FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

“On arrival can we leave our luggage before 2pm?”

Of course. The rental period normally starts at 2pm, but it is possible to arrive before on the condition that (the parking card can be found at the apartment):
– The flat was empty the night before therefore the keys can be collected from 7.30am onwards,
– If the flat was rented the night before the previous occupants must leave before 11am. In this case it is possible to obtain the keys and leave your luggage knowing that the cleaning of the flat will be finished by 2pm.

“On departure day can we leave our bags with you and pick them up later?”

Unfortunately this is impossible, I don’t have the room to store suitcases. On the other hand here are the contact details of the left luggage areas in all the Parisian train stations. It’s easy & cheap to leave your luggage with them. Otherwise a hotel nearby offers lockers.

Finally if you are taking a plane from Roissy CDG or from Orly here is another clever solution: the company Eelway can come to your flat and collect your suitcases at whatever you choose and deliver them to the airport. The suitcases are handed over to you at a meeting point. The rendezvous is made at least 5 hours after the collection and at the latest at the end of the day. This service costs 30 EUR for the first suitcase & 5 EUR for every additional suitcase. This allows you to make the most of your last day of holiday in Paris without having to worry about your luggage.

“Are the apartments noisy?”

Myself being very noise-sensitive I pay particular attention to this point. Noise coming from other apartments: all the flats are sound proofed and all occupants must be careful not to make “unnecessary noise between 9.30pm & 8.00am”. Traffic noise: my apartments are in quiet streets off the main road with very little traffic. You cannot hear the ring road (“Périphérique”). Noisy neighbours: The street is usually quiet but sometimes noise can be heard from the nearby cafés (closing time is 23.30pm). There is no noise from the Flea Market.

“Can we arrive after 7.30pm?”

Yes no problem. Whenever you want. All you need to do is let me know your arrival time when you book & I will make the necessary arrangements.

All the information you need can be found on this web page dedicated to the free parking.

“How far ahead must we book?”

The rule is… There is no rule… The earlier the better, just contact me by email as soon as you have finalized your plans (dates & the number of people).

“Can we see the bookings on-line?”

No nowhere. Each reservation is done manually by myself and I can’t keep updating the site with new information, new bookings, extensions cancellations etc. But on the other hand send me a request by email and I promise to reply within a few hours.

“Can we hold an option?”

Experience has shown me that it is very difficult to manage this therefore I no longer accept extra time delays unless of course you have to book train or plane tickets.

“Can we arrive at 6 people when we only booked for 5?”

I know that family holidays or with friends can be expensive and that you are always ready to squeeze in an extra person by bringing a blow up mattress but I must insist that it is not possible for 2 important reasons. The first is that there will be less space. So I cannot assure you will be comfortable (you will be missing chairs & towels, there will not be enough hot water etc). Second the security will be compromised (in case of evacuation extra objects on the floor can cause serious problems). So if you are 6 rent a flat for 6 or book 2 studios for extra comfort. pour une intimité optimale.

“Can I book a day-use room?”

I don’t do day-use rentals but if it is the case I can send you an extensive list of hotels in Paris which do this.

“Do you accept filming or photo shoots or special events?”

Chez Bertrand is an unusual guest house and the themed-apartments give lots of ideas to artist or creative people 😉
My first priority is to assure the comfort and well being of my guests who will certainly not appreciate being disturbed by the coming & goings of technicians, camera cables, and crew discussions. As a consequence I refuse all photo shoots whether it’s for shoe catalogues, caterers, all filming: publicity or pornographic, photo sessions, weddings, birthdays, engagement parties and Hen or Stag nights etc.

“Is your area safe? Is Paris itself safe?”

Since 2004 I have received thousands of families, single women and children without the slightest problem. For your information I live on the premises. My accommodation has been cited in many French and international magazines who have visited the apartments. Generally everyone who has travelled will tell you that Paris is considered a “safe city” apart from some areas where you would obviously not go as they are not for tourists. But of course we are not in the fantasy world of “Amelie”… My only recommendation is that watch your wallet & your mobile phone when you are in the middle of crowds (the underground, big shops, museums etc) but apart from that live normally. If however you are still scared by the thought of discovering a big city I suggest you go to the Swiss mountains or even Greenland…

“Can we book for just one night?”

Unfortunately this is impossible. Chez Bertrand is actually an unusual guesthouse fully equipped with areas from 17 square metres to 60 square metres and not a hotel with the usual standard industrially-run 15 square metre- sized rooms.It would be too much work for me to manage, do the contracts, run the accounts, do the housework, the washing etc. Which is why I have eliminated certain sympathetic demands such as wedding anniversaries, St Valentine’s Day, but would it not be a great pretext to stay 2 nights instead of 1 and thus spend twice as much time with your guest?

“Are the rates negotiable? Are there any reductions?”

The rates stated are the ones in application. They have been calculated exactly and therefore do not allow any reductions for children, students, travel agents, pensioners, 2CV owners, early or last minute bookings, people coming by train who ask ask me to take away the parking costs, those who bring their own sheets and footballers who for a special price promise to sign autographs in the hall.