Louvre
in the 2nd arrondissement

Just a few blocks from the former outdoor food market of central Paris, known as ‘Les Halles’, this ‘Right Bank’ apartment is ideally situated for those who want to be within close walking distance to the Louvre museum, the Seine River, or the Pompidou Center. Although the street is named ‘rue Montmarte’, the actual location of the apartment is far from the Montmartre district; rather, the apartment is just two blocks north of the magnificent Gothic church named St. Eustache, which has one of the most impressive displays of flying buttresses in Paris.

In the 1960’s, the ‘Les Halles’ food market was transferred to a modern facility in Rungis, south of Paris. The vast empty market area was then transformed into a park with an underground shopping mall and a major underground transportation hub. From the apartment, you can walk to the subway and suburban train entrance in just 5 minutes, which allows you to get most anywhere in Paris in a short period of time. The park is a wonderful place to sit and read, or just watch the world pass by.

One of the main remnants of the once thriving food market district is the rue Montorgeuil, which is known for its daily market where you can find most anything in the way of fine produce and foodstuffs. The entire street is blocked off to traffic during the morning market hours. This market street is 2 blocks east of the apartment, so it is just far enough away to avoid the noise of the early morning delivery trucks. Despite the close proximity of bustling street markets, restaurants, cafés, and bars, the apartment building is in a quiet building on a well protected inner courtyard, well beyond the constant noise of urban life.

One flight below the top floor of the building with four large windows facing west and no ‘vis-à-vis’ (meaning that there are no windows facing the apartment on the opposite side of the courtyard with neighbours peering out at you), you have privacy and bright light as well. The building elevator is invaluable for accessing the apartment with luggage and groceries in hand. Down in the courtyard, there is an in-house guardian who keeps close watch on the building and helps keep the building clean and in good shape, including the plants in the courtyard. The private alleyway/courtyard is accessible from the street; but only for those who have a confidential code, and then once you are in the courtyard, to enter the stairwell to the part of the building where the apartment is located also requires an entrance code.

The owners of the flat have mixed a contemporary look and artwork with the ancient rustic exposed beams and wooden cabinetry and detailing, which makes for a warm atmosphere throughout the apartment. The apartment is comfortable and it can sleep four, with two in the bedroom and two on the bed-couch; but it is best suited to a family or close friends, nevertheless.

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"... this time, I was going until 1 A.M., loading up my car with the following: 2 very large rectangular mirror frames, a lovely porcelain corner sink with its original faucet, an oak cabinet door, a small cheese cabinet door with its wooden grill, more carved marble mantle pieces, a large cast iron skillet, and bits and pieces of carved wood: from molding to cornices."

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