Who says JO in Paris, says big gains for Parisian owners who offer their apartment at gold prices for the summer of 2024. On Airbnb, the phenomenon has grown, the prices for the summer of 2024 multiplying by two, three, even ten between July 26 and August 11 compared to the same period in a typical year. So at 20 minuteswe thought even bigger: why not try to go to the other side of the world in a dream house with swimming pool?
On paper, the offer seemed enticing: and if in return for a “Parisian cocoon full of charm, a stone’s throw from the Canal de l’Ourcq”, we could take advantage of it for three weeks to find a villa in Australia for free, in Indonesia or Polynesia? Challenge accepted, 20 Minutes takes you through the twists and turns of house swapping.
Istanbul or Vanuatu?
First step: create an account on a few specialized sites, Homeexchange, Thirdhome, Switchome, Trocmaison among others. Take photos, write an ad, select the dates of the Olympics to rent your apartment, validate your account and attack the fun part: choose the ideal destinations and houses to enchant a summer period, which could prove quite anxiety-provoking for those who stay in Paris.
First touch after a hundred messages sent and about 95% of automatic messages politely refusing such an exchange: bye-bye the Cayman Islands, Canada, Costa Rica, Sydney Bay and Indonesia. On the other hand, Engin offers a nice apartment in the center of Istanbul, without financial compensation, it’s all good!
In the process, Tahnia also replies that she agrees to exchange her house… in Vanuatu. At 20 Minutes, we do not believe our eyes. And indeed, his second message has the effect of an icy bucket of water after a swim in the lagoon: “Excuse me, I misunderstood. We have no plans to travel at this time, but we would appreciate your coming to stay at our resort during this time.” Total cost of accommodation for three weeks: 2,320 euros. Thanks, but no thanks.
Brazil and Australia, too expensive
The messages continue to scroll. The American Caroline prefers “the Marais and the 4th arrondissement”, Karine from Montreal knows very well that the period of the Olympic Games is not the best time to visit Paris and is declining, unlike Michel de Val-David in Canada, who does not is not against the idea of ”going to visit a few castles”. As for Klaus, who offers a beautiful chalet in the Swiss mountains, he has planned to visit Japan: “None of us are big sports fans, so it probably wouldn’t be a good time to visit Paris ( again). I completely understand that you wanted to flee during this period 😉”.
Care but no unicorn in the list. And then one after the other, Josue and his house in Área de Praias in Brazil, then Graeme in Windsor in Australia, revived hope. But these exchanges are not free. In addition to the “GuestPoints” distributed by the site, depending on size, location and many other criteria, the two owners are asking for a pretty hefty sum to enjoy their accommodation with swimming pool: between 3,280 and 5,670 euros. Budget exploded.
A touch in Mexico
Only Noémi in Budapest and Heidi from Olympia in the United States put an option on their coming to Paris for the Olympic Games in 2024, but are in fact waiting for the response to their application as a volunteer. Their apartments are not quite up to the original dream, but visiting Hungary or Washington County are attractive ideas. Response in fall 2023.
Unless Cody who lives in Mexico City is the much sought-after Holy Grail: “I’m very interested, I guess you want to get out of town during the crowds and chaos?” “. Affirmative and him, would the Olympic Games interest him? “Yes, but do you know how to get tickets? So yes Cody, we know: “Do you have a good bank account? An angel’s patience? An appetite for almost all sports except athletics, swimming and all team sports? Because buying tickets for the Games is a mission at least as complicated as the one we have just set ourselves. Moreover, in addition to our apartment, we are also looking to exchange two places for rowing qualifications. Promise it’s heavy.