We stayed in Paris one year for a week before Christmas and LOVED it. The apartment we rented had an amazing kitchen that we used a lot for big meals. Perfectly equipped with french doors that open to a small balcony. We kept those closed in December but the light was lovely and the place was warm. It's lovely and well located in the Marais:
http://www.vrbo.com/19130

Here's another in the 11th that I have had bookmarked for years because the kitchen looks good. I think the 11th is good area for food as the Richard Lenoir market is not far.
http://www.vrbo.com/183278#

Also - the one we rented in the Marais has 2 bathrooms plus a powder room. Our daughter slept in the loft bedroom (views of the Eiffel Tower!) so she had her own bathroom and our son slept in the pull out in the dining room. The master bedroom was nice with a walk-in closet and a huge marble bath.

So, plenty of room for everyone.

It is on the 5th with no elevator...but I did fine with the stairs. Of all the places our family has rented, this is one of our favorites. My husband LOVED the kitchen. Bakeries and shops everywhere. Convenient for sightseeing.

It is a great location!

You might want to check the Paris Perfect website (www.parisperfect.com). They have several excellent properties in the best locations.

these apartments look amazing! bookmarking.

What is your budget??

We've rented a Paris Perfect apartment on 3 different occasions - twice at Christmas. I LOVE to cook. From the kitchen at the place we rented, I could look out at the Eiffel Tower from the kitchen. There is an excellent meat/poultry market across the street, a grocery in the same bock, Rue Cler food concessions 3 blocks away, Foie Gras & magret markets (2) within 1 block. Four burners, oven, dishwasher, etc.

Here is a post from our stay at the apt

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/stududley-how-was-paris.cfm

Stu Dudley

Take a look at Paris Vacation Apartments. They are very well equipped and a good agency.

Of the dozen or so apartments we have rented in Paris, the one in which cooking (and sleeping, and eating and relaxing and washing clothes and just about everything) was easiest was property 149617 on www.homeaway.com. Street market outside twice per week, local shops (meat, fish, bakeries, etc) along the streets and on the first floor of the building is a large supermarket with an excellent selection of just about everything you could want.
Almost unwilling to share as every time we have tried to book since it has been already taken. I was initially reluctant about the location in the 15th, outside the much vaunted single digit arrondissements, but it was great, actually easier to get to and from than many places we have stayed. Neighborhood is quite agreeable, not packed full of tourists.
Another nice feature was that the owner accepts payment in dollars to a US bank account, making it very easy transaction.

Rosetravels - that option looks excellent. I have seen a few other places with cosy upstairs sleeping nooks and the teenager has loved them. And the kitchen looks so comfortable.

Stu - It's early days so I'm still working on the budgets, but we're hoping to stay under 2500€ per week, but I'm bookmarking that one anyway. The kitchen is beautiful. A lot of the Paris perfect apartments have smaller kitchens. And also bookmarking the trip report!

cw, Robert2533 - thanks! Agency recommendations are always welcome! The problem I am having is that most don't describe the kitchen beyond letting you know if there is an oven, or a stove. Cooking is clearly not a priority for most visitors . That's why I was hoping to fill out their info with some personal recommendations.

We have stayed here twice and since the owners actually lived in it and left it fully furnished, especially the kitchen, it works great for cooking.

The owner is wonderful to work with and the price is truly a deal. Use all your extra allotted accommodation money for other fun things!!

http://www.vrbo.com/339804

>>Stu - It's early days so I'm still working on the budgets,<<

Not really!!! I would be surprised if the place we stayed in was still available around Christmas 2013.

We spend 2 months in France almost every year, and have rented 54 gites (houses) for normally 2 week stays. I usually reserve them 1 1/2 years in advance. I already have our 2014 gites reserved in Nice and in the Luberon in Provence. 2013 Gites were rented about May of last year.

Stu Dudley

amd503 - I second Stu's suggestion that it's not too early to book places. In fact looking at our beloved apartment in Paris for you reminded me that my son will be in Paris next year for his Junior year of college. I need to figure out our Christmas vacation plans tout de suite!

amd, agree that apartments at the holidays book up quickly. Don't delay if you find one you like.

PVA apartments were very well equipped. We even had a rolling shopping basket plus a closetful of replacement light bulbs, among every thing else. If any of their apartments attract you, just verify the kitchen equipment with them.

Oh I appreciate the need for speed - we'll be booking this month for sure. Luckily, my hard-wired need to know I'll have a bed is working my favor here . And I definitely appreciate the voice of experience!

Seamus - I think we were writing at the same time. That kitchen looks so easy to work in! The description says there is a view from the kitchen window, but there's no photo. Is it nice? I've been google-walking the streets around it. So many intriguing shops.

Thank you DebitNM - it seemed like apartments that owners live in part time should be likely to have functional kitchens - I'm glad to hear that hunch confirmed. Thank you!

The best Paris Perfect apartments get booked very early. We've been able to put one or two on hold for clients, but the demand for excellent apartments, in great locations, is heavy. The one thing about PP is that they own most of the properties they represent, which means they have total control. All of the ones we've rented for ourselves had decent kitchens and Nespresso coffee makers.

amd - yes, the kitchen window looks in the direction of the Eiffel Tower and you can see the top of it.
It is also nice to have a full size refrigerator - so many Paris properties have smaller ones.