Book a getaway for a variety of reasons. Paris Airbnb instead of a hotel—enough space to avoid going stir-crazy, a kitchen and fridge to stock with pastries and butter daily, and common areas for your group to stretch out and enjoy—but perhaps the Best Buy reason is far less practical, and it’s that you can get the most iconic Parisienne experience possible, from the balcony views to the morning café runs. And it was those small pleasures that made my lodging option on a recent trip to the City of Lights an unforgettable one loaded with quality family time and the feeling of being caught in time in the Montmartre of Dalí and Picasso’s heyday.
While on a girls’ trip this spring, I visited with my sister and cousin. We discovered a beautiful building in the vicinity. Montmartre We were able to enjoy all these amenities, as well as some amazing touches in the apartment we stayed at daily while on our excursions. Paris experience itself: From the mosaic-laden lobby and red-velvet central staircase splashed with colors from the building’s stained-glass windows, to the unit’s flowery crown molding that stretched across uber-high ceilings, it felt like we were staying in a fabulous, artsy aunt’s sprawling estate—one just a stone’s throw from the Metro-accessible neighborhood’s adorable bakeries and bistros, of course.
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Courtesy Airbnb
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Courtesy Airbnb
Airbnb
The historic Parisian flat
Two equal-size bedrooms (with their own adjacent bathrooms, no less), comfy beds, and marble fireplaces meant the apartment was as plushly comfortable as it was stylish—plenty of midcentury-modern furniture and art contrasted all the quaint touches and creaky wooden floors. The double balconies in the living room and dining areas, which are huge, were the most impressive feature of this accommodation. On this trip, I was just out of the first trimester with twins, so I wanted to have a comfortable space where I could share meals and relax. Doner I would love to share the sights, sounds and delicious food of my neighborhood (and even those in grocery stores) with family and friends as much as they enjoy the sights and sounds.
The presence of a large, comfortable couch in a group Airbnb is often overlooked. This one features a deep-cushioned, sprawling couch that forms the focal point of the seating area. Two small balconies, with bistro tables with views of treetops and a park popular with children and families, are located in the same dining room.
Perhaps most importantly, the neighborhood around the park was pin-drop quiet in the evenings and at night—but a quick walk around the corner to the Metro meant a grand avenue of bustling late-night cafés, doner shops, and a stone staircase of many, many steps leading to Montmartre—the hilltop neighborhood famed. Instead, we took the cable car up the hill. It is only a 20-minute walk from the clubs and restaurants of Montmartre. Quartier Pigalle You’ll also find the iconic Moulin Rouge). The Metro was only two minutes away from our beautifully decorated front door. We chose to go to Crazy Horse to see a show instead.
I found it hard to believe that there was a rental property that would balance both. local-approved lodging with access to the city’s best food and sites could exist in plain sight, but I was convinced as soon as we arrived and have been sharing the listing with friends who are Paris-bound later this year—and anyone else considering a trip to Paris; when you find a perch this fabulous in such an evergreen destination city, you share the wealth.
