Thanks Janice! No decisions made yet as we prabably aren't going till spring or fall of 2013 now (like to plan ahead!) Just gathering information and saving it to a word document.
That apt looks nice as well as the other 2 BR in the same building.
I also really like this one with the nice terrace!
http://www.rentalfrance.com/index.ph...champs-de-mars
It is on VRBO too and has a lot of good reviews http://www.vrbo.com/55374

Adding to my list for sure!
Thanks,
Sara

I'm not sure when you plan to reserve an apartment for your September 2012 or 2013 vacation but my wife, 12 year old granddaughter and I will be staying in Pauillac for a week this June. After a fairly extensive search and for a variety of reasons (location, layout, decor, balcony, A/C, huge size, rental agency) we felt Pauillac was right for our situation. I will definitely post a trip report describing our experience at Pauillac for you to consider if you haven't made a decision by then.

Thanks John! I will be very interested to read your trip report and your impressions of the Pauillac. As you know, researching apartments is a really time-consuming task, especially when you are trying to please several people!!
Have been looking at my list again and rethinking some of them. I believe that we need to get as much living space as we can afford. I know that after a day of sightseeing, we will want to relax and have a glass of wine and snacks before dinner (or a couple of nights we might want to eat in). There are some apts where I can see us doing that and other apts where it would not be as pleasant due to size of the LR/dining room.

I've been to Paris half a dozen or more times in September, which I prefer for the nicest weather, during my 50's. It's highly unlikely you'll need air conditioning. I can recall only one day it would have been nice to have, but only if we'd spent the afternoon in our apartment with southwest exposure late afternoon when the sun was shining in.

As you can see, four twin beds will be a challenge. Your options are greater if someone won't mind a sofa bed or you can all agree to rotate.

While shopping for apartments is great fun, know that September, in particular, is very popular and typically booked way ahead. I have experience with Paris Perfect and know reserving more than a year in advance is often necessary, especially for a specific property.

Know that calendars on rental websites, VRBO specifically, are not usually kept up to date. So, when you get serious about booking, you have to inquire and not assume availability.

Note also that a deposit of 50% of the total rental is typically required (with properties at this level) to confirm a booking and is generally non-refundable.

A tricky aspect of selecting dates for an apartment booking that far ahead is that you have fixed travel dates, which gives you less flexibility with air fares.

Travel insurance is highly recommended when booking an apartment, though it does not cover everything.

Just some things to think about.

The trip will most likely be Sept of 2013 due to various commitments and significant anniversaries a couple of us have. Spouses would most likely be cranky if we missed an anniversary for a girlfriend trip! :)
Oh, yes I am firm believer in travel insurance as I have had to use it on a couple of trips so will definitely get that.
There are a couple of us who are willing to share queen or larger beds and maybe sofabed would also be option for someone. I have found several now that I think will work thanks to some of the suggestions here.

I recommend you try Untours:
http://www.untours.com/

We have used then 4 times (twice to Switzerland, and twice to Paris). I highly recommend this company. Check out their apartments.

Take a look under Luxury Apartments at vacationinparis.com
The apt # ID210 is on Rue St. Andre des Arts in the 6th Arrondissement (St. Germain). We usually stay in a 1-bdrm on this street. it is a great location -- close to wonderful bistros, cafes, restaurants, market, Notre Dame & ND Plaza (lots of street entertainment - free!), the Seine, and the Latin Quarter, the metro, the RER train, etc. I'd love to go with another couple to stay in this apt. Have rented from this group before and very pleased. They are out of New Jersey.

Thanks for your suggestions - will look into those.
Sara

I haven't stayed in any of the apts, since they are WAY out of my budget, but, I go to Paris every year and have to agree with several people, the more central the better. My FIRST choice of arrondissements would be the 3rd, 4th or 5th. Second choice would be 1st, 2nd and 6th. That's IT. Many, many of the sites you want to see will be within walking distance, and since you are starting in the center, nothing is very far. All of these areas are extremely safe and lively (2nd is probably the least lively at night and would be my last choice of the ones I mentioned above). Selection of restaurants and shopping will be wider in these areas. And, Sept is usually my favorite time time to go -- weather is usually warm and sunny (but not too hot). This year it was awful! Rained every day and it might have gotten up to the 60s ONE DAY (out of 15). Mostly in the 30s and 40s. That is very unusual, but be forewarned. -Ronda

I haven't stayed in any of the apts, since they are WAY out of my budget, but, I go to Paris every year and have to agree with several people, the more central the better. My FIRST choice of arrondissements would be the 3rd, 4th or 5th. Second choice would be 1st, 2nd and 6th. That's IT. Many, many of the sites you want to see will be within walking distance, and since you are starting in the center, nothing is very far. All of these areas are extremely safe and lively (2nd is probably the least lively at night and would be my last choice of the ones I mentioned above). Selection of restaurants and shopping will be wider in these areas. And, Sept is usually my favorite time time to go -- weather is usually warm and sunny (but not too hot). This year it was awful! Rained every day and it might have gotten up to the 60s ONE DAY (out of 15). Mostly in the 30s and 40s. That is very unusual, but be forewarned. -Ronda

Sara,
I have been in the rentafrance/rue-du-champs-de mars apartment and feel that the living area is a little too tight for 4 persons. I have stayed in the ParisPerfect Romanee, St Emilion and Bordeaux(there is an internal spiral staircase in this apartment) and feel that these may better fit your needs.I have also seen the Sancerre and that might work for you, I just don't remember the bed situation. Also, there are a multitude of very good, affordable restaurants in the 7th and the transportation is also great for the busses and the metro.
Have fun planning.

Mrs. Laidback

Thanks Mrs Laidback – I agree that the living/dining room area of Rue-du-Champs is too small for 4 of us. I have that on a contingency list for 2 people. There are 2 of us for sure who are going and we have 2 or 3 more who are very interested. But we will see if they drop out when it comes time to cough up the $$$ for the deposit and travel insurance!
For the 4 of us, right now I really like the Paulliac because the sofabed area can be curtained off to make a private sleeping area. From the description of that location, it sounds pretty lively to me and near the metro. The Bordeaux is also on my list but I am wondering how tricky that staircase could be after a couple of glasses of wine. The Bordeaux could work although the square footage is much smaller than the other two. I also like a few of the PVA ones very much as well for 3 or 4 of us.
I think the Gloriosa from Guest Apartments is fabulous too but Philippe told me they do not rent more than six months in advance. That wouldn’t work for us because we need to book our FF miles 330 days in advance or something.
There are a couple I like from VRBO that are managed by www.parisdeluxeapartments.com . They are probably quite legit but can’t find many reviews out there for them so think I would prefer to deal with one of the larger well-known agencies.
Anyway, I have a good list for the 4 of us and will be discussing it with my friend who is going for sure. After we decide on a couple of them we will figure out how much money needs to be put in right now and see if the others are willing to commit with their $$$! Hope so!!
Thanks for all the help and opinions, suggestions.
Sara

In addition to the Bordeaux, I also meant the Merlot could work although smaller. The other PP places didnt work due to beds or WCs or prices.....

Update on this thread! We have booked an apartment for Sept 2012 and I am so excited! This is the apt we chose: http://www.vrbo.com/206290 and also here:
www.parisdeluxerentals.com

We like it because the beds all separate into twins and it has 2 baths, one full one is ensuite and the other across the hall from the other B/R with a shower and sink and a separate wc with toilet and another sink which will be good for 4 women getting ready to go out.
I found several good reviews of the apt and agency on Tripadvisor and a good detailed review of the apt here
http://www.ourparisforum.com/index.c...ay&thread=3940

Next step will be booking FF award tickets in Oct and then lots of reading these boards and researching guidebooks etc.
Thanks, just wanted to share this apt news with everyone!
:)
Sara

If nightlife is not important and money is, consider La Defense, specifically Fraser Suites Harmonie. We had four adults in a decent apartment that had two twin beds in a bedroom and a "sleeper sofa" that really was two more twins. VERY affordable, clean, modern, with lovely staff and a laundry facility. It's very near a metro stop and is quiet. With the metro, it's not far to anywhere in Paris. It's probably not the ambience you are after but it might be the right choice for someone else looking for an apartment that sleeps four and is affordable. (We've stayed in the Latin Quarter before and found this a more pleasant alternative.) Have a great time!