Paris out of the inner Arrondissments?
 

We are starting to look for an apartment for 2 for a trip to Paris next March. We have always stayed in the inner Arrondissments-1, 5 or 6. This time we want to try something different and are looking for either suggestions for areas to look for apartments or apartments in outer Arrondissments. TIA.

Well, the Marais is not at all outer, but we have enjoyed staying there on many occasions. It crosses the boundaries between several arrondisements, and the character does differ from area to area.

One thing that might help you think this through is to look at the bus and metro maps and see which lines give you easiest access to areas you plan to visit.

Re Metro/bus access, enter a potential address in the first place below for a scrollable map.
Then click on Metro, bus and/or RER:

http://www.ratp.fr/

We have stayed in the 14th a couple times and absolutely love it! The apt we stayed in last summer was perfect for us. It was from ParisBestLodge and was the La Coupole one. It has a queen bed and a twin. There were 3 of us traveling, myself and college age DD and her friend. The girls had just finished a study abroad term, so had a bunch of stuff, and even with that and my small carryon, there was plenty of room for the 3 of us. The apt itself was great, and the location was ideal, IMO. The Vavin metro was literally right around the corner, maybe a 30 second walk. Plus there were numerous shops, restaurants and other metro stops all right around there. It was really easy to take the RER B to there upon arrival. I got off at the Port Royal stop and just walked. We will definitely stay at that apt again.

We wanted a place further out and looked for an apartment in either the 19th or 20th for this October, but somehow ended up with one in the 11th. Not really as far out as we wanted, but we think it will fit our needs. Our problem with the 19th and/or 20th were the hills, and proximity to Metro or bus. I have problems with steep hills or lots of steps.

Anyway, this place is small and simple, and on an upper floor, but the building has two elevators, so one of them should always be working (He said hopefully.) It's cheap, too.

http://www.vrbo.com/346791

In Spring of 2010 we spent one month in an apartment in the Les Batignolles area, just a few streets North of a line connecting the Place de Clichy and Rome metro stations. It is in the Eastern sector of the 17th arrondissement, and we loved the "genuine neighborhood" feel of the area. Place de Clichy itself is a bustling commercial area, but the tone changes very quickly. Some of our favorite restaurants were within a short walk of the apartment. We try to stay in a different area each time, so our Spring, 2013 apartment will be somewhere else, but we plan to go back to Les Batignolles several times. It might suit you.