VINGT Paris

On the rue Francs Bourgeois

It was long haul through until closing the deal but it was worth it to see my client bring his whole family, all the way from Texas, to see his brand new Paris apartment for the first time. Before renovation it looked quite different although was a good layout and had a wonderful with the view across the street, the Hotel Particulier, Hôtel d'Alméras. But like most Parisian apartments (contrary to popular imagination) it was in need of a serious decoration overhaul. It's a two bedroom apartment on the rue Francs Bourgeois in the heart of the Marais and has been bought specifically to be rented through a luxury short stay apartment specialist.

Monte Laster is the talented artist and designer - it's a true palace now.

The Marais is packed with these ancient Hotel Particulier which were once the town houses of wealthy families. Laws passed in 1962 by André Malraux (de Gaulle's Minister of Culture) protected the historical centers of French cities and thankfully the Marais and it's magnificent buildings.

In the olden days, the Marais was a swamp (the word means "swamp" in French) and was later used for growing produce to feed Paris. Rue Francs-Bourgeois, was one of the first streets to be laid as the wealthy moved in and a century later Henri IV constructed Place des Vosges (about 5 minutes away at the end of the street). In later centuries the area became terribly run-down and was almost razed to the ground to widen the rue de Rivoli until a campaign stopped the destruction and Malraux stepped in. The other thank you is to the gay community. Quoting from an interesting report:

"By 1980 a report for the Paris City Council presented the Marais as an up and coming middle-class district. But really, the Marais was rising in popularity with the homosexuals because of commercial opportunities. In the 1980s, the area was redeveloped as many commercial buildings could be bought for bargain prices. Gay people were looking for pubs opened to public gaze, where they were visible. This would make homosexual life more accepted in the city and in everyday life."

I must admit to be facinated by the effect that artists and homosexuals have on property prices!

Another interesting building on rue Francs Bourgeois is the Credit Municipal at no. 55 - or as the French call it “Ma Tante” . This is a special bank operating like a pawnshop – lending money in exchange for art, jewelery or furnishings. When you've paid back the loan you get the belongings back. The nickname came about when bashful barterers said they'd been left money by their family! Inside you can still see the huge wooden mattress sterilizing machine used to clean bed linen pawned by 19th century Parisians.

If you'd like to stop for lunch, there is a superb restaurant at no.53 called Le Dome du Marais which is handy in this inclement weather as there is a glass covered dining area which has a beautiful light at lunch time.

Property pitfalls of renting in Paris

Flat hunting in Paris is a bureaucratic nightmare, and that's only if the landlord likes the look of you! Check out this article from Greatreporter. The author Sally Rubery is right, you need determination, money and a sense of humour!

The need to provide a Guarantor is a particular problem for non-French renters because it's not that easy to find someone who will co-sign with you and agree to pay if you default on the rent if you're brand new in town. French landlords won't accept a non-French based Guarantor because they can't hunt them down if you turn out to default on your rent.

You could just come direct to Bonapart Paris and we'll ease the pain because most people agree after they finally find their home alone, it was a nightmare!

I feel so sorry when people call me and tell me they've been here for a week staying in a hotel and have had no luck finding a place, they are exhausted, disheartened and usually quite uncomplementary about how owners and agencies do business. It can get you down being treated with a complete lack of respect day after day!

It's even horrible for the French, here's a site called JeudiNoir which is a pressure group made up of young people who can't find proper accomodation in Paris. They are protesting on the humiliating process particularly through the Particulier Particulier (PAP), a property magazine carrying listings for apartments for rent and for sale direct with the owner (it comes out on a Thursday, Jeudi, hence the "Black Thursday/Jeudi Noir" name).

Yesterday a family from Mexico city told me that they'd gone to visit an apartment for their son who is coming here to study. On a visit they were let in by the Gardienne who was rather vague about the apartment, it was either this one or another on the 3rd floor. They confirmed the apartment, saw that it was the one they'd seen photos of online and went to the agency to sign the papers only to find out just before signing that they were about to put down a deposit on the grotty, semi-furnished box with a view onto the wall of the neighbouring building. Thankfuly they spotted the trick as the son is already speaking excellent French - they were the lucky ones.

Montmartre hideaway - Virginie Salot photography

One of my favourite aparments has just had the professional photography treatment by young French photographer Virgine Salot, specialising in interiors. To see further photos, check out the slideshow. This is a stunning one bedroom (about 460 ft2) apartment situated in a calm Montmartre street on one of the famous staircases. Next door to Sacre Coeur and walking distance to the Porte de Clignancourt flea market, the scenic Montmartre Cemetery and the only working vineyard in Paris. Also comes with 80m² terrasse and 360 degree view of Paris for summer parties!