Authored by Amy Donoghue
Paris is one of the world’s most iconic destinations, inspiring travel fantasies and capturing hearts and imaginations all over the world. ‘The wrought-iron spire of the Eiffel Tower piercing the clouds, the broad Arc de Triomphe guarding Paris’ most glamorous avenue’; it’s travel porn at it’s finest.
Some people fantasize about sharing a kiss in front of the Eiffel Tower, others about stylish shopping, and lamplit bridges spanning the Seine. But my fantasies have always been about immersing myself into every day life. To wake up in a Parisian apartment, and skip downstairs to the market to eat my bodyweight in French pastry.
I’ve always dreamed I would spend the day exploring, and then drag myself back to my neighborhood, smiling at other locals in passing. ‘Because tourists don’t stay here darling‘.
I care about the iconic attractions, of course, but with so many highlights it can be a challenge to experience the city like a local would. And with 20 million odd travelers who visit the city every year, I wanted a more authentic experience than your average tourist would.
Short of moving to France (tempting), Cobblestone Paris offers that authentic experience even if you’re just visiting for a weekend; they rent impeccably furnished and conveniently located apartments which allow travelers to experience Paris the way a Parisian would.
How to Live Like a Parisian: Even if You’re Only Visiting For a Few Days
The Apartment
While Cobblestone Paris have a collection of 26 incredible apartments, on our short stay we called Le Triomphe Elysees our home. The apartment is located in a private residential building above a bustling street of cafe’s and incredible shopping. Inside, we fell in love with its sophistication and historic Parisian charm.
Elegant and classic, we walked into a 50 sq. meter one bedroom apartment, which instantly fulfilled my Paris fantasy. Recently renovated, though with original hardwood flooring, elegant chandeliers, and decorative moulding to highlight the historic elements of the gorgeous Hausmannian building from the late 1800s, it achieved the perfect balance of authentic architectural nuances while being appropriate for the modern day.
Just like the city itself, the grandeur of Le Triomphe Elysses is inspiring, but what we loved the most was its intimacy. The space was clean and inviting inclusive of a lounge/dining room, kitchen, bathroom (with a bath/shower combo) and a bedroom with small walk-in wardrobe.
The layout of the apartment is especially convenient for a group up to 4 guests, as the living area with a new high-quality sofa-bed can be closed off from the rest of the apartment, giving you the privacy and feel of a 2nd bedroom.
Facilities and Inclusions
Cobblestone have ensured that travelers have everything they need when staying in this stylish apartment. There is free wifi, and the living area features a flatscreen internet-enabled TV with cable featuring English stations (though you didn’t come to Paris to care about what’s going on in the world, so set it to some digital classical radio instead and sip some wine and nibble some fromage. That’s better!)
And then there’s the fully equip kitchen; a gourmets delight, featuring electric glass-top stove, oven, microwave, large full-size fridge, dishwasher, coffee maker, water kettle, toaster, food processor, cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery & glassware.
Paris’ dining is iconic, and France has a reputation for its cuisine, but eating out for every meal can get expensive, and having a kitchen at your disposal is a great way to cook up a storm with French ingredients. With some great bakeries, delis and grocery stores nearby, access to fresh, local produce is available every day.
The apartment also features a washing machine and dryer, which allows you to skip the hassle and lines of coin operated laundromats or the outrageous prices that many hotels offer for their services. With these simple luxuries of home, you genuinely feel as though you’re living like the locals do.
Stepping Out
Le Triomphe Elysees is in a great location, only a short 10 minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe. Or, if shopping is more to your liking you can walk down Avenue des Champs Elysées where you’ll find the world’s biggest brands.
The Eiffel Tower, a must see for anyone in Paris, is only a 30 minute walk, or a short metro ride. Whilst in the area, you can board a boat and cruise down the Seine river which offers a great new perspective on the charm and history of Paris architecture. Or jump on a dinner cruise and experience the city of lights whilst enjoying some great food and wine.
These cruises can be booked through Cobblestone too along with a range of other additional tours and services. The neighborhood is part of the exclusive Champs Elysees area (on the border of the 8th/17th arrondissement), in the most elegant part of Paris.
The Cobblestone Experience
The Cobblestone experience is all about living like a real Parisian, and owners Ryan and Jennifer go out of their way to make that happen, regardless of the length of your stay.
Right from the point of booking, the Cobblestone team were responsive and supportive, putting our minds at ease. On arrival in Paris, we met our greeter David at a café underneath the apartment. We were shown around the apartment and shown how everything worked, and he ensured all of our questions were answered before leaving us to our stay. He was even able to give us some local tips for where to eat and how to get around Paris.
The English speaking staff are friendly and make the process from start to finish stress free and enjoyable. They were proactive and responsive in a way which you’re told not to expect from service in Paris.
So if you are looking for a home away from home in the city of love, Cobblestone Paris Rentals has an apartment to suit your travel fantasy. Visit http://cobblestoneparis.com/
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26 Comments
I just got back form Paris last week and wished I’d known about Cobblestone! All the more reason to visit again :-)
Hope you had a fabulous time! Exactly, just means you have an excuse for a return trip soon :)
Yes, though if you want to do more than see sights–you want to live the belle vie française–your money will go farther and it will be easier in one of the smaller cities in France. And those other places also have iconic sights to see!
Thanks for the tip! Appreciate the local insight :)
This looks lovely and is exactly the sort of place I enjoy staying. It is always nice to stay somewhere more authentic
Hope you have the chance to enjoy the perks of a Paris Apartment soon!
Threre is so much to love about this place! I love that its right above shops and restaurants so the location is awesome and I love how spacious it is and that it has wifi and even English channels.
Absolutely – the location is excellent – so much accessible right on the doorstep. And very spacious for Paris – very tourist friendly too with entertainment in English. They’ve done an amazing job with their apartments – can highly recommend a stay!
An amazing insight with detailed information about Cobblestone. The place seems very comfortable and cozy. Would love to reside here for a few weeks if not days. :)
Couple of weeks if you have the time is the way to do it!
Ok, I definitely need to stay here when I finally make my trip to Paris. Eating out every night is very expensive, so it’s nice to have a kitchen. I also love that you can even do your laundry! How convenient is that?!?!? :)
Absolutely – it’s all of the best conveniences of home, but with the perk of being in Paris! Hope you have the chance to visit soon :)
I love Paris so much and I could easily live there. Your apartment by Cobblestone Paris the Le Triomphe Elysees is just beautiful, I would definitely check out their apartments next time I am there, wow it looks even nicer than a luxury hotel. I am definitely pinning this.
So much better than a luxury hotel – apartments really make you feel as if you’re living the romanticized idea of living abroad – and Paris is the best place for it :D!
Can highly recommend Cobblestone for your next trip – appreciate the pin :)
My husband and I are both dying to go back to Paris – we’ve only been when we were young, and not together. But Cobblestone sounds like the perfect place to stay. I love living like a local (or at least acting like a local) as much as possible when I’m traveling abroad! I also love renting apartments or condos because you get to use your kitchen. That can help with the budget big time – especially in Western destinations where quality food can be more pricy!
This would be an incredibly romantic way to travel to Paris for the first time together, especially if you both love living / acting like a local!
Yes, the kitchen is the big thing for us, we now only stay places where we have access to cooking facilities, mainly because Mike is gluten free and it’s easier to cook ourselves, but the budget is the other big one – so much cheaper to jump over to the market or grocery story as opposed to eating out.
Hope you have the chance to travel soon!
Cobblestone Paris is such a suggestive name. When I hear/read cobblestone I can immediately imagine the tiny narrow streets of Montmartre (and not only) where you walk in the evening and sit a terrace for a crepe. Having 26 apartments seems a great idea (and business too) and all your descriptions make me feel the parisian atmosphere. Would love to visit Paris again. I don’t know how I’d feel there after almost 20 years.
It is isn’t it! Sums up the Paris experience very well – they’ve done a great job with their branding.
And yes, one of the most difficult decisions is deciding which apartment you want to stay in! Each of the 26 properties has an awesome location – I’m glad that you could feel the Parisian atmosphere from our descriptions :)
Hope you have the chance to visit again soon – let me know what you think after you get there, I would love to hear your experience with the city and if you feel it’s changed over the past 20 years :)
I love living vicariously through you. This apartment is so dreamy and for a place limited with space, the stunning decor makes what could be construed as a small apartment into something cozy and intimate. I am in love with the kitchen space and the fact that there are washing machines on this premise, nothing is more important than having these amenities close at hand!
Thanks Izzy! Yes, they’ve done a great job at utilizing the space and decor – it’s so nice having the amenities of home – except with the added perk that you’re in Paris!
Hope you have the opportunity to travel at some stage soon :)
The Parisian experience goes to another level when you stay in an apartment. I loved the fact that the apartment you mention is a walking distance from the Arc De Triomphe and The Eiffel Tower, it would be great to walk to and around these landmarks. When we were in Paris it was a whirlwind trip and we wish to get pack and really get a slice of the Parisian life.
I hope you do have the chance to return at some stage, and when you do, we can highly recommend an apartment as a nice way to slow down the pace and immerse yourself into local life :)
Glad to hear you enjoyed your first trip!
Wow! It’s so beautiful! I always dreamt of experiencing hotel like this, but unfortunately, I still rather opt for 10 days in ugly dormitory over 1 night in beautiful apartment hahaha Still lovely to dream about though :)
Something to keep in mind if your travel style changes over time :)
I am planning a trip to Paris at the end of the year and that is exactly what I was looking for. I have previously stayed in an apartment in London and I totally enjoyed the experience. It was nice to return to an apartment that feels like home than a faceless hotel room.
So glad you enjoyed the apartment experience in London Chrysoula – I agree that it’s so much more relaxing returning to a place which feels like home, as opposed to a cookie cutter hotel. Can highly recommend Cobblestone for an apartment rental when you make it to Paris :)