Paris appt

Does VRBO have any kind of protection for its customers when the apartment holder chooses to cancel all of a sudden?

Did you check the Accor group? They have apartment style rooms. I have not stayed in one so I can’t vouch for what they’re like. I think they’re called Aparthotel Adaigo.

The IBIS brand of their hotels is is very modest but other hotel brands, depending on location, are nice. Often breakfast is included (not much in the way of hot breakfast).

Marriott brand has a Moxy near Bastille. It’s funky but breakfast is extra.

I don't know your exact dates but we always use Airbnb and have been very successful. I just checked their website for 12/22-12/29 and they have many apartments for 4 adults/2 children. Good luck!

https://www.airbnb.com/s/16th-arrondissement-of-Paris--Paris--France/homes?adults=4&place_id=ChIJ6VVDJrN65kcRQBuUaMOCCwU&refinement_paths%5B%5D=%2Fhomes&checkin=2022-12-22&checkout=2022-12-29&children=2

You may have to go with a hotel and also check Airbnb. But have you looked at the Citadel chain or Le Clef, both part of the Crest Collection . Not every Citadines has an apartment that can house four but https://www.discoverasr.com/en/citadines/france/citadines-bastille-marais-paris/apartment and https://www.discoverasr.com/en/citadines/france/citadines-saint-germain-des-pres-paris/apartment do and then the other two could get a studio. I happen to really like the Bastille location and a lot of people love being in Saint Germain. Another option is https://www.discoverasr.com/en/the-crest-collection/france/la-clef-tour-eiffel-paris/deluxe-apartment-2-bedroom. I have friends, a family of five, who stayed there last year and they really loved it. This property also offer the option of a one-bedroom for four and a studio for two. Like Citadines, a lot of Adagios offer only a studio but this one does offer a one bedroom for four that you could combine with a studio for two.

"Does VRBO have any kind of protection for its customers when the apartment holder chooses to cancel all of a sudden?"
They give you a full refund (service fee and the rental amount) and that is it.

The rental apartment landscape in Paris has changed dramatically in the last few years, and particularly this spring, when Airbnb's lawsuit against the French government's rental laws (the law ALUR) was decided by the EU high court in the French government's favor.

Many owners are being fined (up to 50,000€) and city inspectors are forcing apartment removals from the short term rental marketplace. I would use caution when booking apartments in Paris. Apartment hotels such as Adagio and Citidine offer legal apartments without fear of last minute cancellations.

There are several new hotels renting apartment-style accommodations popping up due to the short-term rental laws. As an example, I used Booking.com to search for apparthotels, and found Le Matissia, where we are staying for a week next month. II booked directly on the hotel's website. https://www.matissia.com/
You may find something to suit your needs.

When we stayed (Me, my husband and two daughters) in Paris last spring, we stayed at the Apartments du Louvre St. Honore. They also have apartments at Le Marais. We enjoyed our stay there very much. Of course I don't know if they have any openings.

I also stayed at Citadines Saint-Germain-des-Prés which is an apart hotel. It had a kitchen. I was very satisfied. And I got this apartment at the last minute when I had to stay in Paris because I had Covid. My family was leaving and I had to find a place quickly.

Good luck!

We stayed here in 2019 with our two teens in an “apartment”.

Hotel Residences des Artes https://www.hotelresidencedesartsparis.com/

Small boutique hotel in a perfect location. Each floor only has two rooms. An “Apartment” is made up of both rooms:

A “regular” double room with a double bed (two twins pushed together), desk & chair, side chair, closet, bathroom with shower (no tub) with good size sink (plenty of space for toiletries) and mini fridge. Room is a really good size for Paris.

AND

A Jr. Suite made up of a sitting area with mini kitchen (two burner stove top, mini fridge, microwave). Huge bathroom with separate tub and shower, tons of vanity space. Sitting area has a sofa bed, desk & chair, tv, window that opens. The sleeping area is separated from the sitting area by a curtain. There is a huge king bed, desk & chair, 2 nightstands, tv, huge closet, and another window that opens. It is palatial by Paris standards.

There is a restaurant downstairs, and breakfast is offered at their sister hotel across the street. There are tons of restaurants, cafes and shops nearby. The metro and RER are a block away.

If the kids are ok with sleeping on a sofa bed, this would be a great option.

You can also check with Guest Apartment Services to see if they have availability to suit your needs. https://www.guestapartment.com/