How To Plan A Month In Paris
Staying for a month in Paris is a dream and one we were able to accomplish this summer with proper planning. Today I am sharing how to plan a month in Paris, so you can make this dream happen. And, once you do get that apartment booked, check out my top 10 essential tips for visiting Paris.
This will be our 3rd summer we are staying in the City of Light for a month during the summer season.
In case you’re wondering how we did this with work. I work on the blog full-time and am able to be remote. Plus, Paris content is what drives my blog, so it only makes sense. My husband is also remote and received approval to do this while in Paris.
Which Month To Stay In Paris
For us, staying in Paris during the summer works best due to our daughter’s school schedule. Of course, going in the off-season would be the most economical and less crowded.
The summer season in Paris tends to be busier with tourists flocking to the city; however, it’s still a season that can be enjoyed with proper planning.
We have stayed during both the months of June and July, and each month has its pros and cons. July tends to be a bit warmer, and it also gets a bit more crowded, as the tourist season is in full swing.
However, the significant advantage of going in July is that summer camps are available for English-speaking children as well. The French school system doesn’t break for summer vacation until the first week of July, so there are no camps available during June. If you are interested in an English-speaking summer camp, consider the American School of Paris, where our daughter attended camp.
However, if summer camp isn’t an option, Paris is full of activities for kids, so that isn’t a problem.
What Kind Of Budget Is Available For A Month In Paris
Obviously, budget is a significant factor to consider as well. You will need to budget for your apartment and food, entertainment, shopping, and day or weekend trips outside of Paris.
Paris is the kind of city where it’s easy to get sucked into sitting down at a cafĆ© for an afternoon wine or an evening apĆ©ro, so always plan for more than what you think you’ll spend on food and dining out.
You can do Paris on any kind of budget but I would say keep in mind things you don’t plan on budgeting for. We ended up needing to buy an additional fan for our apartment. Then, we purchased other miscellaneous items, such as house shoes and extra socks, and, of course, we did some shopping as well.
Also, keep in mind that you will need to purchase items for the apartment as well. Toilet paper, laundry detergent, hand soap, etc, if these things aren’t provided or you run out. All of these items can add up, so make sure to budget for these as well.
Decide Which Arrondissement You Want To Stay
The city is divided into 20 arrondissements, each offering something unique. Knowing which one to stay in is a personal decision.
For us specifically, we are partial to the Left Bank; Saint-Germain-des-PrƩs is the neighborhood we like to stay in during the summer season. We are conveniently located near the Jardin du Luxembourg, our favorite cafƩs, and friends who are nearby.
The area is also centrally located to other places we like to visit, such as the Louvre, MuseĆ© d’Orsay, and the Tuileries.
Decide what things you want to do, what you want to see, and where you think you would feel most comfortable. Also, remember the correlation between where you are staying and how long it will take to walk or ride to specific places.
How To Find An Apartment
Finding an apartment is another significant hurdle to overcome when trying to stay in Paris for a month. Over the years, we have been fortunate to have friends help us with apartment recommendations. However, we have also used rental companies such as Haven In and Paris Perfect.
Other rental agencies available are VRBO, the Plum Guide, and Guest Apartment Services. There are pros and cons, however, for renting from an agency.
PROS:
- Agencies are responsive to emails quickly.
- You can set a budget, and they will provide you with a list of apartments within your specific budget and the area you want to stay in.
- The agency can arrange a car service to pick you up upon arrival from the airport, ensuring a seamless transition into the city.
- Usually, the agency will have someone on site at the apartment to conduct a walkthrough and answer any questions you may have upon your arrival.
- If you encounter any issues during your stay in the apartment, you can contact the agency directly to address them.
- Depending on the agency, they will provide a weekly cleaning service for your apartment.
CONS:
- The biggest con is that agency fees tend to be high, adding a significant cost to the rental of an apartment.
- Some agencies may only permit a specific use of electricity during your stay. Meaning that once you exceed the allotted KW usage, you will have to pay a fee.
- Many agencies require full payment at the time of booking the apartment.
You just want to ensure that wherever you are renting from, it’s a reliable source and they will provide assistance if needed during your stay. Be sure to read reviews about the agency and review your contract thoroughly before signing.
Also, something to keep in mind, when you are looking at the apartment description, you need to see if there’s an elevator for the apartment. If there isn’t an elevator, find out how many stairs you will be climbing to your apartment, as you will be carrying groceries and other items up and down.
Keep in mind that most Paris apartments do not have air conditioning. If this is a concern for you, make sure to either ask the agency for an apartment that offers an AC (usually these are mobile units) or check to see if there are ceiling fans or portable fans within the apartment.
What To Do For Kids For The Month
The city offers plenty to do with kids, it’s just a matter of how old your children are and what they want to do. I suggest pushing them outside of their comfort zones and trying new things, such as eating new foods and exploring new places.
Start Making Appropriate Reservations
During the summer season, restaurants tend to book up quickly, especially if they are popular. You will want to book these in advance to ensure you can get a reservation.
Also, consider the experiences and museums you want to visit and book those tickets accordingly. Places such as the Galerie Dior tend to book months in advance and only offer timed slots for attendance.
Additionally, if you plan to take day or weekend trips of any kind and require hotel reservations or train tickets, it is advisable to make these arrangements ahead of time.
Transportation In Paris
If you plan to ride the metro during your month-long stay, you will want to purchase theĀ NavigoĀ for a month; it costs around 88 euros. It will save you money within the first week, and you can use the card for all public transportation modes within the city, including metro, bus, tram, and train.
You can also use the taxi service G7 or ride-sharing apps such as Uber or Bolt.
What To Do Before You Go
Before going to Paris for a month, there are a lot of things to do at home. Ensure your passports are up to date, mail is stopped, pets are taken care of, and phone plans are current for international travel.
Also, don’t forget to pack adaptors and other essentials you may need. Of course, you can buy anything you might forget.
Staying in Paris for a month can be easier than it seems with proper planning ahead of time. You will enjoy memories to last a lifetime.
Want all my recommendations for your next Paris trip? Download Your Essential Guide to Paris by LVOG.
I enjoyed a few days in Paris in early Aprilā¦when it was off and on rain ā¦(and wearing my Brooks Brothers trench)ā¦ prior to boarding a Uniworld cruise west on the Seine on SSJoie de Vivre ( highly recommend). Like you, I chose an area close to Les Jardins de Luxembourg , and the small Hotel Andre Latin at the corner of Rue Gay-Lussac and Rue Saint Jacques ( excellent breakfast with opportunity to take a bit extra for a lunch snack). I walked and walked , enjoying the gardens, the winding my way through streets towards the Seine , with so many small antiquarian shops and galleries, then was rewarded with views of Notre Dame. As a mid 70ās woman, with just enough French from šØš¦schooling, I felt safe ( near university area) and had no worries asking for help along the way a couple of times. People were very gracious. I found local bistros for my evening meals. I know a bit about Paris from former visits , and itās quite different from your type of stay, but it worked for me. I looked through the rental sites you suggested, Noelani, and perhaps another time. Thanks for sharing your ā month in Paris ā .
Great article! Last year I went to Paris and stayed on Rue Bonaparte at the Hotel Villa St Germain across from Laduree and it was the perfect location! Iām with you, I love it there and would love to go back someday for a month in an apartment on that street!
Do you use Airalo and have a French eSIM or how did you handle the cell phones?
thank you for this incredibly detailed guide on planning a month-long stay in Paris. This post has definitely inspired me to start planning my own Parisian adventure!
I’ve been waiting for you to post about the details of planning your month in Paris! However, I was really hoping you would provide more specifics about the costs, particularly around lodging. I get that you were able to avoid going through an agency to rent your apartment, but for those of us who dream of a trip like this, some actual numbers would have been helpful.
Are there things you packed for a month-long stay that you wouldn’t pack for a week-long stay (besides the amount of clothes)? I know you bought beauty/personal items once you got there. Thanks!