Paris trip, DH nervous.

[MegCleary]

We have booked an Airbnb, two dds coming too and we go in two weeks. We were planning stuff and I linked DH to the apt and looking at the latest reviews there is a homeless encampment mentioned outside the kitchen window, the review mentioned being watched eating breakfast if you don’t close the blinds.
DH is VERY risk averse and now stressed about going.
Anyone had any issues like this? Advice appreciated.

I would feel the same as your dh

I’m with your DH on this

Well, find a different Airbnb?

I'm pretty relaxed when it comes to travel and risks but I wouldn't like that at all. I don't mind walking past homeless camps but to have one just outside my window would be too unsettling.

I would find a different Airbnb or stay in a hotel. There are actually plenty of reasonably priced hotels in Paris.

Which neighbourhood is the Airbnb in?

We would only get partial refund sadly.. I could message the host and express our concerns I suppose.

It is near the Gare du Nord, Rue Fenelon.

Not surprised given the location. Would you stay near a main rail station in London, for example, other than in a hotel?

Was it there before you booked, in which case you don't really have a case with the owner, it happens alas in many cities and that area has been a bit iffy for years

OK well first of all message the host and see what they say.

If you do get a partial refund, how much money do you stand to lose?

It is near the Gare du Nord but not the worst side of it, and the street itself looks OK on Google Maps. You could always show up and see for yourselves, but have a back up plan in case you decide you really can't stay there.

@LlynTegid not very savvy travellers perhaps and thought it may be convenient for travel.
We lose £550
@mitogoshigg it wasn’t mentioned on any other reviews.

Why Paris though? So many nicer places in France. It's such a grim place.

Around the Gare du Nord is not a particularly nice area - like many inner city areas around train stations.

I mean you'll be fine staying there but there are far nicer places.

@since1986 dd1 has always wanted to go, and she’s doing a level are thought she like the galleries etc

None of them have the Musee d’Orsay, my favourite museum in the world. I haven’t been to Paris for more than 17 years and I miss it.

But there are so many other places in Paris to stay, OP doesn't need to stay else where in France.

If not mentioned by the host I would see that a good reason to cancel and get your money back!

Paris is wonderful. The Gare de Nord is the worst part, like how say Kings cross used to be.
I would recommend staying as close to the centre as you can and then lots is walkable which is a huge part of the joy of Paris.

Can you cancel on the basis of nondisclosure of the camp?

I'm going to agree with pp, you'll have to find somewhere else. That's not going to be pleasant or relaxing.

But on the other hand if you're anything like me you'll be out all day and will just use the place to sleep and eat breakfast.

If your stay is short then suck it up. Close the blinds/curtains so they can't see you eat. It's either that or lose the money and book something else. You have two choices op.

I would also change location.

I can recommend the place we stayed with DD16 two years ago. Amazingly convenient for metros but also a fab area too - very vibrant, lots of students, restaurants etc.

Holiday Inn Express Paris - Canal de la Villette, an IHG Hotel

You don't need to be bang in the centre. We were able to walk down to galleries lafayette from this hotel, plus very easy access to the Picasso museum and the fab shopping near there. Lots of vintage shops for your DD.

Paris is like any big city, you get more from walking aimlessly than always having a plan.

Alternatively can you ditch risk averse DH and just get on with it as a pair?

Yes. The ‘homeless encampment’ could be two tents that were there for a day or two. Personally I wouldn’t lose money over it, if you’re going to be out all the time.

Enjoy the art.

I love Paris! I'd just go ahead because I'd be barely in the Airbnb other than for breakfast (just close the curtains) and sleeping.

Change your booking...as another poster said, if it's not been mentioned in the original description surely you can cancel with airbnb. Canal Holiday Inn is an excellent alternative!

It will probably be ok and wouldn't put me off, though I do understand your nerves. I found the Airbnb listing and one recent review mentions a "small homeless encampment" - which could just be a couple of tents, and who knows, may even have been moved on by the time you arrive.

It's not the loveliest part of Paris but this is reflected in the price of the apartment, - even the critical review still awards 4 stars and mentions great restaurants, a lovely old church and a market nearby. City centres are rarely dangerous places (apart from pickpockets etc) due to the number of people around.

The apartment itself looks fine. If the tents are still there, just pull the kitchen blind down and leave it down (to be honest, you'd probably want to do this in a ground floor city centre apartment anyway, whatever was outside the window).