Last month, we finished buying all of our flights to/from/within Europe. Thanks so much to everyone who chimed in and gave me advice in my last post about it...I read every single comment. We decided to keep our trip to just three countries--Iceland, Italy, and France--so we can spend more time exploring, and less of it traveling. Now that the flights are booked, I'm starting to look at places to stay! The first city I started researching was Paris...and oh my gosh, there are so many gorgeous apartments available. Some of these are out of our price range or farther out than we want to stay, but still--I'm feeling inspired by them. Plus, I wanted to take this opportunity to ask: If you've been to Paris before, what area do you recommend staying in? We’ve heard that the Marais is a good place to stay, so that’s the neighborhood we’re looking in right now, but I’d love to hear if you feel differently. And if you have a specific place that you’d recommend staying at, let me know! That would be super helpful.

I love the exposed wood beams in this apartment...so charming.

And I'm obsessed with the herringbone parquet floors in so many Parisian apartments. I might need to do an entire post dedicated to these gorgeous floors!

Plus, there are just so many beautiful architectural details in these apartments...from crown molding to gorgeous fireplace mantels to lovely bay windows. Drooool.

Sigh...so pretty, right? I wish I was on vacation right now.

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1. Posted by Jenn V on Monday, March 23rd, 2015
   
   We stayed in the Marais district and loved it! Mostly because it is so central and easy to get anywhere. There are so many trains and metros that go right through there. We were only a couple blocks from the train station. Our b&B was pretty cute and charming but also very cheap! We booked it via bedandbreakfast.com. I think it would also be fun to stay near the Eiffel Tower, but I imagine a lot more expensive.
   • Posted by Aileen on Thursday, March 26th, 2015
     
     Yay! Thanks, Jenn. So glad to hear you liked that area. Thanks for sending me the link to your B&B too :)
2. Posted by All things nice... (@4allthingsnice) on Monday, March 23rd, 2015
   
   Sounds exciting, I'm off to Spain, Mallorca, France and Italy this Summer. What parts of Italy you going to? I've been to Paris twice, it is beautiful... so much to see and do, try and visit San Chapelle in Paris, I loved it...
   
   All things nice...
   • Posted by Aileen on Thursday, March 26th, 2015
     
     Ooh, your trip sounds lovely. I definitely want to see Spain someday. We're going to Rome, Cinque Terre, and Tuscany :)
3. Posted by Debbie on Monday, March 23rd, 2015
   
   Have a wonderful trip!
   • Posted by Aileen on Thursday, March 26th, 2015
     
     Thanks, Debbie!
4. Posted by Liz on Tuesday, March 24th, 2015
   
   At the advice of Rick Steves, we stayed near Rue Cler, which is very close to the Eiffel Tower. We chose a tiny hotel room (Hotel Eiffel Turenne), but it was great! Super quaint, old stairway to get to and from the rooms.
   • Posted by Aileen on Thursday, March 26th, 2015
     
     Oh, I've heard Rue Cler is a good area to stay in too! It does seem fun to be right by the Eiffel Tower. Fun fact: Rick Steves is from the same little town that I live in (about a half hour north of Seattle). He does free talks at our local theater sometimes and has a little store. We've never gone, but maybe we should :)