We will be in Paris in August 2012 for 5 nights. We are two adults traveling with our boys ages 8 and 10. We can afford about 150 Euro per night, so it looks like the best way to go might be a 1-bedroom apartment. I am thinking that 5th or 6th Arrondissements will work well for us, close to parks and the Seine. Somewhat worried about the crush of other tourists if we are too close in. Also concerned about heat in August, so wondering if we should find a place with AC.

Here are two places we are considering:

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p919424#map

http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_230.htm

We would appreciate any advice you might have for us.

I'd be more concerned about the crush in the apartments you've chosen as both are rather small and ideally would suit a couple or a family with one child.

The 5th and 6th are usually more expensive. I 'd consider staying further out for more space as that's part of the advantage in having an apartment.

Of these two I'd pick the 2nd as it is lighter and more modern.

Both of these are quite small. The second is 5th floor without an elevator; on the first I couldn't read whether it has an elevator or the floor it's on.

Air conditioning is not common; Parisians do without and there usually are only a few days a year when it's needed.

You might find something with better space if you ventured just a little farther out - even a little deeper into the 5th or 6th, or in the Marais.

An apartment is definitely the way to go! Finding the right one can take some time, though.

The first apartment is about the size of the one we rented for our first trip to Paris with our kids (8 & 10 at the time, too - it's a great age to take them). Several things with it concern me, though. One, there are no reviews for it. I'm always leery of that. Two, the shower is one of the hand-held nozzles with no curtain or door - my kids would have definitely had trouble with that and made a mess every day, lol. Third, it is 3rd -1/2 floor (not sure what they mean by that), no elevator. I'm not sure if you know this, but floor numbers begin with ground floor, then first etc, so third is really four floors up.

Which brings us to your second apartment. Last time, we rented from Vacation in Paris; we are doing so again for our upcoming trip. They are a great agency to work with. While I like the looks of that apartment, again, several things concern me. First, there really is only one chair to sit on besides the couch. I see two little stools around the table. Second, it is even higher up with no elevator.

I hate to be negative - it is very frustrating looking for an apartment - I would keep looking. Keep posting here, as the people on this forum are fantastic at seeing things you no longer see (or remember to look for) after looking at so many options.

One suggestion: email VIP and tell them your dates, budget, requirements, and they will send you a list of ALL their available apartments that fit the bill. For our upcoming trip, after looking for months, that is what I did and had a place within two days after that.

Good luck!

PS

Forgot to say that last time we stayed by the Luxembourg Gardens and it was a perfect location with the kids.

A/C is rare and will come at a premium, but is worth having. That said, the trend does seem to be towards cooler summers and milder winters...

As for central locations, sure there are quite a few tourists, but the streets are wide enough and the density is perfectly ok in the 5th and 6th. Avoid the 4th on weekends and you'll be fine.

I would definitely argue that there are more than a few days a year when AC is needed in Paris. I've been there for weeks when it was needed constantly (in the summer). Sure, sometimes it can be quite cool even in July or August, you just never know in advance what it will be like in the year you go.

I'd say the trend is definitely towards hotter summers, not cooler. I've been going to Paris in summers for about 20 years and it never used to be that hot in Paris even in July, but not it usually is, at least it seems that way to me.

It will cost you, though, that is true, and not as many vacation rental apts have it. The ones that do won't usually be that cheap.

If you return to the homeaway site, you can search for apartments with air conditioning at the price you can afford.....you can probably also add elevator to your criteria.

As far as AC is concerned - I've been to Paris several times during the summer and have always needed AC. (I admit that I don't like hot weather - but we always had days in the upper 80s, often in the 90s so I wouldn't consider a place without AC.)

Have not looked at the apartments - but those in europe are generally quite a bit smaller than in the US - so make sure you understand how big they are - and that you're willing to walk up and down 5 flights of stairs several times a day.

I agree that you should look for an apartment that is on a lower floor or one that has aloft. You will be doing a lot of walking each day and those stairs will be dreaded.

www.parisbestlodge.com/luxembourg.html

No air con but has a lift and is great for transport and is also right across the street from the Jardin du Luxembourg which the children will enjoy.

as a veteran of many family trips, I definitely rate space as an important factor to holiday satisfaction, plus easy access to the outdoors where they can run around, which is what makes an apartment near the Luxembourg gardens so attractive.

plus good transport connections and a central location so you can go back for a nap [while the kids play or watch TV!].

i think that cathies has hit the nail on the head!

and it's within your price range - hard to see how you could do better.

Oops and have just rereadmy post and saw the typo - it doesn't have a loft, but it does have a lift!

We stayed there in 2008 and loved it. We would often stroll through the gardens in the afternoon and relax there for a while.

Thank you so much for all of the advice. I have never tried to rent an apartment, and I appreciate all the attention to detail, suggestions, and advice.

I just submitted a booking request for the Luxembourg apartment. I hope it's available. Otherwise, I will definitely be looking for something bigger than I originally planned.

I think that because I was originally making comparisons to a hotel room, almost any 1 bedroom apartment was looking very good.

That apartment looks great! Keeping my fingers crossed for you. Keep us posted, and if you do get it, please come back and report on it afterwards so that others can benefit from your experience.

The main bedroom is small but the rest of the apartment is quite generous. Thierry who manages it is fabulous and provided great amusement for us on our second day. I rang to ask about an ironing board as we didn't appear to have one. No problem, he would rectify that. A few hours later he knocked at the door and when we opened it he was standing there with his motorcycle helmet under one arm and an ironing board under the other. I was very sad that I missed the opportunity to photograph him flying up the blvd st Michel on his motor bike with an ironing board under one arm.

There are great bakeries nearby for your morning croissants! I hope your application is successful.

Found out today that the Luxembourg apartment is already booked. I've taken anamax2's advice and requested a list of available apartments from VIP for our travel dates and budget. I'll be sure to report how it turns out. I requested apartments from 1st through 6th arrondissements, but I'm hoping for something affordable near Luxembourg Gardens.

Bummer!

After you narrow down the list from VIP, post the ones that appeal the most to you. Many, many people on this forum have used VIP and can give you insight on specific ones.

You really should request availability of all VIP properties without restricting yourselves to 1-6. Often, you'll find more space/amenities for a lower rate in the others, particularly the double digit arrondissements, and all are just as convenient, with public transportation, for seeing/doing. "Being close to parks and the Seine" may not be as advantageous or appealing as you would presume. There are parks all over.

For me, when choosing an apartment, it's better if supermarkets, transit stops, etc., are within steps rather than blocks.

And, for a first visit, you'll probably be out and about early to late and not spending a great deal of time in your neighborhood, anyway, and probably not in parks or along the Seine, either, except during your daily travels.

I would be wary of flights of stairs. There are plenty of stairs involved day after day if you use the metro (rather than the buses), at the various destinations, and you do have to haul your bags and groceries up all those stairs.