We are moving into our new apartment today. I have great plans for this place but I thought I should post some “before pictures” and talk a little bit about it. While we were looking my wish list for my dream Paris apartment was this:
-Located in Central Paris
-Has windows/gets good light
-Has a Balcony and some kind of view.
-Two Bedrooms
-Near a Metro Stop
-Wood Parquet Floors
-Partially Furnished
We ended up with 5 out of 7. The apartment doesn’t have a balcony and is a ten minute walk from the metro stop but other than that we are happy with it. (With the kids we take buses a lot more than the Metro since it is so easy to get on and off. You can even leave them in their stroller!) Honestly, if I was going to do it again I would probably just get an unfurnished place since the apartment we ended up in is on the second floor and it wouldn’t be a big deal to get furniture up. But that isn’t something I would know until we actually found a place. Also the idea of buying a fridge intimidated me (unfurnished apartments here usually don’t have them) but Paris refrigerators are itty bitty and it wouldn’t have been that big of a deal to find one used or even buy one new.
The main room is quite large. It has a dining area and a living area that are connected. There are lots of windows and architectural details and the space gets great light. Some of the furniture isn’t my favorite but it could be worse and the sofa turns into a bed, which is useful.
There is a long hallway that all the rooms are attached to and the layout is actually really nice which can be hard to find in Paris. (Another apartment we saw had an awful layout, which was so bad I went straight back to this apartment to give him a deposit.)
The boys’ room is first. There is a crib (not in a closet!) and we opted to get a queen size bed instead of a twin because we are expecting visitors and it will be easy to have Moses crash in our bed when guests come. It is really nice having a second bedroom, after so long in a one bedroom we feel so lucky to have a space just for the boys.
The master bedroom is also pretty big. We’ll probably put a small office in there so when someone needs to crack down and work they can shut the door and have some privacy. Besides we never hang out in our bedroom besides at night so it will be a more efficient use of the space.
The bathroom we don’t have pictures of but it is very small and across the hall from our bedroom. It does have a bath, which is nice for kids.
Which brings us to the kitchen, which is TINY! It is essentially a hallway that fits: a sink, a stove, a small dishwasher, a washing machine/dryer, and a fridge. Apparently most Paris kitchens keep the washing machine in the kitchen. And even though our dishwasher is the size of a drawer we just feel lucky to have one. This is the first place we’ve lived in our six years of marriage that has had a dishwasher or a washing machine in our apartment. The luxury!
All in all we are very happy with the apartment. I am really anxious to get in there and make it pretty and cozy. I didn’t think we’d end up in the 7th Arrondissement but we are happy to be there. We are a block from the big grassy area in front of the Eiffel Tower where everyone picnics so we’ll be able to go all the time and we are just a few blocks from Rue Cler and the lovely food shops over there. Mostly I’m just happy we have a place to live, it doesn’t hurt that it is in Paris.
The pictures above were all taken from our street.
Michemily
February 28, 2011
I agree with Jane. It's gorgeous!
Hannah B.
February 28, 2011
So beautiful! Those floors are beautiful, especially with the sun shining in through those gorgeous windows 🙂 Can't wait to see what it looks like when you make it yours!
isadora
February 28, 2011
From the looks of it, you are between Ave de la Bourdonnais and Ave Rapp. Nice location for kids with the Champs de Mars just there. The 42, 63 and 92 will take you tons of places so you should be good. Enjoy every minute of it! We'll be just around the corner on Ave Rapp at the end of the summer, so maybe I'll run into you 🙂
Nicole
February 28, 2011
Wow- I think that its a great apartment- and frankly, that kitchen is pretty awesome for a rental (so many places don't have a stove- just a cooktop). I think the Paris housing gods smiled on you! Good luck settling in.
By the way, I've been furniture hunting as well and after another frustrating search of craigslist and ebay, someone mentioned leboncoin.fr. Bingo! I found exactly what I was looking for at a really good price. I thought I would pass the tip on to you.
Marisa Midori
February 28, 2011
The apartment looks lovely! Much larger than I would imagine your average Parisian apartment to be like. When reading Julia Child's My Life in France, one of the descriptions that really stuck in my mind was how she and Paul put the extra furniture they didn't like in the apartment in the a back room and called it their "Oubliette" or Forgettery. I just love that name. Maybe you'll have to get an Oubliette for your extra stuff!
Merissa Cherie
February 28, 2011
Such beautiful windows and light! And what a fun little thing to have the washing machine in the kitchen 🙂 It is cool to learn the differences with other countries. I loved seeing the sites you added about your surrounding neighborhood. Looks like you and your family will enjoy your lovely new home!
likestowander
February 28, 2011
You found a beautiful apartment! And you're right, it definitely doesn't hurt that it's in Paris. I completely understand your pain in looking for apartments. We saw so many horrible places in Sydney until we finally settled on something. It's so wonderful to have a home again.
janis
February 28, 2011
you are living the dream! so lovely. those hardwood floors are just GORG!
kathryn besser
February 28, 2011
Jordan,
I love the area you're living in! We like to stay the Relais Bosquet and enjoy the benefits of Rue Cler. Cafe Constant on rue St. Dominique is very kid friendly if you eat upstairs. Oh, and go to La Fontaine de Mars (rue St. Dominique) for Sole Meuniere ala Julia Child. Everyone will tell you the Obamas ate there when they were in Paris! Lastly, my favorite breakfast/lunch place is Bread & Roses off the Luxembourg Gardens – heaven! Warmly, kathy
Kayla Poole
February 28, 2011
pencil me in for sometime this summer 😉
claire
February 28, 2011
It looks lovely. Have fun settling in xo
Ashley @ Susie B. Mag
February 28, 2011
The apartment is fabulous! 5 out of 7 looks pretty good to me. Can't believe the washing machine in the kitchen! Have fun decorating! Even if it's only temporary.
Joy of all Crafts
February 28, 2011
I'm so happy for you! Thanks for sharing your journey! I'm living my dream through you! 🙂
{lovely little things}
February 28, 2011
Wow, what a find! It looks great, two bedrooms and lots of light, and hardwood floors! You lucked out!!
Taylor Sterling
February 28, 2011
Wow Jordan– I love it! I am so envious of you! What an amazing experience–can't wait to see what you do with it! xx
Alice Q. Foodie
March 1, 2011
It looks amazing – so happy for you!!
Cindy
March 1, 2011
I am completely jealous of your view, how beautiful!! I can't wait to see what you do with the apartment (:
little t
March 1, 2011
Oh wow, this is all so great. So happy for you. Trocadero is such a beautiful area in Paris.
Nice Brew Interior Design
March 1, 2011
Lovely place but where else would you keep a washing machine!?
Busy as a Bee in Paris
March 1, 2011
ha ha! it was culture shock to me too when we first arrived in france and i was introduced to hallway kitchens! i LOVe your place and am jealous you live so close to the eiffel tower! enjoy!!!!
springfield
March 1, 2011
Nice apartments. This type of luxury apartments are obtainale in affordable price at India. http://www.springfieldshelters.com
Shannon Gillman Orr
March 1, 2011
Oh so happy for your space! It looks fantastic and so Paris. Can't wait to see what you do to make it yours.
Laura
March 1, 2011
I love your blog! Can't wait to see all the wonderful things you're going to do with this space.
Jodi
March 1, 2011
looks fantastic. Sounds just like China- the washer is usually in or near the kitchen and is very small (hardly anyone has dryers), and the fridges are also very tiny.
Steph
March 1, 2011
wow, beautiful! I just found you through Shanna, and I look forward to following your journey! I will be in Paris in July and cannot wait! 🙂
Honora
March 1, 2011
And you aren't too far from the Musee Rodin. One of the city's best! We are all living vicariously through you!
Kitchen-Dreams
March 1, 2011
It looks as if you have found the perfect place, or the perfect place just found the perfect family. I am inspired!
saltandpine
March 1, 2011
Oh my, that place looks wonderful! I can't wait to see what you do with it. I love following your adventure in Paris…I would love to live there with my family one day, but in the meantime, I get to live vicariously through you! 🙂
Katie
Flotsam Friends
March 1, 2011
The apartment is fantastic. You've done so, so well with your wish list. #1 natural light and you've got it in bucket loads. How absolutely exciting. It's quite big too. Especially the bedrooms. It's a well thought out design and I'm with you regarding the dishwasher. Any dishwasher is a good dishwasher with kids!! Can't wait to here how you settle in. An amazing time in your life. You make me feel very boring… Pruxxx
Dina
March 1, 2011
That is an awesome apartment for Paris! Big rooms, white and bright, fully equipped kitchen, nice layout-you have everything une petite Parisienne could ask for! The apartments I've lived in in France were always very awkward…
craftedbylindy
March 1, 2011
Oh wow! I am beyond envious! What an amazing experience to get to have. Your apartment looks wonderful! Enjoy!
Pistachio
March 3, 2011
Wow, such a pretty apartment and I know you will make it a happy home!
Cheers!!
Bridget
March 3, 2011
a BLOCK from the eiffel tower?!??!?
Kelly Anne
March 3, 2011
Lovely! I'm so envious of your floors! The great Art Deco vanity in the master is amazing, too.
Anneliese
March 3, 2011
Looks so incredible! I want to walk barefoot on those gorgeous floors!
Marie
March 3, 2011
This is an amazing space in Paris Jordan! Apart from the kitchen which looks a bit small, I would be happy with the rest! Gorgeous wooden floor by the way 😉
And so close to the Eiffel tower… I think you can call yourself lucky!
Have a good time in the city of lights!
natalienoods
March 3, 2011
Just popped over for the first time from Nat The Fat Rat…and can I just say you are living the dream in Paris? I am jaloux!
nole
March 4, 2011
Such a gorgeous apartment Jordan! Your description of Paris apartments reminds me of most of the apartments here in DC – mostly small galley kitchens and the washer/dryer is almost always in either the bathroom (where mine is) or the kitchen. I can't wait to see what you do with the space!
Pancakes For Recess
March 4, 2011
*SWOON* I stayed in the 7th and I absolutely loved it. I'll be going back this summer… Enjoy every second.
MuseumChick
March 4, 2011
Ahhhh, my favorite area in Paris! Have you tried Petit Cler on Rue Cler? It's my favorite restaurant in the area! I used to live on Rue de Monttessuy and I miss it! Oh and you are right by Cantin- the best cheese in all of Paris!!!
Natalie.
March 6, 2011
Those FLOORS!!!! Oh! And PS. My number 1 aspiration in life is to own a dishwasher. It's been 10 years. TEN.
I'm so inspired by you Jordan Ferney!
The Shutter
March 6, 2011
I'm so green with envy. Rue Cler is my favorite street. The fruit markets, the cheese shop, Marche, Tribeca. The Champs du Mars…..oh how lucky you are.
interactive flash maps
March 9, 2011
Wow these Paris picture are really great, I hop you tour was great, Paris is my favorite place for summer vacation.
Summerlin las vegas
March 14, 2011
The pictures you share is really awesome.I love this city.It has so many beautiful places.Thanks for this amazing blog.
Ylenia
May 11, 2011
Wow this is a GEM!! it's absolutely gorgeous and the location is amazing!! seriously it's just PERFECT
richmond va homes for sale
May 18, 2011
This is beautiful apartment i am so glad to see this home.you post great pictures of this house. Interior is awesome.
Pongetongerong
May 19, 2011
My old street! I'm so jealous!
Make sure you keep an eye out for free books from the American Library right there! They also have pretty good book sales every so often. I got the complete works of Oscar Wilde and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy for 2€ a pop last year!
Nicole
June 9, 2011
My husband and I stayed at Hoel Relais Bosquet which looks like it is around the corner from you. We LOVED the area. It was so convenient and now we contemplate if we should making the move.