PARIS APARTMENT IN THE THIRD ARRONDISEMENT - THE MARAIS

This chic, perfect pied-a-terre is located in the heart of the Marais-district of Paris' 3rd arrondisement, a stone's thrown from the infamous Place des Vosges and just across the river from Notre-Dame. Unlike much of Paris' Haussmanesque grands-boulevards, the Marais keeps alight the flame of pre-revolutionary Paris; all aspects of what makes Paris special blend in the Marais' wonderful streets and alleyways: craft workshops, galleries, ancient passageways alongside lavish town mansions. Fine dining, street cafes, bistrots and bars jostle for the visitor's attention - a microcosm of sights, sounds, smells; many worlds in microcosm for modern Paris is an unashamed adorer of its past but also a fervent pursuer of the avant-garde.

The apartment itself occupies the second floor of a charming 18th century townhouse - built originally by wealthy Parisian aristocracy of the period to imbue the city with a sense of country privacy; amid the frenetic pace of Europe's most densely populated capital a sense of calm will descend the moment you step into the residence... a priceless counterpoint when reeling from the wondrous sensory bombardment of life whirling about its business beyond your front door. The apartment faces predominantly south, thus catching all-day sunlight and some of its windows open onto a private terrace. It is airy and bright, well suited to the summer sunshine but equally cosy on the darkest of winter days. It was fully renovated in 2006 to an exacting standard throughout, providing an immaculate living space. Two bathrooms, marbled, with powershowers and two separate WCs, a luxurious kitchen, a laundry room with separate Miele washer and dryer. The living room boasts a plasma TV, DVD, cable TV and wireless internet (unlimited and free).

The apartment has two bedrooms, well-filled by two kingsize beds and there is a pleasant sofa that converts into a comfortable bed when necessary. Traditional oak floor and high ceilings throughout the apartment complete the ambience - we hope reflecting, in smaller scale, the marriage consummated by the city itself: all the conveniences and sleek, uncluttered lines of twenty-first century fashion against a lovingly nurtured, equally important respect for traditional, more substantial and noble tastes.