The Best Airbnb Alternatives in Paris for Families
From luxurious mansions to spacious apartments, these homes are the perfect base for a family holiday
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It’s not just for starstruck lovers – Paris is also a fantastic destination for families. There are endless things to entertain all ages, from interactive museums to landmarks and boat rides down the Seine. Some attractions are also tailored specifically to kids, such as Disneyland Paris and Jardin d’Acclimatation. And when you need a breather, many green spaces are dotted around the city. Our travel experts at Plum Guide are masters when it comes to family-friendly holidays. To find your dream Parisian home, take a look at our top Airbnb alternatives in Paris for families.
The Pianist
Exclusive to Plum Guide, this two-bedroom home is the perfect abode for a family of four. Located in Monnaie, Paris’s oldest neighbourhood, the apartment is away from the hustle and bustle yet within easy walking distance to the city’s cultural landmarks. We love the cottage feel with its exposed beams and slanted ceilings, and the large windows let in plenty of natural light. The lounge is a great place for some downtime with the family, where you can read by the window while budding musicians can play the piano. While the antique objects and glass decor may not be suitable for little ones, we’d recommend the home for older kids and teenagers – there’s even a second lounge with a TV should they need some alone time. When you want to get out and about, the Latin Quarter is a five-minute stroll from here, where you’ll find family-friendly attractions like Jardin des Plantes botanical gardens and the National Museum of Natural History.
Le Jardin de la Ville
With a spacious garden all to yourself, this is easily one of the best Airbnb alternatives in Paris for families. It’s a real oasis in the middle of the city, somewhere you can escape to when the tourist crowds get a little too much. You’ll want to spend all your time out here in the summer months, reading in the shade while kids play amongst the plants. There’s also a dining table for tucking into meals with your loved ones. Meanwhile, the interiors are bright and airy, with plenty of chill-out spots for the kids and adults alike. Sink into the bean bag, put your feet up in the lounge or tuck into pastries at the dining table. We particularly love the well-equipped kitchen with its beautiful exposed stone wall (although the neighbourhood bistros may tempt you out). The main bedroom even has a Juliet balcony that opens up onto the garden, so you can start and end the day with soothing views of the greenery. A six-minute walk will take you to Brochant metro station, so you’re just a short ride from the city centre.
Ikebana
With its excellent location in the 5th arrondissement, this home is ideal for exploring Paris’s top sights. It’s hard to decide what the highlight is here. The leafy terrace is a lovely spot for dining on balmy evenings, but the living space, with its vaulted ceiling and skylights, is equally impressive. There’s ample seating for six people here, where you can play board games around the table or settle down with a book from the well-stocked shelf. Head up the spiral staircase to check out the bedrooms. There are two spacious double bedrooms, and kids will want to place dibs on the loft-like room. The bathrooms are another standout, and you’ll feel as if you’ve just stepped into a spa with the mosaic tiles and deep, luxurious tubs. If you can drag yourself away from your bubble bath, there’s lots to see within walking distance. The Natural History Museum is a fourteen-minute stroll, but if you’re hungry, head straight to Rue Mouffetard Street market, reachable in six minutes.
Space Invaders
This spacious three-bedroom loft is just the place for a taste of city life. Spacious and airy, there’s more than enough room for a family of six to spread out. The contemporary open-plan living area features a sleek kitchen, a large dining table and a cosy lounge for an evening of charades or movies. There’s plenty of floor space for little ones to play on, while older kids (or young-at-heart gamers) will want to have a go on the vintage arcade machine. Up on the mezzanine level is a multifunctional space that can be used as an office for remote workers, a play space, or a chill-out spot for teens. There’s even gym equipment if your walks around the city just aren’t cutting it. While it’s not smack in the centre, your location in the Canal Saint Martin district means you can enjoy peaceful meanders along the water. Meanwhile, Jacques Bonsegert metro station is a couple of minutes on foot.
Panthéon Poolside
This home has so many features that make it one of our favourite Airbnb alternatives in Paris for families. If you’re coming to the city with an extended brood or any additional friends, this grand villa has room to accommodate ten guests. We won’t blame you for thinking you’ve got the wrong address – it may seem like it belongs in the Loire Valley, but this really is in the centre of Paris. As you’d expect, the interiors are chic and elegant without being too cold or impersonal. Set over four levels, there are dedicated workspaces as well as a cinema room in the basement. Kids will love playing outside on the lawn and splashing about in the pool – as it's surrounded by trees, you’ll have all the privacy you could need. And when it comes to bedtime, you’re guaranteed a good night’s sleep in the sumptuous bedrooms, with two of the five already set up for children.
In Full Colour
Smaller families can’t go wrong with this home in the 10th arrondissement. You’ll feel cheerful as soon as you walk through the door, with splashes of colour sprinkled through the apartment. There’s a single bed on the mezzanine level for young kids (complete with glow-in-the-dark stars and stuffed toys), and a cot underneath for infants. There’s even the perfect play space for them down here while parents enjoy a moment of calm on the sofa. There’s also a Juliet balcony to let the breeze in, but keep an eye on little ones if the doors are open. A fully-equipped kitchen is a must for those travelling with kids, and you’ll be pleased to know that this one has everything you need to cook their favourite meals. But when you fancy a change from baby food, you’re just a few streets away from Gare du Nord’s markets and the canalside eateries.
Portrait of Reflections
The residential 14th arrondissement was once home to 21st-century artists like Max Ernst and Pablo Picasso. Another Plum Guide exclusive is this former artist’s studio turned family home, where you’ll come across plenty of creative touches. The original, industrial-style windows fill the home with light, while the double-height ceilings create a welcoming, breezy feel. The ground floor is the heart of the home, where we envision big feasts at the table and family game nights in the snug lounge. Head upstairs and you’ll find a mezzanine level with workspaces and a cosy seating area for kids to watch TV, while the three bedrooms are found on the top floor. If the weather’s warm enough, gather everyone on the patio for meals at the dining table. When you’re in need of adventure, head underground for a tour of the catacombs, just a sixteen-minute walk away. To head into central Paris, Alésia station is reachable in five.
Eiffel Vistas
It wouldn't be a list of Airbnb alternatives in Paris for families without some incredible views of the Eiffel Tower. This delightful family home boasts amazing close-ups of the iconic landmark – it's so close that you won't need to visit, even if it's just nine minutes away on foot. Both the double bedrooms have French doors leading out onto a balcony (suitable for adults and older children), while the dedicated kids' room leads onto the terrace on the lower level. With its high fence, it's perfectly safe for little ones. Relax with a book amongst the greenery, and when it gets to twilight, head to the upper terrace to watch the sun go down. Make use of the home's VIP services and hire a private chef to cook your family some traditional French dishes. Even when you want to be indoors, floor-to-ceiling windows mean you won't miss out on those tower views, whether you're in the lounge or shaking up cocktails in the kitchen. When the kids start getting uneasy, the Champs de Mars Park is right on your doorstep.