for.

The apartment size was great – it’s small but we never felt cramped, and all the amenities worked fine. We had been warned about the unreliable internet, but both wireless and cable worked perfectly for us. Our only problem was the shower – it doesn’t fit the bracket, obviously never has and the elastic band is very temperamental.

But that was our only problem, Eric was so helpful explaining the apartment on our arrival, and arranging for us to leave our luggage there early while the apartment was cleaned from the previous people. The heating was very efficient, bathroom included, during extremely cold weather.

We found the agency very easy to use, very helpful and reliable, and would certainly book with them again, and recommend them to others.

Posted by: Anne Vance | 03 February 2011 at 20:44

Liam, Just wanted to say thank you for everything – arrangements all worked out perfectly without any hitches whatsoever and everyone we dealt with were extremely friendly and helpful. A fantastic location for visitors to the city. I will be passing on your contact details to any friends planning a visit and hope to be back to Paris Apartments by Numbers myself in the spring. Kind regards, Susan.

Posted by: Susan O’Donnell | 18 November 2010 at 17:39

We had an absolutely lovely week in Paris, staying at no.4 Quai d’Orleans. The apartment was certainly spacious enough for both of us, and the view on to the Seine was beautiful. The decor was lovely, and we felt very much at home. Perfectly located for a quiet walk around the island at night after a dinner, and a sorbet from Berthillon. The surrounding area was full of lovely restaurants: Mon Vieil Ami, L’Ilot Vache, Le Tournebievre were among our favourites.

Eric was extremely friendly, and gave us a very thorough tour of the apartment. It was great to have access to the shared ironing/washing facilities too.

This was a really special holiday for us, one that we’ll remember for a long time, and this apartment was the perfect place for us to stay.

Posted by: Jenny Munro | 05 November 2010 at 20:44

We spent a wonderful week in this apt. Very comfortable and a great big tub in the bathroom. Quiet and beautiful with a wonderful view and within walking distance or subway of all major inner city sights. We loved it!

Posted by: Lillian Davis | 16 June 2010 at 17:39

CHAMPS03 – rue Brey, 75017 Paris

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Guest Comments

Would recommend taxi service to & from airport. Door to door, reasonably priced. great service, and takes the stress of travel from you.

Posted by: Bryan Kenny | 27 December 2011 at 13:20

Very central. Apartment was great. Secure & quiet. Clean, and well stocked with essentials, and we were provided with a map of shops & markets in the area on arrival by your helpful adviser. absolutely excellent, and we have already recommended your listings to our friends.

Posted by: Bryan Kenny | 27 December 2011 at 13:18

Liam, Our apartment in Rue Brey was excellent. Its’ proximity to L’Arc de Triomphe and the Champs D’Elysee was a brilliant bonus. The apartment was very clean and extremely comfortable and warm. There was plenty of space for a family of five. It was also handy that there was a small supermarket within 100 metres of apartment and a wonderful boulangerie around the corner on Avenue de Ternes. The apartment location was also brilliant as a base for heading to Eurodisney as the nearby metro station at Charles De Gaulle had a direct train link to Eurodisney. Would definitely rent this apartment again if we were fortunate enough to get back to Paris and have already recommended apartment and Paris Apartments by Numbers to friends who are thinking of heading there.

All the best, Daithi

Posted by: Daithi O Fiaich | 16 November 2010 at 13:00