I've saved links to recommended Paris apartments for years in case the chance to go came along. Now that the opportunity has arrived, these apartments are no longer listed, out of my price range or unavailable - so I’m back to Square One, without a lot of time to book.

Thanks to the recent Fodor article about renting Paris apartments and the thread here I’ve come up with a number of possibilities to consider for June 5 – 12th. We need non smoking and internet and would like a bed bigger than 48” and a real shower but can manage if we like the place otherwise. We are also willing to walk up a maximum of three flights of stairs.

I found an apartment I love in Montmartre and feel we would be happy in this area after rereading Robjame’s 2007 trip report and getting his stamp of approval for this particular location. Then I realized that smoking isn’t prohibited. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s smoky, however. I’ve written to find out.

http://www.perfectlyparis.com/Artists%20Corner.html

Vacation in Paris is highly recommended but their best places seem to book early and we are quite late. A nice one in Montparnasse with an Eiffel Tower view terrace is still available. The bed in only 48” but this no longer seems such a problem as I consider what else is available. Especially with such a romantic view! But I’m not familiar at all though with this area so would appreciate input.

http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_62.htm

Paris Attitude gets mixed reviews but experiences seem to be come down to individual landlords. I found lots of appealing central studios but my list was reduced to four when I inquired which were non smoking and still available. Comparing these to hotel rooms, all come out well ahead and all are in the core. I’ll list them in roughly my order of preference.

Marais Studio on rue Braque near Hotel de Ville and Beaubourg:
http://www.parisattitude.com/apartme...umProduit=1212

Latin Quarter Studio near Notre Dame:
http://www.parisattitude.com/apartme...umProduit=2196

Montorgueil area on rue Etienne Marcel:
http://www.parisattitude.com/apartme...umProduit=2158

Marais on rue Caffarelli:
http://www.parisattitude.com/apartme...umProduit=2249

All of these apartments have pros and cons, obviously. Any advice you can give about area or particular apartments would be greatly appreciated!

moolyn what is your price range?

I wouldn't even consider a place with a bed only 48" wide, that is barely larger than a twin bed -- unless it was for one person of course, which I think that studio is. That isn't the norm for Parisian double beds, that isn't a double bed size (a traditional dbl bed is 140 cm in France, which is about 54-55" wide). I think I remember some post on here a while back from someone considering that same place (the VIP one near the Montparnasse station). I know that area, it's fairly modern right around that train station on that side, not what I would call neighborhoody compared to many other places, but it's okay. It's near the postal museum, I think, and would be convenient to metro, in any case, and stores. I wouldn't ever take it for two people, as I said, due to the bed. Also, those Murphy beds may be only a mattress on a board, I suppose. I would have thought that construction was over by now, I think they are referring to something the hospital is doing. I was by there last Fall and don't remember any big construction, but could be wrong. The apt. looks nice otherwise, I think.

I don't think any landlord is going to tell you their apartment is currently smoky just because someone smoked in it at one time, so I wouldn't think it made any difference whatever they said, but you can see.

Mimi,

About 750 euros for the week is our limit. The Montmatre and Montparnasse apartments fit into this. The selected studios are all about 650 euros.

Christina, Thanks for your advice. Good to know that the normal French double is wider than 48"! The Montmarte apartment is managed by PerfectlyParis which is recommended. Gail, whom I've dealt with, is very helpful and I know this company offers non smoking apartments so I feel I'll get an honest response.

Have you looked at Rentparis.com? They have some nice apartments. We have used them twice in the past with no problems. Of course, you would have to find out availability.

opaldog, I checked them out earlier but they don't have much available in out price range. There's one in the 4th that's cute but no internet and it's pretty small:
http://rentparis.com/appart-fr-47.html

You are right that it is too small. I also would prefer to have internet access. Have you tried vrbo.com?

we are renting from paris attitude next month and have been very happy with Johanna Brown keeping us up on everything. Will let you know how the apt is if you'd like-when we return. She has been the Most prompt in our correspondence but we are also paying more than your 750 euro limit. You must pay deposit to the owner and rental insurance that is mandatory in France also. In addition to your rental agency fee. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Opaldog, I'm always put off by the fuzzy, cropped photos vrbo uses and wonder what they're trying to hide. Still, I know that many people here have rented succesfully through them so spent some time and came up with some more possibilities and sent off some emails for more information.

ljmartin, I appreciate the offer but need to find something before then. I'm dealing with someone different at Paris Attitude.

Though it is without a view, this apartment is quite nice and appears 'spcaciou'. http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p97127

ChicagoDallasGirl, thanks for telling me about this lovely apartment but it's booked for our dates.

Everyone, I have received word that the Montmartre apartment I love is non smoking so we'll go with it. I look forward to staying in a different part of Paris than usual and living like a local.

I appreciate all your suggestions and advice. Many thanks!

Here's the report by Robjame that inspired me to look at this area in the first place:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-adventure.cfm

Hey CDGirl - fyi I looked at that holiday-rentals link you provided to moolyn, and it looks like it might work out for us for our 2 nights at the end of our trip in June (we are a week in Paris, then a week in Languedoc, then back to Paris for 2 nights). We were going to stay in a hotel for those last two, but it looks like they will accept a 2 day booking in June, and their calendar shows a little gap on the days we want, and for the 4 of us it looks like it would be cheaper then the 2 nights in a hotel! So I've e-mailed them to confirm if they are available. But just wanted to thank you for the tip (even if the tip was really for moolyn!)

Canada_V, I'm glad you could make use of this suggestion from CDGirl since it didn't work for me. It's a lovely apartment.

That's one of the wonderful things about Fodors, you often find very useful information intended for other people.