Maybe Next Year? - Saturday, 25 September

I was downcast after making the decision to sell my share of La Lanterne du Marais (see my "Locked in a Staircase" post from Tuesday).  But wonder of wonders, the same developer emailed me to give me the heads-up that they're starting work on another 1-bedroom, which will theoretically be available in 2022, and it's on the fifth floor of a building that already has an elevator.  I'm not getting my hopes up TOO high, but perhaps there is a light at the end of the tunnel after all!  There are a lot of steps in the process - the developer has to purchase the apartment or space from the current owner, they have to work up a design for the new place, they have to determine the costs of renovation, they have to set a price for the shares and the annual maintenance fees, they have to set up the corporation that will eventually be owned by the 13 fractional owners, I have to like what I see in the designs (!) and be OK with the price, I have to have sold my share in the other apartment, etc. etc, etc.  So just maybe....

In any case, they gave me the address, and today I decided to take a little hike to see it.  It's in a very quiet neighborhood - primarily hôtels particulier (mansions) and maisons à cour (courtyard houses) and churches and schools and a few unoccupied buildings - but few shops and cafés (with one exception, le Village Saint-Paul, more about that in a minute).  It is, however, just three blocks south of the bustling rue Saint-Antoine, the Place des Vosges, and the Bastille area.  

UPDATE:  Fractional shares of this apartment became available in May 2022.  Here's the link:    https://adrianleeds.com/explore-properties-for-sale/fractional-ownership/shared-property/le-charles-v/

As I was on my jaunt, a couple of tiny dogs approached me to explore a friendship!  One was with her owner and an elderly lady (who walked even more slowly than I do); the other was with her owner and a baby in a stroller.  Maybe it's a sign?  The local puppies wanting to welcome me to the neighborhood and not caring whether I was old or young, spry or limping?!?

I'm posting snaps from my little jaunt just as a reminder to myself.  They won't mean much to most of you, so just scroll down for info about the Village Saint-Paul.

rue du Prévôt - yup, this is actually called a street!

Lycee Charlemagne - a high school

The outdoor sports / phy-ed area next to the Lycee

 

The back side of Paroisse Saint-Paul Saint-Louis

At the red sign on the right, one of the entrances to le Village Saint-Paul,
a little over a block from my possible new apartment's building

The entrance to my possible new apartment's building

At the next corner - you can see rue Saint-Antoine about three blocks in the distance

So, my legs were too tired to explore the Village Saint-Paul today, but if you want info on it, here's their website:   https://levillagesaintpaul.com/  Or wait a couple days and maybe I'll get over there and post a report about it!  This area has been populated since 633AD and today consists of art galleries, bookstores, artists' workshops, antique dealers, grocery & wine shops, and restos, all enclosed in one of the ancient city walls.  It will be interesting to explore!