Hello. I am once again in Paris, this time for two weeks. Next year, I would like to stay for a month and instead of staying at my favorite hotel I would like to rent an apartment in the Marais. I find the prospect daunting particularly since I have no control over a neighbor's noise. I am sensitive to loud noise, loud walking, etc. I do not know the first thing about being wise to apartment selection or agency so I am asking for advice from well-versed travelers who have rented apartments in the Marais. Perhaps you can briefly describe the process and perhaps give recommendations of agencies or apartment owners based on my above rental concerns for a quiet apartment. Ideally, I would like to be in the area of the Centre de Georges Pompidou. Thank you
Posted by
Boston
362 posts
I always rent on the top floor of a building. Always. No exceptions.
I once stayed in an otherwise lovely apartment in the 12th, but the upstairs neighbor clomped around in obvious high heels at 2am every night.
Since then it's always and only top floors for moi.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
I agree. Thank you. I failed to mention that I would like a top floor rental.
Posted by
RIchmond, BC,Canada
1084 posts
I recently rented an apartment in the Marais through VRBO. It was a fourth floor walk-up on the top floor. The advantage of using a site like VRBO is that you can read customer reviews that will tell you a lot about the place. Nobody likes noisy neighbours, and most, if not all, listings will say that parties and such will not be tolerated. When I arrived to check in, a family who was renting the apartment opposite was also checking in. They had kids who were a little loud as we were climbing the spiral stairs to the top level, and their voices really carried. The man checking us in was very quick to tell them to be quiet. I never heard them the whole week I was there. Ordinary, working Parisians also live in these buildings, and don’t want to be bothered by noisy tourists. It is in the best interests of the owners of rental units to ensure there are no problems. But, my choice would always be to rent a top floor unit, even if I have to climb four flights of stairs. At least you won’t have the noise of the people upstairs walking on your ceiling.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Thank you, Anita, for your thoughtful reply, If you have any more information to share such as who or where you booked, please feel free to again reply. A top floor unit definitely will be preferable.
Posted by
North Georgia, USA
1384 posts
https://www.lebeaumarais.com/en
This company rents several apartments in this building and I believe some are on the top floor, but check the listings. We stayed here last year and very much enjoyed it.
Posted by
RIchmond, BC,Canada
1084 posts
Just go to VRBO.com. They are similar to air b&b, but I prefer their website for searching by price and area. There are other sites specific to just Paris or France, but I found there were less listings, or they were more expensive. I actually have the VRBO app, and use it to book places, and communicate with the owner.