The vacation rental concept, as opposed to staying in a hotel, seems to be very much a la vogue in cities and other tourist destinations. There is the dual advantage of being able to save money by not going out to restaurants at every meal and to experience the place more like a local than a tourist. With the appeal of both aspects, I set out to rent an apartment in Paris for a week-long visit with my daughter.
“Apartment rentals can be hit or miss,” a frequent Paris visitor warned. He had rented apartments on separate occasions from three different agencies.
No doubt the best way to choose the right rental is on recommendation from a friend who has had a good experience. Barring the reliable word-of-mouth method, guidebooks and googling bring up an overwhelming array of choices.
To narrow the search, it’s helpful to know which arrondissment, or area of Paris you prefer to be in, such as near the Eiffel Tower, the Latin Quarter or in the historic Marais district. It also helps to know what you can live with and what you can’t in terms of access and amenities.
Although many established rental companies list lovely apartments at mid to upper level price points, I decided to dig deeper to explore some ‘good value’ options. A company called Paris Hideaways caught my attention, offering a range of attractive apartments from basic to deluxe, with studios starting at about 500€/week.
We opted for a one-bedroom called Heure Bleue in the heart of the Marais. Simply but adequately furnished, the apartment has large beautiful French windows with abundant natural light. It’s on the first floor with an elevator (or only one flight of stairs to climb) and overlooks a courtyard so it’s reasonably quiet – important features I came to appreciate. I liked the fact that the owners live below and own an art gallery nearby, Galerie Vieille du Temple. And we were just around the corner from the exquisite boutiques on Rue des Franc Bourgeois.
The online booking process was easy and Paris Hideaways’ property manager answered my pre-trip questions by email and met me upon arrival. She explained the entry codes and all essentials about the apartment and provided her mobile phone number in case of emergency.
Paris Hideaways founder Katia Provencher, a former Paris tour guide, concentrates her listings in desirable, mostly central locations. To get an idea of different options, I visited a few of her other listings in the Marais and one in another popular area, St. Germain.
After seeing Sheherazade, a well-appointed townhouse with contemporary décor and a hint of Moroccan style, I made a mental note to tell my friends, “Instead of a house party at the beach why not a sejour in Paris?” A magnificent terrace garden and an American kitchen with a huge dining table make Sheherazade a perfect urban escape for friends, family or couples traveling together. Clarisse mentioned that a group of ladies had just celebrated birthdays with a festive week here.
Les Matins Sucres is in a super location near the Bastille and so very French – on the 5th floor with views over the tree-lined Boulevard Beaumarchais. It is quaintly furnished to sleep five and its best feature is a long narrow balcony for sipping café or wine in the open air.
Abracadabra is small studio in a modern building, well located and clean as a whistle. The owner lives next door and takes great pride in making sure her guests are comfortable. Close to Metro Chemin Vert, Abracadabra is an easy place to settle in.
If antiques and Parisian style is your cup of tea, the elegant Clair de Lune in St. Germain will impress. With a stately entrance, the spacious apartment wraps around a busy corner in a prime location and reflects the joie de vivre of its charming owner. This apartment is only available for a certain period during summer/early fall.
As expected, each apartment has a different character and appeal. And, as with many rental agencies, apartments are owned or managed individually, so payment policies may vary. Before booking, in addition to checking the location and amenities of the unit, it is important to verify policies and the required currency for rental deposit, fees and security deposit.
Certainly, renting an apartment in Paris calls for a spirit of adventure, but in the absence of that, there’s always the Hilton.
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Visit Paris Hideaways at http://studio.provaction.com/ or Girls Guide to Paris (www.girlsguidetoparis.com) for a listing of suggested rental agencies.