Apartment in Paris "Help"

Used VRBO and loved the apt. Wasn't inexpensive but beautiful and worth the $.

Take a look at Vacation in Paris (vacationinparis.com). We've used them twice and have been very happy. They are based in the US and you pay in US dollars before you leave. They also send you the key so you have it with you when you arrive in Paris - no need to meet up with any apartment manager, you just go straight to your apartment like a local! They have a lot of apartments in your price range, and quite a few even lower.

Here's a break down and a map for all Arrondissements (or districts as you call them) in Paris. I'm assuming that's $1900 dollars not Euros. Have you researched Airbnb?

I've used vrbo, Homeaway and airbnb to rent apartments. I'm staying in a one bedroom apartment in the 12th arrondisment near the river and Gare de Lyon in October for €110 per night. That's about $150 per night. It would be less if I was staying 6 nights or longer. I found it on vrbo.

Who recommended that you stay in the 6th or 7th? I stayed in the 7th my first time in Paris. Although it's a nice area it is not as central as some other areas. For first time visitors I think that the 4th, 5th and 6th arrondisments near the river are very central and walkable to many sites. Even the apartment I'm renting in the 12th is just across the river from the Latin Quarter.

September is a busy month. I think you should not delay in finding something.

"the 6th or 7th district, wherever that is."

You should get Rick Steves Paris, which will explain this, as well as give you all kinds of other invaluable advice. But in the meantime:

Paris is divided into 20 numbered arrondissements (abbreviated arr). They start in the center near the Louvre, and spiral outwards clockwise. It's one way of referring to neighborhoods, but can be misleading. For instance, while the 5th as a whole is often called "The Latin Quarter," the actual Latin Quarter is but a portion of the 5th arrondissement; other parts of the 5th are quite different. And while you might think that the 1st would be the "main one" and would have Paris's City Hall, that's actually in the 4th.

Many here prefer staying in the 4th, 5th, or 6th. These areas are all close to the Seine and lots of attractions, so you can walk to many places. However, you do usually pay more to stay in this area.

Rick likes the Rue Clair area of the 7th, but many others (including me) do not share his fascination with this area. There's nothing wrong with it, but the only close attraction is the Eiffel Tower (and how many times are you going to visit it on one trip?). Rue Cler itself has a street market - as do MANY other streets in Paris, in every arrondissement. Other parts of the 7th are favored by rich people for their pied-a-terre, so they only actually visit there a few weeks a year. And the 7th has many of the embassies in Paris; again, unless you have an unusual agenda, that's not a draw for most visitors.

If you don't mind staying farther from the Seine and taking the Metro everywhere for sightseeing, you can save money in an outer arrondissement (meaning the ones with - gasp - double digits!). Someone recommended the 14th for this purpose, but lots of neighborhoods can work.

Claudia forgot to include her links. Here's a very simple schematic map, along with a description of each arrondissement from the point of view of real estate sales (not that you need to know about that; it was simply the clearest map I could find quickly): http://www.frenchpropertylinks.com/iledefrance/paris/

Here's a description of neighborhoods, written with a tourist in mind. The website it comes from also has good leads on inexpensive Paris lodgings, but the places they list aren't secrets, so book quickly if any interest you: http://www.eurocheapo.com/paris/hoods/

I we are paying 800 euros for a week in an apartment in the 6th for this July. Apartment has a\c and in great area( 7this a bit too residential for me) .

At this late date you are getting left overs,,sept is busiest month of year.

Try Parisbestlodge and awe if they have am opening,, I highly recommend them. Owner is wonderful and apart!ends are clean and well equipped and Theirry speaks excellent English.

In researching for my trip to Paris I found "A Girl's Guide to Paris" on line. It had several suggestions regarding shopping, dining, etc. and one was for a web site called "Paris Perfect" (www.parisperfect.com). Paris Perfect looked like they had some really nice apartments. Maybe worth a look!

Have a fabulous trip!

I highly recommend vacationsinparis.com and the 6th arr. They have TONS of options well below your budget, and they're based in the US w/a management office in Paris operated by an English couple. We stayed in #237 comfortably w/4 adults @ $187/night... They were a great help when I was planning our trip. I have lots of budget tips, if you'd like to chat let me know. Good luck!
Kassie

We've had great success with Gites de France (en.gites-de-france.com). They're predominently for rural accommodations around France, but they have Paris aparments, too. None of theirs appear to be in the 6th or 7th arr., but are well under 1,900 for a week -- maybe worth a look.

To get to the Paris listings, first select Ile-de-France, then Paris.

It is very late to get an apartment for September as this is the busiest hotel/apartment month in Paris but your budget even in Euros is reasonable. Take a look at Vacation in Paris, Paris Best Lodge, Perfectly Paris, FeelslikehomeinParis and French Rentals (the last 3 tend to specialize in the Montmartre area) The others have places anywhere. I would not do the 7th -- it is not very central and not very interesting IMHO. The 4th, 5th and 6th are good for first timers and the 18th while a bit further out is a charming place to be. With a week you can afford to not be quite so central.

The agencies listed all have good reputations and most of them manage their apartments. VRBO is like the classifieds and you are on your own to manage any difficulties -- it will all depend on the landlord and so due diligence is important.

Have a great trip

We stayed in the 6th last month (St Germain des Pres area) and loved it. Our apartment was about a block and a half from Luxembourg Gardens. I loved the 6th! We also booked through VRBO. I've used them for many rentals in the US and also this one in Paris. I used Home Away for our London apartment. I think the search for the apartment is the hardest...you want it to be perfect, at least I did. We wanted a one bedroom with a balcony. You'd be surprised how many don't have real balconies! Anyway good luck & have an awesome time in Paris!

September it a wonderful time to visit Paris! You would be fine staying in any of those districts, along with the Ile de la Cite, which is where Notre Dame is, and the 3rd or 4th, also called the Marais. The 5th is also great, this is the Latin quarter. It just depends on what you are looking for. I personally love the 7th. It is within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides and it is a little quieter than some areas. I feel you could be happy in any district 1 thru 8. Rick Steve"s book on France will break each district down for you.

Great idea to get an apartment! We have used Paris Vacation Apartments and had a very good experiences. We stayed in the 6th in December and had a great time. This apartment would run about 1,150.00 http://www.parisvacationapartments.com/our-apartments/one-bedroom/invalides-eiffel-tower-charming-one-bedroom/

Have a wonderful trip!

If you would like any other suggestions please feel free to contact me. Paris is my favorite city and I love sharing my favorite things to do!

We used homeaway.com and splurged on a rooftop flat in Montmartre for about 1k for a week, in a spectacular location. There were apartments available for way cheaper, too! I would suggest just entering really specific research criteria. There are some great finds out there.