I don’t get out much. I’m on the computer, with clients, or behind a camera most of the day. To celebrate my daughter’s graduation and a big anniversary, I decided to leave my little cocoon. I left my city, my state, my country, and more importantly the ground for a trip to Paris. This was my Paris apartment… at least for one shining week it was.
We left my daughter who has Down Syndrome with my mom. I knew she would not enjoy this kind of trip. Before we left, we redid our wills, and I even left the wills on my desk with instructions, bank box keys, and important passwords. I did everything to prepare for the worst, so I was quite delighted when it turned out to be unnecessary.
I’ve been to Paris before, but never stayed in an apartment until this trip. I found this one through airbnb.com. (Not a sponsored post.)
If you go to Paris, I highly recommend staying in an apartment. You will feel more like you live there. And what hotel room could compare with this gorgeous room? Madame Catherine was such a delightful host too.
She told us about all about her life in Paris, about the building, built in 1886 by Haussman. Madame belongs to a semi-professional choir that performs all around Paris. She gave us a bit of a concert one day. It was a dream. She has the voice of an angel; I didn’t want to leave.
Breakfast was taken in the dining room with Madame presiding over the event. Each morning we were served croissants, fruit, coffee, and tea, while she delightedly shared stories about Paris, her family, and French furniture. She said her children tell her she lives in a museum, but I say ‘give me the museum any day’! This was our room, shown below.
Just look at this original hardware on the French doors that open to the balcony. I opened them every day for some fresh air. It was rather chilly while we were there in the beginning of June. Clearly I didn’t bring a warm enough jacket. (What a great excuse to shop!)
There was a pretty constant stream of foot traffic down below. I found out later that we were in the part of Paris known for music, which explained all of the musical shops on the street. It also explained why Catherine decided to live in this part of Paris, since music is such a part of her life. Think Catherine Deneuve, and you are getting close. Madame is a ‘woman of a certain age’ but still very beautiful and elegant.
I asked about wifi and was given a puzzled look. “Oh you mean wee fee?” her daughter asked? Yes, apparently I did mean ‘wee fee‘. I’m guessing they call it wee fee because the signal is quite ‘wee’. I had to sit near the router to get any signal.
This apartment was on the second floor. This is where the owners of the building lived originally, so this is indeed the most elegant floor. The ceilings were at least 12 ft tall, and the plaster work was tres elegante. She told me that originally the ceiling would have been painted to look like the sky, blue with white fluffy clouds, while the circular trim was gold. I told her she could paint the ceiling herself, but she dismissed that idea with a wave of her hand. What was I thinking? Really, you would need serious scaffolding to work on the ceiling. Crazy American Blogger!!!
The apartment was on Rue de Rome, very close to the Gare San Lazare.
I was tempted to stay here all day, but I didn’t.
I never thought an apartment as spacious & grand as this could be affordably rented for a week in Paris. What a special week. Some lifetime memories were surely made during this trip. Please post many more pictures from your week…more of the apartment, breakfasts, dinners, pastries!, possibly a picture of you & Madame, the cafes, the shopping, the buildings, the architectural detailing all over Paris. For me, it’s only a dream now. My husband & I have planned our second trip to Ireland for May 2015; but seeing what you have shared here coupled with our never having been to France, I may be leaning toward a change of plan. 😉 Did you drive to any other quant places on the outskirts of Paris? More, more, more of your week in Paris, please!
je te souhaite d’avoir un jour merveilleux [hope that means ‘Have A Wonderful Day]
We didn’t drive in France, but did when we got to Italy.
I’m loving this- it’s always so nice to have the opportunity to share stories with someone outside of your real world. Madame must have been fascinating to listen to. The apartment is beautiful. I’m sure you spent hours taking in every detail. What a treat!
What a gorgeous place to stay. Yes, I thought it was so funny when they said wee fee.
I agree, we rent an apartment everytime that we go to Paris. You have so much more freedom. It is nice having those extra comforts of home like a refrigerator, dishes, coffee maker. I always try to rent one with washer and dryer. I loved your pictures and I am looking forward to your next post. Perhaps, more pictures of your trip?? Have a great week in the most beautiful city in the world!
Oh Anita, this place is gorgeous. The molding, detail and ceiling are fabulous. I would never want to leave this place, sigh……..
My best friend asks for MORE! He would like to know how you found this gorgeous place. We are talking of going to France and would appreciate any info.
btw, he says that the area is where the “whores hang out.” But it’s been a half a century since he was in Paris, so he is most likely wrong! If nothing else, times change. LOL
I took train into Paris last trip and would prefer to live there for a week…..and the memories would be priceless. Green is not my color, but this time, envy wins out……
We found it on Air BnB. I think I included a link, but you can google it also.
Magnificent apartment in a magnificent city!! I love airbnb. My daughter used it all throughout her travels when studying abroad this past semester. How interesting that Madame was present, though, during your stay. Or was that just for breakfast? (My daughter was usually just given the key.) The detail in this apartment is extraordinary. The moulding, the ironwork, the tasteful decor and oh that amazing hardware!! I even love the simple treatment over the heating to make it look unobtrusive and pretty. How lucky you are to have found this place… 🙂 Btw, I laughed about the wills. We travel quite a bit (older kids), but I think about that every time!
What a beautiful apartment…definitely much more comfortable then any hotel! So glad you guys had a wonderful trip!
Gorgeous! Sounds like a great apartment and trip!
How amazing is that apartment?? We loved our trip to Italy and France and, since my birthday is on Bastille Day, it was awesome to spend it in Paris. We will have to return and I will DEF be checking out that link and the apartment option. Thanks so much for sharing this! Pinned!
Anita, THat apartment is to die for. It has long been a dream of mine to either go to Paris for a visit or if I come back in another life to live in Paris. If I had an apartment like that, I would never leave. I know you had a wonderful time. More pictures would be appreciated.
Beautiful apartment of casual grandeur!
What a beautiful trip. Loved your view
I am sure you squeezed in some shopping for your home as well.
Xx
Bosous
Doré
I have only been to Paris once but it is still my favorite place in the world. I adore that apartment! You are one lucky woman!
I loved hearing this story, Anita. What a tres grande experience you must have had! And I’m with you…I’d gladly sacrifice my home to live in that museum, haha! Thanks for sharing these gorgeous pictures.
Oh how lucky you are to be able to travel to Paris, it is the one city I haven’t been to in Europe, that and Venice I want to visit. I can understand your worries about travel, I am much the same and like you say, your daughter probably would not have enjoyed the trip.
The apartment you stayed in is just stunning! It must have been a wonderful trip and I always think that staying in apartments is so much nicer than hotels, plus you got to meet and talk with a Parisian.
Love this post, your photos and your writing. I too can identify with never going out much. For me it’s since I got my little dog that stops me from going away, I will probably have to get a house sitter so if you know anyone that wants to travel to NZ at some point, we have a cottage and a little dog available to sit 🙂
Lee
Love reading about your adventures. I spent two weeks in Paris two yrs. ago.
I will never forget the great experience! My co-worker/friend and I went hard daylight to dawn everyday! We wanted to see it all. A day trip out to the vineyards with tours of the land was wonderful. We hit two wonderful flea Markets. Ate some delicious meals, and all the churches, and museums we could see in that length of time. We stayed in three different hotels, but I’m sure the apartment was a treat.
I live a few miles from Myrtle Beach, SC, and I wish there was a ladies group that traveled to different countries… My husband dosen’t like to fly.
Keep posting… It takes us there on our SOFA!
My friend – I am sooooo far behind. I didn’t even know you were going to Paris. What a magnificent opportunity and such a wonderful occasion too. This apartment is beautiful. I will definitely take a look at that sight and also bookmark it for future use. Thanks for sharing this with us. Traveling vicariously through you. 🙂 xxoo
Just magnificent!
Anita, I am am so excited about your book deal! That is so deserved. I follow your blog for decorating since I am not really much of a decorator — it is one of only 3 I follow — (Also Cote Texas and Maria Killiam) — and I am no designer or decorator, but when I recently bought a new house (much bigger than my little town house in the city), I found you to be so helpful in my buying furniture choices, paint choices, just everything. My background is in pr, fundraising and marketing – and I have no design background – but 2 things I love about your blog – you are so honest – and real. I think this is why people love reading you. Also you are really disciplined and analytic. It seems like you have to obsess and think through problems just like the rest of us — rather than waving your hand and everything just comes out right. I know you have loads of experience and a great “eye” but it seems like you have to problem solve too, and that gives novices like us hope that we can get better at decorating too. I think your home is absolutely beautiful, and I also love that not everything you buy is super pricey. It is daunting when bloggers reference 1rst Dibs or other really expensive antique places, as that is out of the reach of most of us. It is amazing that you can actually shop at Restoration, and Wisteria, and Ballards, and still come out with a home that is so unique, so seamless, so disciplined, and still boasts plenty of genuine, perfectly chosen antiques. When I read you had a book deal, I was so tickled. My husband just finished writing and publishing a book, and it is such a long process. You are miles ahead having your blog already and your built in readership. I know I can’t wait to buy the book!
Wow, thank you Anna!! I’m humbled.
I have had the pleasure of visiting Paris several times and I must say it has never disappointed me! Love your photos. I am just starting a blog and am looking for advice on how to take good photos!
So glad we had “wee fee” when we were in France…bloggers need “wee fee”…and I am so very impressed with the gorgeous apartment….the next time I go to Paris, I am dragging my hubby…would love to stay in an apt such as this one….Such a beautiful view!….so nice to have a wonderful Parisian “of age” to tell such wonderful stories of Paris….
What a beautiful space! My husband and I stayed in an apartment when we visited Paris, and it was wonderful. I loved getting to know the neighborhood and becoming a local during our visit:)
Since French is a latin-based romantic language, the i is pronounced as a long e. The e is pronounced like long a. So Wifi would indeed be pronounced wee fee. If it were spelled wefe it would be pronounced wayfay. so there ya have it. Oui?
Living vicariously through you!!
What a beautiful place to stay. My husband and I are planning to go there in the not-to-distant future!
Also, Here in Australia, I work with young people with Downs Syndrome. We have such fun together.
So glad you are staying in an apartment. We did too when we went and loved our experience! Kepp sharing. Di@Cottage-Wishes
Beautiful! We’ve been to Paris twice – the first time we stayed in a lovely old mansion that was converted into a hotel and it was quite charming, although the room was small. We could easily walk to the Eiffel Tower within 10 minutes. The second time we went (last Sept) that hotel was booked so we stayed someplace else and it was not a good experience at all. I need to check into renting an apartment whenever we plan to visit again!
Wow! What gorgeous rooms! Some day I’ll visit Paris…..
Thank you for the sharing good knowledge and information. These pictures are really interesting and clean. It makes us understand that why cleaning is very important thing to be done. Its very helpful and understanding! Keep sharing this!