Our Apartment in the Marias in Paris

These windows alone make you feel like you are in Paris.

I have had quite a few queries about our Paris apartment.  Well it's ours for a week anyway.

It's in the 4th arrondissement, the Marais.  Being the Jewish and Gay Quarter it is vibrant and a really cool place to be.  It's also very centrally located and within walking distance to the Louve, Jardin de Tuileries and Place de la Concorde, which to me is the spiritual heart of Paris.

Staying in an apartment is a much more affordable option than staying in a hotel and with a kitchen and laundry cupboard, it gives you the option to stay in and eat if you feel like it and catch up on the dreaded laundry, that inevitably piles up on a holiday.

The apartment in which we are staying, is one of about 7 owned by Australian, Tony Roberts, so all payments are made in Australian dollars at home before you leave.  There is a refundable bond of $500, which is returned subject to any damage caused.

There are free landline calls back to Australia included.  So I have been phoning my mum every couple of days just to check in.  There is free wifi too and also the use of either an ipad or lap top in each apartment. So you will feel connected if you want to be.

To date we have stayed in 2 of Tony's apartments and they have both been great.

The front door, small kitchen and dining area

On arrival you are met by the lovely Natasza, who is available to be contacted in case of any dramas. But you will need to be fit  in the first place to make it up there, as the apartment is on the third floor and there is no lift.  Very French.

The view through the kitchen and across the living room to the bedroom

The lounge, which converts to a sofa bed.  I slept on it last night an it was quite comfortable.

The view from our apartment.

Our apartment is a 5 minute walk from the Seine and 

Isle de la Cite and perhaps the most expensive ice cream in the world.  The rule is further you are away from the river the more reasonably priced everything is.

The Marais is full of many French bistros.  We had a beautiful meal on our first night at La Chaise au Plafond.

Poisson du jour avec haricots verte.  Sooooooo good.

Perhaps most importantly, the apartment is close to Place des Vosges.  Perhaps the cutest park in Paris and  definitely the oldest planned one, established in 1612 by Henri IV.

My kids would have stayed here longer, as there is also some play equipment.  The square is surrounded by chic cafes and once when I was here there was a beautiful symphonic orchestra playing under the cloisters.  To me to this park is a must visit whilst in Paris.

Today we spent half an hour chatting to a lovely Brit at the sand pit, minding his grandson, who had lived in Paris for 50 years .

The Marais also houses Musee Carnavalet, which describes the History of Paris. Tracing its development from prehistoric times.  It's free apart from specific expositions.  The parterre garden  at the museum is worth a visit by itself.

The Marias is also the home of this really cute square, oozing with atmosphere. Known as Place du Marche St Catherine.  We are heading out there for dinner tonight.

Also with great shops and other museums such as Musee Vitor Hugo, the Marais is a really nice part of town to be in.

And after a big day of eating too much and walking too far, what's not to love about this place?

Good night.

Details of your Apartment in Paris here.

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