So I snagged a nifty airfare to Paris for October. Yes, this October. Called VIP and here is what they have for our dates.

Note this will only be our second visit, we will be museum and major site heavy with time in parks for an almost 10 year old boy (who does love museums). Total of 2 adults (my mother a young 58 and me) and child.

http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_152.htm

http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_174.htm

http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_244.htm

http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_258.htm

http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_280.htm

Opinions wanted!
Thanks.

I like 244 best for location and space.

We sat out front of Cafe Vavin (on Rue Vavin - the street near apartment 244) a couple of times In October of 2010. From Rue Vavin you get right to the southern entrance to Luxembourg Gardens - a wonderful location to be near for a 10 year old.

davispeets - Those stairs kind of scare me!

I am leaning towards 174 but my mom likes 152.

We have another apartment in the wings but they require a cashiers check in euros as a returnable deposit and the hassle of getting the check, paying for it and then possibly losing money when cash it is keeping me from confirming.

174 - is a great location to walk to everything- but I didn't choose it because the studio seemed so small for the three of you.

152 - is a little bit bigger and looks airy and bright - but I didn't choose it because of the location - if it was larger then I might reconsider.

To me being near the Lux . gardens with a 10 year old was the winning decision in my mind. And for a second trip you are still near the core.

That was my thinking -- I didn't look at any prices.

I like both places in Monmartre...they look like they use the space very well. I'd lean toward those myself, but maybe just because we 've never stayed in Montmartre. The last one...may be a bit tight, but oh, the views of the windmill would sure be fun! And 244 also looks great for location. Since this is just your 2 nd trip to Paris, that could be your best choice.

If the stairs to the bedroom in 244 scare you, the 4th floor walk-up stairs in 174 and 3rd floor walk-up stairs in 152 should make you shudder.

The Marais apt...I don't like the " kitchen" Number 174...I think it looks cramped and don't know that I would like climbing up to the 4 th floor going in and out.

With a 10 year old child, I wouldn't want to be in Montmartre. It is not that I consider it unsafe or too unsavory, I would just want the convenience of a very centrally located apartment, and one near the great expansive gardens of Paris and the river. I would want short walks or bus rides to and from the attractions.

You might need to ratchet back your plans for a "museum-heavy" visit with a 10 year old. On a rainy day, your child might enjoy the Jardin des Plants and its many kid-friendly exhibits, or climbing the tower at Notre Dame. In my experience, travelling kids like to look at small things in shops. If you find some quirky antique stores or toy shops, that can be less overwhelming than famous sights. Just some thoughts.

Thanks for the insights.

davispeets - We don't have an aversion to stairs but I finally noticed that there was no railing. We decided we were willing to go 4 flights (did 3 on our first visit) so that is not a factor.

I had the same feeling about Montmartre especially being so close to Pigalle.

aguamineral - He chose a bunch of the museums! It won't be all art as he wants to see the automatons at Musee Arts et Metiers. We'll also be climbing the Arch de Triomphe this trip and visiting Luxembourg Gardens which we missed last time.

174 is only 24m2. Bigger than a hotel room, but. I think 30 m2 is on small side for > 2 people. Though of course lovely location.

The stairs on 244 shouldn't be too daunting after a time or two. For me it'd be a coin toss between 244 and 280.

I'm all about location. I'd get a map and mark the various addresses and see how they sit in relation to central Paris and the activities you want to do and sights you plan to see.

If you don't mind stairs and don't mind piling 3 people into a fairly small square footage, to me the location is the most important thing by far.

Have you tried using the Flipkey website to look at more choices? I agree with you that wiring money upfront is a deal-breaker, but Flipkey usually offers many places that will take a credit car. You can search for places that sleep 3 by your dates and your budget. Many of those apartments are centrally located and have internet.

It is great that your son has picked some promising museums, although he may be overestimating his attention span (adults do when it comes to museums). The gardens of Luxembourg will be a great treat. I'd still want a centrally located place (central to your chosen sights).

I would take apt 244 in a heartbeat!!! I LOVE that location! We have stayed in several areas on various trips, but last summer stayed on that same street (different apt) and absolutely fell in love with it.

That's funny because I was looking for an apt in the area of 244 as that's where I like to stay. I booked a different one (I think the one mms had before). SO I wondered how I could have missed this one, as the rate is certainly reasonable.

Then I looked at it. I would never book an apt with stairs like that to the bedroom, and on top of that, you realize that if you have to use the bathroom, it is on the ground floor. So even if I saw it, I never would have considered it. But those are just my opinions, the location is fine in general. I notice that even VIP (who in my experience is a little fast and loose with the truth) warns you that the outside is a bit "unkempt".

Friends (couple) stayed in 174 three years ago. They said it was very, very small.

We are taking a closer look at 280. So far we have eliminated 152, 244 and 258.

I'll look at flipkey as well.

So we finally made our minds up about 280 but when I called it had booked. We are now going with 224 which was ruled out based on cost. We will have to sustain ourselves on baguettes.

Hope you get it. It was always my choice of the 5 you posted. I love the area and was lucky to score an apartment myself last week in the 14th for mid October. Enjoy it.

Just in case...Paris Perfect has several apts at 40% off in October. You can check their site for the dates and which apts are available.