Renting a Paris apartment for vacation

When most people start planning a vacation to one of the world's most famous tourist cities, there are a few options for accommodation... everything from an expensive luxury hotel to a budget hotel or staying in a hostel.  But you shouldn't ignore the possibility of renting an apartment for your stay.  You can take a place for a week or a month, depending how long you plan to visit.  On a recent two week trip to Paris, I checked out a number of different rental agencies and opted to give Paris Attitude a try.  I checked out their website and surfed through a wide range of accommodation available.  I wasn't looking for much, just a nice clean place with a bed and a washroom.  I submitted my request for a couple of different places, first, second and third choices.  I was asked to fill out an application form along with a deposit for the dates I requested... and they sent over an immediate confirmation. That was it. 

When I arrived in Paris, I took a car service from the airport (pricey at 80E- but a luxury I was willing to pay for) and the driver called the landlord of the apartment that we were nearby. She was there to greet me, give me a quick tour of the apartment and finish exchanging cash and signatures.  

What I ended up with was a quaint little flat right on Ile Saint Louis, right in the middle of the Seine, between the Latin Quartier in the 5th arr. and Le Marais in the 4th arr.! It's the very first apartment as you cross from the Latin Quartier to the Ile… and the windows open up onto an amazing view of the Pont de la Tournelle, the Seine, the Pantheon and the Institut du Monde Arabe!!

The furnishings and fixtures were all fresh, clean and new... there was a dishwasher and washer and dryer, plus a stove and fridge... and the bathroom was better than I'd seen in some 4 star hotels.  And the price was certainly reasonable... about the same as the average hotel room about 750E per week.  The one downfall was the climb... while it was only 2e etage - french second floor - but up 62 steep winding stairs... not for everyone.  

But if you really want to explore a city like Paris, the best way to do it is to move in and live like a Parisienne, something you can't do while staying in a hotel.

Here are some more online links for Paris apartment rental services:
http://www.mycityflat.com/
http://www.parisstay.com/
http://www.paris-apartment-info.com/
http://www.parissweethome.com/
http://www.parisapartmenttours.com/
http://www.parisienhome.com/