For the strong of body and romantic of spirit, and in particular for brave souls willing to hike up five flights of stairs to enjoy the benefits of a lovely outside terrace that overlooks the little rue de Beaune, there are few more charming or reasonably priced apartments on Paris' Left Bank than this luminous and simply furnished top-floor duplex on the rue de Beaune near the Seine and Musée d'Orsay. With a living-dining room area and kitchen on one floor, a bathroom and spacious bedroom on the upper level, and a sunny terrace where three can dine comfortably overlooking the rooftops of neighboring buildings, the apartment offers authentic Parisian charm à la Bohème, yet with good amenities and an affordable price.
The apartment has about 54m2 (580 sq. ft) of living space between the two levels, and is thus sufficiently roomy for up to three persons to be comfortable and have privacy. The cheerfully appointed living-dining room area has a white tile floor with two colorful area rugs. Tall windows on the living room side overlook the rue de Beaune, and windows in the dining area look out onto a quiet courtyard. Furnishings include a comfortable sofa and armchair, a dining table for six, bookshelves and an antique chest.
Just opposite the dining area is the attractive and well-equipped little kitchen, which has butcher-block counters, a four-burner stove, small two-door refrigerator, dishwasher, toaster and coffeemaker. There is also a washing machine and dryer in the bathroom upstairs.
On the upper level is the spacious bedroom, which has wall-to-wall carpeting with an area rug for color. Being six flights above the little rue de Beaune, and having two tall windows overlooking the terrace and rooftops of adjoining buildings, the bedroom receives abundant light and enjoys total peace and quiet. A skylight over the bed provides additional light.
The bedroom has two twin beds that may be combined to form a queen-sized bed. Between the windows is a pretty antique chest of drawers, and for hanging clothes there is a large in-wall closet. The walls are covered with a good-quality fabric in a traditional floral pattern.
The bathroom, ensuite with the bedroom, is small but well illuminated and finished in marble. The bath has a full-sized tub with overhead shower, and a WC.
For additional bedding there is a single futon sofa in the living room, and the possibility of a portable bed for a child. Maximum occupancy at the apartment is three adults, or a couple and two children.
In warm weather or on bright sunny days at any time of year, visitors will take advantage of the commodious terrace (7.5m2, 81 sq. ft.), a unique feature that is rarely found in Paris apartments regardless of price or size. The terrace is reached through the living room windows on the rue de Beaune side that are hinged to open like doors (it is necessary to step up and out to reach the terrace). With an oval table and three chairs, this is the place to enjoy a robust blend of French coffee with a fresh croissant from the nearby bakery on the rue de Beaune. And with the sky remaining light in Paris until well after 10 o'clock at night in the summer, it is also an ideal place to dine outside. A sturdy chest-high wrought-iron railing runs the length of the terrace.
Rue de Beaune is in the heart of one of Paris' most conveniently located and sought-after neighborhoods. To the right of the apartment building is the Musée d'Orsay, a walk of less than five minutes, and to the left the boulevard Saint-Germain, which is roughly equidistant. Walking east on rue de l'Université from the apartment, one passes through a part of Left Bank Paris known to decorators for its countless antique stores, galleries and boutiques devoted to the decorative arts. A pleasant stroll looking at the fascinating displays in these windows brings one soon to rue des Saints-Pères, the dividing line between the 7th and 6th arrondissements, which encompass the interesting and always vibrant quartier of Paris known as Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
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