Neighborhood:
This spacious apartment is in the heart of the Bastille between Place de la Bastille and Rue Basfroi. It is a few steps from the historic Place de la Bastille where the Opera de Paris, considered one of the best in the world, is located. In short walking distance is the royal Place des Vosges, the oldest and most beautiful square in Paris that was once the residence of many historic personalities. Built by Henri IV, its perfect symmetry and verticality are fine examples of classical French architecture. This area is also known for its museums, arts galleries and antique shops. There are all sorts of essential shops and services in the neighborhood.
Premises:
This 150m² (1,610 sq. ft.) three-bedroom/two-bathroom duplex is located on the second French floor of a walk-up building from the 18th century. It faces southwest/northeast and has a security code system and a concierge on the premises. The apartment looks somewhat time-worn.
The main entry leads to the kitchen, the restroom on the left, followed by the living room. A separate hallway leads to the first bedroom, followed by the main bathroom, study and second bedroom. A stairway off the study leads to the upstairs, opening to the main third bedroom. The décor is mostly eclectic.
The 31m² (approx. 330 sq. ft.) living room is furnished with a black leather sofa, a leather armchair (shows some wear), two oriental area rugs, a round dining table with six matching chairs, a flat screen TV, a VCR, a stereo system and three floor lamps. There is an antique china cabinet, a square end table with a lamp, a telephone, a round stand table with a lamp, an antique mirror, and an antique small round table. The walls are off white, there are beam ceilings, a parquet wooden floor and three windows overlooking the courtyard.
The open kitchen is equipped with a gas stove, four burners, a refrigerator/freezer, an electric oven, a microwave, a coffee maker, a double stainless steel sink, a dishwasher, a small bistro table, cabinets and drawers containing the necessary kitchen utensils. The walls are off white with partial tiles over the counter; there is a brick-colored tile floor and a window with sheer curtains.
The 15m² (approx. 160 sq. ft.) first bedroom is furnished with a double bed and a desk, with original artwork decorating the walls. Two windows allow in light.
The main bathroom has a bathtub, a sink and washing machine. There is a separate toilet off of the kitchen. On the upper level there is full bathroom with a shower (not pictured), sink and built-in cabinets.
The 22m² (approx. 235 sq. ft.) second bedroom is furnished with a double bed, bookshelves, an armoire and a desk area. There are two windows with curtains overlooking the courtyard.
The 15m² (approx. 160 sq. ft.) study is furnished with a desk, a canvas chair, a small table with a telephone/fax, two floor lamps, bookshelves, an antique mirror, an upholstered low seat, a chair, a small lamp, and an area rug. The walls are off white, the floor has light green carpeting and there is a window with fabric curtains overlooking the courtyard. The wooden staircase leads directly into the third bedroom.
The 35m² (approx. 375 sq. ft.) upstairs main third bedroom is furnished with a queen-size bed, two wrought iron/glass end tables with lamps, built-in shelves, an antique table with a TV, a floor lamp, three area rugs and a writing desk (for the owners' use only). There is a table with a computer, a reading lamp, a telephone, bookcases, a rectangular table, a small lamp, three chairs, and a built-in mirrored closet. The walls are off white, the floor is carpeted in a cream color and there are two windows with sheer fabric curtains overlooking the courtyard.
The closest metro station is Bastille -- lines 1, 5 and 8.
RE: rue de la Roquette, Paris
Sep 06 2005This apartment is everything NYHabitat advertises it to be, and more. When one closes the security door and enters the courtyard, one enters a naturally air-conditioned space filled with plants and QUIET. Every time the security door closed, we felt like we were "home" (safe and secure, basking in culture, comfort and peacefulness).
The apartment is spacious, with large windows opening onto the central courtyard on two sides of both floors. During our mid-August stay, we opened these windows early each morning and evening. The "cool-down" and air-circulation effects of doing so were remarkable and almost immediate.
Each courtyard window of the accommodation at rue de la Roquette has two flower boxes, each with profusely-flowering geraniums (many cascading down several feet) and other flowering annuals that require the "watering" attention of the rentee. When one stands in the courtyard and looks up, it becomes readily apparent how much the lush beauty of the flowering plants dangling down from the apartment contribute to the ambiance of peacefulness in the entire courtyard.
CONVENIENCE: Your ad fails to stress to convenience factor of this rental. There are four small grocery stores within several blocks. The Bastille subway stop is only a five minute walk away. Restaurants and "take out" purveyors abound. Other types of merchandizers exist several minutes away in every direction.
Finally, we do NOT recommend that anyone rent this home if they are "cleanliness freaks".