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Our new apartment in Paris!

February 28, 2013 by Brenda Prowse 26 Comments

Our tiny, 450 sq. ft. apartment is located on the left bank just across the Seine from Notre Dame. We look right at that beautiful cathedral. We checked out 9 different apartments that we found on the internet, noting in the process that www.pap.fr  was the easiest site to navigate. Apartments with more square footage did not equate to better condition or better neighborhood, so we chose a smaller place with the best location and remodel job. It was surprising how few options we had for furnished long term rentals. Wouldn’t you know it the first apartment we looked at was the best one! Of course we didn’t understand how nice it was until we compared. I’ll post a gallery of photos so you can look around.

We have a small bedroom with windows opening to a non traffic street. All the apartment windows are double glazed, which is good because the road in front has heavy traffic. There is a cozy reading nook with lots of cushions, a living room with couch/pull out bed, and a wooden table that can expand to seat 6. The tiny kitchen is open to the living room. It contains dishwasher, washing machine, refrigerator, microwave (which can also be used for grilling or roasting) 2 burner electric cook top, fan with hood and cabinets for glasses, dishes, pots and pans. The bathroom is tiled with marble floors and walls, though one whole wall is mirrored, and there is tub/shower and double sinks. The heat is electric (3 separate wall units.) Water is heated with gas. We have great Internet access and a flat screen TV. Apart from the marble bath, all other  flooring is wood.

The landlord provides an iron and ironing board, vacuum cleaner, mop, swifter, toaster, coffee maker, cooking utensils, bedding-though you buy your own sheets, towels and pillow cases. Our biggest problem was where to store the suitcases-they are stacked  atop a small cabinet in the bedroom. All walls are white. Windows have privacy/sun shades.

View of Notre Dame through the snow
living room
Living room with dining table, hide a bed, storage for Duvee and pillows in the ottoman, TV
Window seat
To the left of the living room near the windows is this window seat built in – it’s a great place to read or just enjoy the view
kitchen
Our tiny modern kitchen has a dishwasher, clothes washer, sink, refrigerator, cooktop, microwave and convection oven, and a little space for all the food and dishes. No wonder we go to the market every day.
kitchen
Another shot of the kitchen
bedroom
The bedroom is tiny and view a narrow side street with little traffic, though the noisy street in front of the house is still noisy here. The bed is a standard French double – smaller than a queen but it’s comfortable. One wall in the bedroom is the closet for the whole apartment
bathroom
The bath is the most spacious and nice that we saw. Marble with a shower and tub and double sink.

Filed Under: Living Tagged With: apartment, moving

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bob Spader says

    February 28, 2013 at 2:31 pm

    Looks very livable at 450 sq. ft. Must make you think about the “need” for some of the bigger houses back in Kitsap County.

    Reply
    • Brenda Prowse says

      March 1, 2013 at 1:51 pm

      Hi, Bob, Hugh and I were just talking about our home in Poulsbo and wondering why we had built such a large place for only 2 people.

      Reply
  2. Karen Estes says

    February 28, 2013 at 2:33 pm

    It’s gorgeous! So light & modern!

    Reply
    • Brenda Prowse says

      March 1, 2013 at 2:38 pm

      Hi, Karen, I love the reading “nook” where I can hide out, view Notre Dame out the north window and practice French. It is still very cold here so I wrap up in the duvet!

      Reply
  3. Dianne Rodway says

    February 28, 2013 at 3:44 pm

    Wonderful choice and now you REALLY get to start living your life in Paris!

    Reply
    • Brenda Prowse says

      March 1, 2013 at 2:22 pm

      Hi Dianne, we are starting to explore our new neighborhood. This morning we went on a 2 hour walking tour of the Latin Quarter. It was called “Hemingway’s Walks” and was led by a wonderful, humorous and bright Englishman named Chris who works for “Paris Walks.” He led us down the Mouffetard market street, into the historic church of St. Etienne-du-Mont(the side steps of this church are where Woody Allen had Owen Wilson wait for the time machine car to transport him to 1920’s Paris in his movie “Midnight in Paris.” We also walked into the courtyard where James Joyce holed up in a friend’s apartment wrote and later revised “Ulysses.” We saw the outside of the apartment where Hadley and Ernest Hemingway first stayed when they moved to Paris. I was glad that I had read “The Paris Wife” and “A Moveable Feast” not too long ago as our guide made several references to it-even read some excerpts from The books. Chris highly recommended another book called “Quartet” by Jean Rhys, a mid 20th century novelist best known for her book, “Wide Sargasso Sea.” See the Paris Walks web site for more information about all the Paris Tours that Hugh and I will be enjoying.

      Reply
  4. Debbie Nitsche says

    February 28, 2013 at 3:45 pm

    It looks perfect. How sweet. I LOVE the photo of Notre Dame in the snow. I am so happy for you two!!!

    Reply
    • Brenda Prowse says

      March 1, 2013 at 3:03 pm

      Hi Deb, we stumbled into Notre Dame the day before yesterday and were lucky enough to be able to take a tour with an English speaking guide. She was so knowledgeable- only comes to Paris once a month to give these tours to benefit Parisian students.

      Reply
  5. Daniel Fischer says

    February 28, 2013 at 4:06 pm

    Have you seen any hunchbacks across the river?

    Reply
    • Brenda Prowse says

      March 1, 2013 at 1:50 pm

      Hi Dan, yes, just last night we saw several!

      Reply
  6. Niki Curry says

    February 28, 2013 at 5:01 pm

    Fabulous! Must be nice to finally be settled in.

    Reply
    • Brenda Prowse says

      March 1, 2013 at 2:59 pm

      Hi Niki, it is nice to be here and be able to concentrate on other things besides apartment search. We are starting to explore the neighborhood.

      Reply
  7. Dale says

    February 28, 2013 at 10:13 pm

    You and Hugh are in the heart of Paris!!!

    Reply
    • Brenda Prowse says

      March 1, 2013 at 2:57 pm

      Hi Dale, yes it is a wonderful location. It was quite fun searching for the place. The rental paperwork was very complicated and detailed but definitely worth it.

      Reply
  8. Rick says

    February 28, 2013 at 10:50 pm

    That is very near where Louise and I stayed in the Latin Quarter. Great spot you guys got.

    Reply
  9. Vivi Ann Parnell says

    March 1, 2013 at 1:12 am

    What a darling place. Not much like an ordinary apt. in central Paris. Live your Parisian life to the fullest in the best location.

    Reply
    • Brenda Prowse says

      March 1, 2013 at 2:55 pm

      Thanks Vivi Ann. Hope that you are getting in some good gardening days. Bonne journèe.

      Reply
  10. Denise Bauman says

    March 1, 2013 at 5:16 am

    I just logged in to your blog tonight. Did I ever tell you that our daughter spent a year (actually less) when she was studying linguistics at Georgetown. She said that it was hard being away from friends in a big city where it WAS very lonely.But she travelled alone and stayed with a family that was kind of weird. You have encountered my impressions, very modern and yet small. We’ll see how you do moving from such a big place to such a small one.

    Reply
    • Brenda Prowse says

      March 1, 2013 at 2:53 pm

      Hi Denise, so nice to hear from you! I didn’t realize that your daughter had lived here in Paris. Thinking of you and Jeff and hoping that spring is coming soon to Poulsbo. Hello to your mom and dad too.

      Reply
  11. Christine says

    March 1, 2013 at 10:48 pm

    Love your apartment….not too sure where Hoover could find a corner…..Love ya…Christine

    Reply
    • Hugh Nelson says

      March 1, 2013 at 10:51 pm

      There’s a really nice couch in the corner where Hoover could hang out. Good view of the street but out of sight from the living room.

      Reply
  12. Jan Hiatt says

    March 2, 2013 at 1:59 am

    Oh that is such a wonderful apartment! I can see you settling down very nicely into life there! Speaking of books, Susan Vreeland has a couple wonderful ones about the late 1800’s impressionist art world in Paris- “Luncheon of the Boating Party ” and “Life Studies”. Reading them, watching the world go by where they are based, would be good…. *jealous*

    Reply
  13. Kathryn says

    March 2, 2013 at 9:44 am

    Hi Brenda and Hugh ~ looks wonderful….what a great location! I loved the Rue Mouffetard…..I am about to start the Paris Wife….and I’ll look to your blog for info for our upcoming trip!
    Cheers….

    Reply
  14. Gay Brownlee says

    March 8, 2013 at 11:02 pm

    It appears you two have everything you need: each other and the possibility to live your dream! I don’t think it could get much better than that.

    Reply
  15. Gretchen Pickens says

    March 24, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    Brenda & Hugh, You have found the perfect spot ! When I moved into just 850 sq.ft, I realized who needs more ?- and yours is 1/2 that.
    The location is the best. Your realtor expertise comes through.

    All is great here. My 17year old grand daughter spent last weekend here with me, we had such a good time – movies, shopping,eating and just hanging out
    together. She will be off to college next year, not sure where yet. My grandson in California will be going to Boise State next year.

    Great to hear from you. Hugs, Gretchen and Daisy Mae.

    Reply
  16. offre d emploi fonction publique says

    June 22, 2013 at 8:52 pm

    Every weekend i used to go to see this web site, because i want enjoyment, for the reason that this this site conations actually pleasant funny stuff too.

    Reply

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