Studio Sacre Coeur

The Studio Sacre Coeur is one of a handful of properties that we offer in collaboration with Haven in Paris, a company run by an American expatriate, Erica Berman, whose family has been in the wine business since prohibition's demise, actually being one of the first recipients of a liquor license in the area.

I met a greeter of hers, Evelyn, who spent the entire day with me, taking me from property to property, showing me around, and simply being pleasant in a way that either came totally natural for her or was oscar material acting. In my opinion, the difference between a mediocre holiday and a great one is all dependent on the people along the way: their suggestions, their insights, and their ability to make you feel welcome. In that regard, Haven in Paris stands way above the rest (no offense to any of "the rest" here). but it's true - sometimes the best property is easily compromised by having a lukewarm owner, or worse, their delegate who takes money, hands over keys, and couldn't care less about anything else. In this regard, Erica makes sure her greeters are well paid, well informed, good with various languages, and able and willing to dedicate some of their time.

Erica's properties are clearly top notch. They're impeccably clean, fashionable and practical for the traveler: stocked with little touches like umbrellas, basics in the kitchen that you don't want to go buy, and even a mac computer for internet access. She obviously will not tolerate any of her properties being anything but perfect and is relentless at keeping them in perfect condition.

As for the area, I was expecting less from Montmarte. I imagined it too on the fringe. Instead, i found it one of the most characteristic and charming neighborhoods of Paris, mixed with ethnicities, income levels and styles. Artsy and youthful but with soul and depth. Cosmopolitan but like a little village. Another plus is that since it's on the hill, you get great views of the city and on a clear day all the way to the Eiffel tower.

As for being on the fringe, I find that Paris is so expansive that to see everything the city has to offer, one must rely on the subway system. It's simply too big to do the city on foot, even from the most central Arrondissement. Since the studio is just above a subway entrance, and since the subway is so efficient and user-friendly, I found Montmartre to be just as well connected as any other area of the city.