Le Reve d'Abbesses

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The Area

Away from the busy throngs around Sacre-Coeur, the Abbesses area on the slopes of Montmartre is trendy but still proudly holds to its village life.

In the evening, chic bars and cafes like Le Vrai Paris and La Fourmi are lively haunts of Parisian bobos (Bourgeois-boheme) taking in the scene. Come morning the locals reclaim the streets, to shop, have coffee and gossip. You can buy your breakfast from Le Grenier a Pain, bread suppliers to the rich and famous, or plan your day in a local cafe like Amelie's Deux Moulins on Rue Lepic.

Abbesses still retains a feel of old Paris yet has some of the most individual boutiques, cafes and restaurants in the city. You can find antique shops, galleries, hip bars and small creative boutiques, inspired by the many Montmartre based artists who came before.

Cabaret was invented on the boulevards below Abbesses. Michou, one of the best-loved performers, still runs his club on Rue des Martyrs. He can be found every evening with his friends in the Mascotte bar on rue des Abbesses. There you can hear brilliant accordion music as you sample the grises brought that day from the ports of Normandy or lunch in the brasserie itself, one of the most atmospheric in Paris.

Music and club venues abound by Boulevard de Clichy. Traditional French songs can be heard in Les Trois Baudets where Brel, Brassens, Gainsbourg and Greco made their Paris debuts. There is also live jazz in Autour de Midi-Minuit on Lepic and international bands at La Cigale which is one of the best venues in Paris.

For a peaceful interlude, you can wander the cemetery of Montmartre, just below us, where many heroes of French cultural life are buried.

Location

The apartment itself is metres from the Place Emile-Goudeau which once housed the famous Bateau-Lavoir studios, the birthplace of modern painting and French poetry, and where Picasso painted his monumental painting "Demoiselles d'Avignon". In the other direction down the hill is the famous music-hall at the time of the Belle-Epoque, the Moulin Rouge.The area has been used in numerous movies and fans of 'Amelie' will recognise many of the locations used in the film, including the cafŽ where Amelie Poulain works in rue Lepic, as well as the grocers shop, Marche de la Butte, which is to be found moments up the road in rue des Trois Freres. For foodies, the area is heaven with an abundance of outstanding charcuteries, boulangeries, p‰tisseries, fish shops, a local market and restaurants. Equally, for fashionistas the adjacent streets are full of trendy shops, bars and clubs.

There are excellent bus and metro services. The apartment is a 30 minute walk from the Gare du Nord, where the Eurostar arrive.

We have made arrangements with a chauffeur service to provide transportation from the airport to our apartments.

You may book this service by going to our Special Services & Activities page.

On the left side of the page, close to the bottom, choose 'Car Transfer'.

Amenities

• Electric Heating
• Italian Coffee maker and kettle
• Toaster
• Cutlery, Cookware and Dishes
• Stove
• Refrigerator
• Freezer
• Combination Washer/drier
• Cable Television
• Internet access via Wi-Fi or Ethernet Connection
• DVD player
• DVDs
• MP3 Docking Station
• English books and magazines
• Telephone
• Free long distance calls to many countries
• Hair Drier
• Iron with Ironing Board
• Towels and bed linen
• Shower with small bathtub
• Portable bed for infants on request
• Bedroom 1: Queen Bed

This lovely apartment is located in the heart of the delightful Abbesses district, an area which has long attracted an artistic community and is renowned for its village-like atmosphere. Small, but perfectly formed, our apartment is on the third floor of a traditional Montmartrois building and is the perfect base from which to explore Paris, or just to relax and watch the world go by. Sacre Coeur is only a few minutes walk up the hill, as are also the last vineyards in Paris and the only two remaining examples of Montmartre's once numerous windmills.

This south-facing apartment is very light and sunny and is on the third floor (there is no lift but the climb is not arduous!) overlooking rue Durantin which curves round and heads down the hill looking towards the brick-clad church of St-Jean l'Evangeliste on Place des Abbesses.

Although removed from the main hustle and bustle of the area, the apartment is nevertheless moments away from the rue des Abbesses with all its shops and restaurants.

The flat comprises a main living room with a fireplace and two full-length double-glazed windows facing the street.

There is a dining room table (which is extendable) and a long contemporary sofa which folds flat and sleeps one adult or two children comfortably.

There is a flat screen television with cable connection (French and International channels) with a DVD player and a wide selection of movies.

We also have an MP3 consul which allows audio connectivity for mp3 players, games consuls, portable cds and digital radios.

There is also a telephone, as well as wireless internet access. There is also a collection of guides and general reference books.

The bedroom has a queen size bed and a large built-in cupboard with ample storage just to your right when you walk into this room.

There is also a book shelf to the left of the bed and reading lights on either side should you wish to curl up with something to read.

There are original oak parquet floors throughout.

The bed will be made up with professional quality linen and fluffy towels will be ready for your use.

The kitchen is compact but fully equipped. It has an open concept so it is incorporated into the living room so you can have a conversation with someone and prepare your meal at the same time.

There is a two-ring electric hob and a Dualit mini oven.

In addition, we have equipped the kitchen with a toaster, mini-fridge with freezer compartment.

The washing machine is located in this part of the flat and it has a built-in clothes dryer.

The bathroom is conveniently located to the right when you first walk into the apartment.

It has a small bathtub plus a wall mounted shower.

There is a sink with plenty of storage space underneath for your personal items.

The WC/lavatory is located in the same room.

For your convenience, there is a heated towel rail.

We aim to make your stay as comfortable as possible. On arriving you will be greeted by an English speaker who also speaks fluent French.