Tips on Accommodations

The French government rates hotels on a one- to four-star system. One-star hotels are budget accommodations; two-star lodgings are quality tourist hotels; three stars go to first-class hotels; and four stars are reserved for deluxe accommodations. In some of the lower categories, the rooms may not have private bathrooms; instead, many have what the French call a cabinet de toilette (hot and cold running water and maybe a bidet). In such hotels, bathrooms are down the hall. Nearly all hotels in Paris have central heating, but in some cases, you might wish the owners would turn it up a little on a cold night.

Condos, Villas, Houses and Apartments -- New York Habitat (tel. 212/255-8018; fax 212/627-1416; www.nyhabitat.com) rents furnished apartments and vacation accommodations in Paris. Bookings should be done at least 3 months in advance (even farther out for the south of France) and can be arranged online or over the phone. Prices in Paris range from 450€ to 8,000€ ($653-$11,600) per week.

If you want to rent an apartment in Paris, the Barclay International Group, 6800 Jericho Turnpike, Syosset, NY 11791 (tel. 800/845-6636 or 516/364-0064; fax 516/364-4468; www.barclayweb.com), can give you access to about 3,000 apartments and villas throughout Paris (and 39 other cities in France), ranging from modest modern units to the most stylish lodgings. Units rent for 1 night to 6 months; all have TVs and kitchenettes, and many have concierge staffs and lobby-level security. The least expensive cost around 115€ ($170) per night, double occupancy. Discounts are given for a stay of 1 week or longer. Rentals must be prepaid in U.S. dollars or with a U.S. credit or charge card.

Hometours International, Inc., 1108 Scottie Lane, Knoxville, TN 37919 (tel. 865/690-8484; hometours@aol.com), offers more than 400 moderately priced apartments, apartment hotels, and villas in Paris.

Drawbridge to Europe, Inc., 98 Granite St., Ashland, OR 97520 (tel. 888/268-1148; www.drawbridgetoeurope.com), offers everything from Paris apartments to villas scattered throughout France. Rentals are selected for their locations, interiors, and possibly historic character.

The aptly named Homes Away, 45 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 1100, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4V 1K9 (tel. 800/374-6637; http://homesaway.com), provides private vacation villas throughout France, including apartments in Paris.

Hotel Chains -- One good moderately priced choice is the Mercure chain, an organization of simple, modern hotels throughout France. Even at the peak of the tourist season, a room at a Mercure in Paris rents for as little as 99€ ($144) per night (admittedly, a rarity). For more information on Mercure hotels and its 100-page directory, call (tel. 800/221-4542 in the U.S.; www.mercure.com).