The 13 Best Airbnbs in Paris, Vetted by a Francophile Editor

• Sleeps: 4
• Price: from $195/night
• Why We Recommend It: close to métro, Eiffel Tower in walking distance, elevator building

Even after living there, the sight of the Eiffel Tower never got old. (Though, paying the entry fee has...) This apartment is located in the 15^th arrondissment, which is, in my opinion, underrated. The 15^th is a local’s neighborhood, not as flashy as, say, the 6^th or the 7^th with the well-known Boulevard Saint Germain. Still, you’ll want for nothing. The (relatively) new mall, Beaugrenelle, has everything you could possibly need, the Seine is within easy walking distance (where you can see a mini Statue of Liberty) and the tower is similarly accessible. The apartment itself is contemporary and Parisian, but the building does have an elevator if accessibility is important.

• Sleeps: 4
• Price: from $289/night
• Why We Recommend It: luxury shops, close to major monuments

Sing it with me: Oh, Champs-Élysées. Joe Dassin was right when he sang that this legendary boulevard is splendid rain or shine and, in the morning, and night. If you’ve come to Paris to shop, this is the place to do it, in addition to the rue Saint Honoré. We’re talking Louis Vuitton, Longchamp, Sandro, Saint Laurent and my personal favorite, Petit Bateau. And that’s just getting started. The apartment is as grand as any you’ll find, with a coveted fireplace, gold-rimmed mirrors and plenty of sunlight. And when you step outside, you’ll be a convenient distance from the Arc de Triomphe, which offers a dazzling 360-degree view of the city.

• Sleeps: 2
• Price: from $316/night
• Why We Recommend It: near the Tuileries gardens, easy access to métro station

Here’s a romantic little studio perfect for a pair of lovers right next to the Tuileries gardens. If you love traditional décor, you’ll melt over the Art Nouveau, Empire and Louis XV and XVI pieces that pepper the apartment. I love the Tuileries because in addition to the expansive gardens, you’re also right next to the Louvre and two smaller museums that, honestly, I much prefer. The Musée de l’Orangerie has wall-to-wall Impressionist paintings (including some by Monet, heard of him?), while the Jeu de Paume focuses on contemporary art, photography and cinema.

• Sleeps: 4
• Price: from $192/night
• Why We Recommend It: steeped in art history, close to Sacre Coeur, full kitchen

For those who perpetually live in the world of Amélie, the quirky Parisian waitress brought to life by Audrey Tautou in the 2001 eponymous film, this Montmartre duplex is calling your name. The church is a must-see if this is your first rodeo (be sure to climb to the top for great views), but if it’s been there, done that, here’s what I’d do instead. First, go see La Maison Rose. It’s a restaurant now but served as an intellectuals’ club in Funny Face starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. Then, see a cabaret show, not at the Moulin Rouge but at Le Lapin Agile, a 19^th-century stone house that once served the likes of Picasso, Modigliani and Apollinaire. Across the street is the Vignes du Clos Montmartre, a vineyard operating since 1933. Tours are sporadic and usually in the fall during harvest, but it’s worth a shot. Top it off with a visit to the Montmartre and Dalí museums.

• Sleeps: 2
• Price: from $2,143/night
• Why We Recommend It: luxury decor,

A panoramic view of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine? Sign me up. The apartment is a splurge, but marble floors, handcrafted furniture, gold leaf accents, stained glass and a dramatic freestanding cast iron bathtub make their case. Situated in the posh 16^th arrondissement, the pied-à-terre makes it easy to walk over to the Trocadéro, which provides the view of the tower that everyone seems to be getting in all their photos. Don’t get too starry-eyed, though, because you’ll want to see the Musée de l’Homme, another underrated museum. This neighborhood touches the Bois de Boulogne, and if you have time, it’s a must-visit. I love going to see the Parc de Bagatelle, with its stunning rose garden and grounds. Here’s cocktail trivia for you: The chateau and park were constructed in 64 days on a bet between Marie Antoinette and her brother-in-law, the Comte d’Artois.

• Sleeps: 2
• Price: from $160/night
• Why We Recommend It: lively and local neighborhood, washing machine

Here’s the down-low: The Seine is just for the tourists. Not completely, but locals know that the real places to be are Canal Saint Martin in the 10^th and more recently, La Villette and Canal de l’Ourq in the 19^th. Come summer, there are movie screenings, and plenty of opportunities for social dancing. The apartment is close to the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, which is one of my favorite places to picnic. If you climb the hill to the Temple de la Sibylle, you’ll get the city skyline and it’s divine. There are also local cafés and restaurants all around (I recommend La Fontaine on rue Juliette Dodu), with residents spilling out onto the terraces with wine and coffee. Honestly, I prefer this over the usual recommendations in the ever-popular 6^th and 7^th.

• Sleeps: 4
• Price: from $177/night
• Why We Recommend It: air conditioning, natural light, full kitchen

This apartment is a rarity in that it has air condition, or what the French call climatisation. It’s a precious thing here, even now, so if you can’t live without it, then you need this apartment, stat. But AC aside, the 3^rd is one of my favorite neighborhoods and probably one I’ve spent the most time in. Much of it comprises Le Marais, translating to “the marsh.” It’s one of, if not the city’s oldest, neighborhoods. Here, you’ll find no shortage of falafel. (L’As du Falafel has top billing, but the competitor across the street never has a line and is just as good.) There are also quite a few smaller museums, including the Picasso Museum, Carnavalet Museum, Cognacq-Jay Museum and Victor Hugo’s apartment in the Place des Vosges. And for you Anthropologie devotees, you’ll want to go shop at the French equivalent, Merci.  

• Sleeps: 2
• Price: from $257/night
• Why We Recommend It: heated balcony, air conditioning, full kitchen, Art Nouveau design

A friend of mine lives near the Palais Royal, which she affectionately and jokingly calls her backyard. So, trust me when I say this little loft is perfectly situated. In my opinion, if you have the Palais Royal, you really don’t need much else. The galleries are filled with cafés (stop at Café Kitsune for a coffee) and the posh restaurant, Le Grand Véfour. You’re a short walk away from the Opéra (which ironically is home to the ballet). And this one’s for the Swifties: You may recall that in Begin Again, Taylor buys pastries in a shop...that shop is Le Moulin de la Vièrge in the Place des Petits Pères. I went there. It was good. You're welcome.

• Sleeps: 4
• Price: from $429/night
• Why We Recommend It: lots of sunlight, views of Luxembourg gardens and Panthéon, elevator, high ceilings with crown molding

Admittedly, I am a Right Bank gal, but this apartment is a shining example of the Left’s merits. Crown molding, high ceilings, sun-drenched, with views of the Panthéon and the Luxembourg gardens? Yeah, I’ll be there. And this apartment is on Rue Sufflot, which is the main avenue leading straight to the Panthéon. Easy access to the Latin Quarter and the 6^th arrondissement. You don’t have to walk far. I’d start with a visit to The Red Wheelbarrow, an anglophone bookstore on rue de Médicis. (Shakespeare & Co. is overrated. I said it.) Buy a book and then head to its neighbor, Treize au Jardin, for a mashup of English, French and American fare. Of course, a jaunt through the gardens is a must, too.

• Sleeps:  2
• Price: from $236/night
• Why We Recommend It: full kitchen, quiet area, convenient location

I think the 9^th arrondissement should get a little more love. You have the storied department stores, Galeries Lafayette and Printemps (both of which have rooftops you absolutely must visit), quiet (but impressive) museums like Gustave-Moreau and the Musée de la Vie Romantique and the Palais Garnier on one end and Montmartre on the other. I’d make sure to stop at Bouillon Pigalle, where, inflation dependent, you could still have a three-course meal (including wine) for 20 euros.

• Sleeps: 4
• Price: from $331/night
• Why We Recommend It: in the heart of the city, modern building, lots of light

Many apartments will bill themselves as “the heart of Paris,” but this one truly is. Look at a map, you’ll notice that Paris is segmented into districts that spiral in numerical order, creating the shape of a snail. This apartment is in the 1^st arrondissement, smack dab in the middle. That means you have access to the Louvre, the Tuileries, the Champs Élysées, Nôtre Dame, the Palais Royal, Sainte Chapelle, the Pont des Arts...need I go on? If you really want to be in the middle of the action, this is the apartment for you.

• Sleeps: 4          
• Price: from $225/night
• Why We Recommend It: elevator, close to métro

When I was living in Paris, a good friend had an apartment in the Latin Quarter, so I spent a good bit of time there. This apartment is beautifully situated on the fourth floor, bright and airy with some country charm. I’d start the mornings with a croissant from La Maison d’Isabelle because I like mine flakey and simultaneously dripping in butter. There’s also a lovely market that pops up regularly out front in the Place Maubert. Another market I love is in Place Monge, filled with produce, flowers and local craftspeople. There are two real gems here that you don’t want to pass up. The first is the Jardin des Plantes. It has some of the spring’s most beautiful cherry blossoms. After you’ve explored every nook and cranny, stop for a drink at Place de la Contrascarpe. It’s one of those places that make you feel you’ve stepped out of the wardrobe and into Narnia. When I first left, I was afraid I wouldn’t find it again! But it’s filled with cafés and incredibly lively...the perfect place for a little drink.

• Sleeps: 4
• Price: from $434/night
• Why We Recommend It: full kitchen, lively neighborhood, close to métro

Not going to lie: this area is hopping. But if you like being in the thick of it, then this is also the perfect apartment. Though the cathedral is still under construction, it’s still a sight to behold. And once you’ve beheld, beeline to Shakespeare & Co. I know I said it was overrated, but it’s still fun. (You can see a commemorative plaque at the original location where Syliva Beach published Ulysses, at 12 rue de l’Odéon.) They also have a café where you can grab a bite, or you can walk a few paces down rue Saint-Julien le Pauvre to Odette, a charming café in a Normandy-style timber wood structure that’s sturdier than it looks. They serve elaborate cream puffs and wine, which is all you need to know.