Paris apartments come in all shapes and sizes, from the most small and economical to the most grand and luxurious. Although your budget will largely determine which property you choose, the ideal apartment should also fit your personal style.
A one-bedroom apartment in Paris is happy compromise between more luxurious offerings such as multi-bedroom residences and more charming, economical choices such as the ever-popular studio apartment in Paris.
Fortunately, in the course of your search you will find many Paris flats to choose from. There are several factors to keep in mind, from such “basics” as location, to “must-have” features such as elevator on premises or handicapped access, to amenities such as natural light, silence, and more.
The reality is that the Paris rental market is very competitive, but this doesn’t mean you won’t be able to find a one bedroom apartment Paris that makes each day a joy to wake up to. Far from it. It simply means that there are several things to keep in mind while looking.
For one, you may wish to take stock of which amenities are crucial and which can be traded for other charms. For example, the opportunity to live within walking distance of the Seine may ultimately be more important than how much natural light an apartment has, or how many square feet the space is.
Needless to say, the further one lives from Paris’ center, the more affordable apartments in Paris become. But even this does not mean living far from Paris’ main attractions, or living in an area that is undesirable. After all, there are very charming areas in central Paris that are not quite as central as, say, the 1st, or the Latin Quarter.
The 10th, 11th and 12th districts, for example, are popular areas that offer family-friendly fun in central Paris and are just far enough off the beaten path to translate into affordability.
The 10th means walking, cycling and rollerblading along the picturesque Canal St. Martin (depicted in the movie Amelie), and the restaurants, cafés and bars of the Place de la République.
For fun-loving adventurers, the 11th district offers two nightlife scenes (Place de la Bastille and Oberkampf), but it also has a softer side. After all, this is Paris’ single largest residential zone (in fact, it is the most densely populated residential area in Europe), with market places and children’s parks strung like Christmas lights along the shady Boulevard Richard Lenoir. This is certainly an area worth considering for your Paris vacation rental.
The 12th, Paris’ single largest district by area, means acres of green space and charms such as the Bercy Village market, offering a taste of the French countryside.
Those wishing to live in maximum opulence would do well to consider the 16th, which is generally regarded as Paris’ most expensive residential area. World-class restaurants abound in the area, as well as boutiques featuring design by up-and-coming designers.
The 8th, particularly near the Champs Élysées, puts you within walking distance of Europe’s single most expensive retail zone, rivaled worldwide only by Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue. Some of Europe’s largest anchor stores are here, along with luxury specialty shops, take-out gourmet, movies and other attractions.
On the Left Bank, the Saint-Germain was once the home of many of the world’s most famous literati, from Hemingway to Sartre, and it still the center of France’s publishing industry. A short walk from here in the ever-popular Latin Quarter, teeming with intellectuals, artists and students from the many nearby universities, including the Sorbonne.
Those of a more artistic and adventurous spirit may wish to look into the magical Montmartre (the actual backdrop of Amelie of Montmartre), a peculiar mix of spiritual and artistic that was the inspiration and home of artists such as Van Gogh, Dali, Monet, Picasso, and many others. Paris’ highest point, overlooking the rest of the city, is topped by the onion dome of the Sacre Coeur cathedral.
Your dream housing in paris is waiting. Once you’ve determined what matters most to you, it’s just a matter of beginning your search.
We wish you the very best of luck in your quest.
