Host tips: a local guide to Paris for your guests
Tips for an Airbnb Host
Airbnb is all about encouraging travelers to not just ‘go’ to a place, but to ‘live there’. Many people choose to stay in an Airbnb because they want to live like a local – as opposed to doing typical touristy things. As a host, how can you help your guests feel at home in your city?
If you are managing an Airbnb in Paris and you’re stuck for ideas, we have put together this local guide to Paris that you can share with guests to help them make the most out of their stay with you. By enhancing their guest experience, you’ll also be more likely to get glowing guest reviews on Airbnb!
Table of contents
- GuestReady’s Local Guide for Paris
- Tips for the 1st arrondissement
- Tips for the 8th arrondissement
- Tips for the 18th arrondissement
- For Airbnb Hosts in Paris
1. GuestReady’s Local Guide for Paris
2. Tips for the 1st arrondissement
There are 20 arrondissements in Paris and the 1st is by far the most spectacular thanks to royal palaces, world-famous museums, and beautiful gardens. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the history of the city as you stroll these streets.
The true star of the 1st arrondissement is the Louvre Museum which houses one of the largest and most diverse collections of artistic and cultural works in the world. Located in Louvre Palace, which used to be the home of French royalty, the building slowly emerged as a public art space following the French Revolution and it’s now the most visited museum on the planet.
You’ll find over 35,000 works of art from various periods in history in the world’s most famous museum. Make sure you pencil in a big chunk of your day to explore this artistic wonderland!
For some green space, head into Tuileries Gardens to lap up the floral symmetry and perfectly pruned hedges. This is one of the iconic gardens in Paris and it is steeped in history. It’s an ideal place to take photos of the city’s historic buildings, towering over the park. It’s also a lovely spot to do some people watching – particularly in summer when the park hosts a carnival that’s popular among local families. Before leaving the park, treat yourself to ice cream at Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream Parlour.
The 1st arrondissement is also home to some top end boutiques and clothing stores. Head to rue de Rivoli and the Les Halles neighbourhood for some retail therapy. And if you’re looking for an authentic food market experience, as well as some fresh produce to take back to your Airbnb to cook for the night, stop off at the lively rue Montorgueil open-air market.
To capture the beauty of the city at night, we recommend an evening stroll to Ile de la Cité, which is a natural island located on the Seine River. This little island was the site of the first settlement of Paris and offers great photo opportunities of the city lights reflected in the surface of the water.
2. Tips for the 8th arrondissement
No trip to Paris would be complete without wandering down Avenue des Champs-Elysées. This street oozes Parisian charm and is recognized as one of the most photographed streets in the world! Putting the famous landmark aside, the 8th arrondissement has a range of family-friendly activities on offer as well as food markets, fashion outlets, hair stylists, and patisseries to explore.
To spark the curiosity of your kids, take them to Palais de la Découverte – a science museum that is located in a magnificent historic building. They’ll marvel at the Zeiss Planetarium – a 15-metre dome – as well as the range of exhibits covering astronomy, biology, chemistry and physics. If you don’t speak French, be sure to hire a translator, as the museum does not cater for English speakers.
After the museum, head to The Flame of Liberty so that the kids can have their photo taken with a life-size replica of the Statue of Liberty’s iconic fire. A funny activity to add to their memories.
There are plenty of places to eat out in the 8th arrondissement and two that get lots of five-star reviews from locals are Monsieur Bleu and Café de l’Homme. If you’re in the mood for a truly decadent sweet experience, head to the award-winning Ladurée patisserie. This bakery has been operating since 1862 at 16 rue Royal and they sell a range of exquisite macarons and pastries. Their Strawberry Millefeuille is to die for!
3. Tips for the 18th arrondissement
This is one of the most vibrant and colourful parts of Paris and is different from anywhere else in the city. In the 18th arrondissement, you’ll find African fabric and food stores, vintage clothing shops, super cheap food markets and street artists painting on the sidewalk. Locals adore buying second-hand clothing in this part of town and there’s no better place to look for a one-of-a-kind item than the vintage shops that are dotted around Montmartre.
Be sure to take a look inside the grand Sacré-Cœur, which is also known as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris. Sitting on the highest hill in the city, the Basilica is the perfect place to take photos of Paris on a clear sky day.
If you’re keen to pick up a local designer outfit while you’re in town, head to Rue André del Sarte where you’ll find a bunch of outlet shops that offer up to 50 per cent off the retail price. Our favourites in this part of town include Claudie Pierlot, Maje, and Bel Air. Another clothing store that locals love is A.P.C. Surplus. It offers a colourful range of kids clothing as well as great denim-wear. For artisan jewellery, check out Beatrice Knoch.
As for the best place to chill out at the end the day, locals like to drink at Au Rendez vous des Amis Restaurant. Why not join them for some cheese and a glass of Parisian wine?
5. For Airbnb hosts in Paris
Remember to share these tips with your guests. You can include a link in your Airbnb listing to the ‘live like a local Parisian’ map. They’ll be ever so grateful for insider tips ahead of their trip to Paris! If you’re keen to learn more tips on how to make guests feel welcome when they arrive, be sure to check out our blog or give us a call for a consultation.
GuestReady is an Airbnb management service with a dedicated team of holiday let experts in Paris…we’d love to connect with you! We provide an exclusive booking page where we include our owner’s properties and we also ensure they are listed on other top booking platforms to boost your short-term rental potential.
