Peter,

The more you pay for an apartment, the more essential it is you get guarantees of a legal confirmed booking that won't disappear out from under you! But going through an established agency probably means ready willingness to show you the paperwork that assures you they are legally renting you the apartment.

I am also surprised you are spending ONLY 5 weeks in Venice this time. Surely not bored already? I would have thought for art, architecture and history travelers, Venice is inexhaustible. ;) Hope you find Paris sufficiently amusing. Can feel one-note and conformist after the exotic historic mishmash of Venice. (Someday consider Lisbon.) You won't like Napoleon any better, I think, once you encounter his remains in Paris.

If a studio will work for you, I can recommend one on Boulevard Jules Ferry near the corner of the rue du Faubourg du Temple - http://www.vrbo.com/232791 . This apartment fully deserves all the glowing reviews on the site. If you're happy with a studio, there's really nothing not to like here. The kitchen is better equipped than many we've had in much more expensive apartments. The sofa bed was excellent (and it looks like they now have a new bed) with very nice bed linens. Everything was very clean and neat. The photos make it look a little dark, but it's not at all when the curtains are open. It was very quiet as it looked out on a large green space. The République Métro station is a few minutes walk away, and bus stops for several lines are nearby. There's a Lidl two doors away, a Picard just up the street, and many other stores within a couple of blocks. When we were there, the Place de la République was still completely torn up, but that project is finished now. And, the price is well within your desired budget.

Peter,
We have returned to the 17th Arrondissment in Paris for the last several years. It is definitely a neighborhood, and we pretend that we live there for two weeks. There is a fine covered market with many stalls, as well as butchers, bakeries, etc. We enjoy sitting in Parc Batignolles, watching the locals and the lovely waterfowl. Metro/bus access is easy and convenient. We've stayed in several apartments there, but our favorite is VRBO#360289. The price is 660 euro/week.

You could check studios on this site. www.specialapartments.com

Hi, Peter. We are in Venice now and we do have mutual friends. We are also spending time in Paris next year (spring/summer). We are staying here: http://www.vrbo.com/79965 for the fourth time. The owner lives upstairs, not intrusive but there if you need them.

Thank you all for your suggestions and advice - I'm hearing the voices of multiple experiences, and that is so good.

So, off to do some serious Googling (is that a verb?).

Thanks.

Pete & Lou

Thanks to everyone for your assistance, and we have secured an apartment using parisautrement.com. They seem most well organised and professional. The apartment is Poeme, 15 rue des Francs Bourgeois in the Marais.

Should be good!

Glad you found something at parisautrement. We have used them 6 or 7 times in the last 7 years. I like the locations of their places and I think their costs are better than some of the other US based agencies. Enjoy! We had a very good meal our first night at Le Taxi Jaune in the 3rd. Also love Le Mary Celeste.

Peter,

I just found this thread and was holding my breathe all the way through to see if you know who would turn up and bang on about illegal lets again.

Phew - what a relief.

enjoy your apartment.