Across the Seine from the Louvre, the Quai Voltaire is well-known not only for its stately buildings, but also for the famed individuals who once inhabited them, including the 18th century Swedish ambassador Count Tessin, Oscar Wilde, and the enlightened French philosopher himself, Voltaire, who died at number 27.
The quai itself is lined with antique dealers and a few cafés, but just a few blocks back from the river on rue du Bac and rue de Beaune you’ll find all the daily items you might need. The Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens are just a short stroll across Pont Royale or Pont du Carrousel.
Because the apartment is at the back of the building’s courtyard it does not offer views of the Seine or the Louvre, but it does offer a voluminous space (1,800 square feet) that can accommodate up to eight guests. The most notable aspect of this apartment, other than its remarkable area, is the sophisticated manner in which the classic Parisian architectural features like molded ceilings and parquet floors are juxtaposed with modern furnishings and materials. The décor has an air of elegance with an inviting level of comfort.
Upon entering the apartment, the compact and functional kitchen, with gas stove and oven, small refrigerator, microwave, and combination washer and dryer, is down a short hall. A tour of the apartment starts to the left of the entrance with the sitting room comprising two overstuffed, white sofas, gilded mirrors, and regal fabric accents. Beyond the sitting room is the master bedroom, accented in shades of rose, with a small sitting area, a window overlooking a courtyard, and an ensuite bathroom separated by a long, flowing curtain from the room. The bathroom features a claw-footed tub with hand-held shower and basin.
The sitting room also leads to the large living and dining room. A sofa and three armchairs create a spacious seating area, centered before the original marble fireplace topped with a large mirror. The dining area is occupied by a long white table that seats up to 14 and is graced by a lovely crystal chandelier. Several sets of floor-to-ceiling windows along one wall allow for ample natural light, bolstered by a number of accent lamps. Plush area rugs and stylish curtains highlight the ceiling moldings and parquet floors to make this a positively elegant space.
A hallway leads from the entrance to the remaining bedrooms and baths. The first bedroom, outfitted in pale yellow, is medium-sized and offers a window facing the courtyard, a dresser, and a closet for storage of personal effects. The ensuite bath has a stall shower and basin. The bedroom at the end of the hall is slightly larger, also with a window, dresser, and closet, but also offering a small writing desk and built-in bookshelves. Its bathroom is not ensuite, but is located just outside in the hall. This bathroom has a stall shower, a basin, and a WC. A separate WC with basin is also in the hallway.
This apartment is suitable for a group of couples traveling together or for a family of multiple generations; it offers flexible accommodations, as each bedroom can offer either a king-size bed or two twin beds. The sofas in the sitting area can be made up as sleeping accommodations, equivalent to a regular twin-size bed. With more and more families traveling to Paris and looking to settle into an apartment and adopt the rhythms of a resident rather than eat out three meals each day, this apartment makes a lot of sense. It can also be a great spot for a group of lady friends who want a central location from which to set out and walk the city for museums and shopping, and who relish the idea of eating three meals out a day! With so much space, and with such a close eye paid to the finished details, not to mention its incredibly central location, this lovely, peaceful property is a real find for veterans of Paris or first-timers alike.
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