(Mairie de Paris, My Little Paris & Editions du Chêne)
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Paris has 20 districts (arrondissements), each with a distinct personality. Do some research beforehand, and explore the cafes, shops, and sights unique to each neighborhood. [To figure out an arrondissement, just look at the last 2 digits of the address's zip code: i.e., 75008 = 8th arrondissement.]
Several major chains have hotels in different neighborhoods. Spend two or three nights in a variety of locations. While you're assured of a similar level of service, each hotel has its own style to match the arrondissement.
Hotel Chains:
Renaissance Paris Nobel Tour Eiffel, 16th
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Boutique Hotels:
These are lovely, smaller hotels with lots of character. There are so many to choose from, it's hard to know where to begin. Perhaps pick an area you'd like to explore, then see what's nearby. For example:
Hôtel Observatoire Luxembourg (107 Blvd St Michel; www.observatoirehotel.com) - This little gem is right across from the famous Luxembourg Gardens in the 5th arrondissement.
Design Hotels recommends a group of Paris boutique hotels with oodles of style.
Molitor, MGallery Hotel Collection |
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Bed & Breakfasts
Usually, a Bed & Breakfast (Chambres d'hôtes) means a room--a very nice room--in someone's Paris apartment. Not only does this give you the chance to experience a slice of life in the City of Light, it also gives you the opportunity to meet real Parisians. You can find Chambres d’hôtes in every arrondissement with your criteria (i.e., no smoking, free Wi-Fi, etc.) and, since they're booked by the night, combine a few in different neighborhoods:
Airbnb (www.airbnb.com) - When renting a room you can sometimes luck out with an interesting host, willing to show you around the neighborhood or suggest great, local hangouts.
No friends in Paris? Meet some. This company arranges interesting tours, French cooking classes, and get-togethers with locals.
PRETEND YOU LIVE THERE: Rent an Apartment
The most important aspect when renting an apartment abroad is a feeling of trust. When arriving in a strange city, where you may not speak the language, the last thing you want is for things to go wrong. While listings on Craigslist may be the most affordable, they're not necessarily the most reliable. So, in addition to checking out photos of apartments online:
- Make sure someone with responsibility will meet you with the key (door locks can be tricky & you'll need a code to get into most Paris buildings).
- Be sure to have a contact phone number (not just an email) for someone who can help if anything needs to be fixed during your stay.
- As soon as you walk in, make sure everything works (stove, shower, etc.) and that you know how to turn appliances on/off.
- Find out the refund policy beforehand should the apartment not be as advertised.
Your American Friend in Paris (Tel: +33 (0)6-70-98-13-68; www.terrance-paris.com) Run by transplanted-American Terrance Gelenter, this company rents apartments in several different neighborhoods. Terrance, who's a real character and loads of fun, also organizes private tours and interesting events.
(photo:
Amélie Dupont © Paris Tourist Office)
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Instead of renting, you can swap apartments or house sit (this usually involves pet sitting). There are so many online sites to choose from, try to get recommendations from people you know who've done it and had positive experiences. Here are some sites:
Swap: https://www.homeexchange.com
Couchsurfing & Servas: Members of both organizations will put you up for free. While Couchsurfing is a newer, online service--all the rage with the twentysomething set, Servas has been around since 1949 and has a philosophy behind it: Gandhi’s concept of promoting world peace through intercultural exchange.
Getting There: Norse Atlantic Airways https://flynorse.com - This low-cost carrier has great fares from the US to Paris: currently from New York (JFK) & Los Angeles (LAX). Economy (Light, Classic or Flextra) is an excellent deal but, with these affordable fares, go for the extra legroom in Premium. The Norse onboard experience is great. The flight attendants/stewards are friendly and helpful. Their planes are in excellent condition and, allegedly, the 787 Dreamliners are more energy-efficient with less emissions. Norse flies into Paris’ Charles de Galle (CDG) airport with easy-access to the RER B (train to the city center) & the TGV (fast train to other parts of the country).
French bee https://us.frenchbee.com – Another good, budget choice. Currently flies from New York (Newark, EWR), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO) & Miami (MIA) to Orly (ORY), Paris’ smaller, easier-to-navigate airport.