Hotel Charpentier de Fourcy is an impressive former private mansion that I surprise my clients with on my Marais tours. From the street the entrance has two lacquered royal blue doors with a sign spelling MIJE. When I first walked by it I never knew what was beyond the doors with the intimidating sign in big block letters. One day the door was open and I decided to satisfy my long time curiosity. I was delighted by the beauty and charm of the courtyard with its incredible beamed ceiling in the entrance hall, the well with the hanging geranium plant, white iron cafe tables and chairs, and pretty plants and trees. What I was most impressed with was the outdoor wooden bridges connecting two of the buildings. I can only imagine a medieval damsel in distress calling for her prince to rescue on one of these bridges.
Commissioned by Gilles Charpentier, the son of the king's advisor, and built in 1677, Hotel Charpentier de Fourcy was built as a private mansion.It was converted into MIJE hostel in 1978. MIJE is an non-profit organization that has three hostels in former aristocratic residences in the Marais all within in a block of each other. The rooms are clean and very well kept, with extremely reasonable rates, starting at 49 euros for a single and 30 euros a person for 4 or more in a shared room including breakfast. The Fourcy branch has a restaurant that serves a three course dinner for 10.50 euros. All rooms have showers but no towels, and toilets are down the hall. There is no age limit except for children under 6.
MIJE
6 rue de Fourcy, 4th arr.
Metro: St. Paul
+33 1 42 74 23 45
http://www.mije.com/index_individuels_uk.asp
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook. First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte’s professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 3 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
I hope you had a great vacation time away from blogging. But I have to tell you I'm glad you're back! I absolutely love this courtyard series!!! When I check my email yours is the first one I open!
Posted by: Cheryl | August 26, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Thanks for these lovely courtyard photos. I too, have a love of French courtyards
...Italian, Spanish and Mexican, too...all Roman inspired.
Posted by: Sandra | August 29, 2009 at 03:35 PM
Love the courtyards.
Posted by: Lynn | August 29, 2009 at 03:52 PM
I am enjoying your courtyard obsession. It is nice to spend the morning with you every morning.
Posted by: pauline | August 29, 2009 at 06:32 PM