Ref: PGCE. rue Gracieuse, 5e.

Cultural paradise in the heart of intellectual Paris - sleeps 3.  Map

The owner of this apartment being a former Director of Arts and Culture at Unesco and personal friend of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoire, its decoration reflects the life of a well travelled, cultured woman who's life has been dedicated to literature and the arts. Books and painting adorn the walls and objects from around the world occupy the mantelpieces. It is no suprise that she has chosen this area of Paris to settle down, rooted deep in history, culture and academia. Indeed the Sorbonne, Panthéon, Arene de Lutece and the rue Mouffetard are only a short walk away and sights of interest can be found at the corner of every street. The nearest métro is 1 minute away at place Monge.

The apartment and is situated on the 1st floor (no lift) and sleeps 3 people in one double bedroom and a single bedroom. It is spacious and has large windows admitting a lot of light.

One enters the hall which leads directly through to the living/dining area. This double room has been deliberately left open creating a spacious and convivial space.

The first thing you notice is the large library that covers all the walls, with books of all kinds. There are 2 double sofas, a Louis XVII armchair, 2 more antique armchairs, a large wooden coffee table and a working wood fire.

The dining area has a glass dining table that comfortably seats 4, an antique buffet and a second working fireplace.

Just off the dining area is the study where there is a desk with broadband internet access, a large chest of antique drawers and a third working fireplace.

The kitchen is situated just off the entrance hall. Here you will find all the expected appliances including hobs, oven, dishwasher, fridge / freezer, washing machine and dryer. There is also a coffee machine, a toaster and a kettle.

The bedrooms and bathroom are separated from the living/dining area by a corridor with large storage cupboards.

The main bedroom has a double bed (5ft3, 160cm wide), two reading tables with lamps and an antique chest of drawers. The second bed is situated in a second study which has no public use and thus can be considered as a bedroom in its own right so the singe sofa-bed can be left as a bed at all times.

The bathroom has a bathtub with a hand held shower and a hand basin. There is a separate loo in the same corridor.

The apartment is right next to place Monge where there is a traditional food market 3 times a week (Wednesday, Friday, Sunday) offering some of the finest produce. If you don't find what you need here the shops and market of rue Mouffetard, one of the oldest streets in Paris is a sure bet.

The area is well endowed with restaurants, cafés and bars. Try Chez Lena et Mimile (8 rue Tournefort) a wonderfully located restaurant that offers a large terrace during the sunnier months or l'Estrapade (5 rue de l'Etrapade) which offers a traditional cuisine with a twist. Also a visit to the Paris Mosque for tea should not be missed. Here you will enjoy a idyllic atmosphere, an oasis in the middle of Paris. Try the North African pastry with a mint tea.

This is a No Smoking property.