Guest Accommodation & Apartments in Paris: Where to stay
At
Wimdu, we offer apartments in Paris that are affordable and well situated. But we don’t just offer this. Our apartments are occupied and looked after by real Parisians, people who know where to find the best croissants, the strongest coffee and the liveliest bars. They also know where to avoid and what not to waste your time doing, allowing you to get the most out of your holiday. Our Wimdu hosts are passionate about Paris and are keen to impart their knowledge and give recommendations. Rather than staying in a uniform hotel which could be located anywhere, why not stay in a true Parisian apartment, complete with high ceilings, wooden floors and bay windows?
Fun Facts
Over 20% of French people live in the Parisian region.
Legends of the arts, Jim Morrision and Oscar Wilde are buried in Paris’ Pere Lachaise.
What is the most visited attraction in Paris? Funnily enough, it isn’t the Eiffel Tower or the Louve – it’s Disneyland Paris!
The Eiffel Tower is given a new lick of Paint every 7 years.
Paris is not the city’s original name. That would be
Lutetia Parisiorum
Paris is expensive to stay in - this much is true. But staying in a self-catering apartment in Paris is a great way of making the trip more affordable as you are able to make your own coffee at home or prepare a packed lunch. This will save you a good deal of money and allow you to enjoy some of Paris’ top attractions. We all know that a trip to
Paris wouldn’t be complete without visiting
The Eiffel Tower,
Notre Dame or
The Louvre. These famous French landmarks that we have all grown up with are certainly as impressive in real life as you’d expect and are well worth investigating, but what about life in Paris? What are the lives of Parisians lives actually like?
The best places to visit:
A masterpiece of gothic architecture,
Notre Dame is a 12th century cathedral that represents the heart of Paris.
The
Musee d’Orsay hosts a permanent collection of impressionist paintings. It houses some extremely impressive paintings and is located in a former railway station.
The
Pont Alexandre III is an impressive bridge which connects the Champs-Elysees quarter and the Eiffel Tower quarter.
Fashion
Fashion is a big deal in Paris and Parisians have an impeccable fashion sense. Perhaps it is the pressure of the Paris Fashion Week, partnered with the London, Milan and New York fashion weeks, that keeps them on their toes? Paris is great for shopping and its top shopping districts attract millions of visitors a year. The Louvre-Tuileries and Faubourg Saint-Honoré are particularly good for chic home furnishings, designer fashion and cosmetics. The Boulevard Haussmann is home to Paris’ most prestigious department stores. For those interested in books, Shakespeare and Company is Paris’ most famous bookstore featuring several floors of books on literature and French history. It’s often referred to as the best bookstore in the world!
Entertainment
Paris is also home to lively entertainment. The
Moulin Rouge cabaret theatre show is a hot ticket and particularly popular with tourists. The
Barrio Nightclub is a fantastic Latin music venue spread over four floors. The décor is extremely impressive and the restaurant on the second floor serves classic Latin dishes.
La Piano Vache is a popular underground entertainment venue located down the hill from the Pantheon – a must-see for those interested in seeing the gritty side of Paris.
In terms of daytime entertainment, Paris has a diverse array of activities to offer. There are zoos and safari parks, water parks and boat tours. Seeing Paris by boat is a great way to admire the tall, beautiful houses that line the waterways.
Paris off the beaten track
There are some parts of Paris that are never mentioned in any guide books. We’re sure that your Wimdu hosts have plenty of interesting recommendations.
Here are some of our own:
The Montmartre Vineyards offer a small slice of countryside in Paris. Planted in 1932, this vineyard produces a limited line of bottles every year and is well worth a visit.
A small distance from the centre of Paris is the Cour Saint-Emilion, a village of boutiques and restaurants built in former storehouses. A great place to avoid crowds of tourists.
The Catacombs hold the skeletons of 6 million Parisians. It is a little gruesome but well worth visiting by those looking for an adventure.
The Bois de Vincennes is located on the far eastern side of Paris and easily accessible by public transport. It is a beautiful garden full of ponds, wildlife and woodland. It is very big and used to be where the king hunted. The beautiful parks of Paris are part of its charm and we urge you to check at least one out! We recommend you bring a picnic too!
Getting to and around Paris
Paris’ main airport, Charles De Gaulle, is 30 minutes from Paris city centre. Paris has an excellent public transport system and many shuttle buses link the airport with the city. The metro is the best way to travel around the city. There are 16 lines and each has a different number and colour making it easy to navigate. There are 6 zones in Paris and it is worth establishing where you plan to go so you can get the best value from the ticket you buy. Taking a boat is a fun and novel way to travel around Paris. The Batobus company operate along the Seine with 8 stops at all the major tourist sites. A one day pass costs 11 euros and can really make the different to your day of sightseeing.
Staying with a local in Paris will offer you a great insight into life in the city. Wimdu’s range of studio apartments and bed and breakfast accommodation in Paris are affordable and well situated. Living like a local has never been more straightforward!
Guide written by
Chun Tong Chung
£64per nightPrivate Cozy Room and BathBoston, United States