VACATION RENTAL

IS THE AREA SAFE?

The neighbourhood is absolutely safe including for females late at night. Young people are settling here since 25 years including many single women. So there is a good mix of ages now. Many new restaurants, delicatessen and stores have sprouted to accommodate the new arrivals.

WHAT ARE THE AMENITIES IN THE AREA - IS THE RENTAL IN A CALM STREET?

(See map "Neighbourhood" on lower part of "Photos" page). The area retains its old calm flavour in certain streets while others are lively with shops and markets. The apartment is in a tranquil street while 1 to 2 blocks away you have several restaurants, delicatessen stores, cafés, stores and bakeries, a late night store, several super markets.
The post office, the bus stop are one minute away. Within a block you also have a park, a theatre, an ATM machine.
Within 7 minutes walk you are dead center in the Bastille area which starts nearby. There you have all the choices and variety you can expect from an internationally renowned area but less of the daily life facilities that are all around the apartment.

IS THE BUILDING AND APARTMENT FIT FOR DISABLED PEOPLE? HOW DO WE GO ABOUT VISITING PARIS WHEN DISABLED?

The building and apartment are not fully equipped to receive disabled people. However those with slight disability (for example who can walk a little but do need an armchair) will find devices to make their day an easier experience: Entrance of building has 2 sets of 3 steps each with grab bars. The apartment is on the first floor (European – second floor American) and is reachable with a lift. The shower equipped bathroom has a sitting tub with a grab bar.

Finding a museum in Paris, accessible to disabled people … an adapted cultural venue:
http://en.parisinfo.com/what-to-see-in-paris/info/guides/culture-and-disability/adapted-museums-and-monuments-in-paris/museums-and-monuments-in-paris-with-the-tourisme-and-handicap-label

Finding a Bus, metro, RER and tramway services accessible to disabled people in Paris and the Paris region:
http://en.parisinfo.com/paris-map/disabled-people-access-transports/public-transport-accessibility/

HOW FAR IS THE APARTMENT FROM THE DIFFERENT SIGHT SEEING SPOTS OR FROM THE CENTER?

There is no Down Town, no Centre apart from geographic. The city is made of many "villages" all scattered in different parts of town. Wherever you are in the city you will always be close to interesting parts of Paris and far from others. However If you like to walk it is easy to reach most places fast. Also public transportation is very efficient to lead you anywhere For instance the "Champs Elysées" and "Montmartre" are the most remote from the "centre" which means that you'll be far away from most other areas. The apartment sits in a historical neighbourhood close to famous 16 Th century " Marais " which is the oldest part, and Bastille, the newest fashionable place, as well as the " Père Lachaise ".
Geographical situation: les Halles & l'Opera (North), le Quartier Latin & Saint Germain (South), the Louvre (West), le Marais & la Bastille (East), then the peripheral centres such as Les Champs Elysees (West) and Montmartre (North).
Bus is 1 block away, subways are 2 to 5 min away: Le Marais & la Bastille are both a 15 min walk and 5 by bus. Le Pere Lachaise is less than 5 min, Belleville (China town) is a 15 min walk or 6 by subway. Foot of Montmartre - 15 min direct, Champs Elysees 20 min direct, big stores (Galleries Lafayette, Printemps) and the Opera -12 min direct, Notre Dame - 17 min with 1 change, Latin Quarter - 18 min with 1 change, Eiffel Tower - 2O min with 1 change.
The subway takes 1.30 mn per stop. Add 3 to 5 mn when changing. Add to that the distance to the place you want to reach.

HOW FAR IS THE APARTMENT FROM THE AIRPORT?

There are 2 airports: CDG & Orly
Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport is in the North & Orly is in the South outside Paris. Most parts of Paris near the river and/or close to main transportation (such as the rental) are within equal distance from the terminals.
The most convenient transportation is taxis. There are however special express subways and buses available. They usually take longer because of changes, the luggage & for those not acquainted with the system.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TRANSPORTATION POSSIBILITIES FROM THE AIRPORTS?

The easiest means of transportation is a taxi :
Mandatory package for airports:
Between Paris & CDG : left bank : 55 € - rignt bank : 50 € (where the apartment is located)
Between Paris & Orly : left bank : 30 € - right bank : 35 € (where the apartment is located)

An apparently good substitute is a shuttle service: http://www.bee-shuttle.com/shuttle-us.asp.
Clients have successfully been brought to the apartment. However you are not alone and may have to wait your turn.
The subway (Detailed directions for the subway below) is the cheapest but clients usually take an extra hour because one needs to make changes between the express and local lines with their luggage. It is easy to get lost.
Special buses will bring you in Paris but you'll still need after to take the subway or a taxi. See on the web: http://www.ratp.info/touristes/index.php?langue=en&rub=decouvrir&cat=aeroports&page=presentation
Finally some choose the express subway to Paris then a taxi to my apartment.
Directions to go all the way by subway from CDG:
Take the RER (express train). Depending where you land you'll be either at airport Charles de Gaulle 2 or 1. Take line. B4 or B2 (both are OK)- 12 or 11 stops - to "Chatelet" change to line A2 or A4 - 2 stops- to "Nation" finally change to the subway (local) to line 9 dir. "Pont de Sèvre" -3 stops- to Voltaire. For a subway map go to: http://www.ratp.info/touristes/index.php?langue=en&rub=reperer&cat=plan-metro
Directions from Roissybus in Paris: (see map "Roissybus stop to subway" on lower part of "Photos" page)
The bus stops at "Opera". Take rue Scribe till Boulevard Haussmann Take a right in Bd Haussmann At the end of the block there is a local subway station: Chaussée d'Antin Take line 9 direction "Mairie de Montreuil", 8 stops till "Voltaire"
Once out in the street take rue de la Roquette going up. After the 1st red light, 2 more blocks, take a right then at the end of the Block on the left stands 5 rue Maillard. (See map "Metro Voltaire to apartment" on lower part of "Photos" page)
The cost from the airport to Paris is special & requires a special ticket you purchase at the airport RER station.

MY PLANE LANDS AT BEAUVAIS, HOW DO I GO ABOUT REACHING PARIS AND YOUR APPARTMENT?

There is a shuttle service. See: http://www.aeroportbeauvais.com/bus.php?lang=eng
The bus will take over an hour to reach "Porte Maillot". From there you may use all the different transportation possibilities such as a taxi, the subway or city buses.

By subway: Take line 1 direction "Chateau de Vincennes" 2 stops than change at "Charles de Gaulle" and take the express train (RER) line A2 or A4 4 stops to "Nation". Change to the regular subway line 9 direction "Pont de Sevres" 3 stop till "Voltaire".
Once out in the street take rue de la Roquette going up. After the 1st red light, 2 more blocks, take a right then at the end of the Block on the left stands 5 rue Maillard. (See map "Voltaire Maillard" on "Photos" page)

WE ARE COMING BY TRAIN

There are many train stations in Paris. Your train station arrival will depend of where you are coming from.
Taxi & metro are both good. Of course, taxi is better if you have a lot of luggage especially if you come at rush hour. However, there can be a long waiting line for cabs. From most Train stations the subway requires one change and buying tickets yet is only 5, 6 or 7 stations from the apartment. So from station to station, it will take you less than 15 min. Further away train stations are "Gare Saint Lazare" although it is direct to reach the apartment & "Gare Montparnasse".
By subway: From station "Gare de l Est" Take line 5 direction "Place d'Italy" 3 stops till station "Oberkampf" then take line 9 direction "Mairie de Montreuil" 2 stops till station "Voltaire"
By subway: From station "Gare du Nord" Take line 5 direction "Place d'Italy" 4 stops till station "Oberkampf" then take line 9 direction "Mairie de Montreuil" 2 stops till station "Voltaire".
By subway: From station "Gare d'Austerlitz" Take line 5 direction "Bobigny" 5stops till station "Oberkampf" then take line 9 direction "Mairie de Montreuil" 2 stops till station "Voltaire".
By subway: From station "Gare de Lyon" Take line 1direction "Chateau de Vincennes" 2 stops till station "Nation" then take line 9 direction "Pont de Sevres" 3 stops till station "Voltaire".
By subway: From station "Gare Saint Lazare" Take walking connection to "Saint Augustin" then take line 9 direction "Mairie de Montreuil " 10 stops till station "Oberkampf" till station "Voltaire".
By subway: From station "Gare Montparnasse" Take line 4direction "Porte de Clignancourt" 11stops till station "Strasbourg Saint Denis" then take line 9 direction "Mairie de Montreuil" 4stops till station "Voltaire" (see map "Voltaire Maillard" on "Photos" page)
Out in the street take rue de la Roquette going up. After the first red light, 2 more blocks, take a right then at the end of the block, to the left stands 5 rue Maillard

WE ARE COMING BY CAR

This site is great to find your way by car from anywhere to anywhere in Europe: http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/viamichelin/gbr/tpl/hme/MaHomePage.htm

From CDG airport: You should be taking the "A1" highway to Paris. If you keep on that highway it will lead you to one entrance of Paris called "Porte de la Chapelle" which is dead North. You can enter town or go around it. To go around take the ring called the périphérique. There are signs indicating to take the périphérique exterieur or the périphérique interieur. It's the latter you want. It will make you go around the City East. From there you want to go until 'Porte de Montreuil" From there you exit to enter the city and meet a round about. Take the second street called "Avenue de la porte de Montreuil" which becomes "rue d"avron". Within 3 to 5 minutes take a right on "boulevard de Charonne"and a few minutes later another right on "Boulevard de Menilmontant". Than take a left on "Rue de la Roquette" and again a left after 4 blocks on "rue de la Vacquerie". Finally take a left on "Rue Maillard" and go up one block. 5 rue Maillard is near the corner on your left.

PARKING IN YOUR AREA?

Address of underground car parks: http://www.google.fr/maps?hl=fr&q=parking&near=Paris+75011&sa=X&oi=local&ct=%20title

In the street :
August parking is free in many areas.
The rest of the year some days and hours are free.
Look up and down the block and you should see a paying meter. The machine delivers a ticket to be left on your dashboard (passenger side). During the day cost changes depending of area : 1.20 to 3.60 €/hour – one cannot cover more than 2 hours. Most paying meters require now a prepaid card one can buy at tobacco stores.

Free parking days and hours :
A yellow disk on the side of the paying meter indicates the street to be residential.
Residential street : Saturday & Sunday free
Non residential : Sunday free
Residential & non residential : Rest of week free from 7PM to 9 AM

Delivery areas : is written “Livraison” and has either 2 yellow parallel lines, one line or one dotted line.
One cannot park on an area with two parallel yellow lines.
When just one yellow line or a dotted yellow line parking is free from 8 PM to 7 AM + Sundays.

WHAT SIZES ARE THE BEDS?

The sofa bed in the bedroom is a little below 1m95 in length with a width of 1m30
The sofa bed in the living room is 2m in length with a width of 1m40.

I HAVE A BAD BACK. WILL I BE COMFORTABLE ON A SOFA BED?

Comfort is an intuitive experience. All clients have been satisfied with the experience. Both sofa beds are high end products made of the latest european system replacing classical springs. People with a physical disability and those who have difficulty sleeping (insomnia - jet lag - not used to sleeping away from home) do need to be cautious or simply prepare themselves (like in any travel) as it is impossible for any guest house or hotel to guaranty appropriate conditions in such cases.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY - IS A SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED?

If you cancel less than 90 days before your arrival, your 50% deposit is retained unless I can re-book the dates in which case I will refund it. I have many requests for most periods yet one or two periods (never the same ones) will remain empty. It is always a good idea is to get some travel insurance for your plane ticket, to cover rental cancellations etc.
If you want to shift day of arrival of one or two nights it is sometimes feasible, as I don't seek permanent renting. Only two or three clients a month.
No security deposit needed. You are only required to care for the space as your own home and to replace any item you may brake.

RARE - I HAVE TROUBLE REGISTERING MY CREDT CARD WITH PAYPAL

Info from the PayPal help centre:
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Note: Account holders outside the U.S. are required to add a Card Verification Number.

DO YOU HAVE A COT FOR OUR BABY OR DO YOU HAVE INFO ABOUT RENTING ONE?

I do not have a cot. It is however possible to install a removable inflatable bed - size single.
Renting child playpen furniture: Here is an address: http://www.kidelio.com/en/baby-hire-paris-lyon-nice-cannes-antibes-mougins-xml-243-699.html

I LIKE THOSE FOOD MARKETS IN THE STREET. WHEN DO THEY OPERATE?

Food markets time table & location (in French): http://www.linternaute.com/paris/magazine/diaporama/06/marches/tous-les-marches/sommaire.shtml
Close by : Marché PèreLachaise Bd de Ménilmontant, between rue des Panoyaux & des Cendriers. Friday, 7AM to 2.30PM Métro : Ménilmontant Marché Charonne Between rues de Charonne & A. Dumas. Saturday, 7AM to 3 PM Métro : Alexandre Dumas Marché Popincourt Bd Richard-Lenoir between rues Oberkampf & Jean-Pierre Timbaud. Friday &Tuesday 7AM to2.30 PM Métro : Oberkampf Marché Bastille Bd Richard Lenoir between rues Amelot & Saint-Sabin. Sunday dimanche, 7AM to 3PM Métro : Saint Ambroise or Bastille Further away: 15 to 20 mn walk Marché Aligre Between apartment and bastille: great mix of food and antique - rare combination: Place d'Aligre et rue d'Aligre entre les rues de Charenton et Crozatier Métro : Ledru-Rollin Every day 7.30AM to 1.30PM except monday

WE LIKE BIKING

Paris has a bike system you can use for free the first half an hour and then you pay if longer. Those bikes are parked in the street every 300 meter so that you do not need to store them. It's called Velib. http://en.velib.paris.fr/How-it-works Choice of language on upper right side of page.