What a bright and cheerful little apartment this is! How it exudes charm! With its huge windows overlooking the Seine, its pretty flowered terrace with wrought-iron table and chairs, high ceilings, polished wood antiques and sparkling little modern kitchen, it is a perfect nesting place for a couple looking for a supremely romantic stay in Paris.

Completing this charming picture is the apartment's location on the peaceful Ile Saint-Louis in the Hôtel de Marigny, a 17th-century townhouse once owned by a noble Parisian family. A stone's throw from the Ile is the Right Bank, with the Louvre, Hôtel de Ville, Marais area and its other treasures; on the other side lies the lively Latin Quarter and St.-Germain-des-Prés area; and at one's feet is the Seine with its perpetual cargo of barges and bateaux-mouches and, along the banks, the lovers and their dreams.

While not overly spacious (50m2, about 550 sq.'), this apartment is ideal for two people who do not need a great deal of room. It is a duplex, and divides into four main areas: the living-dining room, terrace, kitchen and the mezzanine, where the bedroom and bathroom are. If necessary the apartment can accommodate up to three people by using a sofabed in the living room.

The former hôtel particulier is entered through an large and impressive gate (controlled by digicode) that leads to grand stone staircase with wrought-iron railings. The apartment is on the first French floor, meaning there is one flight of stairs to climb. In the apartment a corridor takes guests past the kitchen and the stairs to the mezzanine, both on the left, into the living room-dining area. From the living room is a door that leads to the terrace. The floors are carpeted throughout in a soft white.

The living room takes its warm ambiance from a wooden English-style library along one wall, from the rich tones of an Oriental carpet under the sofa and cocktail table, and from the discreet use of small but good-quality antique pieces. The two windows overlooking the Seine rise the entire length of the cathedral-like ceiling. The windows are soundproofed by double-paned glass, and are elegantly framed from top to bottom by richly colored chintz curtains.

Adding to the open and uncrowded feeling of the apartment is a huge 18th-century gilded mirror over an immense marble fireplace, which creates the impression of a much larger space. Recessed ceiling lights give the room a pleasant glow in the evening.

The brand-new kitchen, illuminated with halogen lamps on rheostat, is compact but beautifully laid out with ample counter and cabinet space. Appliances include a four-burner stove, refrigerator, conventional and microwave ovens, dishwasher and washing machine. There is also a table and chairs for dining. A curtain can be pulled across the kitchen door to close it off from the hallway.

Up a narrow staircase is the mezzanine, with the bathroom to the left at the top of the stairs, and the bedroom to the right. This is the classic love nest, with a double bed (140 cm., 55" across), plenty of closet and drawer space and, as the bedroom overlooks the living room (there is a protective wood banister), the same panoramic views of the Seine.

The bathroom, which has a low ceiling (see note at the beginning this description), is modern and attractive, with a stall shower (no tub) and WC.

Despite its many interior charms, in summer months guests will take their meals on the thoroughly romantic little terrace that opens off the living room. There is ample room here for three or four persons to have cocktails, enjoy the magnificent view and - why not? - perhaps have dinner under the stars while the lights of Paris come twinkling on. Remember, Paris is called the City of Light because of its bejeweled appearance at night.

Other apartment features include a stereo system (CD player but no cassette deck), color television with cable (including CNN), intercom communication with the front gate, and an additional WC on the main floor that opens off the corridor next to the kitchen.