Rencontres avec...

A catch-up this morning with Martin & Tahminae for coffee and a visit to the apartment.  Martin is the broker who handled the financing of our apartment; Tahminae, his wife, runs an apartment finding business.  We worked with Tahminae in 2012 but were unable to find an apartment with that certain "je ne sais quoi".  The time we spent working with Tahminae, though, provided us with an insight into the Paris property market and we learned much about how to interpret the agency advertisements, how to value apartments and what was important in regard to floor plan and aspect.

One of the great things about our apartment project has been the friendships we have forged with people who have helped us achieve our apartment purchase.  The process at times has been frustrating, with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, but with the help of the people we have worked with, we have eventually realised our dream...and we are very grateful to have had these people on our side.

This afternoon we met with M. Beloeuvre, our accountant in France.  It sounds quite bourgeois, I know, to have an accountant in France, but it's an absolute must to ensure that the tax requirements in France are met with regard to the apartment.  M. Beloeuvre was a delight - charming, entertaining, and a great command of English (so much easier for us!).  His office is in Bourg la Reine, a short RER train trip from Paris - so "une petite aventure" to a new town - always fun!
  
Running parallel with the street our apartment is on is Quai d'Orléans, which is bordered on one side by la Seine and, on the other, by typical Parisien apartment facades leading towards Notre Dame, whose tower and spire can be seen at the end of the street.