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Breakfast in my Paris rental

 

Over the years I’ve tried different forms of accommodation on my visits to Paris,  everything from staying in boutique hotels to living with a host, or host family to keep up my French.

My preference, however, is renting an apartment, especially for a longer stay.  This accommodation back in 2018** was a huge success.

Large and airy space looking from the hall into the living room

 

It is a spacious pied-à-terre and that is saying something because apartments in Paris are notoriously small, in the 17th arrondissement, which is located on the Right Bank in the northwestern part of Paris, also known as Plateau Monceau.

 

It’s a neighbourhood often overlooked because of its lack of big tourist attractions, which of course is why I like it. No crowds and no tourists!

Primarily a residential area, I just loved that right around the corner and down the tree-lined streets of the four to seven-storey buildings, there are a variety of stylish cafés, and bistros buzzing with real French people. And mere steps away, I can also pick up my morning croissant and baguette still warm from the oven at the local bakery!

Paris rentals are not always this lovely.

 

This lodging was built in 1879 in the Haussmann style that swept Paris in that era. Baron Haussmann was an architect and a french political figure who drastically renovated Paris. The apartment has two large bedrooms and a living room with oak chevron parquet flooring, 12-foot ceilings, a marble fireplace, traditional plaster crown mouldings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and even a small balcony overlooking the leafy neighbourhood.

The owner, Régis, a stately gentleman (also of a certain age), rents his home for half the year while he and his family spend six months in Le Périgord, a region in the southwest part of the country.  “Home to the best black truffles in all of France!” Regis exclaims with obvious pride. Having a black truffle omelette with a glass of white wine is on my list of things to do!

This Paris rental was like moving right into a family home. So comfortable.

Régis comes from a distinguished French family.

One his ancestor’s 19th-century portrait portrays and with his love of books, art, oriental carpets and antiques, I felt right at home and never wanted to leave!

 

There are several sites where you can look for an apartment in Paris on Google and these are constantly changing.

**And note this apartment may no longer be available on Airbnb where I rented it.

With thousands and thousands of listings though, there is lots to choose from so enjoy the search!

 

Brought to you by www.womanofacertainageinparis.com

Did you read my blog called French Kissing?  Click here to see it!

11 Comments

  1. Karen poshtar on October 14, 2018 at 7:42 pm

    Great to experience Paris even if it is second handd! What is the cost of the apartment for a month?

    • Diana Bishop on October 14, 2018 at 9:07 pm

      Hi Karen — I found it on Homeaway.ca for $163 CAD a night. There are no monthly rates. Thanks for reading my blog!

  2. Janis Seaman on October 15, 2018 at 10:36 am

    What a beautiful spot! I’m really enjoying your blog of Paris through your lens mostly because my first and only experience in Paris was a disappointment. I had all the movie scenes running through my head that I was unable to search out! I think you would be a fab guide for the “Woman of a Certain Age” tour ?

    • Diana Bishop on October 15, 2018 at 11:02 am

      Thank you Janis! I am so thrilled you have subscribed to my blog. And yes Woman Of a Certain Age in Paris tours are on the horizon along with other products and services women who love all things Paris might like. Please let me know if there are any subjects that interest you in particular!

  3. Nena West on November 22, 2018 at 9:38 pm

    I am liking your blog. I am a francophile, love,love love Paris and all that France has to offer. I too am “of a certain age” I just returned from a wonderful trip to Paris,I was ready to go back on the flight home.

    • Diana Bishop on November 22, 2018 at 9:46 pm

      Nena,
      Thank you so much for your kind note! I am glad you found my blog and thank you for reading it. I will be having a lot of interesting promotions in the future so stay tuned! And please continue to leave your comments!

  4. Sandra on December 14, 2018 at 11:03 am

    What a lovely blog! My head and heart are always in Paris even when I’m back in the States. I’ve been traveling to France since 1967 without a single negative experience.

    As I’ve gotten older I appreciate the convenience of “un appart”. Could you please share the contact information for your place in the 17th?

    Looking forward to returning to Paris with you through your blog.

    • Diana Bishop on December 14, 2018 at 7:16 pm

      Sandra,

      Thank you for your comments. I would love to hear more about your experiences in Paris. I hope
      you will continue to share them with all of us.

      I found this apartment on AirBnB. The owner rents it out for 6 months of the year. I cannot currently find
      it again on the site but I will keep trying and send you the link as soon as I do.

      You can also try by putting in that you are looking for a
      two bedroom apartment in Plaine-Monceau — $168.00 CAD a night. 78 m squared. Hope that helps. Diana

  5. lagatta à Montréal on December 17, 2018 at 11:21 am

    Le bon coin sounds interesting! I’ve often done flatstays – most usually exchanges with Parisians (and also Lyonnais) visiting Montréal. I don’t like eating out 2 or three times a day; reminds me too much of working at conferences and staying alone in a hotel room. I love grocery shopping, not only at markets and little shops, but also supermarkets, as I’m always intrigued by what is commonly on offer and how much space different food, and néfaste-food items take up. For example, in Italy there is not a lot of junk food such as crisps and related items

    That is a pleasant area and you are close both to Parc Monceau and Square des Batignolles, and there are popular street markets nearby. Nowadays you can take the tram around the outer edge of Paris proper and get off and walk into a wide range of neighbourhoods.

    I’d be looking for smaller and cheaper, but I’m sure there wouldn’t be a problem with that sort of site – the problem is ensuring both actual availability and the decent state of the flat.

    • Diana Bishop on December 17, 2018 at 11:48 am

      Thank you for your comments. I too like to stay where I can make my meals from time to time, and visit the local markets for fresh produce.
      I have not had any luck with a home exchange (what you call a flat stay?)
      in Paris as not too many people want to exchange to come to my home in Collingwood! However having said that, I will be going to Cannes in September exchanging with a family who will be a road trip to my area. Very exciting. Best to you — and thank you for reading my blog!

  6. lagatta à Montréal on December 17, 2018 at 1:47 pm

    Collingwood is in a lovely setting and has an attractive historic centre, but it is true that people from Paris proper would be more likely to seek out a place in central Toronto. Many Parisians don’t drive. I’m sure many people from France would love Georgian Bay.

    I don’t drive so seek out places that are walkable and have good public transport. My precise location has a walk score of 97% and a cycling score of 99%. But that doesn’t take into account the freezing rain we had last week…

    On another subject, Simons often has smart hair accessories, and there are more luxe ones on Laurier avenue in Outremont.

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