Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Possibly sending mother to Paris as a birthday gift. Help.

I found a couple of the French apt. rental sites I knew:
www.appartement.org
visite.fr
www.apartment-paris.com

www.aparisianhome.com is an agency but has a big discount for a month or more. However, upon thinking of this, I'm not sure dealing directly with a French owner is the best idea if you don't know French and Paris well. There are American and British owners on vbro.com and that might work out.

The reason I wondered why she hadn't been there in 14 years if she liked it so much was I thought it could affect some of the issues if it was because she couldn't afford to, didn't have someone to go with and wouldn't go alone, etc., and of course the obvious that possibly she doesn't really like it as much as you think. Since she has traveled internationally in that time, and several times to other cities repeatedly, I would just want to make sure she really would want to do this, especially since you aren't sure why she hasn't gone back.

Anyway, it sounds like you aren't that concerned about money, so you may be well aware what this will cost--which is a bundle. Even with some of the above owner sites and those that give discounts, I'd guess it might be hard to find anything decent for less than around 2000 euro per month, and that wouldn't be anthing deluxe. I noticed some of those on one of the owner sites were less but they were really very fundamental small places in the outer areas.

It is very rare for any rental co. to accept credit cards for the rent, and an individual wouldn't. A couple major agencies do but they might be more expensive than you'd want to spend for such a longterm as they are geared to short-term vacation travelers. I think barclayweb.com might, and PSR (which I have had perfectly fine dealings with), but most want a wire transfer or funds in a cashier's check, sometimes in euros. Large deposits are required in advance (maybe 30-50 pct upon booking), and many want the rest at or before arrival. It might be different for that long term a rental, and I'm guessing they might sometimes require only a month's rent up-front plus the security. That's something you'll have to find out from owners, etc.

There is just so much planning and arrangements to make for such a trip, even if she would love it. Certain classes may need to be signed up for in advance, arrangements for home, banking and bills, etc. Also, you just need to plan what clothes to take in case you need to buy anything, etc.

One big thing is insurance, however, and that can't be done at the last minute or without her knowledge, I don't think. You will need insurance to cover all the advance costs you may expend, I imagine, as if something happeneds and she can't go, you could be out thousands. I don't know how that works with travel insurance (covering someone who isn't taking the trip), but I think you need to buy that when you make the initial layout.

Health insurance is a major concern as I wouldn't advise anyone to go abroad for 3 months without health insurance coverage. So, you'll need to find out if her current policy covers her abroad -- if so, that is terrific. If not, you'll have to find a policy that will cover someone traveling for that long a period. In any case, I don't think you can take out health insurance on someone without their knowledge, they probably need to sign things and medical history may be inquired about on the forms.

Anyway, good luck on this project, it is a major task to plan all this. As for when you need to do this -- hard to say, I rent Parisian apts for summer about 4-5 months in advance and then some good ones are already booked. I don't think spring would be as bad as summer, but don't really know. It depends how picky you are, etc., as you can always get something later on, just maybe not the best places or best values. I would really try to formulate a plan on this within the next month if you want a place for March.