This space is ideal for travelers seeking a visit that is a little closer to a local's experience. The studio is small, efficient, comfortable and charming, with directions for all appliances clearly documented. The immediate neighborhood features independent shops beyond the traditional cheese, chocolate and wine trifecta. There're clothing stores, a skate shop, bars, peepshows (oh la la!) and on a Friday night the young French spill out onto the street with their beer and rapid, intense conversations. When we walked into a neighborhood bar or restaurant, we were treated with a barrage of offhand French, not the stilled English of waiters in St. Germaine.

As for our hostess, Danielle --- airbnb ought to create a Host-of-the-Year award and bestow it upon her. We got into a hot mess within the first 20 minutes of arrival, and Danielle immediately, unhesitatingly swooped in and saved us, giving up a good four hours of one of her vacation days to do so; it is highly, highly doubtful we could have resolved our situation without her assistance. You know those compositions of tumblr photos meant to restore your faith in humanity? Danielle is one of those aggregations.