Where to stay in Paris, and apartments
 

We are thinking two months in Europe, September and October 2015. Fly into Paris, spend a week in an apartment in Paris, then two weeks travelling somewhere, finally five weeks in Venice, fly home to Aus from Marco Polo.

We don't know Paris at all (I visited there in 1975, so recollections are vague), and I expect that we will do the typical tourist stuff - Notre Dame, Louvre, Eiffel Tower, walk the Seine etc.

Question - what would be a good area to stay in, and can anyone recommend an apartment for a week. Something like 100 euro a night, maybe a bit more, and we are OK at climbing stairs.

Thanks

I rather need to get a map of Paris ...

Yes, get a god map and try to stay as close to The Seine as possible. There are many apt. sites so It's time to start your research.

My wife and I used VRBO to find a Paris apartment and we were very satisfied with what we found. It was in the area known as the Marais and it was very convenient for restaurants, markets and central Paris. I doubt you would find much available at 100 euros per night but you should look at what is available. We found searching the VRBO site a very interesting pastime. Good luck.

We have stayed in the Marais for the last 5 years and have used parisautrement.com every time. There rates are good and I prefer working through an agency.

You will pay less and maybe enjoy neighborhoods that have more residents and less tourists. I like Haut Marais in the 3rd and in the 11th Canal St. Martin area and Rue Oberkampf.

Thanks for your advice, really helpful for a first time visitor.

And it is great to be pointed to areas with more residents and fewer visitors.

I love Venice, but 5 weeks? I would spend more time in Paris. Or Tuscany or Rome. For apts. in Paris, look at www.parisbestlodge.com. We like staying in the 6th.

With a budget that low you start running into legality problems I think. Anybody who rents you an apartment should be able to send you a copy of documents showing they are legal renters, complying with all the local laws. It's just not the same as in Italy. The gov't of Paris is trying to crack down on people renting apartments to tourists as short-lets.

Thanks Sandra, and maybe we have to up the budget a bit.

I agree with letsgeaux.. five weeks in venice.. ??? I also second the recommendation of www.parisbestlodge.com.. excellent company..we have used them twice and will use them again.

The Esmeralda is a less expensive apartment of theirs.. EXCELLANT location and view.. clean and apartment is exactly as pictured. There is a tiny elevator but still one steep set of stairs to get to apartment ( as you are on top floor) Excellent air conditioning. Room is smaller,,but well equipped.. modern kitchen and bathroom .. and company reps speak excellent English.

All their apartments are in excellent locations.

Only issue may be getting a vacancy.. I would check NOW as they are super reliable , have an excellent reputation and book up early.

Good luck !

I just checked with Paris Perfect (www.parisperfect.com) on rates of an apartment for 2. September-October is considered high season, with the first week of October being peak season, when the rates are the highest, except for New Years. The price of their least expensive studio apartment during this season is €180/night.

>>I love Venice, but 5 weeks?<<

>>I agree with letsgeaux.. five weeks in venice.. ???<<

:) Guess you haven't read some of Peter_S_Aus' trip reports . . . They <i>know</i> Venice.

Peter: €100 per night is doable (I've stayed for less in the 5th a couple of times) but you'll have a lot more options at €120+-ish

I'm with macdogmom on the Haut Marais/3rd/11th/Canal St. Martin/Oberkampf areas.

The options at parisbestlodge are quite limited in the €100/night range. They have one in the St-Germain.

We stayed in PBL's Mr. Prince. It is 850 euros for the week, just a little over your budget. It is not that big and has no elevator but the location is great.

Peter:
A good paper mapof Paris is always a must, IMO, but if you have a tablet, download the free app ULMON PARIS, and of course, MX Paris Metro, also for free, a marvel about Paris transportation.

As for apartments we generally go to hotels, but last time we vere confortable at an aparthotel in the XV, but it goes for some 180 per night.

We were in Venice last june, and will be in Paris next June, Ohhhhhh how we love those cities...

Enjoy planning your trip to Paris.....and asi any question you can have.

If you click on the OP's name you'll find many delightful trip reports of his long stays in Venice. 5 weeks seems like a quick trip!

OK. I'm on board with the 5 weeks in Venice.

Another recommendation for Paris Best Lodge. We stayed in the Marais but "our" apartment is no longer available. Company was superb to deal with.

There are a lot of Paris apartment reviews here:
http://www.slowtrav.com/france/vr/list.asp?r=paris

There used to be a really extensive thread here on Fodors with a ton of links, but I cannot find it! Maybe someone has it bookmarked.

vacationinparis.com has some studios that might fit your needs. We used them last year and were very satisfied.