Questions and Answers

 

MAKING YOUR RESERVATION:
 

How much does the apartment cost?

The rates are: 185 USD per night, 1200 USD per week, 2300 USD for 2 weeks, with further discounts for longer stays.
Payment can be made by check in USD.  Payment may also be made by wire transfer and PayPal.
A separate damage deposit of $500 US is also required before arrival.  (We only charge for major damage, lost keys, or locksmith bills.)

 

What does the rent include? 

The rent includes gas and electricity, wireless high speed internet, cable TV, local calls and calls to landlines in the US, Canada, and Europe. Cleaning before and after departure; bed and bathroom linens, greeting upon arrival, and checkout upon departure. Our local Paris representative is also available to answer questions and respond to emergencies.

Mid-rental cleaning and laundry can be arranged for an additional fee, which you can discuss directly with our Paris manager. (There is a washer/dryer in the apartment, but in the French tradition, this can be a very slow process for large loads and things like towels and linens. A good, fast laundromat is one block away from the apartment for larger loads.)

 

How do I make a reservation?

Please send us your inquiry by using the "Contact" page of this website to inquire about availability. Or you may contact us at charmingparisapt@gmail.com to discuss the details of your stay. We will then send you a short contract sheet summarizing these details. You can pay by check in US dollars. When we receive the signed contract and a 50% rental deposit, we will confirm your booking. (We will also accept wire transfers)

 

How and when is final payment made?

The remaining 50% payment is due 60 days before your arrival date.  At the time of final payment, a damage deposit (in the amount of $500 US) will also be required. The damage deposit will be shredded after all keys are returned and final cleaning and inventory are done.
(If you prefer that the damage deposit check be returned, please do let us know.) We only charge for major damage to the apartment, lost keys, or locksmith bills, not minor breakage.

 

What is your cancellation policy?

If cancellation occurs 60 days or less prior to arrival date, there will be no refund. If cancellation occurs 61 to 90 days prior to arrival date, your 50% deposit will not be refunded. If cancellation occurs 91 or more days prior to arrival date, we will refund half your deposit. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.

 

YOUR ARRIVAL AT THE APARTMENT:

How will I find the apartment and get the keys when I arrive in Paris?

Prior to your departure you will be sent detailed instructions for arriving at the apartment. Our local Paris representative will meet you at the apartment, give you the keys, and familiarize you with the apartment and the neighborhood.

 

Is there an elevator? What floor is the apartment located on?

The apartment is on the third and top floor and there is no elevator. There are 55 steps with two large landings, good handrails and bright hallway lighting.  Please note also that access to the apartment is by pedestrian access only (approximately 250 feet from either direction) and is paved in cobblestones.

 

Are bed linens and towels provided?

Bed linens and towels (including a clean change of linens) will be provided upon your arrival. Pre-arrival and post-departure laundry and cleaning of the apartment are included in your rent payment. Mid-rental cleaning and laundry can be arranged for an additional fee.

 

YOUR STAY AT THE APARTMENT:

How big is the apartment? How many people will it accommodate?

The apartment measures approximately 40 square meters (approximately 420 square feet), and has a living room with double sleeper sofa, separate bedroom with queen-size bed, a large kitchen (for Paris) and a split bath: one bath has a sink, lots of storage, and a tub/shower, while the w/c in the entry has a toilet, sink, and storage. The floor plan allows one to three people to occupy the apartment comfortably.

 

Will I be able to cook in the kitchen?  How equipped is it?

The kitchen is a full kitchen and big by Parisian standards. There is a full size (French sized) refrigerator with a small freezer, a toaster, microwave, four burner electric stove, a large oven, a dishwasher and a washer/dryer combo. There is a drip-style coffeemaker and a French press too. The kitchen has everything you need to make your fabulous feasts.  Pots and pans, saucepans, a Le Creuset casserole, and various utensils. There are plenty of dishes, glasses,  and cutlery.  You'll also find aprons, tablecloths and placemats.

 

How much laundry will I be able to do?

There is a new washer/dryer combo in the apartment.  However, French machines do not take the large loads many of us may be used to. Please do only small loads. Drying especially takes longer in French machines.  I am not exaggerating when I say one small load may take over 2 hours to dry completely.  A laundromat with huge, fast machines is only a block away, and we usually take our larger loads, bed linens, and towels there.

 

Is this a "Non-Smoking" apartment?     Yes, this is definitely a "Non-Smoking" apartment. 

 

Is there air-conditioning?  No. Like most charming, historic apartments in Paris, the building does not support air conditioning units. We do have fans to keep you cool, and the 2 large casement windows can be opened very wide. Because the apartment is on the top floor, there is often a fresh breeze to cool things off.

 

Is there anything I should bring?

Because the apartment flooring is all hardwood and tile, it might be a good idea to bring a pair of slippers.  We provide tissues, toilet paper, laundry, dishwashing, and hand soap.  You should also bring your own shampoo and personal toiletries, though these are also provided in case you forget.

 

Is the apartment appropriate for young children or pets?

The apartment is not appropriate for children under 12 years of age or for pets.

 

Does the apartment have cable TV and internet access?

Yes, it has cable TV offering many channels, including several English speaking channels. The apartment has wireless internet access; you will need to bring your own laptop computer or other device. There is also a printer for printing out boarding passes if you need to. On arrival, our Paris representative will help you get connected to the secure internet service.

 

What about telephone usage at the apartment?

There is a landline telephone in the apartment. You can receive all incoming calls and make outgoing calls to local numbers, as well as landlines in the US, Canada and Europe.

 

Is the apartment quiet and safe?

The apartment is very safe and quiet because Cour Damoye is a private pedestrian street, and no cars, motorcycles or garbage trucks are permitted to enter. The front and back gates of Cour Damoye are locked at around 7:00 p.m. each evening, and access is restricted to residents and their guests through use of their keys and the intercom system. There are security cameras and a resident gardien, in case of emergency. In addition, the windows in the apartment are double paned.

 

What about insurance and liability for theft or damage to our possessions or injury to us?

You are responsible for obtaining trip cancellation, accident and illness insurance coverage, and insurance for your personal possessions. Check with your insurance carrier before you leave, because these things may already be covered by your health and homeowner's policies. We cannot be responsible for damage to or theft of renters' personal property or personal injury or death of renters or their guests.

 

GETTING AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD:

Where will I find groceries and other items I need to buy?

There are several good grocery stores and bakeries very near the apartment. Also, just across the street there is Paris’ largest open air market each Sunday and Thursday -- the Bastille market.  An Asian grocery store is about a block and a half away on Rue de Lappe.

 

Are there fun things to do nearby?

Yes! There are many night spots on Rue de Lappe, Rue de la Roquette and other places in the Marais and Bastille area.  The Paris Opera Bastille is right across the street! There are two multi-screen movie theaters within 5 minutes of the apartment, and they do feature English-language films. This area is known as the trendiest part of Paris right now.

 

GETTING AROUND THE CITY:

What is the closest Metro station?

Getting around town is easy since there is a Metro stop and three Metro lines (1, 5 and 8) at Bastille, steps away from the apartment. The closest Metro entrance is right outside the front gate of Cour Damoye, on Place de la Bastille.

 

What about taxi and bus service?

Several bus lines stop at Place de la Bastille. And the taxi station is just across the street in front of the Opera Bastille. 

 

How far is it to Place des Vosges, Île Saint Louis, Notre Dame, the Louvre, and other famous sights?

From the apartment it is a 5-minute walk to Place des Vosges and a 10- 15minute walk to the Seine and Île Saint Louis. The apartment is on the edge of the Marais and within easy walking distance to the Picasso Museum, the Carnavalet Museum and the home of Victor Hugo. It is a 15- 20-minute walk to Notre Dame and a short (10-minute) Metro ride on Line #1 directly into the ground floor entrance of the Louvre. To the right of the Opéra de la Bastille is the beginning of the Viadux des Arts (also known as the Promenade Plantée - a unique garden planted the length of an old railway viaduct, offering a pleasant stroll  or a run as far as the Bois de Vincennes at the eastern boundary of Paris.  It's Paris' version of New York City's High-Line.

 

I'm not familiar with this part of Paris, will I be able to find my way around?

The best part of this neighborhood is that it's outside the typical crowded tourist areas, but still so close to everything you want to see, and so vibrant with life. You will feel like a local in your own special pied a terre, yet you can be at the Place des Vosges in 5 minutes, or Notre Dame and the Latin Quarter in 15. Because you are steps from the Bastille Monument,  you only have to look up to see the Angel on top of the monument, to find your way home.  Also, you have the convenience of the Bastille Metro steps from your door.  Without having to change train lines, you can get to the Champs Elysees, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre,  Montmartre, and more, within minutes.