My Journey in Finding a Dream Fractional Apartment in Paris | February 2025

Bonjour! Allow me to introduce myself and explain a little bit about my fractional apartment journey. I'm Olga, the dreamer turned developer behind PIED-A-PARIS. 12 years ago, the concept of fractional ownership captured my imagination. The idea of sharing in the splendor of a Parisian retreat, embracing the culture, and making memories resonated deeply with me.  I envisioned jetting off to my own place a few times a year to do all the things I loved: Wandering the beautiful streets, dining en terrace, shopping in small independent boutiques, and visiting interesting exhibits and museums. I also faced the fact that my own apartment would be costly and remain empty the majority of the time. That's when it clicked: Shared ownership with shared expenses could make my dream come true. 

My personal process: I started following the real estate market and found a couple of fractional apartment developers. In 2019, a suitable apartment in Le Marais became available, and I eagerly signed up to purchase a share, without asking any questions. However, the purchasing process was poorly managed. Despite the developer being a quasi-famous realtor and TV personality, the process was disorganized and unprofessional. I could not believe it took over six months after I made my full payment for them to send me the countersigned contract.

Despite the frustrating purchase process, I was thrilled to finally own my dream apartment in Paris. I visited during each of my designated share times, falling more in love with the city and the sense of being at home. I explored the neighborhood, discovering delightful shops, markets, and my favorite spots for croissants, cheese, and wine. I enjoyed the parks and ice cream shops with my kids, while my husband and I soaked up the city life. During times I couldn’t travel, sharing the apartment with family and friends brought me immense happiness and gratitude.

After becoming an owner, I served on the board for two years, working closely with the developers during their first year of management and the transition to self-management. This role taught me a lot about the daily operations and the complexities of managing an apartment with 13 owners. It also revealed several mistakes and poor decisions made by the developers, particularly in the legal structure. This sparked the realization that the process could be much smoother. If I could offer an exceptional apartment with professional, accountable management of the highest standard and help others live their Paris dream, it would be of immense value to others - like yourself. The potential was astounding!

A spark ignited in my heart. I knew I had what it takes to bring this dream to life. With a deep passion for real estate, a love for Paris, a background as an attorney, a hobby in design and decorating, a highly organized personality, and a pursuit of perfection, along with my experience as a fractional apartment owner, I had all the elements needed to make it happen.

What sets myself and my partner David apart from other developers is our firsthand experience as fractional owners. We both understand the needs of potential buyers, especially overseas second-home buyers, and know how to structure and streamline the purchase process as well as the concerns regarding management and operations. This unique perspective led to the creation of PIED-A-PARIS.

With Maison Chapon, our first fractional apartment, we accomplished our mission of finding the perfect apartment to design and renovate in style and comfort with top-tier management. Now, we invite you to be one of the last to join the lucky group of Maison Chapon owners.