TRAVEL PLANNING
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Booking an Airbnb for your trip to Paris gives you something a hotel room can’t: the feeling of living like a Parisian, even for a short stay.
And from a practical perspective it offers many benefits — a living area to gather in, a kitchen to store and enjoy the French delights picked up from local markets, and the bedroom configuration that best suits your group.
I’ve stayed at Airbnbs in many cities in Europe and the UK: Rome, Geneva and Lyon, France among them. Booking a stay with Airbnb in Paris has unique considerations that I am sharing here.
Why Choose an Airbnb Over a Hotel in Paris
There are several reasons to choose Airbnbs over hotel rooms for a trip to Paris.
- Traveling with a family/group
- Traveling with young children
- Traveling solo and prefer to dine in for some meals
- A longer trip with the need for a kitchen and more space
- More affordable in some cases
If you are traveling with family or a group, having an apartment gives you multiple bedrooms (as needed), a living space to gather in, and a kitchen for easy meals when it’s inconvenient to go out.
I rented a 3-bedroom Paris Airbnb with friends and we loved our relaxed mornings over coffee, and a place to relax together during downtime. We also dined in the apartment a couple of evenings after busy sightseeing days — a nice change of pace.
Traveling as a family? An Airbnb can offer an ideal set-up. Young children can go to bed and adults have a separate space to relax in, in the evening.
Another reason to consider an Airbnb is a longer trip. I stayed in an apartment on a 10-day trip when I didn’t want to have to dine out for every meal. I needed a kitchen and a place that felt like a short-term home.
Where to Stay in Paris - First Visit
Central Paris is made up of 20 arrondissements, split by the Seine River into the right bank and left bank. If it’s your first trip stay as central as possible — the 1st, 4th, 5th or 6th put you within walking distance of Paris’s most popular monuments and attractions. Those central areas are also ideal if it’s a really short trip and you don’t have extra time to spend taking transit.
Otherwise, the Metro is reliable and stations are plentiful, so don’t rule out staying slightly further out if you find the right apartment. Just be aware of how long you’ll spend getting around.
Here are a selection of Airbnbs in Paris’s most central areas.
Airbnbs for First-Time Visitors to Paris
Le Marais (3rd and 4th arrondissements)
Latin Quarter (5th arrondissement)
Saint-Germain-des-Pres (6th arrondissement)
When are Paris Airbnb Listings Legal? What to know
Paris has strict short-term rental regulations. Every legal Airbnb will have a 13-digit registration number which should be visible in the listing. If you don’t see one, ask the host directly.
Booking an Airbnb for Paris — Five Considerations
- Stairs or elevator?
- Is there air conditioning? (June through September)
- Reviews
- Cancellation terms
- Fine Print
Stairs or elevator? Elevators are not found in all buildings and a listing should clearly say if there is one. If not, determine how many flights you’ll be climbing each time you come and go, and consider that you are doing it with luggage upon arrival and departure. NOTE: In France, the ground floor is considered floor zero. Meaning the French “first floor” (premier étage) is not street level, it’s what North American’s would call the second floor. In other words, if the Airbnb is on the second floor, you will be climbing up three flights to reach it.
Is there is air conditioning? Traveling in summer? Most Paris buildings are old and charming, which means no modern ductwork for central air. If you’re traveling June through September, read the listing closely. If AC is offered, it’s almost always a portable unit. You may need one for each bedroom.
Read reviews. This is where you’ll learn what the photos don’t show — a noisy street or a “kitchen” that’s really just a sink and a hot plate (I almost booked one of those). Also, keep an eye out for complaints about last-minute cancellations by the host. Steer clear of those.
Cancellation terms. Airbnb’s terms vary widely. Read the specifics before you pay. Often you will see two prices quoted with the higher one being a cancellable reservation.
The Fine Print. Paris listing photos are often shot with a wide-angle lens which makes rooms look larger than they are. Check the square footage — usually listed in square meters (1 sq meter = 10 sq feet approximately) — and look for a floor plan if one’s included. Also, check the bed sizes. Do they match your needs? Will a double work for you and a partner?
Paris Airbnbs with Eiffel Tower Views.
Apartments with Eiffel Tower views are widely found in the 7th arrondissement, as well as the 15th and 16th (7th being the most central ). There are apartments with Eiffel Tower views all over Paris, but the view is from a greater distance.
My favorite apartment rental company for apartments in the 7th with Eiffel Tower views is Paris Perfect. I’ve stayed with them and had a great experience. The service is exceptional, the decor lovely and the apartments are maintained to the highest standard. They are pricey; this is a luxury option.
Here are a few of their apartments with Eiffel Tower views. You can either book with them directly or through Airbnb. I have linked both options.
Paris 7th arrondissement
BOOK DIRECTLY WITH PARIS PERFECT
BOOK ON AIRBNB:
✨ Elegant 1-bedroom (Champagne)
Paris 15th arrondissement
What are Superhosts?
Airbnb designates hosts who maintain a high standard of service as “Superhosts”. They have to keep a 4.8 or higher overall rating (out of 5) , have hosted many guests, and be responsive to new messages and reservation requests. And importantly, they have to have a less than 1% cancellation rate (with some exceptions).
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t book an apartment if they aren’t offered by a Superhost, but it’s an indicator to look for.
Where to Stay in Paris - More Options
If it’s not your first visit to Paris, a few other ideas.
The 16th is another tres chic residential area (and one where you will find some Airbnbs with an Eiffel Tower view, but from a distance) and it is still reasonably close to major monuments. It’s great if your stay is longer so you have more time.
Other great locations are the 8th arr, the 2nd arr (the Palais Garnier and Galeries Lafayette a short walk away). I also love the non-touristy vibe and terrific dining in the 11th.
How Far Ahead to Book an Airbnb for Paris
For best selection I would book at least 4-6 months out. If you are traveling during a busy season, like the holidays, plan even further ahead. Same if you have very specific needs that are harder to find, like a 4-bedroom apartment.
Find Your Paris Airbnb — More of my Favorites
More options in central Paris. As I try out more Airbnbs on trips to Paris I will include them here.
LOUVRE/TUILERIES (1st)
• Luxe 2-bedroom near Tuileries Garden (has AC)
• Elegant 3-bedroom near the Louvre
CHAMPS ELYSÉES/GOLDEN TRIANGLE (8th)
• Charming 2-bedroom (sleeps 6)
OPERA (9th arr)
• Chic 3-bedroom near Opera (9th arr) I stayed here on a girls trip; we loved the location. It’s also very near Galeries Lafayette.
• Grand 2-bedroom Opera Offers a view of the Eiffel Tower in distance
Can You Negotiate the Rate for an Airbnb for Paris
Yes, it’s possible to negotiate a rate. You won’t always be successful but you can ask.
Hosts are more likely to offer a discount for last minute bookings, or weekly or monthly bookings. This might already be reflected in the quoted rate when you enter your dates. If not, you can inquire. Here’s how.
Enter your desired dates and then instead of hitting “reserve”, scroll down past the comments to the section called “Meet Your Host”. There you will see a “Message Host” button. Click on it and another window will open with info about your host and a prompt that says “Still have questions? Message the host”. You can type your request for a lower rate there. Asking for 10-25% off, depending on the reason, length of stay etc., seems to be a good rule of thumb.
I hope this has been a helpful resource for booking an Airbnb in Paris, whether it’s your first trip or you’ve returned many times. Wishing you a wonderful stay “living like a Parisian” in your home away from home.
