CaliNurse

@Aussie...this is a "hijack" but...
what size flat? are you traveling with friends again?
How long do you need? this one is 2 bedroom, in a great location by jardins de Lux in the 6th:

parisapartment6eme.com

I wrote, by we needed only three nights, and this has a minimum of 4 nights...not a full week.
HURRAY!!!!!It's 235 euros/day. or 1400 per week. it is also listed as a rental on homeexchange were you can read reviews.

Debi, re cleaning: Either way, you are paying for it--either itemized separately, or added to the price. now i just make a point of looking for the "hidden" separate charge

aussie_10

Hi CaliNurse - yes we are heading to Paris, sadly only for 3 nights on our way to Italy. But I just had to stop and say hello to my beloved Paris.........mmmmm

We are going solo, however we may be joined in Tuscany with our son & girlfriend. And catching up with other friends somewhere in Italy. I will post on a new thread my trip plans. I have been asking quite a few questions on Fodors.

Debitnm sorry to via away from your thread.

We too are looking for accommodation for 2. At first I was looking at hotels but haven't found any with reasonable prices that I like.

I have seen a few that I like in the Marais, so that may be where I'm heading. I don't like to book anything that does not have any reviews, I am very wary. I have to have a good feel about the place that I stay in.

I will post the links of the places I have been looking at tomorrow. It is late night here. And very hot 37C, very hot all week and more to come ugh!

KarenE

The Marais has a few nice areas but also areas which are quite seedy, for example around the Centre Pompidou. I would never consider to stay there. My husband and I really like the 6th around St. Sulpice. The 7th is beautiful but very quiet with less restaurants and shops.

opaldog

I have actually stayed very near the Pompidou and didn't find it to be bad at all. There is alot going on around the museum. Rue Rambuteau is full of food shops, stores, etc. The Pompidou is closer to the border of the Marais with the 1st and 2nd. You can walk through that area to get over to St. Eustache and Montorgueil or over to the 1st passing by the jazz clubs (Duc des Lombards, etc)

DebitNM

Jazz clubs! Can you suggest some? We absolutely want to do that an evening or 2.

opaldog

We went to Duc des Lombards in October 2009 for a midnight jam session on Saturday; it is free admission. We loved it. Their website is http://www.ducdeslombards.com/ Of course they have regular shows all days of the week. Other clubs near there that I have just walked by are Le Baiser Sale and Sunset http://www.lebaisersale.com/ and http://www.sunset-sunside.com/ There are others around on the left bank. One of them is Caveau de la Huchette http://www.caveaudelahuchette.fr/ Do a google search for paris jazz clubs or search on the forums here for other peoples experiences.

freeflyer

Definitely shop around. My friend gave me a Parisian website, which had an english translation... The prices were much lower! I will see if I can find it!

bocacpa

We rented from Paris BestLodge in May 2010. We are renting from Thierry again for 2011. His discriptions are accurate and he is a most gracious host. He even showed me his name in Fodor's Paris guidebook where he is quoted as being "reliable." - and he was.

And yes, we rented a studio in the Marais where we had to climb up a ladder to get to our bed. After some worries the first night, we loved it!

Personally I would pay extra money for air-conditioning - rather than location per se. The old buildings in Paris were designed to retain the heat of the harsh winters. Early May can be cold... or hot.

Have a good time making your choice.As most people have alluded to already, there are probably no "bad" locations - and Paris is very walkable.

Steve