Paris: Source for weekly apartment rentals?

Question

My wife and I want to rent an apartment in Paris for one to two weeks in October or November. Most of what I find on-line looks like sites run by 3rd party brokers. I am concerned that a) their prices are inflated and b) they don't actually have first-hand knowledge of the properties on their sites.

I want to deal with someone who is reputable and knowledgeable about the different neighborhoods. Can anyone suggest sites or agencies who deal in short-term rentals?

Answer 1

These sites have listings directly from owners, without any agencies:

http://www.homelidays.com/EN-Holidays-Re...

http://www.abritel.fr/uk/index.php

As for which neighborhoods to choose, just ask here I'll be happy to help based on your tastes (a quiet place or right in the heart of the action? close to something in particular?). My favorite Paris districts are the 4th, 5th and 6th because they are central, exciting and safe but if you see a great apartment in another district, it might be good too, don't hesitate to ask.

PS: on the homelidays website, when you are asked to choose a region, you will find Paris in the Ile de France region.

EDIT: Rillifane is right to advise caution but I just want to tell you that the 2 sites mentioned above are serious and reputable. For a lot of places you can read reviews from people who have stayed there. And having myself listed my place there at one point, I can tell you that they do a good job at making you give as much information as possible. And they screen you, they can refuse the ad if it doesn't sound serious. Ads are not displayed automatically by owners and need to be approved first. Also, you have to pay to list your property and they can close your account with no refund if someone reports your ad as not corresponding to the description. Also the law is pretty strict in France with vacation accomodation contracts. I have myself rented vacation accomodation all over France directly from owners every year for 17 years now and have never encountered a problem. Whereas I have heard of horror stories of people dealing with non-reputable agencies, and in my experience hotels are far more deceptive than private rentals. In France the law is so pro-tenant that it is actually owners that have more reasons to be scared. (I rent out my condo through an agency now because it's a long-term rental and they can help if the tenant refuses to leave or pay). But you should be cautious with free listings.

2nd EDIT: I have just checked Rillifane's links. I agree they are very good but they are NOT agencies either (that's why they're good and cheap!). They even say so on their websites (no agencies, no  fees):  they are owners' associations. And I have found the same apartments listed on his and my websites!

Answer 2

Try this site:

http://studio.provaction.com/paris.html

scroll to bottom and start at home page.  I was considering renting from one of these but plans got changed.  It seems it is a consortium of owners and they have created a very nice and comprehensive website.  I hope this helps!

Answer 3

Dealing with an agency is actually a lot safer and more convenient that risking working at long distance with an alleged private owner who may or may not actually have an apartment. Even when dealing with an agency it is vitally important to check for reviews of their services and honesty. The internet is filled with horror stories of people who paid deposits and found the apartment did not exist or was nothing at all as described.

Agencies of long duration have a vested interest in maintaining their good reputation and the good will of the travel community.  

Consider this agency... http://www.paristudios.com/ ..whose owner is an active contributor to this site.

Some other agncies with good reputations are:

http://www.rentparis.com/home.php

http://www.beau-paris.com/

http://www.parisaddress.com/paris-apartm...

Answer 4

Paris apartments classifieds:

http://www.24paris.com

http://www.rentcom.info/rentalsparis/ren...