SPECIAL EDITION: Le Sentier de Soie

Rue Montorgueil is the oldest open-air shopping street in Paris and is still one of its finest and most fun. Making this district your home-away-from-home is a smart move for anyone who loves to take in the sights and sounds of the activity along the pedestrian marketplace or who is a gourmet wishing to test out his culinary talents. You will find here some of the best meat, fish and produce markets in the city along with renowned pastry shops such as La Maison Stohrer, bistrots, cafés, bars and boutiques.

Rue Montorgueil’s name translates to “Mount Pride” and was named after the hilly area on which the street developed. Some of the streets, such as rue Dussoubs and rue Saint-Sauveur, date back to the 11th-century. A few steps away near the Etienne Marcel Métro station is a medieval fortified tower known as the Jean Sans-Peur, erected in the early 15th-century by “Fearless Jean,” the Duke of Burgundy, notorious for having assassinated his cousin, the Duke d’Orléans.

Located in the heart of Paris in the 2nd arrondissement, but still claiming a village-like atmosphere, it’s an easy walk to just about every important sight. Just north of Châtelet-les-Halles, the district is surrounded by transportation that takes you to all points of Paris and beyond. Métro lines 3 and 4 run through the district and the RER A, B and D lines.

Last night I was in the district seeking a restaurant in which to dine. Most of the eating establishments were filled to the brim at 8 p.m. and the entire area around rue Montorgueil and the surrounding pedestrian streets were buzzing with activity. This district is one of the more colorful in the city, bordered on the east by the traditional Red Light District (rue Saint-Denis), on the south by Les Halles, on the west by the financial district (La Bourse) and on the north by the garment district (Le Sentier). Its mix of residents lends itself to an eclectic slice of Parisian life centering their affairs around the market street.

Le Sentier de Soie is an artist’s creation whose touch is everywhere you turn.

Just two short blocks from the famous shopping street (the oldest in Paris!), rue Montorgeuil, Le Sentier de Soie is wonderfully located in central Paris. The apartment is situated on the second floor of a high standing well-maintained building with an elevator, and boasts of a long and inviting balcony that is accessible from numerous points in the apartment.

This two-bedroom apartment is as large as some three and four-bedroom apartments. The living room and dining room are particularly spacious and the ceiling is higher than four meters throughout. From the shared alcove entranceway, one first encounters the ‘grand salon,’ or living room, with many sculptures and other original works of art as well as a floor-to-ceiling bookcase filled with English language books. Just under the wall of books is a contemporary sofa that can seat at least six, accompanied by two glass coffee tables and two easy chairs. The room is also equipped with a flat-screen television and DVD player as well as an iPod dock.

Just past the living room is a very well-equipped U-shaped kitchen with all the counter space you could ever need. You may make good use of the full-sized oven, four-burner gas stove, dishwasher, full-sized refrigerator with freezer, separate washer and dryer and numerous small appliances including microwave, toaster, and drip coffee maker. All cookware, plates, glasses and cutlery are provided.

Just off the kitchen is a spacious and elegant dining room with a long metal dining table that seats up to 10. Here there are also two square side tables, a beautiful Asian screen and a collection of the artists’ sculpted masks that line the walls. Two large windows provide plenty of light. Tucked discretely in the corner is the powder room with a toilet and sink.

If your party includes a fifth person, you will be able to take advantage of the comfortable airbed provided with the apartment. It can be set up in the dining room, separated from the dining table by the Asian screen.

The hallway leading from the dining room gives access to the two bedrooms and full bathroom. The first door on the right is a bedroom/office with a double bed, and a long desk. Both a PC and a Mac are provided for your use. There is a closet with hanging space and two chests of drawers.

At the end of the hall is the bathroom with full tub/shower, marble sink and counter, toilet and heated towel warmer. Finally, the tastefully decorated master bedroom is located at the end of the hall, to the right. This spacious room has a king-size bed, two full closets, large chest of drawers and mirror.

Included with the apartment is cable television with over 100 channels, WiFi and free long-distance telephone free to land lines in over 100 countries. This extends to calls to cell phones in the US and Canada. For complete information on this incredible apartment, visit Le Sentier de Soie!

There is no time like the present to start planning your travel to Paris on 2013. We’d like you to consider staying with us in one of our Luxury appartments. You will find more information for Le Sentier de Soie and our other apartments at https://adrianleeds.com/parler-paris-apartments.

A la prochaine…

Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris

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