STGER02 – rue Grégoire de Tours, 75006 Paris

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Guest Comments

We were very happy with our stay with Parisbynumbers in their  apartment STGER02 at 16 Rue Gregoire de Tours. It is right in the middle of the Left Bank area that we love the most in Paris. The apartment is located on a narrow street just a few paces off the elegant Boulevard St Germain; the historic church of St Germain de Pres is close by, as are renowned cafes such as Les Deux Magots. It’s an easy walk to the Boulevard St Michel, the Latin Quarter and the magical footpaths along the Seine. The Odeon metro station is just across the street and there are other stations within easy walking distance.

The apartment, with original stonework probably dating back hundreds of years, is located on the first floor of an inner, cobblestoned courtyard and despite the bustling life outside on the street, there is an air of great quietness and tranquillity about the place – we were pleasantly surprised by the fact that you would not hear a sound, day or night.

There are small shops and supermarkets very close by where you can buy all the essentials for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and there is no shortage of local restaurants ranging from the modest to the expensive. (The renowned Le Vagenende is just a few metres away.)

We took the train in from Charles de Gaulle airport into Cluny/Sorbonne and walked from there to the apartment. The very helpful concierge, Arnaud Loisin, was already in situ, and he showed us around the one-bedroom apartment with its galley-type kitchen and sitting room, and marked our card, so to speak, about various aspects of living in the Left Bank. He also helped to link up my laptop to the wi fi internet system that comes as part of the rental. There is a landline phone in the apartment, useful for local calls to other landlines, for which there is no charge, although we were asked not to use it to call mobiles.

I would not describe the rent as cheap, but then the location is superb and that comes at a price, and it was good value compared to the very steep prices charged by some of the hotels in this district. SB

Posted by: SB | 27 February 2012 at 11:14

16 rue Gregoire is a hidden gem.Close to the Metro (ODEON), Restaurants, Wine store, Caterers, Grocery store. Apartment is clean with all amenities;dish and clothes washers,bath and shower,microwave and stove top,dihes, cutlery and wine and champagne glasses.Nothing is missing.Quiet.Great books 

WIFI.Prices are reasonable.Get the taxi offered because the cost is a bargain and the driver meets you when youstep out of the arrival gate.I would highly recommend STGER02

Posted by: R.Pharand | 28 September 2011 at 22:48

We mostly agree with the other postings here, although they have rectified the lack of instructions in English. This apartment is in a great location, very busy outside, and very quiet inside. It’s comfortable for two people; perhaps a little threadbare, but like living in your great aunt’s place. About the only downside points were the lack of hangers in the closet, the electrical outlet in the bathroom that could not support the hair dryer, and the less-than-wonderful bed linens. Also, it could use more lighting; a bit dark for our tastes. Furthermore, would be great if there were a clothes dryer along with the washer. The clothes dried fairly quickly hanging over the bathtub, but still…
The taxi driver who met us at CDG and the greeter were both very helpful, and we had no problems with the place itself (other than the hairdryer, which PA replaced pretty promptly.)
One could probably stay within a ten block radius of this apartment, eat very well, and experience great shopping, without going anywhere else in Paris. We especially recommend Fish and Cosi (restaurant and sandwiches respectively.) Right around the corner is a good supermarket, Carrefours.
Overall, would we stay here again? Definitely!

Posted by: Alan and Monica | 06 June 2011 at 05:18

Coté Positive: situation à St Germain des Prés : excellent.
PA Location très professionnel et attentif aux besoins des locataires.
Même si la situation de cet appartement est excellente, l’appartement même est mal-équipé- verres, bouchon pour le bain, ustensiles pour la cuisine.

Posted by: Bruce Stewart | 06 November 2010 at 17:55

STGER02 is an ideal location for touring Paris…very safe, easy walking to many locations, small Metro within a block, large one with RER close as well, restaurants, markets, bakeries at the doorstep and the river is so close. We’ve stayed in many Paris locations and this was perfect. That said, the apartment is fine for two…more than that would be crowded. Photos are deceptive primarily because of windows…both in the living area and bedroom, they face light shafts, so there is no ‘view’ at all and not a lot of light. It is very quiet, however, and, for our October visit, lack of light or breeze was not a problem. There was plenty of closet space and hot water which was a pleasant surprise and, while sparsely furnished, it was comfortable. Since this is clearly a regular rental apartment it would be nice to have more instructions in English (how to use telephone, espresso maker) as well as information about which outlets work with appliances, etc. SCI management was quick to exchange hair dryers when the one in the apartment required a British converter. Only other problem was getting apartment keys. Flight was very late and our contact had another appointment so couldn’t wait for us. He left the keys at a tiny restaurant a few blocks away and it was only luck that we found it. Restaurant next door, which backs on to apartment courtyard would have been MUCH better choice. I would definitely use this agent again.

Posted by: Kate Brody | 10 November 2009 at 23:02

We really enjoyed the apartment, its quiet location in the hub of St Germain, fine for the two of us. I do agree the photos are deceptive–it appears more nicely furnished than it is. We would probably try another of your apartments next time just to mix it up.
Paul Clark and Carol Parrish, Massachusetts

Posted by: Paul Clark | 09 November 2009 at 08:20

NOTRE09 – rue Frederic Sauton, 75005 Paris

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Guest Comments

My husband and I stayed here for 3 and half weeks. Position is perfect, close to ALL things, shops, monuments and the Metro. Room was small but enough for 2 adults. There is no electric dryer but a clothes airer. Towel warmer was more than enough to warm the studio, but there were two other heaters when needed. We had a problem with no hot water after a few days but this was fixed VERY quickly. All contact and arrangements made with the agent were very smooth and professional and I have no hesitation recommending SCI PA. In Australia we are used to no hidden $, the price given is the $ you pay. Not so in other countries, but with here there are not hidden charges, the price is what you pay, makes overseas travel easy to budget for. I researched for 2 years while planning our trip, do your self a favour don’t go past this company, save your self from unexpected charges, their prices are also the best I could find. Will we use them again! YES.

Posted by: Lyn QLD Australia | 19 January 2012 at 11:54

Please note: outside noise. This was tolerable if one shut the window to the outside street and opened the windows to the courtyard, but this allowed mosquitoes to enter. Dryer was a rack. Excellent location. Clean, adequately supplied apartment, although it needs a can opener. Attentive service, if surly, from the agent. The driver who arrived to pick us up at the airport was late, but traffic to the airport was a parking lot that day. Excellent and prompt return service to the airport when we left. All in all, we liked the apartment and felt that we were treated fairly, and would return with a can of bug spray. Yes, SCI takes the credit card number but keeps it secure and operates with integrity.

Posted by: Terrence Oster | 09 September 2011 at 17:22

Although I’ve been to Paris many times, my stay at the apartment on rue Frédéric Sauton was my first experience with SCI PA Location, and they exceeded my expectations in every way. From the reservation process to check-out, everything was handled with professionalism and efficiency.

The apartment itself was very nice as well. The phone didn’t work when I arrived, but they sent a repair person very promptly. Everything else worked perfectly throughout my three-week stay.

As others have commented, the location is great. Being so close to the Latin Quarter does mean that there’s a bit of street noise, particularly on weekends. But the great location more than compensates for any transitory inconvenience.

I’ll definitely be staying with this agency again. Merci mille fois, Fabien!

Posted by: Heather | 28 April 2011 at 11:51

My husband and I stayed at the apartment NOTRE09 last October. This apartment is perfect in every aspect. Perfect location, well equiped and designed. We had all we needed to feel at home. We felt like living in Paris and we promised ourselves to go back to this apt. every time we visit.
The agency is also excellent.From the very begining it was a pleasure to deal with them. The staff was extremly nice and helpfull; not to mention that the apt. was exactly what they showed and promised.
All together it was an excellent experience, and for sure we will be back.

Posted by: S. Aloni | 05 November 2010 at 15:50

We loved this apartment and felt as if we were truly living in Paris. We stayed there for 10 days in early May and reveled in its ideal location, so close to wonderful food shops (for morning croissants and brioche) and a farmer’s market, various Metro stops, and a quick walk over to Ile St. Louis and Ile de la Cite AND just one block away from Notre Dame. What a joy to walk out our door every morning and see this magnificent masterpiece, and to open our windows and hear its bells tolling. Like a beautiful dream. The apartment was a perfect size and nicely laid out and decorated, with great natural light and a clean contemporary feel. We had not been to Paris for 25 years, and staying here was a perfect re-introduction. We are already planning our next trip.

Posted by: kimkellogg01@comcast.net | 30 May 2010 at 18:08

Myself and two others stayed at 5 rue Frederic Sauton in the Latin quarter from August 12 to the 17, 2009. The apartment was very well located and within a few blocks walking distance to the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the main restaurant and pedestrian area of the Latin Quarter. We were also close to St. Germain where there was alternate shopping. We were close to the metro and the ability to be mobile. The apartment was cute and very convenient, and we felt immersed in the culture of Paris while still being close to night life and shops and cafes. The Seine is only a block away, and I really liked staying there. If I were going to Paris again, I would stay there again without question. I have stayed in Paris in other areas previously and felt so distanced from everything. So this apartment was great and we enjoyed our stay in Paris. Marsha from California

Posted by: Marsha Mathews | 06 September 2009 at 01:57

5 rue Frederic Sauton, in which I just spent 10 days, is a delightful location in Quartier Latin.
I came to Paris alone to write and found #5 to be an ideal location for writing, shopping for vegetables, having espresso, and central for exploring Montparnasse, Montmarte, Champ de Mars, Etoile, & Bastille areas, as well as closer neighborhoods.

The double bed is firm, fine for 2 people, lighting is good, washer works well. The TV was not working, but I didn’t need it.

One suggestion to SCI PA Location would be to
have an extra key in the neighborhood, perhaps
with a local merchant. I locked myself out one
evening, after the SCI office had
closed, and had to get a hotel for the night.

Avoid the Musee Picasso: Tacky boutique with
little art.

Posted by: Richard Weston | 08 May 2009 at 01:04

I loved this appartment, am very keen to return to it and would not hesitate to recommend it to friends. It was beautifully clean, had everything I needed for a weeks stay and had good water pressure for the shower. It is a wonderfully central location, and in fact, I have not a single negative comment!

Posted by: Emma Marriott | 07 May 2009 at 16:53

LOUIS18 – quai du Bourbon, 75004 Paris

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Guest Comments

Hi Liam …am just back from Paris, and my stay at 41 Quai de Bourbon.…and you can use this in your website!

…thoroughly enjoyed my stay…second time with Parisbynumbers, and the apartment is beautiful both in its location, views and decor. For me it reflects Paris as it really is…everything works..its comfortable and even in the minus 5 temperatures of mid February…cosy…so thanks once again…and I’ll be back ..

ps…i did my best to leave the apartment as I found it…i hope I was successful. Many thanks Ray

Posted by: Ray O’Donnchadha| 17 February 2012 at 22:40

This is a great apartment if you don’t mind the steep staircase (which I didn’t). It’s beautifully decorated and fully equipped. The service was very friendly and efficient as always. Overall, I give five stars out of five.

Posted by: Alexander Schied | 02 March 2011 at 17:19

This is the second time we have used this agency to book apartment accommodation in Paris. Each time our experience has been fabulous. The professionalism of the staff and quality of the apartments has been excellent. Merci L’equipe SCI.

Posted by: Kathryn Locke | 23 January 2011 at 06:43

I recently spent a wonderful six nights at 41 Quai de Bourbon. The apartment was excellent with atmospherice views over Paris and we would sit each night by the window enjoying the sparkling lights of the city. The apartment was clean, safe, quiet and in an excellent location. Making the reservation was secure and easy and I would most definitely use this company again when we return.
I would like to suggest that a few basic items in the kitchen would have been helpful, especially coffee filter bags for the machine and a few extra toilet rolls. Otherwise wonderful!

Posted by: Lynne van Veen | 16 December 2010 at 05:42

Nous avons loué récemment un de vos appartement (LOUIS18 sur l’Île-Saint-Louis) du 2 au 10 septembre 2010. Quel endroit de rêve ! Génial, à proximité du quartier latin, du Marais sur les bord de la seine.

Outre les escaliers qui sont très surprenantes, surtout pour accéder au dernier palier, nous le recommendons à tous. Les lieux sont très propres et les commodités très agréables. Un bijou au coeur de Paris et très abordable.

Richard et Catherine,
Québec

Posted by: Richard F poirier | 11 October 2010 at 16:21

My husband and I were able to book 41 Quai de Bourbon on short notice for a 4 night stay in September 2010 and do not regret our decision. I felt like a Parisian with my very own home right in the middle of the city.
First, the view is magnificent. Day or night it was a joy to marvel at the boats passing along on the Seine and watch the people walking on the streets below.
Second, the location makes a number of the metro lines very accessible. You can reach almost all the areas of Paris and the major sights (including the airport and Versailles) without transferring lines which can be a real time saver. We used the St. Michel, St. Paul, and Pont Marie stops.
Third, the apartment is well-provisioned with everything you can possibly need — wifi, flat screen TV, telephone for local calls, refrigerator, microwave, washer and dryer, hair dryer, etc. The only thing you may need to bring is an alarm clock and a frying pan.
We found the apartment building very quiet. We only saw other residents from the other apartments on the Saturday that we arrived. We never heard anyone else, maybe because we were on the top floor. The street is very safe. My only negative comment is that we did see men (plural) urinating on the street against several buildings one night, but that seemed to be a very common occurrence in Paris and not limited to this street.
While the stairs may have prevented us from making too many trips in and out of the apartment, we would not hesitate to stay at this address again if it were available for our next visit. We would highly recommend it to any of our friends who are reasonably fit. We climbed many more stairs in Paris than the ones here — Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, Tour Eiffel. It was great exercise.
The people from the agency were very accommodating and easy to work with before our arrival. We were met with no fuss even though we were an hour late for our meeting time because of delays with the RER. And for the departure you simply leave the keys in the apartment and close the door.
Book this apartment and start making plans for an unforgettable vacation!

Posted by: Joycelyn Koehler | 30 September 2010 at 23:33

We enjoyed our stay at 41 Quai Bourbon (Jan 17-22) enormously. Yes there are the stairs’ to negotiate and with luggage that is nothing to scoff at, but once you open that door and take a look out the window the stairs are instantly forgotten.

The location is excellent, being central to many Parisian attractions and
when you are too tired to walk or you want to venture further afield there are train stations close by. Sadly the Batobus were on their annual low season break during our stay but I could see that this would have been anideal mode of transport for guests at Quai Bourbon. The ‘Velib’ bike hire system across Paris was also a fabulous inexpensive way to get around (NB:you need a Credit Card with a micro chip for the security deposit) with pick-up & drop off locations close by.

We really appreciated the internet access and about the only thing I can
suggest to the owners would be to make it wireless, everything else is first rate. We shared the apartment with our 10 year old son which did make things cosy but not uncomfortable. Intelligent design and inclusion of clever fixtures and fittings make the small kitchen and bathroom a pleasure
to use.

I cannot speak highly enough about the professionalism of the staff. Their communication was excellent with appropriate contact leading
up to our stay and prompt responses to all questions. They were on time and thorough with our arrival paperwork and apartment orientation and instructions.

If you can cope with a few flights of stairs then book this apartment. You
won’t be disappointed! Tamara & Stuart Yee, Australia

Posted by: Tamara & Stuart Yee | 11 February 2010 at 10:46

Me and 2 friends of mine stayed there from december 26th to january 4th.
After almost dying climbing the stairs, we were amazed with what we found! A beatifull apartment, very well decorated, with a confortable bed and sofa. Everything was new (the fridge, the washing machine, the microwave and so on. The view was a bonus. And what a bonus! I would stay there again easily. But we must say: the stairs are the sacrifice you will have to face, before you get the reward.

Posted by: Heliomar Manzo | 09 January 2010 at 15:05

We echo all of the positive responses written about 41 Quai Bourbon. The apartment suited our needs perfectly and the 6 flights of stairs (even the final steps which are more like a ladder) just gave our fitness levels an edge for all of the walking that is an essential part of being in Paris! The apartment is very well designed and little touches like the remote skylights are a real bonus. The bed is fairly basic but surprisingly comfortable and the kitchen and bathroom cleverly utilise space and are well provisioned. There is plenty of natural light and the night lighting is very cleverly planned to give the feeling of separate spaces within the apartment. The view from the two large windows is spectacular and the placement of the apartment at the western tip of Ile St Louis means that you have the feeling of being quite private. Double glazing on the windows also provides a brilliant shut down of the persistent police sirens that seem to suggest Paris is always in the grip of some emergency! It is a great little apartment for two and the fold out bed means another one could be accomodated although the apartment is clearly made for a couple.

We loved staying there and the 41 Quai Bourbon will be our selection for our next visit to Paris. The management of the apartment was also very professional and we appreciated the thoroughness of the staff when booking, in emailing prior to our arrival to confirm times, and in cheerfully greeting us on time at the apartment.

Posted by: Anne Walters | 12 October 2009 at 00:19

Decathlon and GO SPORT – great for ski clothing and gear in Paris

Just a reminder about a very early post which continues to be one of the most read posts on our Blog: DECATHLON – Great Value Sports Gear.

Along with GO SPORT, they are the best places in Paris to buy ski clothing and gear. I would rate Decathlon better for the quality of it’s own brand and GO SPORT for a range of recognised brands.

AUTOLIB – up and driving !

Following up on my post from this time last year when I was anticipating the introduction of the electric car rental scheme for the city. AUTOLIB has arrived and is already as successful as Velib is for bikes !

Rental rates are flexible – here is a link to the charges. Essentially you can subscribe for a day for €10, a week for €15 and a year for €144. You then pay per half hour of use starting at €5 if you are on the yearly sub and €7 if you are on either the daily or weekly sub. I will be signing up on my next visit to Paris !

 

Restaurant Recommendations for a W/E in Paris

These two restaurants are in Saint Germain  and I like both for different reasons. Polidor (featured in Woody Allens’ Midnight in Paris) is good fun, lively and great value whereas Lipp is more formal and expensive but has a great buzz and offers a classic brasserie experience. http://parisapartmentsbynumbers.wordpress.com/?s=polidorhttp://parisapartmentsbynumbers.wordpress.com/2010/09/20/brasserie-lipp-yes-it-was-worth-it/

This next one, Les Gourmets des Ternes  is just off Place des Ternes not far from Arc de Triomphe. Mid price, very lively. I have been at least three times – renowned for it’s boeuf http://parisapartmentsbynumbers.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/les-gourmets-des-ternes-best-rhum-baba-in-paris/  

Bofinger in Bastille is one of the top brasseries in the city and is renowned for it’s Fruit de Mer: http://parisapartmentsbynumbers.wordpress.com/2009/12/24/bofinger-at-bastille-probably-the-oldest-and-classiest-brasserie-in-paris/

This is a less formal but great Alsacian brasserie on Ile St Louis where I live when in Paris. Ile St Louis is wonderful to stroll around and outside Brasserie Ile St Louis beside the pedestrian bridge connecting it to Ile de la Cite and Notre Dame is a super spot to take a café/beer on a sunny spring day!

http://parisapartmentsbynumbers.wordpress.com/2009/12/07/my-favourite-brasserie-in-paris/

See Paris from the saddle of a Fat Tire Bike !

I asked friends who visited Paris recently (mid-Jan 2012) for their “top tip” for guests of Parisbynumbers. They recommended taking a Fat Tire Bike Tour (run by Americans) for fun, exercise and efficiency when it comes to getting around the city to see the sights.

Check out Fat Tire Bike Tours 24 rue Edgar Faure (near Tour Eiffel)“ Their standard day tour takes 4 hours and costs €28 for an adult. In the quiet season they have one daily at 11am and in peak season, there is a second tour at 3pm. They also have night tours, Versailles tours, wine tasting tours etc. and, what could be very useful in peak season, “skip the line” tours for the Eiffel Tower and other visitor attractions in the city.