Paris Rental Sites - Vacation, short term, long term
Following is a partial list of some of the dozens of Paris short term apartment rental websites. New ones pop up and fold every day. Of course, you can always just Google "Paris vacation rentals" "Paris apartment rental" or other similar combinations. Some listings are primarily comprised of primary residences that are rented out when the owner goes on vacation. They will still have the owner's everyday personal effects in the closets, and condiments in the refrigerator. Others are listings of apartments mantained solely for rental purposes. There are pros and cons to each.
www.ahparis.com
www.allorenta.com
www.beau-paris.com/
www.france-apartment.com/
www.francelodge.fr
www.lodgis.com/
www.mykeystoparis.com/short1-paris-short-term-rentals.html
www.paris35.com
www.ParisAddress.com
www.parisattitude.com
www.parisianflat.com
http://www.welcome2france.com
www.myparisvisit.com
www.ahparis.com
www.allorenta.com
www.beau-paris.com/
www.france-apartment.com/
www.francelodge.fr
www.lodgis.com/
www.mykeystoparis.com/short1-paris-short-term-rentals.html
www.paris35.com
www.ParisAddress.com
www.parisattitude.com
www.parisianflat.com
http://www.welcome2france.com
www.myparisvisit.com
Tips For Your Search
1. Explore the above list of apartment rental websites, or simply do an internet search for "paris vacation rentals" and you'll get tons!
2. The sites are either direct "by owner" where you don't pay an agency fee, or via an agency that typically costs more because of their fees. The trade off is that you have a little more consumer protection when going through an agency. Even if for some reason you are not happy with the apartment you get, at least you have a real company to deal with, licensed people to complain to, etc. (In either case, my own experience has shown me that there is no substitute for actually checking out the apartment before putting down your deposit - which led me to the idea of creating this service!)
3. Be careful about how the final arrangements are made for giving you the keys. Does someone meet you at the apartment or do you have to go to an office and pick them up? What happens if your plane is delayed and you arrive after hours?
4. Don't be surprised if agencies and owners ask for the full payment plus cleaning deposit, to confirm the booking. In other words, right away. But if the rental date is for more than three or four months in the future, they may ask for a deposit, and then full payment 30 to 60 days prior to rental.
5. Be sure that it is clear whether there is an additional charge for gas/electricity, or whether utilities, sometimes calles "charges" are included.
6. If you are counting on having internet access, TV with at least a few channels in English (which usually means CNN and BBC) be sure that's clear. Very often, the apartment will also come with a land line phone with unlimited calls to the US for no extra charge.
7. Depending on how much cooking you want to do, ask whether whether there is an oven or not(sometimes it's just a stove top), and whether there is a microwave.
8. Many apartments these days have a washing machine, but dryers are extremely rare. There is usually a drying rack, which works fine in summer. Air conditioning is also very rare - but it doesn't hurt to ask whether there is a fan.
9. Think about your tolerance for stairs - carrying luggage - and ask about an elevator.
2. The sites are either direct "by owner" where you don't pay an agency fee, or via an agency that typically costs more because of their fees. The trade off is that you have a little more consumer protection when going through an agency. Even if for some reason you are not happy with the apartment you get, at least you have a real company to deal with, licensed people to complain to, etc. (In either case, my own experience has shown me that there is no substitute for actually checking out the apartment before putting down your deposit - which led me to the idea of creating this service!)
3. Be careful about how the final arrangements are made for giving you the keys. Does someone meet you at the apartment or do you have to go to an office and pick them up? What happens if your plane is delayed and you arrive after hours?
4. Don't be surprised if agencies and owners ask for the full payment plus cleaning deposit, to confirm the booking. In other words, right away. But if the rental date is for more than three or four months in the future, they may ask for a deposit, and then full payment 30 to 60 days prior to rental.
5. Be sure that it is clear whether there is an additional charge for gas/electricity, or whether utilities, sometimes calles "charges" are included.
6. If you are counting on having internet access, TV with at least a few channels in English (which usually means CNN and BBC) be sure that's clear. Very often, the apartment will also come with a land line phone with unlimited calls to the US for no extra charge.
7. Depending on how much cooking you want to do, ask whether whether there is an oven or not(sometimes it's just a stove top), and whether there is a microwave.
8. Many apartments these days have a washing machine, but dryers are extremely rare. There is usually a drying rack, which works fine in summer. Air conditioning is also very rare - but it doesn't hurt to ask whether there is a fan.
9. Think about your tolerance for stairs - carrying luggage - and ask about an elevator.