First trip to Paris! (and Amsterdam)

Old Jul 25th, 2017, 04:51 AM
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First trip to Paris! (and Amsterdam)

We didn't make it for our honeymoon, but are headed to Paris for our 25th anniversary - Finally!

We're planning to stay in an airbnb or similar because we enjoy the connection with the hosts. We'd like to stay around $100 per night and am wondering if anyone has suggestions? We'll be there in October. The trip is 2 weeks, but we're going to take a few days in the middle to visit our daughter who is studying abroad in Amsterdam. We can return to the same area or explore another. Right now we're thinking 10/7-12 and 16-20 in Paris.

On a side note, does anyone know if we'll be sorry to go to Amsterdam during the marathon weekend? Suggestions for Amsterdam are also appreciated. Working plan has us there 4 nights.

Besides the usual sites in Paris, we're planning to go to Versailles, Giverney, and Normandy. Thoughts on doing Normandy in a day vs an overnight?

Recommendations for patisseries, cafes and the like are also appreciated.

Thanks for your advice! GO
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 04:57 AM
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It is my understanding that if you are sharing the same flat with an AirBnb host, then you don't run into the legality problems that other AirBnB users do when they try to rent apartments in Paris where the landlord lives elsewhere. But double check the law. (Other people on this forum probably know.)
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 05:55 AM
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With regard to the Marathon weekend, it will impact on where you can go to some extent - though of course you could always just get out and enjoy the event with your daughter.
On the 14 there is a walking event, with several routes - you can see them here: http://www.amsterdamcitywalk.nl/route-and-checkpoints/

The route of the marathon is here: http://www.tcsamsterdammarathon.nl/f...ikbaarheid.jpg and the programme of events is here: http://www.tcsamsterdammarathon.nl/programma/
There will also be some disruption the day before for media setting up, and expect very strict security!

I would not plan on visiting the museums on the day of the marathon. Perhaps take yourselves off for a day somewhere else - though you will need to get an early start.
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 06:00 AM
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I've never rented via Airbnb as it is my understanding that they don't bother to check if owners comply with the laws but the few times I slept in an apartment in Paris there was NO contact with the owner / landlord whatever : a guy showed up with the keys and explained how the code works, how the door opens and leaves you after 12 min 34 secs.

And the apartments I stayed in had AC which is a clear indication that the owner is not French.

I have had much more contact with hotel staff, they are paid to help you actually and are available 24/24.
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 06:13 AM
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Book your Thalys - Amsterdam train as early as possible to get deep discounted train fares - like 39 euro instead of full-fare about 200 euro I think - www.thalys.com.

Normandy - a day would be enough to see the main D-Day sites - arrange mini-bus tours and take train to Beaune to pick them up. Overnight would be nice depends on how much time you have.

Giverny is by regional train to Vernon the bus or taxi the 3-4 miles or so to village.

For lots on trains check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 06:36 AM
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A lot of French people work, and will give up their apartment to go sleep with a friend who has room.
Don't expect to see the owner/tenant until you leave, as Whathello stated.

If the toilet backs up, it may take awhile to get it fixed - especially if the owner/tenant is going on vacation.
Most French apartments don't have air-conditioning. If you're used to using it, book a hotel. Even budget hotels have air-conditioning.
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 06:40 AM
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If you're going in October, you won't need a/c...
Plenty of hotels around €100 in Paris - mostly in the 11th through the 14th arrondissements.
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 07:37 AM
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People might not realize that AirBnb offers options for renting a private room in an occupied apartment. In fact, this was AirBnb's original business model -- share a flat, not "rent an apartment for yourself".

In New York Cityy, renting a room in someone's apartment is legal if the owner lives full-time on the premises. You can legally rent bedroom to stay in through AirBnB in NYC. However, it is absloutely against the law in NYC for AirBnb to offer short-term rental apartments, and the law is enforced.

I know of other travelers who like renting rooms in private homes abroad rather than "empty" apartments. They enjoy interacting with locals. I suspect this is what the poster is planning to do What I don't know is if the government of Paris has any restrictions on this kind of rental in private homes. Does anyone here?
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 10:41 AM
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You can daytrip to Giverny easily, but I'd stay at least one nite in Normandy. You could also see Mont Saint- Michel from that area of France, which is well worth an overnite.

I would personally not try Airbnb in Paris. Search for some of the threads on this board. One of the worst things that could happen on a trip is for your lodging to fall through just when you arrive in Paris, leaving you to search the large city to try to find a room at the last minute.

It's Paris, and your anniversary--live a little and splurge on a nice hotel in the heart of Paris
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 10:53 AM
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I wouldn't hesitate to use AirBnb in Paris to rent a bedroom in someone's home in Paris if the situation is like that of New York City. But I would make sure it is legal.
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 04:25 PM
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Why not do a day trip to a different Dutch city during Marathon day? Utrecht for instance, or somewhere further afield like Alkmaar. Distances are so short that an hour's worth of train journey will get you far. Trains are easy and frequent.
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 05:18 PM
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"I wouldn't hesitate to use AirBnb in Paris to rent a bedroom in someone's home in Paris if the situation is like that of New York City. But I would make sure it is legal."

I don't know how one can "make sure" it is legal. The owners themselves probably aren't all that sure. You are probably safe based on what you are looking for, but still relying on the reputation of the host to show up with the keys or open the door when you knock. If you are chicken, get a hotel.
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 07:17 PM
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I use Airbnb extensively. But I stay in the whole apartment, and it sounds like you want a room in a place where the host lives as well, so you can interact. In that case, I have the following suggestions:
* Only consider places with lots of reviews. If few or none, move on.
* Read the reviews carefully. Unlike hotel reviews, bad reviews are relatively rare on Airbnb for whatever reason.
* Look at the cancellation policy, and decide whether you can live with "strict" - unlike a hotel, you get dinged quite a bit if you cancel in those places. "Flexible" and "moderate" are more forgiving.
* Check the reviews to see if the hosts have a history of cancelling. If it is more than once (especially without explanation), move on. But if twice, over 200 reviews, say, probably is OK...
* Since you want to interact, if a place seems attractive, why not send them a message and chat a bit. That could tell you a lot.
* Act soon! The good places get booked early. I will be in Europe Sept/Oct/Nov and I booked my apartments several months ago.
* Have fun! If you want to interact with a native over a good length of time, I think this is a charming idea.
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 07:29 PM
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Forgot a couple of Airbnb things:
* Be careful about stairs. Decide whether you need an elevator. And a lot of places look great, and by the way they are on the 4th floor with no lift - and that is the fifth floor in USA terms!
* The usual hotel-ish things apply: noise, heat, etc.
* Decide if having a washer/dryer is important to you. Washers are common, and it seems that there are more dryers in Paris than there used to be.
* If you have any questions, it's appropriate to ask the hosts. And that would be a great way to engage with them, to see if it's a good fit.

By the way, the night of Oct 7/8 will be an all-night arts festival in Paris, called "Nuit Blanche" (it's always the first Sat/Sun in October). This would be fabulous to experience! But it might mean that Airbnb availability is tight as well...
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Old Jul 25th, 2017, 11:36 PM
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rs899,

It is perfectly legal in New York City to rent a room in your private home to a guest. There is no mystery about it.

At some point maybe somebody who has written extensively on Fodor's about the law in Paris will answer the question as to whether Paris law is the same as NYC's. It's that simple. Either it is or it isn't. If it is, there is no reason for the travelers to worry if what they are renting is a room, not an entire apartment.
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Old Jul 26th, 2017, 05:25 AM
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massimop, that question has been answered, quite extensively, in numerous postings. just use the search forum and you'll find it.
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Old Jul 26th, 2017, 05:31 AM
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I'm not going to Paris and wouldn't rent a room in a private home even if I were. If the original poster is interested, and no one here is willing to share what they say they know, up to them.
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Old Aug 2nd, 2017, 04:42 PM
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Thanks for ideas. We opted not to use airbnb and are staying in Monparnasse, then a night in Bayeux, 3 nights in Amsterdam and then out to St Laurent en Gatine. From there we'll be traveling by rental car to Versailles and Giverney and exploring the countryside.

We are so excited for this trip. Thanks for your feedback!
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Old Aug 3rd, 2017, 05:22 AM
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Mark--good decision re staying in hotel.

You might also consider seeing Versailles by train from Paris as it is quick and easy. We drove to Giverny and it was very easy, but don't know about parking around the Chateau.
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