To stay in Paris without going through a classic holiday rental, there are five main options: house sitting (staying in a Parisian’s home while they are away, in exchange for looking after their cat), home exchange, a room in a local’s home, a private room in a hostel and a student residence in summer. None is better than the others: each suits a different kind of traveller. The table below helps you find yours.
The table, for those in a hurry
| Option | Ideal for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| House sitting | Flexible dates, cat lovers | The dates are the owner’s |
| Home exchange | People with a home to lend | You need someone who wants to come to yours |
| Room in a local’s home | Solo travellers, curious minds | You share the kitchen, sometimes breakfast |
| Hostel, private room | Short, central stays | The atmosphere depends a lot on the address |
| Student residence | Summer stays | Mostly in July and August |
1. House sitting: a Parisian flat, in exchange for purrs
The idea: a Parisian goes on holiday and, rather than leaving their cat at a cattery, hands their flat to someone who moves in. You sleep there, you look after the cat, and you have a place to stay. No rent, no deposit, no money between you and the owner.
It is the most “Parisian” option on the list: you live in a real neighbourhood flat, with its bookshelves, its kitchen and the neighbour who waters his geraniums in a dressing gown. We explain everything in our guide to a holiday in Paris as a house sitter.
Who it suits: people with flexible dates who love cats. Good to know: the dates are the owner’s, and there is a four-legged flatmate counting on you every day. It leaves no reviews, but it has opinions.
2. Home exchange: your living room for theirs
Do you live in Lyon, Lisbon or Montreal? A Parisian may be dreaming of a week at your place while you spend yours at theirs. That is home exchange: two homes, two households, no rent. Specialist platforms put people in touch, for simultaneous or non-simultaneous swaps.
Who it suits: people with a home to offer, ideally in a city Parisians like to visit. Good to know: you need to find the right person for the right dates, and accept that a stranger will sleep in your bed. The perfect moment to tidy the cupboard you have been avoiding since 2019.
3. A room in a local’s home: Paris with a guide on site
A room in the flat of someone who, this time, is very much there. It is the friendliest option: your host points you to the best bakery in the area, the bistro where the regulars really go, and the metro line to avoid at 8:30 a.m.
Who it suits: solo travellers, curious minds, people who want to practise their French. Good to know: you share the kitchen and bathroom, on someone else’s schedule. If you dream of total silence and long lie-ins, look at option 1 instead.
4. A private room in a hostel: not just for backpackers any more
Parisian hostels have changed a lot: many now offer private rooms with their own bathroom, in very central neighbourhoods, with a bar downstairs and travellers from all over the world at the next table. You no longer have to be twenty, and that is a good thing.
Who it suits: short stays, weekends, people who want to be at the heart of things. Good to know: the atmosphere varies a lot from one address to another, from very calm to very lively. Read the reviews to find the one that suits you.
5. A student residence in summer: the room students leave behind
When students go home for the summer, some Parisian residences rent their rooms to visitors. It is simple, often well located, and it has the slightly spartan charm of student life: a bed, a desk, a kitchenette.
Who it suits: summer stays, alone or as a couple. Good to know: rooms are mostly available in July and August, and the decor is simple. Bring the poster of your favourite film yourself.
So, which one should you choose?
Ask yourself three questions. Are your dates flexible? If so, house sitting and home exchange open the door to real Parisian flats with no rent. Do you want company? A room in a local’s home or a hostel is made for you. Are you travelling in summer? Think of student residences.
And if you tick “flexible dates” and “I love cats”, you can probably guess where we are going with this. To get started, the Become a house sitter page explains everything, and the Safety & trust page details what we verify.
Once you have settled in, between two museums, go and say hello to the cats of our favourite cat cafés (in French). They won’t recognise you, but they will pretend to.
In short
In Paris there is no single right way to sleep, there are at least five. The best one is the one that fits your dates, your budget and how much company you want.
And if that company has whiskers,
you know where to find us.
Fancy staying in Paris as a house sitter?
Leave your email and your dates: we’ll let you know for free as soon as a stay opens.
Get new stays by emailFrequently asked questions
What is the best Airbnb alternative in Paris?
It depends on you. House sitting if your dates are flexible and you love cats, home exchange if you have a home to offer, a room in a local’s home if you enjoy company, a private room in a hostel for a short, central stay, a student residence for a summer stay.
Can you stay in Paris without paying for accommodation?
Yes, with house sitting or home exchange: no rent changes hands between you and the other person. As a house sitter, you stay in the home of a Parisian who has gone on holiday, in exchange for looking after their cat. On The Cat Society, receiving new stays by email is free; to apply, you need to become a house sitter member.
When should you book accommodation in Paris?
As early as possible for summer, Christmas and big trade fairs, whatever the option. House sitting works the other way round from a hotel: stays open when Parisians leave, above all in August, during the French school holidays and the long weekends in May.
Is house sitting in Paris safe?
On The Cat Society, house sitters’ identity is verified before owners can see them, a badge shows verified owners, and each side can read the reviews left about the other. Dates, home and instructions are written down before anyone commits.