Paris Other Types Of Accommodations

Many colleges and universities open their residence halls to travelers when school is not in session; some do so even during term time. Getting a room may take a couple of phone calls and require advanced planning, but rates tend to be low, and many offer free local calls and Internet access. For information on universities in France, consult the following source:

Centre National des Œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires (CNOUS), 69 quai d’Orsay, 75007 Paris (☎01 44 18 53 00; www.cnous.fr). A regional guide of universities and lodgings throughout France available on the website, under “La Vie Etudiante: Logement.” Click on “Carte des Cités U” at the bottom.

Home Exchanges And Hospitality Clubs

Home exchange offers the traveler various types of homes (houses, apartments, condominiums, villas, even castles in some cases), plus the opportunity to live like a native and to cut down on accommodation fees. For more info, contact HomeExchange.com Inc., P.O. Box 787, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, USA (☎+1-310-798-3864 or toll-free 800-877-8723; www.homeexchange.com) or Intervac International Home Exchange (☎08 20 88 83 42; www.intervac.com).

Hospitality clubs link their members with individuals or families abroad who are willing to host travelers for free or for a small fee to promote cultural exchange and general good karma. In exchange, members usually must be willing to host travelers in their own homes; a small fee may also be required. The Hospitality Club (www.hospitalityclub.org) is a good place to start. Servas (www.servas.org) is an established, more formal, peace-based organization and requires a fee and an interview to join. An Internet search will find many similar organizations, some of which cater to special interests (e.g., women, GLBT travelers, or members of certain professions). As always, use common sense when planning to stay with or host someone you do not know.

Long-Term Accommodations

Travelers planning to stay in Paris for extended periods of time may find it most cost-effective to rent an apartment. A basic one-bedroom (or studio) apartment in Paris will range €500-1500 per month. Besides the rent itself, prospective tenants are usually required to front a security deposit (frequently 1 month’s rent). Apartment hunters should be aware that landlords will often demand proof of income and a cosigner before agreeing to rent a space. For more information about renting an apartment, as well as helpful websites, see Study Abroad: No Place Like Home.