Just a heads up, there are no reviews on that apt so I don't know if it's even real...it's too beautiful! {in case you were interested}.

Please, do not be fooled by the "real Paris" mumbo jumbo. As if all those Parisians who actually LIVE in the St. Germain area are fake or something.

They aren't average people, that's all, or stores. It is one of the most expensive areas of Paris for people to live, and a lot of the stores are high-end, also. And there are tons of tourists, so in that sense it is different from more residential neighborhoods. Of course, a neighborhood that is really residential or far out doesn't have many hotels.

But I think it's not realistic to think some first-time tourist staying a few days who doesn't speak French is going to be like a typical resident, anyway, or would want to. When I first go to a major city I've been interested in for historical reasons or whatever, my goal is not to wander around typical lower to middle class residential areas. And I would never recommend tourists to my city do that.

tessietoes, the problem with the balcony desire is there just aren't that many in Paris (hotels or apts). So it really limits your options and costs. And some people call a "balcony" something that is just a wide window ledge, you can't sit on it. Then there are Juliet balconies which are a bit bigger than just the window ledge, but you still can't sit out on them with a table and chairs. So you have to watch out for that in descriptions, depending what you want. I gather you want something you can sit on or wouldn't care so much. In the middle of large urban areas, there may not be any great view to see with a balcony, anyway.

But you can find such apts if you look hard enough. And there are some hotels with a few rooms like that, also, but they are usually expensive, I doubt any will be below $250. For example, the 4* Hotel Parc St Severin in the Latin Qtr has several rooms with terraces. They range from about 200-400 euro, depending on seasons, etc. http://www.paris-hotel-parcsaintseverin.com/en/rooms/

Christina, thanks so much for all that info.

My mom won't be coming with us anymore so it'll just be us two. I gave the planning a little break but now back at it again. What do you think of this area?

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ca...605ffbf60b409c

Thank you!

I know that area very, very well. When I was working I always stayed at the Relais St. Germain, right on the carrefour. Excellent metro and bus lines, news kiosk, a taxi rank quite close. Lots of restaurant choices in all price ranges on both sides of St Germain.

I no longer stay at the relais, too pricey now, but love the Hotel Clément, on rue Clément, just a few streets west on same side of Blvd St Germain.

Walking distance to so much--Notre Dame, Cluny, Ste Chapelle, Panthéon, Luxembourg Gardens, etc.

Just realized I mentioned the Clément upthread. No connection, just a satisfied guest.

The flat overlooking the carrefour doesn't show the kitchen or bathroom, I would want to see photos. The photo of the carrefour looks as if it was taken standing just to the left of the Relais St. Germain, facing the street.

Cathinjoetown, thanks for the tips. The kitchen is sufficient for what we would need & there's also a shower {not handheld} in the bathroom so that's good too. There's another apt I'm waiting to hear from near St Sulpice but might be over our budget and also one near Catherine's Square, an area we loved. So far all good options :) Thanks again!

Since I see that you are still considering apartments, I'll pose this question to manouche: just how can we verify the apartment we want to rent is legal? Or are you advising everyone to stay in hotels?

We're planning on a week in Paris with 3 children in June and an apartment suits our needs far more than hotel rooms. You do, indeed, have me terrified that we'll arrive at the apartment we have already booked and find we have nowhere to stay. So some practical advice, please.

maryado.. MOST short term apartments are illegal in Paris.. its a case of the owner being caught.. or reported ( usually by neighbors sick of strangers coming in and out of there buildings.. think about how you would feel) Most of these apartments are in residential buildings.. permanent residents with a nice security entrance have to put up with strangers getting the entrance code given to them ( as I said.. think how you would feel)

Since there are thousands of illegal rentals , and the crack down has just started ( I say crack down because these short term rentals were never really legal in most cases,, the owners do not declare the income etc) but for many years the authorities didn't enforce the laws.. However the vacancy rate for small apartments for residents is very very bad in Paris now.. so the authorities have now decided to step up enforcement.
There are so many however.. that its usually the ones that are most noticed ( or neighbors complain about) that are getting caught in the net first.
So its a gamble.

I have rented before.. 2012 and 2014, but I used a small agency that actually owned all the apartments in the building I rented (so no neighbors to worry about complaining). Owner said his apartments were legal as he had applied for and gotten very expensive permits.. no way of knowing if that is true.. but as I said.. since he ( and partners) own the building I felt fairly certain it would be ok.( small building think there was only 5 units, all of the units were small though.. suitable for 2-3 people max so sorry not a good suggestion for you )

VRBO is one of the riskier clearing houses to use.. just because that's all it is a listing agency for private owners.. private owners who may have grouchy neighbors..

I agree an apartment would be ideal with three kids ( although if kids are older teens you could just get two hotel rooms side by side in a smaller hotel ) .. I sympathize.. I have three kids and hubby and I are both well aware of what travel in Europe is like for families of five.. not very convenient for sure. ( which is why we did things differently btw.. I took oldest child on a one on one trip, then hubby took next child the next year, then I took last one , we waited till they were between 11-13 ) It was easy to tailor each trip to individual child and it was nice to share one on one time with kids before they became teenagers.. not saying that's for you though,, just saying that it is harder to have a larger family in Europe with those tiny cars, tiny hotel rooms etc..

Good luck.. hope you can find what will work for you.

PS if going in summer do try and get an apartment or hotel with AC..

PS Aparthotels ARE legal.. Citidines is a chain ..but most seem to take only four to a room.. someone posted the one near the Gare du Lyon takes five though.. you could check that out..

You do, indeed, have me terrified that we'll arrive at the apartment we have already booked and find we have nowhere to stay. So some practical advice, please.>>

this is not the problem with illegal lets which are no more likely to be double booked than any others. The problem is with people letting out an apartment which they may not necessarily own without the correct permissions from the local council.

You can avoid this either by staying in a hotel, by booking an aparthotel, or by using one of the more reputable agencies, some of which are US based and with whom you therefore have a US enforcable contract. They are also more likely to take credit cards too which gives you an extra level of protection but they are probably going to be more expensive than a private let through VRBO or HomeAway.

Good luck with finding something that suits you and your pocket!

Thank you very much, justineparis and annhig, for your suggestions! We did book through an agency (hopefully one of the more reputable ones, but that's difficult to determine from the States) and have inquired because of this thread. The agency assures us there will be no problem. As a back-up plan, however, we are now checking on aparthotels and plan to go armed with a list of alternatives including hotels. Good luck, tessietoes. Didn't intend to hijack your thread so I hope the info is helpful for you too.

good idea, maryado to have a backup, but I think you'd be very unlucky to have to use it.

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful trip.

As far as I am concerned there is no best place, for everyone. We all have our likes. I have mine! I would never say that one is the best and the only place for you to stay.

As far an rentals..there are many licensed companies with rental apartments in Paris. 100% legal in every possible way!

a bientot..

Joan

gracejoan - a licensed rental agency is only licensed to rent property, following guidelines set by various "umbrella" companies. This means they agree to provide contracts, insurance, etc. This does not make the rentals legitimate by any means.
Renting from a licensed agency does not mean that the rentals are considered legal by the City of Paris, it does not guarantee that rentals are permitted by the coop board of the building, and it does not mean that there won't be any problems - last-minute cancellations, etc.
People continue to rent, and many continue to have problems. There is no way to tell what will happen - or when - in any individual case.

sorry, I think you are mistaken....

gracejoan,

manouche seems to be conducting a one-woman campaign to stop what she says are illegal lets - the vast majority of her posts are on this topic.

that's not to say that she doesn't have a point, but it gets a little wearing reading it on every thread about renting an apartment in Paris.

Thanks, I have not read that many of them to see the 'campaign'!


There are a few agencies that have acquired official zoning consent (costly thing to do) in Paris to legally do short term rentals!

Manouche is not wrong. It may be annoying to be reminded of it again and again, but she is not making this all up to scare or upset people.
The crack down has really stepped up( majority of short term rentals were always illegal but city did not enforce this law until recently.
If one lives in Paris they would be aware of this more then most of us visitors since there are articles in local papers, usually referring to the lack of affordable One could likely find articles online too, if they can read French of course.

I do use an agency that assures me they have the very expensive permits, whether they do or not who can say, I do know that most times people get turned in by neighbors, so since I knew the agency I use owned all the apartments in the building , I didn't feel I had much risk even if they were not legal.

I do not believe most apartments rented via VRBO or Airnub are legal, however some rentals with them ARE legal if they are normally owner occupied, as a owner may rent out their primary residence for up to three months a year legally.

You will find that some of the apartments listed on vrbo are these same legal agency listings, and are therefore quite legal.

Some do get confused that vrbo is only a place to list your rental apartments. It is not a rental agency.

Joan

I've been living in Paris for 10 years, and belong to several neighborhood associations which work with the Mayor's office to preserve the quality of life for residents and tourists alike.

The reason I repeat the same information is that the majority of people have not heard about the current rental situation, are not aware of the consequences they might face (critical, if travelling with a family), and also are not aware that there are other, affordable alternatives to apartments. I'm not a woman, but that doesn't matter. If you want to call reporting reliable information "a campaign", that's fine with me.

HomeAway/VRBO began the campaign "Live Like A Local", about 8 years ago. Since then, the rental situation has exploded in all parts of the world. In 2008, HomeAway/VRBO and their subsidiaries listed fewer than 4,000 vacation rental apartments in Paris. In 2014, the figure has climbed to 30,000 units. The vast majority of these are illegal rentals.

Many of you live in condos, and have probably faced the situation that residents in Paris are dealing with. If you live in a private home, in a gated community, etc, you probably do not realize the impact caused by repeat visitors in even one building. It doesn't matter how respectful tourists are - or think they are - it's the sheer number of them that causes problems.

People who come for extended periods - one month, minimum - would certainly benefit from staying in a rental apartment. The Mayor is working on a plan to permit this, in certain instances - but it will take time. Paris is regulation-bound, and the wheels turn slowly. However, Mayor Hidalgo is serious about the housing issue, and it is not wise to depend on past experiences.

People are always worried about saving money, but anyone visiting for one week will not save a significant amount of money on meals, unless everyone eats all meals in the apartment. It is simply not feasible - or not worth it - to run back and forth all day long to do this, so most people end up eating out more than they had planned to. More money is wasted on food thrown away at the end of the stay than is saved.

There are a few fortunate people who book the same places year-in/year-out, and have good luck doing so. Not everyone will be able to share this experience, and it's important that they know there are other viable alternatives.