My Beautiful Apartment
No, I’m not talking about my dull apartment in Montparnasse — it was fun to play Left Bank bohemian, but I’m back to my senses.
I’m talking about my new apartment. It’s in a 19th century Haussman block in the 16th arrondissement, just south of one of the chic’est areas of Paris. Shall I give you the tour?
You enter through the wrought-iron and glass door into the foyer. You can either go into the private interior courtyard, or continue to the stone staircase. I suggest you take the delicate wrought-iron elevator that has been retrofitted into the staircase.
On the fourth floor, you’ll find the heavy wood door that leads into my new apartment. Yes, it is a sturdy door, isn’t it? I think you’ll find that it’s original to the building.
The inside of the apartment has been renovated, of course. It used to be a three bedroom suite, but they cut it up into a large single bedroom with huge salon. The ceilings are high, with plaster mouldings. The hallway is large enough to use as an office, and the bedroom and salon have large windows looking over the busy street. It’s surprising how soundproof they are!
The salle de bain is off the bedroom, and completely modernized, with smartly tiled walls. There’s sufficient room to install the laundry machine in here, I imagine. There’s also extremely large closets. Closets in Paris, who would imagine? I won’t be needing those anymore, of course.
The kitchen is also modernized, with a smaller window looking over the interior courtyard. It’s unfurnished, so I’ll have to purchase appliances.
Did I forget to mention the fireplace in the salon? In working condition, it is.
It’s slightly smaller than that other hovel, by ten square metres or so, but all the individual rooms are larger. It’s also slightly more expensive, say twenty or thirty euros a month more. And I shall have to buy some new furnishings (such as a fridge, a sofa and a dishwasher). But I think it’s an amazing find.
Oh, I forgot to mention — I would either have to buy a car or add forty minutes to my commute to work, each way. So I’m not going to take it. Haha, you bastard guests are probably going to have to visit my twenty square metre hovel in the sticks.
GKarlsen
Holy Smokes!!!
haha. That is too bad…it sounded beautiful, though I was sad to hear there was only one bedroom, you are forgetting about your lovely guests!;)
I should clarify — I don’t really know if the building is authentic 19th century, but I wouldn’t be surprised. It’s certainly built in the style.
The wooden door might not be original, or even that nice.
I saw the place at night time illumated by my mobile phone, since the electricity was cut off.
I have no idea how it is heated, or whether there are any outlets. Or how much the habitation tax would be.
The busy street would be painful in the summer, with the noise and the pollution (my side street sixth story in Montparnasse already has grey drapes).
Being a chic area means that there is much less lively petites commerces such as the bakery, butcher, little restaurants and pubs, etc.
But it was beautiful, and I’m going to time the metro again tonight to see if there’s a faster route.
I like doors.
Come now. What’s an extra 40 minutes? So you have to be on the train and bus for 4 hours a day? Really, what would you be doing with those hours anyway? Nothing useful, maybe some sleeping, a bit of blogging, responding to emails, eating, seeing friends, watching DVDs, going outside. All things that frankly we could all do with less of.
Think of the opportunity for communing with the masses of Parisians – world renouned for their ability to sweat on the Metro and yet still not shower for days on end. Who wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to spend more time underground? You know what they say “Getting there is half the fun!” and in your case commuting for 4 hours and working for 8 hours it would be mathmatically true!! You’d be that guy!
As an added bonus if you take this place now you won’t need to be appartment hunting on Dec 3rd and 4th and you could come to jolly old Oxford and get stinking drunk on warm beer with the Loomers and me. Okay, I’ll admit it, I’m only looking out for my best interests when I advice you to take it. But, in this world where metaphysically I can’t even be sure that you exist, I think it is probably best if I only give advice that directly benefits me…
Keep us posted on you ongoing struggle to find accomodations.
One question though…if it is illegal to kick someone out of their home (or even ask them politely if they wouldn’t prefer to possibly live elsewherer) November through March then will there be many places available to rent? Turnover during this period would seem to be reduced. Might you be better off “pulling a French” and just digging in your heels and staying put until March?