Best Paris Arrondissement for Airbnb

Montmartre is charming, but not very central. First timers are usually advised to stay in arrondissiments 2, 3 ,4 ,5 or 6. I have stayed in studios in the 3rd and 4th and can recommend a rental company, if you want to PM me. Keep in mind, that the city is cracking down on vacation rentals, especially AirBnB, requiring registration, and owners are supposed to include a 13 digit registration number on their listings.

What Carolyn said. Have you looked at a map of Paris. Its round (or a circle). The center of the circle is, roughly, where the two islands are. Montmartre is more northwest of center. Metro stations are literally everywhere. Its hard to walk 2 blocks and not see a Metro station, so you'll be fine for the Metro. Ive stayed in Arr. 5 and 6, both of which are on the left bank (south side of the river. If you imagine heading west toward the English channel on the Seine, the left bank is on your left ;) ), and liked the access to everything from there. I also like the Marais area, which is ~Arr. 3. Ive always stayed in Airbnb's, but yeah, due to the crackdowns, make sure you look for that registration #

I think the $100 per night (81 Euro) is a little light. You might need to look in the 125 to 150 Euro range to get something decent in a good area, even for a studio. Metros are no problem as they are ubiquitous. Don't sell short buses, either, and assuming you have a smart phone, I suggest you download the RATP application which will get you wired into the transit system.

As already mentioned, the 13 digit registration number is a real necessity, as it is entirely possible that a non registered property may disappear just in time for your arrival. Check some of the threads on this forum searching AirB&B and VRBO. I agree that further in is better for your first time. Nothing wrong with the outer arrondissements, but you spend more time traveling than you might like.

I walk around all of Paris and have never felt afraid. I am prudent and I keep track of my surroundings. You are less likely to get mugged than you are to get pickpocketed. Bon Voyage!`

Thanks for the registration number tip. This will be our first time using Airbnb or a similar service.

We’d be willing to up the budget a bit for the right place.

You shouldn't have a problem sticking to that budget if you look in the 9th, 10th, or 11th. Zero in around République, Bastille, Parmentier, Richard Lenoir (metro stops). The 9th is a more transitional neighborhood, so if that would make you uncomfortable, stick to the 10th and 11th. They are all perfectly safe and I've stayed in all of them as a single woman with no issues (as a matter of fact, we're booked in the 9th with our teen nieces for this summer!). I think you'll find them pretty hip areas, that offer lots of restaurants (especially the 11th!), but are both less touristy and less expensive than the lower arrondissement numbers.

These recent threads might be helpful:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/looking-for-advice-on-which-arrondissements-to-stay-with-first-time-family-trip-in-an-airbnb

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/safe-convenient-hotels-in-paris

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/1st-visit-hotel-decision-needed-i-ve-spent-too-much-time-on-the-internet-perusing

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/where-should-a-newbie-and-her-19-year-old-daughter-stay-in-paris

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/family-hotel-in-paris-preferably-near-a-park

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/areas-to-stay-in-paris

I would suggest you up your budget for a "studio", which might not be what you want - or have in mind.
Montmarte has its challenges...notably looking for a Metro or RER station.
Frankly, I'd suggest the 6th arrondissement - which is what tourists think of when they think of Paris. Good transportation options, too.

Under $100USD in a single digit arrondissement is likely to get you something that equates to a micro studio (think of a walk in closet with a bathroom, hot plate and a dorm fridge) if you want the place all to yourself (although you may be able to find a private room in someone's home in this price range if you don't mind sharing a bathroom, living room or kitchen with your host).

Agree if you want a little more wiggle room for that price, look in the double digits - although many parts of Montmartre are lovely, it's not particularly convenient for tourists on a first visit. Also, some of the cheaper apartments in that area may actually border Pigalle and I've seen some tourists who post about how they found Pigalle to be "gritty" as a few streets have strip clubs, porn shops, etc.

I'd recommend the 10th - Canal St. Martin area would be a good spot for new visitors. I've also sometimes found really great rates at an Ibis Hotel up around Chateau Landon, although Fall in Paris can be pricey with lots of business events booking up hotels (but bonus if you are traveling early September when there may still be some hot days as the Ibis has air conditioning). I've found the neighborhood around the hotel to be a nice mix of white and blue collar families, cafes and restaurants and really convenient to walk to multiple bus lines, RER, several metro lines and all the trains coming into both Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est.

Thanks everyone for the useful advice.