Rue du Marche Saint-Honoré is part of a lively little neighborhood, with street-side flower vendors, butchers, jewelers, and Le Rubis – a small wine bar that draws big names. The street is just one block long, and is nestled between the Jardin du Tuileries and the Palais Garnier. The Tuileries metro stop is three minutes’ walk from the apartment. A half-block from the apartment is the Place du Marché Saint-Honoré, with no less than a dozen restaurants and cafés from which to choose. For those who prefer to cook themselves, there is a Franprix on this place as well as a very large Monoprix just a bit further, on Avenue de l’Opéra.

The apartment is located on l’étage noble of the 18th century building, the first French floor. Accessible by one flight of steps from an interior courtyard, the apartment has one neighbor on the floor, opposite the stairwell, which allows for a very quiet location.

Upon entry into the apartment of 102 square meters (1,100 square feet) opens in front of you. Two windows on the right, one facing the entry, the other facing a built-in bookcase, overlook the central courtyard and offer electronic black-out blinds for privacy and security. Directly to the left of the entry are the discreet guest WC and the kitchen. Though small, the kitchen is well-equipped and can be used for anything from a simple breakfast to a three-course gourmet meal. For the latter a certain amount of skill and creativity are required to manage the compact space, but we know from experience that it is possible. Kitchen equipment includes a vitro-ceramic cooktop with four electric burners, microwave, dishwasher, and an electric oven located above the medium-sized refrigerator, as well as a drip coffeemaker, French press, juicer and various other small appliances.

The dining room and living room are painted a cool, neutral shade of grey. Original chevron parquet floors, high ceilings (10+’), intricate crown molding and a marble fireplace are some of the many elegant features of this classic Parisian apartment.

The dining room opens from the entry hall and can comfortably accommodate six for dinner at its rectangular wooden table. One wall is lined with closets; one for the owner’s property, another for cleaning supplies, and two more for clients’ use, offering shelf and hanging-space. (There is no room for storing luggage here, but the property caretaker will be happy to store your luggage for you in the owner’s separate storage space in the building.) Two small floor lamps offer a bit of ambiance to the dining room and illuminate the antique buffet that stores stemware and fine dishes.

Beyond the dining room is the large living room, with two tall windows overlooking the rue du Marche Saint-Honoré. An intersection with the tiny rue St. Hyacinthe gives a long sightline from the windows. The windows are double-paned and framed by heavy drapes for quiet and added privacy. A grand armoire houses a stereo system with CD and DVD player as well as a flat-screen television and cable box with satellite connection and a handful of English-speaking channels. A tapestry dating from the early 1700’s hangs above a comfortable sofa of pale blue, flanked by end tables and reading lamps. Two matching, swiveling armchairs, each with its own reading lamp, complete the seating area that surrounds the black wooden coffee table. Across from the sofa stands the majestic fireplace, complete with marble mantle and large gilded mirror. Between the fireplace and the window is a broad writing desk, outfitted with a variety of office supplies including a high-speed internet connection and a printer. The owner’s extensive housebook and clear labeling of the network cables make it a two-minute process to get connected. This corner is a perfect location to keep current on work, indulge in a bit of daydreaming or people-watching, or write an old-fashioned letter.

The bedrooms, roughly equal in size and amenities, are accessed by opposite ends of the apartment. The master, outfitted in rose toile, has one set of double-paned windows that overlooks the street below. The king-sized bed with foam mattress topper is as comfortable as any we’ve ever experienced, and an American-size ceiling fan keeps air circulating. The bed is flanked with nightstands and reading lamps. A small bookcase sits in one corner and hidden behind the toile wall covering is a small closet with shelves. The ensuite bathroom is of average size and is functional and well-equipped. Its rose-colored marble tiles lend a feeling of elegance. The bathtub has a wall hook for its hand-held sprayer and built-in glass shelves for personal effects. The large vanity space houses one sink and a cabinet below. It also houses the efficient combination washer and dryer. There is an electric WC in the bathroom.

The second bedroom is just inside the entry, past the built-in bookcase. The queen-size four poster bed also has a memory foam mattress topper and is flanked by nightstands with reading lamps. One large window overlooks the central courtyard, allowing for a quiet atmosphere. This bedroom also offers an American-size ceiling fan. A small built-in closet allows hanging and shelf-space for personal affairs. The marble ensuite bathroom is compact, offering a glass stall shower, a small sink and some space for personal affairs. Guests staying in this bedroom use the guest WC in the front entrance hall.

Ideal for two couples traveling together, this apartment offers a peaceful accommodation in the midst of a bustling arrondissement. The first arrondissement could not be more desirable, with its fashionable boutiques just down the rue Saint-Honoré, which becomes rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré a few blocks to the west; its legendary tourist sites, the Jardin des Tuileries and the courtyard of the Louvre less than 10 minutes’ walk from the apartment; and its countless restaurants and cafes of all levels of price and sophistication. This wonderful apartment in a real neighborhood is a truly appealing choice for first-time visitors to Paris or true connoisseurs of the City of Light.