7 Affordable Airbnbs in Paris

I know that I've shared my love of Airbnb before. Some people may be scared off by the idea of staying in someone else's apartment, but I think it's one of the best—and most affordable—ways to get a feel for what it's really like to live in a city. What many people don't realize is that you can often find Airbnb rentals that aren't the owner's primary residence—I tend to look for these types of properties.

We are beginning and ending an upcoming trip to Europe in Paris, and spending just over a week there. Wanting our time in the city to be absolutement parfait, I've spent hours sifting through hundreds of rentals throughout the city, and a few really stood out. My criteria:

• Under $110(ish)
• In a typical Parisian neighborhood (walkable, near metro, with nearby shops and cafes)
• Real bed (I'm way past my pull-out couch days)
• Wi-Fi
• Good ratings from Airbnb guests
• Bonus points for washing machine, nice kitchen, balcony, and a view

Thinking of planning your own trip to Paris? Here are my top seven picks!

This sweet little spot is in one of Paris' hippest neighborhoods, Le Marais, and boasts an incredible view of the rooftops. Plus, it has an espresso machine.

It doesn't get much more central than Ile St. Louis, a little island in the middle of the Seine. This apartment is just a three minute walk from Notre Dame.

At $139/night, this apartment was pushing my budget, but I love its colorful, funky style. 

This Montmarte apartment is where we're spending our last two nights in Paris. It looks a lot like a hotel room, non? Except it has a kitchen, a sweet spiral staircase, and it's $87/night.

This one has a fabulous view of Sacre Coeur. Mon dieu!

I love the details of this little flat. 

We booked this one for the first leg of our trip. It may be basic, but it's smack dab in the middle of the bustling Latin Quarter. Just look at the street view!

One last tip: If you're not sure which neighborhood you want to stay in, Airbnb has a really helpful guide for that, too. 

An AirBnB Summer: Six Places I Want to Stay

All-white luxury in Old Montreal.

I just took a look at my summer calendar and I realized that most of our weekends are already booked. Cape Cod, D.C., Montreal, and Newport are officially on the agenda, and I'm also hoping we can squeeze in some time in Maine, L.A., and N.Y.C.

I've shared my love of AirBnB before—it's how we stayed on budget in Europe—and that's where I typically begin my planning process. Finding a cool apartment with a helpful host can take your trip from average to amazing. Here are some places I've been eying (even if they're not all in my price range).

The Keeper's House Inn is an operating lighthouse station located on the remote island of Isle Au Haut, Maine.

A cute modern cottage near Venice Beach.

Would you choo-choose to stay in a train?

Or how about an old Airstream?

Lower East Side loft.