Living in Paris for several months at a stretch promises to be a wonderful experience indeed. However, you should carefully choose your accommodation. Demand has gone up for serviced apartments in Paris that balance the comfort of home with hotel-style amenities and services. Their flexible leases, competitive rates and extra space often make them more viable options for extended-stay travellers.
Yet, choosing a serviced apartment in Paris needs you to keep some key aspects in mind. Here is a guide to them below.
What Are the Things to Look For Before Booking Paris Serviced Apartments?
Here are some of the major aspects to watch out for before you finalise your Paris serviced apartment booking.
1. Legal & Agreement-Related Aspects
- Be it long or short-term rentals in Paris, make sure the property is legally registered.
- You will have to pay a tourist tax which should be properly invoiced.
- Consider requesting a Bail Mobilité or mobility lease for stays between 1-10 months if you are coming for professional reasons, internships, training, education and apprenticeships only. It will safeguard you from huge security deposits (landlords cannot demand them legally) and rent hikes.
- Check the deposit clauses carefully for standard furnished rentals (non-Bail Mobilité), which are usually two months’ rent.
- Ensure the lease agreement includes utilities, internet and cleaning/maintenance.
- Watch out for hidden costs like checkout cleaning charges and building administrative fees.
- Look at lease extension and cancellation provisions for flexibility.
2. Location & Neighbourhood Aspects
- Metro Line Access: Don’t just check the closest metro station; verify which line the metro station is on. Lines 1, 14 and 4 are dependable and automated, while Lines 13 and 12 are known for their huge rush-hour crowds.
- Street-Level Noise: Paris is a dense city and an apartment above a bistro or near an intersection may lead to hindered sleep. Ask if the windows are double-glazed.
- Daily Needs: Map the immediate locality, checking for a laundromat (if there is no in-unit laundry), pharmacy, supermarket and boulangerie (within a 5-10-minute walk).
3. Apartment Basics
- Watch out for utility caps (charges after exceeding a certain limit).
- Housekeeping frequency (weekly or bi-weekly) matters, so verify it as well.
- If your apartment is on the 3rd floor and upwards, verify that the elevator is present (many historic buildings only have narrow staircases which make luggage movements difficult).
- Remember that the 1st floor in France is the 2nd floor in America. The ground floor is the RDC; avoid these units if you do not want privacy hindrances or street noise.
- Central air conditioning is rare in the city; if you are here during July or August, look for portable AC units or fans in the apartment. For winters, ask if the heating is individual or collective.
- Check the Wi-Fi speed and ask for a fibre-optic connection, since regular ADSL will face issues in stone buildings.
- Kitchen inventory lists are important, including cookware, stoves, microwaves and other appliances, dishwashers, refrigerators and more.
- Check for in-unit washing machines and dryers/drying racks.
- Ensure the service includes a minimum of two premium sets of sheets, towels and other essentials.
- Look for key card access, physical on-site English-speaking support, concierge services and workspaces, among other essentials. If it matters to you, check for on-site amenities like gyms and pools (depends on the availability in the building).
- Configurations matter; from studios and Paris one bedroom apartments to two and three bed units, there are multiple choices. Choose based on the space and privacy you need along with the group size.
- Enquire about long-stay discounts or corporate packages.
Which Are the Best Neighbourhoods to Stay in Serviced Apartments in Paris?
Here are some of the top neighbourhoods where you can consider staying in serviced apartments in Paris.
1. Le Marais
It is a historic, stylish and charming neighbourhood with independent boutiques, Haussmann architecture and design galleries. It is best for long-term visitors and first-timers looking for more walkability, while key spots nearby include Marche des Enfants Rouges and Rue de Bretagne for cafes and food shopping.
2. The 11th Arrondissement
The 11th arrondissement is a vibrant and creative neighbourhood with several technology hubs, bistros and coffee shops. It is suitable for digital nomads, remote workers and younger professionals, while key spots include Republique and Canal Saint-Martin for good metro connectivity (Lines 5, 3, 8, 14 and 9).
3. Saint-Germain-des-Pres (6th arrondissement)
The neighbourhood is home to several historic cafes and is known for its literary history, intellectual environment and Left Bank splendour. It suits literature lovers, slow travellers and families who prefer quieter residential streets and quick access to the stunning Luxembourg Gardens. Nearby spots include Le Bon Marche.
4. South Pigalle/Rue des Martyrs (9th arrondissement)
South Pigalle/Rue des Martyrs has a village-like commercial stretch and authentic local vibe. Foodies will love this area with its fishmongers, local bakeries and cavistes. The Rue des Martyrs is the key local spot, going up towards Pigalle.
5. The 17th Arrondissement (Ternes and Batignolles)
It is a relaxed, family-friendly and residential neighbourhood with lush green parks and several weekend markets. The area suits long-stay and business travellers looking for peaceful environments and swift commutes to the western business zones and La Defense.
Conclusion
Paris offers comfortable stays for several months, provided you book the right accommodation in the form of serviced apartments. There are several leading providers like TheSquare Serviced Apartments, where you can find verified listings. However, the above-mentioned checklist/guide will help you make the right decision that is in sync with your needs. You can also compare the neighbourhoods based on transit access, local amenities and proximity to your places of interest before finalising your booking decision. Advance bookings are also recommended to get the best deals and availability.
