The best Airbnbs and rentals in Paris
In his iconic memoir about Paris, A Moveable Feast, Ernest Hemingway wrote that “there are only two places in the world where we can live happy: at home and in Paris.” For those visiting the City of Lights, why not combine the two and live out a Hemingway-ean vie Parisienne (and a happy one, at that) in one of the many delightful, parquet-covered apartments across the city? We've rounded up the finest home-stays from Airbnb and other brilliant rental companies, giving you a tailor-made list of Paris' finest.
The best rentals for the Paris Olympics
Located in one of Paris' most prestigious of neighbourhoods, the 16e arrondissement, this one-bedroom apartment is full of understated charm. A short walk the Bois de Boulogne and suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt, home to both the Parc de Princes and Roland-Garros stadiums, this apartment is perfect for those hoping to snag a seat to view the Olympic Games for either tennis, boxing or football.
Avenue Foch IV, 16e.
Sleeps up to 2, from £377 per night.
With its walls crammed with precious art and its furnishings veritable collector's items for discerning interiors nerds, this apartment in Paris' chic 16e arrondissement is truly a design lover's paradise. It too is perfect for those hoping to head to the Roland-Garros or Parc de Princes stadiums, thanks to its close proximity to the Boulogne-Billancourt suburb. Within walking distance of the Trocadéro, Champs-Élysées and Eiffel Tower too, the two-bedroom flat is also ideal for a bit of honest-to-goodness touristing, ideal for a longer stay in the City of Light after the Olympic torch has been extinguished.
Rue Vineuse, 16e.
Sleeps up to 4, from £480 per night.
High up in the hills of Montmartre is this elegant, spacious four-bedroom apartment. A quick métro ride from the Stade de France, which will host both football games as well as the Rugby Sevens matches during the Summer Olympics, this flat is perfectly located for those hoping to tire their lungs out screaming “GOAAALLL!!” by day and elegantly sip Burgundy in your Parisian by night (yes, this intersection exists).
Rue Custine, 18e.
Sleeps up to 7, from £578 per night.
Just off of the chi-chi Rue Saint-Honoré is this adorable, old-world one bedroom apartment. Furnished in the style of a large suite at the nearby five-star hotels the Ritz and Le Bristol, this is perhaps the perfect way to live large while saving a few euros. A two minute's walk away from the Place de la Concorde, the grand plaza which will host the skateboarding, BMX, freestyle and basketball Olympic games next summer, you will be right in the middle of the action – and have a perfect Parisian pied-à-terre pad to crash in when the games are done.
Rue de Mondovi, 1er.
Sleeps up to 2, from £213 per night (with a 10% discount applied to monthly stays).
Planning your next holiday to Paris? May we suggest our Parisian-approved round up of the city's best restaurants, hotels and things to do.
The best Airbnbs and rentals in Paris
1/27This hip loft in the even hipper Marais neighbourhood is the perfect escape for those seeking to live like a well-heeled Parisian, if even for just a short holiday. Colourful decorations meet fabulously modern furnishings; not too far from the Centre Pompidou, Paris' contemporary art museum, one wonders about its influence on this one-bedroom loft. Spend days wandering the Marais' gallery- and boutique-studded streets and sip on a glass of wine or two in one of the many neighbourhood wine bars and late-night cafés.
Rue Quincampoix, 4e.
Sleeps up to 2, from £186 per night.
2/27Smack in the middle between the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe is this ultra-Parisian apartment, clad in herringbone parquet flooring. With marble fireplaces, a fabulous eat-in kitchen and lovely reading nook (Eames chair included), it is the perfect pied-à-terre.
Rue de Ponthieu, 8e.
Sleeps up to 2, from £390 per night.
3/27Situated on one of Paris' most coveted streets, this sunny two-bedroom apartment is effortlessly stylish and a perfect crash pad for the chicest of travellers. In the heart of the Left Bank, too, one is not too far from some of the city's best shopping, meals and quaintest streets and adorable alleyways. With a sleek, functional kitchen, enjoy a quick espresso before heading out for the day (though do try to take your time sipping it in the sun, savouring the moment).
Rue de Grenelle, 7e.
Sleeps up to 4, from £293 per night.
4/27Parisian grandeur awaits in this massive three-bedroom Regency-era apartment in Paris' fashionable Pigalle neighbourhood. Set on a street crammed with some of the city's best restaurants, boulangeries and bars, one is never too far from something delicious to eat or sip. Culture vultures, too, will particularly love this apartment – not only is it historic itself, but it is also located in one of the most artistic and cultural hubs in the city. With king-sized beds two of the three bedrooms, guests will sleep like royalty, night after night (and wake up to the intoxicating smell of fresh croissants being baked in the local boulangerie around the corner).
Rue la Bruyère, 9e.
Sleeps up to 6, from £505.
5/27Recently renovated, this two-bedroom loft is perfect for a group of travelling friends or a family looking to live it up in the City of Lights. Well-equipped and beautifully furnished, there was no expense spared in re-doing this flat. Those looking to shop ‘til they drop in Paris will especially love the flat’s location; it is minutes from the chichi Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, home to some of the fashion world's most notable brands.
Rue d'Artois, 8e.
Sleeps up to 4, from £308.
6/27In the heart of the always-beautiful Saint-Germain-des-Près neighbourhood is this massive 18th-century apartment. Stunningly decorated in an old-fashioned, French style the apartment is the perfect for those wishing to live à la French royalty whilst holidaying. Not too far from the Jardin du Luxembourg, Cafés Deux Magots and de Flore and a myriad independent art gallery and bookshop, it is one of the most the perfect flats from which to get exploring. (Editor's note: When I lived in Paris, I lived just across the street from this apartment's building and I have to say, this is one of the most fabulous spots to stay Paris).
Rue Jacob, 6e.
Sleeps up to 2, from £145 per night.
7/27Located in one of Paris' finest and most central neighbourhoods, this two-bedroom apartment is the ideal space for families. Modern art adorns the walls of this updated apartment; the furniture is curated and comfortable. A breakfast bar makes for the ideal gathering place to chat and sip coffee and the children's room stocked with toys is the perfect oasis for little ones. Within ten minutes walking distance from the Louvre, Tuileries and Palais Royal Gardens and the Place Vendôme, the apartment could not be better situated for sightseeing.
Rue Sainte-Anne, 1er.
Sleeps up to 4, from £267 per night.
8/27This comfortable, sun-bathed apartment is the ideal getaway for a holidaying couple seeking the cosiest and quintessential Parisian stay. With views overlooking many of the city's monuments, enjoy a lovely breakfast or evening cocktail al fresco on the sunny balcony. Budding chefs will want to make use of the apartment's small but well-equipped kitchen, perfect for whipping up a rogue soufflé or two.
Rue Gérando, 9e.
Sleeps up to 3, from £98 per night.
9/27With balcony views directly onto the impressive Panthéon to the left and the verdant Jardin du Luxembourg to the right, this Latin Quarter apartment could not be more quintessentially Parisian. With corniced ceilings, parquet floors and gilt mirrors, the two-bedroom apartment is sublime. Emily in Paris fans will want to make special note of this spot: the fashionable marketer's apartment (and her chef boyfriend's restaurant) is just up the road.
Rue Soufflot, 5e.
Sleeps up to 4, from £457 per night.
10/27This one-bedroom apartment is the perfectly chic and romantic getaway for a couple. Filled with a hodgepodge mix of vintage furniture and contemporary decoration, the bright and airy flat is an idyllic respite from all of the bustle in the city below. Not too far from Les Invalides and the Eiffel Tower, too, the apartment is perfect for sightseers; those who hope to keep fit on holiday will love the flat's proximity to the Seine, where one can run alongside it, gazing into the emerald-green waters.
Avenue de Tourville, 7e.
Sleeps up to 2, from £243 per night.
11/27Culture vultures will particularly want to book a stay at this spectacular three-bedroom former artist's atelier-turned home. Whilst not in the centre of the city, the house is located in an artistic neighbourhood on the Left Bank, one once frequented by every creative expat from Picasso to Hemingway to Modigliani. Enjoy unfiltered sunshine and contented quiet here. Families will love this spot, too, as there is ample room to spread out comfortably (or run around in the garden).
Avenue Jean Moulin, 14e.
Sleeps up to 6, from £410 per night.
12/27Those seeking to live out their la vie bohème dreams in a true Parisian chambre de bonne (the top floor of apartment buildings once reserved for servants and scullery maids) must book this flat for their next Parisian holiday. Whilst on the 7th floor of a building without an elevator, those willing to make the climb will be rewarded with fabulous views onto the whole of Paris. Some of the city's hippest bars, restaurants and clubs are a stone's throw away from the apartment; the Sacré-Cœur Basilica and the quaint Montmatre neighbourhood are a stone's throw away. (One thing to note is that the apartment is mostly available for long-term stays, though do ask your host about shorter options upon booking).
Rue de Châteaudun, 9e.
Sleeps up to 2, from £105 per night.
13/27With unparalleled views onto the Seine, this two-bedroom apartment on the Île de la Cité is one of the most marvellous (and central) home-stays in Paris. Minutes from the trendy Marais, beautiful Notre Dame and the academic Latin Quarter, you'll never be too far from anything worth visiting. Colourful and eclectic in decoration, too, a stay here is akin to staying at an odd great-aunt's fabulous apartment, minus the familial obligation.
Quai aux Fleurs, 4e.
Sleeps up to 4, from £225 per night.
14/27Delightfully bohemian, this one-bedroom apartment is the perfect getaway for solo travellers or couples wishing to get a taste of one of Paris' trendiest arrondissements, which is home to the Canal St-Martin/Bastille neighbourhoods. Surrounded by up-and-coming coffee shops and fabulously hip restaurants, one is never too far from contemporary foodie heaven, too. Those looking to cook the produce purchased at the nearby Bastille Farmer's Market, too, will delight in the well-equipped kitchen's offerings. This apartment is as authentic as it gets.
Rue Pasteur, 11e.
Sleeps up to 2, from £156 per night.
15/27Should one stay here, they needn't travel far to have one of the best views in Paris. In fact, all they need to do is step out onto the balcony. Nestled at the foot of the Eiffel Tower in a quaint courtyard, this three-bedroom apartment is truly breathtaking. With a grand lounge and artful, boho decorations throughout, the stylish apartment is ideal for those hoping to update their Instagram feed with enviable “wish you were here” stories (or simply those who want the bragging rights to say they were old neighbours of Paris' iconic iron giant).
Allée Léon Bourgeois, 7e.
Sleeps up to 6, from £1,260 per night.
16/27There's no two ways about it: this is one of the finest apartments in Paris, home-stay or not. Situated in a historic building overlooking the Palais Royal gardens, the three-bedroom apartment is tastefully decorated whilst still preserving its traditional Parisian charm. Enjoy a glass of champagne en terrace overlooking the trimmed linden trees and take in the majesty of Paris.
Palais Royal, 1er.
Sleeps up to 6, from £711 per night.
17/27An eclectic, modern one-bedroom apartment close to the hip Canal St Martin, this is the perfect apartment for either couples or families with children. Decorated with a great mix of vintage furnishings and contemporary art, the apartment is the perfect epitome of old meeting new.
Boulevard Jules Ferry, 11e.
Sleeps up to 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children, from £161 per night.
18/27Tucked away in a secluded courtyard in the trendy Bastille neighbourhood is this lovely artist's studio-turned one-bedroom apartment. With furnishings made up of the owner's flea market finds and potted plants abound, the apartment is a lovely model of the quintessential bohemian Parisian abode. Within walking distance from the Place des Vosges and the Marais, too, one is never too far from greenery or chic shops and cafés.
Passage Saint-Sabin, 11e.
Sleeps up to 4, from £98 per night.
19/27With its original detailing and eclectic decoration, this two-bedroom flat is a lovely oasis in the middle of the lovely Saint-Germain-des-Près neighbourhood on the Left Bank. A short walk from the famed department store Le Bon Marché and the always-wonderful Jardin du Luxeumbourg, one is never too far from peak Parisian elegance. Close by, too, are heaps of fantastic little bistros, cafés and boutiques, each begging to be explored.
Rue du Cherche-Midi, 6e.
Sleeps up to 4, from £555 per night.
20/27Design aficionados and bookworms will especially be drawn to this jewel of an apartment in the heart of the artsy Marais neighbourhood. With homey detailing and an impressive collection of furniture, the apartment is truly remarkable. With spectacular views onto Paris' zinc rooftops from the apartment's balcony, too, this is the ideal spot for a couple to take in Paris and feel right at home (at least for a little while).
Rue des Francs Bourgeois, 4e.
Sleeps up to 2, from £190 per night.
21/27This lovely three-bedroom apartment is right in the middle of the Parisian action, just a stone's throw from some of the city's best shops, greenmarkets and department stores. Come morning, each room is drenched with sunlight, making a croissant-heavy breakfast all the more delicious. At night, the apartment is the ideal dwelling to unwind after a long day on the town – either in the bubble bath or reclining on the bespoke sofa with a glass of wine. Children are allowed, too, making it a great choice for travelling families.
Rue Poissonière, 2e.
Sleeps up to 5, from £711 per night.
22/27With its flower-covered balcony, this sun-filled three-bedroom duplex is the most idyllic of Parisian home-stays. A charming apartment a stone's throw from the fabulous department stores of the Grands Boulevards neighbourhood, the fifth-floor walk up is the perfect place to crash after a long day of window shopping. Close to some of Paris' trendiest restaurants and bars, too, this is a great spot for foodies and night owls, too.
Rue Bergère, 9e.
Sleeps up to 5 guests, from £188 per night.
23/27Those seeking to live like a local will love staying in this charming apartment close to the Buttes Chaumont and Belleville parks. In an up-and-coming neighbourhood in the northeast of Paris, the one-bedroom apartment is a bit further afield than others; however, those seeking to have a truly “Parisian” experience will soon find themselves fitting right in, buying baguettes just like their neighbours. A stone's throw from some of the city's coolest bars and restaurants not usually frequented by tourists, too, makes this apartment unique and perfect for those willing to travel down the path less taken.
Rue Jean-Baptiste Dumay, 20e.
Sleeps up to 2, from £80 per night (with a 15% discount on stays over a week).
24/27Tucked away on a private street in the centre of Paris's Marais neighbourhood is this adorable little studio, the ideal spot for a solo traveller or couple. Well-equipped and with joyful decoration, the flat is the perfect escape from a long day of exploring and sightseeing. Indeed, being so well located (major sites are all within ten minutes walking distance), one can dash back to the apartment for a midday rest or a quick espresso any time.
Rue de la Verrerie, 4e.
Sleeps up to 2, from £73 per night.
25/27Eclectically decorated with scores of vintage mid-century furniture and kilim textiles, this one-bedroom flat is the perfect home base for younger couples or solo travellers. Fit with a large, open kitchen, too, the flat is the perfect choice for those looking to cook up a storm with produce from one of the city's famed farmer's markets (or simply enjoy a croissant from the local boulangerie in the morning). Remote freelancers, students and those simply yearning to prolong their Parisian holiday will want to note that this lovely flat is also available for medium-term rentals (just sayin').
Rue Sedaine, 11e.
Sleeps up to 2, from £276 per night.
26/27Once a Parisian boutique, this studio flat has been transformed into a modern apartment exuding Tokyo-chic vibes. Designed by Majed Katir, the flat is highly functional and well-equipped, perfect for solo travellers or couples. On a small side street closed to cars on Sundays, the flat is a lovely, unique little bolthole in the middle of a bustling, changing city.
Rue de Cléry, 2e.
Sleeps up to 2, from £111 per night.
27/27Exceptionally well-appointed, this three-bedroom Parisian home is one of the most stately on this list. A short walk away from some of the Left Bank's finest bookshops, cafés and parks, the house could not be more better located. Expansive rooms including a music room complete with grand piano lead onto a fabulous Juliet balcony; a chef's kitchen makes for a delightful spot to whip up a casual dîner on the fly and the dining table with chandelier overhang is an even better place for eating it.
Boulevard Raspail, 5e.
Sleeps up to 6, from £541 per night.
