Hi, all...

For several years we have wanted to take our son and daughter-in-law to Paris for a week, but coordinating vacation time has been a stumbling block as well as their having a baby. Now, they are available to go in the fall…but they will have a 21-month-old son with them.

Let’s not get into a discussion on the appropriateness of having a toddler with us…if they go, he has to go, too. (I have followed a recent thread on that with interest.)

On our last three visits, my wife and I have stayed at the Hotel de Nice, across from Place Baudoyer in the 4th, which we really like. However, we feel we have to explore the apartment option, since a washer-dryer, refrigerator, and cooking facilities are pretty much necessities.

I have never booked an apartment in Europe before—always booked hotels for the two of us—let alone looking for a 2-bedroom that can accommodate a toddler.

I would appreciate any input—especially from those who have experienced a similar situation—regarding apartment rentals with toddlers…anything from general suggestions to rental agency recommendations to specific apartments that accept toddlers and/or locations. (We’d prefer the Marais, but we’ll have to be flexible.)

At this point, I don’t need advice on things to do—too early for that, plus I have some of my own ideas that I will post on a separate thread later.

Thanks to all…much appreciated.

I suggest making your life simple and renting from Citadines. That way you get all the mod-cons, including that all important elevator, plus no worries about whether the rental is legal or that it might disappear on you after you've already made the booking.

http://www.citadines.com/en/property...tml?City=Paris

I'd try to get a ground floor apartment so the toddler doesn't drive the downstairs neighbors bonkers. (Assuming this is a normal toddler who likes to run and jump off stuff.)

you need to get a place that has cots as well. Citadines is a good choice.

I'd also suggest a ground floor apartment, more so to avoid carrying strollers and other baby needs up stairs in buildings that don't have an elevator, and many dont. Those wooden spiral staircases can also be very narrow, and some elevators impossibly small.

There are many trip reports both here on Fodors and on the net by people who have travelled with an almost 2yo toddler. All were great fun to read and very successful, as long as you remember that the baby has needs too and allow for them. Don't try to pack in too much to show your son and DIL, and take turns babysitting so more sites may be enjoyed by smaller groups of three.

Here is one of my favourite blogs.

www.hitherandthither.net/category/travel

Look under the "Travel" Tab, then look for "FAMILY TRAVEL: 5 WAYS CHEERIOS CAN HELP ON A LONG FLIGHT" and "Paris with kids". And even though this next entry is about Italy, there are some great tips on how to Manage kids: "FAMILY TRAVEL: THOUGHTS ON ITALY (& BEYOND) WITH KIDS "

what about child-proofing the apartment? I would look into easy thnigs to take that would make a strange apartment safe for a child exploring the whole place (locks on cabinets, electric outlets, etc?)

We have an almost three year old grandson, and understand your concerns. We rented an amazing apartment on the gardens of the Palais Royal (in 2006) from www.parisvacationapartments.com. They have some two bedrooms that might work for you. The cool thing is that the gardens are right outside the apartment, so the baby could play.

There is an elevator to the fifth floor (only the three bedroom, two story apartment is the floor above the elevator). I would not rent the ground floor apartment, though, as it has stairs down to the kitchens. There are floor plans on thie website, so you can see what you're getting. It was an amazing experience and location. Others have also recommended the company.

Have a wonderful time! We hope to do the same thing in a few years, so please do a trip report and let us know how it went.

I traveled with our then 18 month old about 10 years ago, and she was a delight. My 2nd child at 18-24 months old was loud and disagreeable and into *everything.* So some of your grandchild's personality will affect perhaps what kind of apartment you want (in particular, related to your sensitivity to the neighbors). Agreed, a ground floor or 1st floor apartment might be nice for noise, especially since apartment rentals are now being heavily scrutinized in a way that they really haven't been over the last decade. (Most of the Parisian apartments are, and have always been, illegal for the owners to rent them though it was largely ignored... but the meteoric rise of vacation rentals through social housing sites like AirBnB has caused a shortage of affordable housing in Paris, and a major crackdown is underway, with neighbors often ratting out their neighbors. Something to keep in mind when looking at listings.)

There are dozens of really well-known rental agencies, plus lots of listings on VRBO/HomeAway. There are chains like Citadines and Adagio Aparthotels. And a handful of hotels offer little apartments. You can sometimes find them listed in the listings you'd find when you google "Paris Family Rooms" or "Paris Quad Rooms for Family." I believe the Hotel Muguet in the 7th has an apartment. The Hotel Bosquet also has an apartment. And possibly the Hotel Danube. Not sure if they're big enough for your group, though.

You say you like the Marais, but I have read that the Marais, (not to mention the 5th and parts of the 6th) are the areas most heavily being cracked down on. Plus, the Marais seems a little noisy and hectic, if I were thinking through my "parent-colored" glasses. You might want to consider looking somewhere in the 6th (near the Luxembourg Gardens for a daily run through the park to wear the baby out) or 7th (because it's generally quieter there and you'll probably get a bigger bang for your buck). Lots of other people would recommend staying even farther afield than the 1-7th arrondisements.

Renting an apartment in Paris can be delightful and definitely what you'll need with your group. You'll see hundreds (thousands) of listings and the best thing is to start looking at them and seeing what you like, etc. A lot of times here, people will list a few of their narrowed down options for feedback and the Fodor world might see things you've missed. In VRBO, there is the option of selecting "children welcome" in the search options, along with # of bedrooms, etc. From there, only you can determine whether it's going to work for your family. I always steered clear of large glass tables or fine antiques. I would want an apartment with a lift so I'm not trudging up 6 flights of stairs with stroller, baby, etc. If travelling in a hot month, I'd be looking for A/C too.

There are dozens of posts here at Fodors with the names of the most trusted rental agencies (though you may need to use Google to do the search, since the search engine here at Fodors is whacked for the last year.)

You're very lucky to be able to do this trip and I hope you have a wonderful time. On the trip I mentioned above with our toddler, we brought my parents along on that trip. (I even wrote a trip report about it somewhere in there.) We had to scale back our expectations, and my parents were able to baby sit a couple times so that we could go out and enjoy a couple of dinners, and we spent a lot of wonderful family time together in the apartment cooking meals and relaxing together.

How about trying Airbnb? I've got great experiences.

As for apartments appropriate for a toddler, just put this into Google: airbnb paris baby

- I got at least 5 options of nice-looking apartments

"Cot" (UK) = "crib" (US)

Also recommend staying near one of the big parks, Luxembourg being the best choice in my opinion. Place des Vosges in the Marais discourages walking or anything else on the grass.

Thanks, all...

I'm digesting everything before I reply with specific questions for each of you. However, these are my immediate thoughts:

AirBnB is likely out. I've used it in the US, but--according to many on Fodors--Paris is cracking down on it, and it could be unreliable.

Hotel quads and apartments don't seem to have washer-dryers (unless I am missing something...does anyone one know of any that do?) -- which is a deal-breaker for us.

Ground floor is not necessity if there is a lift. We also could accept 1st floor without one, since the kids are young enough to carry the toddler & stroller up a single flight of stairs. though not more than one flight.

Thanks.
SS

The ground floor is not just for you. It is for the people that would be living below you, if you were higher up.

The apartment I listed has a washer and dryer (I believe all theirs do), and I'm sure you can find others with them. I agree with you about hesitation with airB&b; there has been quite a discussion on this board regarding it.

I don't know what you mean by a hotel quad. Are you just referring to a hotel room for 4 people? gads, I wouldn't even consider that with 3 grown adults and a toddler. Those are really for 2 parents with 2 small children.

I don't know what you mean by apartments don't have washer/dryers. Some do but many in Paris do not. At least many don't have dryers. Some aparthotels (like the Adagio chain) have a laundromat in the building. Some Citadines buildings do, you have to select on that. The one at Les Halles does, for example (and will provide things for a baby, also).

Depending on your dates, parisvacationapartments.com has a few 2 bedroom apartments on the first floor (our second.)

I assume that the child will not be running and jumping late at night or very early morning so might not be that disturbing to neighbors.

Didn't see a budget anywhere, but before you discount Citadines as a boring chain type of place, have a look at their St Germain des Pres location. Across the river and facing the Louvre, right in the middle of everything. You could ask for a quad room or 2 doubles - it might be nice to have the extra plumbing.
There is also a nice little hotel with kitchen and laundry near the Musee de Cluny - Hotel Residence Henri IV. I've put my brother-in-law and his family here and they were very happy.
Apartments are just not worth all the increased hassle, and they are very difficult to "child-proof". Plus, you would probably much rather have someone else take care of washing towels and sheets - you've got better things to do, and laundry in Paris literally takes hours of your life. You'll also have reliable a/c in an apart'hotel - you'll be lucky to get a fan, in an apartment.

Also regarding Citadines:

Consider getting separate apartments in the same building, on the same floor, or in the same building, rather than a 2 bedroom for all of you.. You might all enjoy a bit of complete privacy and downtime now and then, not only the toddler but the parents and grandparents.

Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to travel with a toddler. In fact, I'd hesitate to travel with a lot of adults I know sooner than a toddler! But I would opt for a plain vanilla modern set up with durable blondewood furniture rather than some place kitted out with Louis whatever antiques.

Thanks to all...we have booked out place.

When we post our trip report, we'll let you know how everything went with the rental.

It was a little farther out from our desired area (the Marais)--along the east side of the Marina--but it was close to Jardin des Plantes, and Promenade des Plantes, which will be nice for the toddler.

...and it had air conditioning, a lift, and a toilet that is apart from the shower...very useful with a toddler and four adults.

http://www.vrbo.com/158269?utm_campa...m_medium=email

SS