Paris is a bit like London - space is scarce and therefore hotel rooms in the city aren't exactly big, unless, of course, you have extra cash. That's why staying in apartments is a far better option, especially if you're planning a trip that's longer than a week or two. So, when Sophie from Welcome2France showed me into my apartment last week, I was quite happy to see how spacious, funky and appealing this place was.

Welcome2France has approximately 50 apartments dotted all over the city, some smaller, some larger, some modern, some a little more classic, but one thing they have in common is independence, the homely feel and value for money.

The particular apartment I stayed in was located right next to Rue Montorgueil, a bustling, retro, fun and young street right in the heart of the city. And with all these quaint cafes, delicious eateries and stylish boutiques right outside, when I stepped through the door and into the charming courtyard where the apartment is located and which the apartment looks onto, the environment suddenly transformed into a retreat of peace and quiet. There was only the sound of birds chirping and perhaps some quiet chatter.

It's the kind of place I actually wanted to return to in the evening and with all the sunshine pouring in, it’s also the kind of place I loved waking up to. In fact, as I fell in love with the city and wished I could stay longer, I thought that if I did indeed extend my trip or if I returned again with my fiancé, I would choose to live in none other than this particular apartment.

It’s a modern and pleasantly decorated space. With the novels and books on Paris lying on the shelf, the large flower painting and the funky lamps, the use of earthy colours and wood, it feels young and lived in. The kitchen and sitting room and in fact dining room are all together, but comfortably spaced out, and the mellow green and red fabric sofa is lovely relaxing place to just sit and read and watch films and even to sleep.

Walking into the bedroom, I was initially struck by the use of funky blacks and whites, the decorated fabric wallpaper and rather imposing, large bed, which put me to sleep in an instant. The bathroom was probably my least favourite part of the apartment, simply because of the lack of a shower cubicle. That said, the shower head in the bathtub was one of the most powerful I've experienced – so I was happy. 
 

Since Paris is so conducive to walking and roaming around and being lead from one little alleyway to another and from one cafe-filled street to another, being located in Rue Montorgueil is absolutely perfect. I often walked to the Louvre and to Rue Rivoli, once went all the way across the Seine to Notre Dame and Saint Michel and on the other side, I walked to the Opera House.

As for food, I was making new discoveries everyday. My morning smoothie was always from Deli Juice, a two-minute walk from me on Rue Montorgueil, lunch was out wherever I was out and about in Paris, and for dinner, I once went to Little Italy, again on Rue Montorgueil and another evening, stumbled upon a more upmarket and classy Thai restaurant called Silk and Spice just off the street on Rue Mandar. Amorino, a lovely little gelateria with the creamiest, smoothest and most delicious of ice creams, was always a must after-dinner treat. And all through the street, there’s an abundance of cafes, patisseries, boulangeries, and everything you could want to eat.

 To learn more visit their website Welcome2France

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