Saintonge Apartment

Unpretentious Parisian pied-à-terre apartment in the trendy 3rd arrondissement, offering an authentic experience of local life (sleeps 2-4)

The first thing you’ll notice on entering 22 rue de Saintonge is the peeling paint and worn wooden stairs of the communal hallway. If this worries you, it probably isn’t the place for you. However, if you see this as the allure of an authentically old Parisian building, then keep on reading. Three floors up (yes, no lift) sits a simple but delightful 1-bedroom apartment, charmingly decorated and incorporating original features such as exposed wooden beams and glossy parquet floors.

High ceilings and full-length windows in the large living area create a light and spacious feel, while the cosy bedroom at the rear faces onto the internal courtyard and has double glazing and black-out curtains, promising peaceful sleep. Quirky touches and individual pieces – designer chairs, custom-made furniture, an upright Bechstein piano – combine to create a fun and functional apartment that reflects how the capital’s citizens really live –and it’s all yours. Venture outside and the calm street gives way to the teeming bustle of the arty 3rd arrondissement, full of cafés and culture to be explored and absorbed.

Highs

• Excellent location on a quiet street in the centre of town that manages to avoid the traditional tourist traps
• Spacious (50m²) in this notoriously cramped city, and at a price that won’t induce a crise cardiaque
• Well-designed and decorated to combine individual flair with functionality
• Better value – and far more private – than a hotel, offering an opportunity to experience Paris through residents’ eyes

Lows

• The communal entrance, while typical of Parisian apartment blocks, can be disconcerting at first
• No lift to the 3rd floor – but look on it as a way to work off the croissants, éclairs and fromage....
• There are a few minor imperfections – a wobbly door handle, an under-watered balcony plant – but we found them easy to overlook given the genuine charm of the apartment
• The bathroom is well-equipped and functional, but just not as chic as the rest of the flat
• The bedroom looks onto the internal courtyard, so no great views on waking up, and we would advise keeping the curtains closed....