Looking for a Flat.....

This isn't meant to be the usual account of the tourist sights of the Ville Lumière, but rather an idea for a deeper look for those who already know Paris, though not its less touristy sides. I'm looking for a flat in Paris because I have to move to France for work (....ha ha ha.....I did it!!!!) so I took advantage of this last bit of holiday to sound out the property market of the French capital. I wandered on foot (and by metro) between the 4th and 6th Arrondissement (basically between the Marais and the Latin Quarter), going from one estate agency to the next, trying to work out which of the two arrondissements suited my tastes (and my pockets) better.

Flight from Milan with EasyJet booked at the last minute and paid a fortune (450 Euros!!!) so much for low cost!!! to Orly, then an Air France bus to the Gare de Montparnasse, very convenient, right in front of the South terminal exit; for just 8 euros you arrive in about 20 minutes in front of the Hotel Meridien Montparnasse. Beautiful and imposing is the Tower, about 56 floors of black glass with a terrace on the top floor with a breathtaking view over all of Paris (better than the more famous Eiffel Tower); straight to the hotel to drop off the bags (Tim Hotel - Rue de l'Arrivée 22 - 75 euros for a double in the new part of the hotel - booked on Expedia) and then off to wander in the Latin Quarter beyond the Boulevard de Montparnasse.

Spectacular are the little streets with little traffic and above all little 'trodden' by tourists between Rue de Rennes and the Jardin du Luxembourg, patrician houses from the late nineteenth century with the typical Parisian mansard roofs....what you expect from the collective imagination about Parisian houses, but without the chaos of cars and crowds you find in the 1st and 2nd arrondissement (metro St. Placide or Notre Dame des Champs or Rennes); take my word for it, a nice walk as far as St. Germain des Prés will put you straight in touch with the true soul of Paris. Once you reach the famous St. Germain, treat yourself to some well-earned relaxation in one of the many brasseries with outdoor tables and enjoy watching the people passing by, perhaps sipping a bière pression or an aperitif depending on your taste.

I spent the first two days wandering practically only in this area, looking for estate agencies to get an idea of prices.......very high!!!!!!!! Just to give you an idea....for sale we're talking about 10,000 euros per square metre, and for rent from 1200 euros upwards for a small studio!!!!!!!! In the other two days I decided to investigate the 4th arrondissement a bit better, the Marais, very central (it borders the 1st arrondissement), a famous district of artists and poets and all the bohemians of the city; I already knew it well for the presence of numerous nightspots (especially evening bars)......what can I say, wonderful this area too......I even move hotels to be more comfortable (Hotel Acacias - Rue du Temple 20 - 115 euros for a lousy double with a view over an awful courtyard...so much for the spectacular views the city offers!!!) the tour certainly starts from the Hôtel de Vi

lle (magnificent!!!!) (metro Hôtel de Ville) and then continues among the little streets between Rue du Temple, the Centre culturel Pompidou (better known as Beaubourg) and to the north with Rue Rambuteau. Here the buildings are generally lower and less 'lavish' but the little shops and the various underground bars make it an area rich in fascination and charm.

On foot you easily reach the Île de la Cité with His Majesty Notre Dame, a cathedral that needs no further comment........praised in every language and way (still the 4th arrondissement).....cross the other bridge over the Seine (Pont au Double) and you're back in the 6th arrondissement....stop in the middle of one of the many bridges to admire the breathtaking panorama.....wonderful Paris!!!!!!! I recommend to anyone near the Marais to go for dinner at this restaurant: 'Le Chant des Voyelles' on Rue des Lombards 4, a young and lovely setting like a typical brasserie with tables outside too, background music (not even that much in the background...), quite a fashionable place, excellent dinner, courteous waiters and a bill that's modest for the quality of the food (70 euros for two with wine and a glass of champagne).

To anyone who wants a tour different from the 'usual' Paris of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Champs-Élysées, I strongly recommend trying to live more deeply the life of these two arrondissements (both by day and by night), to understand more deeply the 'façon de vivre à la Parisienne'. 'Vive la France, Vive Paris' Ciao Max