I will be in Paris this summer for 5 nights with my husband and 2 teenaged sons. We would like to get an apartment rather than a hotel. We don't mind being away from the centre of Paris but want to be on a Metro line. I don't even know where to start looking!
Any suggestions for arrondissements or even specific VRBO or AirBnB rentals would be appreciated.
Rather than VRBO or AirBnB, which are listing services and under observation by the City of Paris, look at vacation rental agencies. The agencies either list their own properties or represent the owners, and at least some of them pay taxes to the city. Try these: Cobblestone Paris Rentals (www.cobblestoneparis.com) - I have personal experience with them; Vacation in Paris; A la Carte Paris; and Paris Best Lodge. These get good reviews. Best locations for visiting sights in Central Paris are in Arr 1 - 6 and just about every address in central Paris is within a short walk to the Metro. The websites have maps showing the location of the property and Metro stations. You can also use Google Maps to scope out the neighborhood. Good luck.
The below information is from another "Postee" on a similar subject.
You might like the apartments and homes available at Airbnb. https://www.airbnb.com/s/Paris--France?guests=5
www.homeaway.com also has some great choices like these two which would allow 5 guests >
(1) www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p3465746
(2) www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p3465739
We often rent apartments in Paris from Homeaway. In fact, we have lived in Paris long term in an apartment.
Some do refund upon departure and others credit your card very shortly. It depends and you will need to ask. You will get your deposit back if nothing is damaged or missing. If you rent from Homeaway, you can purchase the Homeaway Carefree Rental Insurance just in case you need to cancel at any point. That is what we do. Homeaway has not had any problems with apartment rental crackdowns in Paris because they register and pay their taxes unlike many on other middleman sites like Airbnb , VRBO. etc.
It is quite late to be finding an apartment in Paris for July, imho. Many/most of the better apts/deals/locations will have been reserved months ago. It's not that something can't be found, but you need to be very careful at this stage to do your due diligence and locate rentals that have many positive, credible reviews and good photos of all areas of the rental to even consider them.
As much as we enjoyed the apartment we rented from Paris Best Lodge (8 months ahead) I would recommend you hedge your bets with simultaneous research into a satisfactory hotel.
Not to question brushtim, or the original poster of that info about Homeaway, but I had not heard before that Homeaway pays taxes and so will not have an issue with an illegal apartment rental. It may be completely accurate, just verify. The time involved in a successful apartment rental is much greater in general than a hotel-buyer beware.
You want AC, just in case, July in Paris, you never know.
I just jumped on VRBO to see what the availability is in July, and it is not bad. Renting apartments is a breeze, but the primary consideration for selection is the number of positive reviews. Check out the site, put in your dates, select the number of bedrooms and bathrooms (be aware that 1.5 bathrooms can sometimes mean 2 full bathrooms, one with a shower and a tub and the other with a shower only.). Get familiar with the site, and have fun looking. I stayed in the 10th but some of the outlying areas (inside the Periferique but away from the touristy areas like the Left Bank) are really great deals. Make sure you stay inside Zone 1 (Virtually all of Paris) and shoot for an area in transition ethnically; it's more fun. Enjoy the hunt. w
You don't give your exact travel dates, so I couldn't check the calendar, but we stayed here two years ago. The apartment is fantastic. Two bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, spotless, high-end furnishings and a great kitchen. Grocery store just outside the door and around the corner. Right near the Louvre. It's 300 Euros per night - not sure what your budget is. This is the link to the 300 Euro apartment in the building. The other 6 available apartments are less expensive. http://www.apartments-and-more-paris.com/PARIS-1-Saint-Honore-N°5.html
I stayed in a great apartment on rue Claude Bernard, near the foot of rue Moffetard last fall. I found it on vrbo and finalized arrangemenys with myfrancevacationrentals.com, property le Lutece
2 bedrooms, 1 bath. The apartment worked well for 3 ladies travelling together. The apartment was larger than the photos looked in the advert.
A bus stop at the front door. About 7 to 10 minutes walk to a metro. A brisk 20-25 minute walk to the Notre Dame cathedral. The neighborhood felt wonderful, not touristy, locals having coffee at their local spot. Restaurants galore within 10 minutes walk.
I would stay there again. Plenty of room for 4. They suggested an airport pick up which worked well, 55 Euro.
Just back from London/Paris. I was pleased with the value and location of VRBO.com #3516598 which is 2-bedroom in the Latin Quarter (5th) near Notre-Dame, Sorbonne, Cluny Museum and St. Michel metro station.
