The story gets more fascinating by the moment as it unfolds inch by inch. So fascinating, that the elements read like a screenplay filled with mystery, romance, drama, moral issues and legal questions...all set in the world's most exciting city -- Paris.

You're about to hear it in two parts, but in an abbreviated form of course, for lack of time, space and naturally, much of which must be withheld for that screenplay I may write in the future. (Thanks to the scriptwriting workshops given by Judith Merians (!) -- don't miss this Saturday's workshop...scroll down for more information.)

This still may take a while, so have a seat, pour a glass of French wine and read on.

Part I: The Terrace

It started before I owned the apartment I live in when a flood of water came pouring in the bedroom window thanks to the clogged gutters from the foliage on the terrace of the apartment above mine. The "Syndic" (manager of the home owner's association), Monsieur de L., and I paid a visit on the elderly gentleman who occupied the studio apartment, an invalid in a wheelchair who didn't seem to pay him much mind. The damages were paid by the "copropriété" (home owner's association) because the terrace was not owned by the occupant, Monsieur N., even though he had certainly appropriated it with a forest of plants.

Years past and there were no further issues to speak of until early 2006, when Monsieur de L. called in a committee of residents to discuss the "illegal" terraces on the 4th floor of building A (the only building with an elevator), I being one of them. Why, I don't know, except that he had taken a liking to me as an American, a single woman with experience in Paris real estate.

The two terraces (including the adjacent terrace belonging to another apartment), each about 14 square meters, overlooking rue de Saintonge with a perfect southeast orientation, continued to cause him problems, as they had never been written into the deeds of the apartments and therefore were the responsibility of the copropriété. This committee was recruited to make a presentation at a future "assemblée générale" (meeting) where a vote would be put to the owners to decide if the terraces should be destroyed or not!

When I saw the apartment, now for the second time, without the clutter of Monsieur N.'s belongings and the terrace perfectly clean, my heart pounded and I had what the French call a "coup de coeur" (love-struck)! The main room was only about 20 square meters, with two French-paned doors leading to the terrace on either side of a picture window. It was unusually striped with exposed 17th-century wood beams set between two panes. The ceiling had been opened enabling a small mezzanine, one part containing a large skylight, and the "poutres" (beams) were obscured by folds of fabric acting as a false ceiling. One wall had been painted with a "trompe l'oeil" (optical illusion, or 'fool the eye') scene of the Mediterranean and another wall had an enormous working fireplace, molded of stucco. An archway led to a small kitchen with a window on the stairwell, and another to a minuscule bathroom. Another archway had a small flight of stairs inside it that led to nowhere (!). One corner housed a rounded structure, filled with shelves, enclosed by carved wooden doors, rounded at the tops. Everywhere there were nooks and crannies, in rounded shapes of stucco and on all the flat surfaces were inlaid small tiles in blues and yellows.

Whispering to Monsieur de L., "I want to buy this apartment!" he replied, "Shush, don't tell anyone! Everyone will want it!" And so I shut my mouth, attended the meeting and prayed like hell the owners would vote to leave it in tact. The meeting itself could fill volumes, so you'll have to use your imagination to know that there was quite a heated discussion, but in the end, the terraces won, and secretly, so had I.

This is just the beginning of the story and what has now taken almost two years to accomplish. Yes, I am now the owner, having signed the final deed this past Friday, but not without much pain and effort. Regardless, even as owner, I still don't have the rights of usage -- I don't even have the keys!

So, now you ask: "Are you nuts?" And can you see the huge grin on my face?

On Wednesday I will unfold the rest of the amazing story...including some interesting characters integral in making it happen -- a Notaire, a government "fonctionnaire," a banker, a neighbor, a previous owner (deceased!), Monsieur N. of course and soon to enter the scene, his nephew...not to mention some new facets -- an elevator, two cellars, a storage closet and a "chambre de bonne" (servant's quarters).

A la prochaine...

Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris

Respond to Adrian

P.S. Reminders:

1. See you next tomorrow at La Rentrée Parler Paris Après Midi, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at La Pierre du Marais! http://www.parlerparis.com/apresmidi.html

2. Special Offering to Parler Paris Readers only!: See Debra Martin - Medium at a Special Parler Paris Reader Price! -- Save €31!!! "CONNECTION WITH THE SPIRIT WORLD SITTING CIRCLES" September 27 and 28, 2007. For more information and to sign up now, visit http://www.frenchpropertyconference.com/

3. Parler Parlor French-English Conversation Group RENTREE BREAKFAST PARTY Saturday, Sept. 22nd, 11 a.m. http://www.parlerparlor.com/

4. Coming up this weekend:

BUY THIS SCRIPT! HOW TO HOOK THE SCRIPT READER AND AVOID THE PITFALLS with Judith Merians, Saturday, September 15, 2007, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information and to sign up now, visit http://www.frenchpropertyconference.com/

Plus the Journées Européennes du Patrimoine 2007 and the Techno Parade 2007.

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Our experienced relocation expert will help make your move easy and hassle-free. We offer complete property consultation and search services...visit
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This Week in French Property Insider...

Learn how to buy property in France!

French Property Insider is a weekly e-zine, sharing insights, recommendations, tips, and discoveries about Paris real estate and French property. Each information-packed issue is devoted to educating its readers on how to effectively, efficiently and profitably purchase property in France.

Subscribe today! Visit http://www.frenchpropertyinsider.com

For more information visit info@adrianleeds.com

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BUY THIS SCRIPT!
HOW TO HOOK THE SCRIPT READER AND AVOID THE PITFALLS
Saturday, September 15, 2007, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m

Studios review over a 1,000 scripts a year and choose about 12 for production. Each script is read by a reader who recommends to her boss "pass", "consider", or "buy". A screenwriter has to get past a script reader who has read every type of story in innumerable scripts looking for a gem. Judith Merians will teach you what hooks a reader's interest... and what makes her toss a script on the rejection pile.

Led by Judith Merians, an entertainment lawyer and executive, literary agent, and film school professor in Los Angeles for over 25 years, and sponsored by Adrian Leeds and Parler Paris, join us for this 3 hour session, at La Pierre du Marais, only 30€ per person! Spaces are limited, so register now!

For further details and to register, please visit http://www.frenchpropertyconference.com/ or email Judith Merians

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Come for a drink and to meet and chat with other readers in Paris...

The next gathering is September 11, 2007 and every second Tuesday of the month.

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