Ref: PPON. rue Ponceau, 2e.

Contemporary artist's apartment in an area of "old Paris" - sleeps 2.  Map

This well designed one bedroom apartment is located in the very central 2nd arrondissement. It's within walking distance of many of the city's great monuments and attractions such as the Pompidou Centre (modern art museum) , the River Seine, the cathedral of Notre Dame, the Louvre and the Marais. It's proximity to the rue Montorgueil, one of Paris's most sought after areas, makes it an ideal spot for a couple wanting to make the most of the area's restaurants, bars, markets, bistros, delicatessens, fashion and music shops. Your nearest métro is Reamur-Sebastapol, 2 minutes away.

This is "old Paris" and the centuries old tradition of "women of easy virtue" may shock the more sensitive eye, however it must be stressed that the 2nd remains one of the city's safest areas.

The apartment, which sleeps two in one double bedroom, is situated on the 3rd floor (with lift) of a 16th century building. It is owned by an artist and has recently (2007) been renovated and decorated in a modern contemporary style. There is parquet flooring throughout and original paintings and prints hang on the walls.

The entrance opens into the living area (14ft9 x 11ft6, 4.5m x 3.5), light and bright with two large windows offering a view to the street below. There is a sofa, a Louis XV armchair and a wooden table with 2 chairs.

Space has been used wisely and wall cabinet opens out to reveal an LCD flat screen TV (CNN, BBC), broadband internet connection (bring your own PC) and a CD/MP3 player.

The small yet well equipped kitchen has all the expected appliances including electric hobs, microwave, fridge/freezer, coffee machine, kettle and toaster. There is no oven or washing machine, however a launderette can be found a short distance away.

The bedroom (17ft x 14ft9 / 5.2m x 4.5m) has a French antique bed (5ft3, 1.6m wide) with Egyptian cotton sheets, a rosewood cupboard, a bedside table and lamp, and a Polish pressed bentwood chair.

The en-suite bathroom has a bathtub, an overhead shower, a washbasin and a loo.

Rue du Ponceau is a small street between the old Roman roads rue St Denis and Rue Palestro. It that dates at least from the 1600s, when the small pointed bridge existed that gave the street its name.

Today it houses small fashion makers, a few cafes and a kosher sushi restaurant. During the week passing children stop to talk with the old French women who practice the world's oldest profession whilst clothiers assistants wheel racks of clothes past. On weekends many of the businesses are shut so the street is very quiet. Note: You should not take this apartment if prostitution offends you; the women are part of the character and heritage of the neighbourhood.

The area has much of the best that Paris has to offer. The apartment's location between the Marais and the Quartier Montorgueil means that great restaurants, bars and bistros are not hard to find. Try le Bocca on rue Montorgueil for great Italian cuisine or the Café des Arts et Métiers on rue Reumur. Of course if you want to cook for yourself the rue Motorgeuil has one of the best markets in Paris.

This is a No Smoking property.