.4th Pompidou Centre/Le Marais holiday apartment: Paris

My partner Sharon and I recently enjoyed a wonderful few days in this magnificent apartment. It has a big, airy rooms, with high ceilings and large old wooden beams framing a spacious living room. The furnishings are in impeccable taste, and very comfortable. So comfortable, in fact, they seemed to lure us in to relax and discuss at length all the day's discoveries. The apartment is in an historic, old building, accessed through a courtyard, and set back only a few feet from the Seine. The owners have kept it immaculate and equipped it with all the modern conveniences, including a spotless, big kitchen guaranteed to satisfy everyone, even those who may have come to seek culinary inspiration in Paris. For my part, I kept the cooking to a minimum, since it was only a few steps to countless restaurants and bistros, where I could endulge all my considerable gustatory fantasies. The neighborhood is a revalation - with easy access to wonderful food, markets, gardens, and of course, just one island upriver from Notre Dame. Its an easy walk to both the Metro and the Seine. Sharon and I enjoyed several evening walks along the river - accompanied once to the deep gongs coming from the Notre Dame bell towers.

I can't remember when I've enjoyed a vacation more. Each day in Paris, we'd head out, discover new things, and then come home to this warm, comfortable, and friendly apartment--relax-- and attempt to decide which one of the nearby temples of cuisine we'd visit for dinner.

I can't imagine a more convenient, accessible and friendly apartment from which to explore Paris.