People here seem not to understand that Air BnB is supposed to be lodging in someone's home while that someone is also there--not a free standing apartment.

NewB seems not to understand that Airbnb offers accommodations of every conceivable description. It isn't "supposed" to be anything in particular.

Yes I was researching hosting and airbnb says not just in someone's home but can rent out the whole residence - owner need not be there.

<Also, should we always keep our passport with us(just passports) , as they might get stolen otherwise?>

I think they are likely safer left where you are staying (preferably locked up) instead of carrying them around. I think a pickpocket would be more likely than someone breaking into an apartment.

<People here seem not to understand that Air BnB is supposed to be lodging in someone's home while that someone is also there>

Because it's not. The people I know who've used AirbNb was for vacation condo rentals, not a person's home at all.

<in someone's home while the person is there> It can be an apartment, Home or condo and the owner is not there.

Well, I will never say never, but highly unusual.

I have visited Airbnb for hours on end and have never seen a rental with the owner in residence.

Looking now at Nashville--NONE that I have seen.

Of over 300 listings for Ann Arbor, MI it appears the vast majority are rooms in a person's house - judging by pictures and descriptions - I suppose in a Paris or London flat owner are suing airbnb as an outlet and B&Bs as well - you do not have to be in your place you rent out but all in all many indeed are. Price could be an indicator of one with or without an owner and really a flat.

<i>recent accords with the French government I read about in the French Embassy's newsletter sounds like everything currently is cool</i>

The only rule with which airbnb and the French government are in any type of agreement is the requirement for airbnb to collect the <i>taxe de séjour</i> which they have not been doing. Otherwise, the laws against vacation apartments are directed specifically at property owners and, to my knowledge, airbnb owns none of the properties they advertise.

<i>in my experience I've gotten much more for my money using Airbnb. Pretty simple.</i>

You should get much more for your money with aibnb as the bulk of what they offer are illegal black market rentals, apartments which have no official oversight, and are not insured for the purposes in which they are used.

<i>Yes I was researching hosting and airbnb says not just in someone's home but can rent out the whole residence - owner need not be there.</i>

In Paris, offering one´s entire residence is legal only if:

1. the residence is the owner´s primary residence. Secondary homes or vacation homes may not be rented for a period of less than one year.

2. the residence is offer for a period of time not to exceed 4 months per year.

Hopefully Paris will deregulate the rental market to make it fair for all - not large hotel owners who are dictating the moves against airbnb just as Paris taxi drivers are against Uber - they love their closed shops and can charge higher prices than if competition were allowed - the so-called free market.

But the salient point is that airbnb chief said their biggest market is Paris so they must have quite a few places that qualify under current Paris laws.

"I have visited Airbnb for hours on end and have never seen a rental with the owner in residence."

Iris, if you check "private room" at the top of a results page, it'll reload and show you nothing but rooms with the host in residence. Otherwise, they're mixed in with the rest. If you lower the maximum price using the bar at the top, the lower you set it, generally speaking, the larger the percentage of rooms, rather than apartments or houses it will show.

Using the site to full advantage takes some practice, but once you learn how, you can narrow the results to just what interests you, very handy.

I have visited Airbnb for hours on end and have never seen a rental with the owner in residence.">

MdmPerdu is one such owner in residence and she is not the only one. Zillions but as she says be careful how you search.

Returning to OP's initial question of "What areas," I recommend the 6th, but others have their favorites and will perhaps speak up. By the 6th, I mean the area outlined by the river, Blvd. St. Michel and Blvd. St. Germain. A lot depends on whether you want a "lively" or "quiet" neighborhood. Go on Trip Advisor, look up hotels and start reading other tourists' comments about particular hotels and areas. That way you can decide for yourself!

Returning to OP's initial question of "What areas," I recommend the 6th, but others have their favorites and will perhaps speak up. By the 6th, I mean the area outlined by the river, Blvd. St. Michel and Blvd. St. Germain. A lot depends on whether you want a "lively" or "quiet" neighborhood. Go on Trip Advisor, look up hotels and start reading other tourists' comments about particular hotels and areas. That way you can decide for yourself!

Hey Pal; Can't you read. I said never say never. lol

I'd stay in the 5th, the Latin Quarter.

I would not stay near the Champs.. quiet area with little of the character I prefer.. and near the Champs cafes are expensive.

I have stayed near Louvre 3 times..its only ok.. I found I usually walked out of the area to find the cafes and small restaurants I was interested in..

I would not bother with airbnb for only 3 days. I would look for a cheap hotel in 4th, 5th,6th or 10th or 11th or 14th.

Since it is perfectly legal for a French person to rent a room in their home while they are there.. I would consider those "safer" in terms of legality then renting a free standing apartment(Ie without host there) from Airbnb.

Thank you all for you really helpful responses. I have made the booking near rue de Grenelle. I guess its safe area too right? Most of the time we will be walking around the city and would come back to our place at night. Is it(rue de Grenelle) the safe area to walk around at night?

Thank you so much.

Which part of rue de Grenelle? I've stayed near the end of the street near the Eiffel Tower and like that neighborhood for the restaurants and relatively quiet evenings. This year I will be just off the rue de Grenelle closer to the rue du Bac Metro which puts us close to a sight my cousin wishes to visit during our short stay.

Its almost a the intersection of Rue de grenelle and Boulevard de La tour. I feel its safe, looking at so many other Hotels nearby. But please let me know if there are any red flags in that area. Is it safe walking back tat night?

Thank you