My HomeExchange Story: Mike & Yvonne in Paris

How did you find your exchange?

I contacted the other member in search of an exchange.

What attracted you to this exchange opportunity?

Nea’s Cosy little Apartment was bright and comfortable and in a quiet street near the Bastille area. The whole area was very "French", with a lot of nice bistros and characterful cafes nearby. Just touristic enough to have an infrastructure, but where we could also eat (and generally feel) like a local. We were well connected by metro and bus and walking distance to the lovely Marais area.

How was your arrival at the home?

We didn't get to meet Nea, but her friend met us in the cafe next door. The exchange was very organized and easy.

What did you see or do during your exchange?

Some of the most lively places to spend the evening were very close by. Including the bars and restaurants on Rue Keller, Lappe, and Roquette in Bastille, Rue Oberkampf.

When we travel we like to search out things we would usually never experience at home, so decided to visit The Cimetière du Père Lachaise - The largest cemetery in Paris, which was also within walking distance. The resting place of Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf and Marcel Proust, it’s undoubtedly the most famous cemetery in the world.

The atmosphere on the rainy, misty day we visited was really very mystical.
The trees created a moody canopy that sheltered us and the graves, which were incredibly decorated and sculpted.

We’d heard that Paris was quite a Jazz capital, especially around the latin quarter, so feeling this would be very different from our usual evening out, we decided to explore this area and to give some Jazz a try! We found Le Caveau Des Oubliettes Jazz club, a tiny underground bar similar to the Beatles cavern and spent a really quite special evening there, listening to some contemporary jazz in an atmospheric and cozy environment.

All in all we had a great stay in Paris, doing lots of things we wouldn’t normally do. We loved our little apartment and would love to visit again sometime.

What is your favorite memory from the exchange?

Hanging out in the rain in a local cafe and listening to Jazz in a jazz bar.

How would you describe home exchange to your family and friends?

We often recommend HomeExchange, because everyone is so helpful and efficient, so even if it's your first time in a new place your mind will soon be at rest.