Carole picked us up in her Toyota Yaris and presented us with a list of apartments, ten in total, spread out all across the city. After a quick introduction we were off!
I'd like to take this opportunity to say that, with each passing day, my resolve to NEVER drive in Paris grows stronger. Our hostess was a great driver but this trip was more thrilling than a lot of roller coasters I've been on. We kept coming to these huge roundabouts and there are no lanes, like there are in the U.S. It quickly turns completely chaotic, and to make matters even worse, motorcycles and bicycles are zooming in and out between all the cars and buses.
The pedestrians aren't any better, most seem completely oblivious to all traffic lights and signals. They just walk out into traffic and hope no one hits them. I've been trying to wait for the green walk signal when I go out, but oftentimes cars will just zoom through the red lights, so that's not necessarily any safer.
It was sort of terrifying... and I was in the back seat with an obstructed view. Poor Melanie was in the passenger seat up front, witnessing the maelstrom firsthand. To her credit she only slammed on her air brake half a dozen times, and only attempted to climb out through the roof twice.
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| Other than the helmet, I'm pretty sure this is how Melanie looked all day |
APARTMENT #1
The first apartment we looked at was in the 6th district and it was a bit of an eye-opener. It probably looked great in the pictures but the floor creaked and it wasn't very nicely furnished. Melanie and I shot each other looks. What if they are ALL like this?
APARTMENT #2
The next apartment, also in the 6th, was nicer, but like the first one it hadn't been renovated in awhile and the floors creaked loudly with every step. It had some very nice features but it wasn't quite right for us.
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| This flat had a beautiful rustic dining room, complete with an antique stove |
APARTMENT #3
The next flat was in an old mansion at the end of a private lane. The apartment was nicely furnished but it wasn't very big. It would be a great place to live for someone with a car, but without one we would have had a long walk to the closest restaurants and shops.
APARTMENT #4
We REALLY liked the next apartment at the outskirts of the 16th district. It was big, very elegant, recently renovated, and as it was on the 10th floor it had amazing views out towards La Defense. You could even see the Eiffel Tower from the dining room! On the negative side, it was sparsely furnished, it felt more American than Parisian, and there were very few shops or restaurants nearby.
APARTMENT #5
Another very nice apartment. This was similar to the last place we looked at only with better furnishings. Sadly it had no view. I don't think there were too many shops or cafes near this one, either.
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| I've seen these same clear plastic dining room chairs in a number of furnished flats. They must be very popular. |
APARTMENT #6
This apartment, in the 11th, was nice but we were not crazy about the area as there was a lot of graffiti, even on some of the monuments, which made us sad.
APARTMENT #7 (OUR FAVORITE)
Melanie walked into this apartment and immediately said under her breath, "This is it." We were excited to come visit this one because it's only about a two minute walk from my office and there are lots of cafes and shops nearby. (There's even a nice bistro right next to the building!)
Here are a few pictures:
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| The apartment is on the top floor of this building -- you can see Bistro d'Edmond right next door |
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| This is a shot from just inside the front door |
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| The kitchen is very... white |
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| The bathroom includes a washer/dryer, bathtub, and shower |
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| The master bedroom |
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| The second bedroom with a desk and fold out trundle bed |
This is the perfect apartment for the two of us, but it won't be quite as nice when we have guests as there is only one small toilet and one bathtub/shower. Still, we love the location:
- 2 minute walk to work
- 2 minute walk to a supermarket
- cafes and restaurants everywhere
- 7 minute walk to the Paris Opera
- 12 minute walk to Jardin des Tuileries
- 15 minute walk to the Louvre
- 17 minute walk to the Seine
- 35 minute walk to Notre Dame
The next flat, in the 15th, was a bit on the small side. But unlike any other apartment we looked at this one had a little outdoor terrace that was full of beautiful flowers and tall climbing plants and vines. There was a wooden table there with two candles and I could see us eating out there almost every night that it wasn't raining. But the rest of the apartment wasn't quite right for us.
APARTMENT #9
We were unable to see this apartment today, but we can check it out tomorrow if we like. (Not sure we need to.)
APARTMENT #10
This apartment was also very close to my office, and it was huge and beautifully furnished. It even had a library/study that, strangely, doubled as a dining room. Melanie thought it was too dark and very... masculine... (There were a lot of heavy antique chairs and dressers, and the flat contained a plethora of wooden ship models.) It was quite a bit more expensive than the apartment we ultimately picked out (#7 above).
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Whew! What a day. We're exhausted. Our long day was made even longer because, in addition to it being Fashion Week here in Paris, Vladimir Putin is in town and there are military police and roadblocks everywhere.
Carole will contact the agent and owner on Monday and let them know about our offer. We've got our fingers crossed!
The bedroom on number 7 looks so spacious and pretty!!
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