HI sc,

What is your budget?

There is no "best" place. All of Paris is wonderful. Paris wasn't built for tourists, so there is no place that's " convenient to the major sights." They're all spread out, as they evolved over many centuries.

What's your budget? Obviously, all 7 of you will need several hotel rooms or a couple of apartments. Is it your first time in Paris? Do you speak French? Apartments are great, and often cheaper, but for many first-timers having a hotel concierge or desk staff to ask questions of is helpful.

What you want to rent is extremely unrealistic (an entire house or apt within Paris with 4 BRs and 3 baths, for a short-erm vacation rental), if not impossible. I think I heard of some movie star having something like that once, of course, but I don't know those contacts.

There are a very few agencies with a couple listings that might be in the same building or next to each other (vacation apartments), but I haven't taken notes on the ones I've seen like that, maybe someone else does. Usually it's only 2 apts, though. www.vacationinparis.com does have 2 apts in the same building (Place des Vosges listings) but that still would only accommodate 2 couples.

Of course there are aparthotels and that could definitely suit your group. www.citadines.com is the main one I know in Paris. That would give you what you want, but the apartments do not have charm, just modern. But at least there would be several in the same building.

As Christina hinted, there ARE options (though not many). From VacatiInParis.com

#1 - Two 2BR apartments on the same floor in the same building in the Latin Quarter just off Place Monge in the Latin Quarter:
http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_124.htm PLUS http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_142.htm

#2 - Three apartments - two studio apts in the same bldg and a 1BR apt. next door in the adjacent bldg. Just north of Les Halle near the Etienne-Marcel Metro station:
http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_29.htm PLUS
http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_179.htm PLUS
http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_79.htm

One of these may be just right for your group, depending on the make-up of the group (all singles? two couples w/ children?, 3 families?, etc.)

We rented this apartment a couple years ago. http://www.vrbo.com/114205
The owners also have an apartment next door and the vrbo # for the second apartment is on the above site. These are the only 2 apartments on this floor. They were both very nice and we'd definitely rent from them again.

Ira, I am not sure about the budget. We would all be splitting the cost if we found an apartment to rent. I would think if it cost each couple around $250 dollars a night we would be getting a great deal, but we would be willing to pay more. We prefer an apartment to a hotel because we would be able to visit more with our friends.

But would be happy with hotel that had a decent lobby or garden where we could all relax and visit a bit.

Bardo1, thank you for the info. I really appreciate you taking the time to find that for us. I will show our friends.

With your budget, you may try these two apts.

http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_190.htm

This one also fits your budget, and you can't get more central than in the 1st.

http://www.parisvacationapartments.com/index.php/our-apartments/three-bedroom/63-palais-royal-duplex.html

We've used this service with great success and I see that they have a 4 bdr. on Ile St. Louis which is our preferred place to stay.

http://www.guestapartment.com/properties/4_bedrooms/peony-gardenia.html