Eye Prefer Paris is an ex-New Yorker's insider's guide to Paris. Richard Nahem writes his blog from his fabulous 18th century apartment in the fashionable Marais district of Paris
It’s been a busy June with plenty of tour clients and I’ve covered a lot of ground in Paris including Montmartre, Marais, Latin Quarter, Saint Germain, and SOPI (southern Pigalle).
If you still haven’t followed me on Instagram yet, here are my handles.
Dans le Serres de CHANEL -in the CHANEL greenhouses a display of white camélias in Tuileries Musee Cognacq-Jay
August in Paris- My Marais Apartment for Rent August 16 to August 29
I am renting my Marais loft from August 16 to August 29 (Dates are flexible). Contrary to popular myth that Paris is closed in August, most shops, restaurants, and attractions are open in Paris, especially in the Marais. The weather is usually beautiful, temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit during the day, dropping into the mid 60s at night. In case in gets warmer, I have an air conditioner in the bedroom and a large fan in the living area.
Minimum rental period is 7 days/one week, price 1500€ for 7 days/one week, 2900€ for 14 days/2 weeks.
Conveniently located by the Saint Paul metro, in the heart of the Marais, the apartment is a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loftwith 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include washer/dryer, 16" flat screen TV, dishwasher, internet connection/Wifi and free long distance calls to the U.S. The apartment is located on the second floor with a large elevator
If you love salted butter caramels, please watch my newest A Bite of Parisvideo about Henri Le Roux, the man who actually invented the salted butter caramel.
Paris is having a heat wave this week with temperatures in the high 90s Fahrenheit and I thought it would be a good idea to run this blog I wrote about in 2017 listing air-conditioned restaurants. I’ve added a few new manes to the list. Stay cool!
Parisians are not fans of air conditioning no matter how hot it gets and in fact they don’t really believe in fans either. Even in the excessive heat, they still wear scarves. I saw a man the other day wearing shorts, T-shirt and a scarf tied around his neck like it was winter.
Needless to say there’s hardly an air conditioning in Parisian restaurants. Café after café has customers sweating away while ordering ice cold drinks.
I am still a die-hard American in certain respects even after living here almost 12 years, and I have to have AC when it gets this hot. One of my first apartment purchases was a portable air-conditioner.
So last night when I was desperately seeking an air-conditioned restaurant I thought I would do some further research and create a list, so here goes. Now it’s pretty obvious the five-star hotel restaurants and many of the Michelin star restaurants will have A/C, so I will leave most of those off the list below.
Maitre Albert 1 Rue Maître Albert, 75005 Bofinger 5-7 Rue de la Bastille, 75004 Maison Blanche 15 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Les Cocottes Arc de Triomphe 2 Avenue Bertie Albrecht, 75008 Le 24 24 Rue Jean Mermoz, 75008 Sorza 51 Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île, 75004- Ile St. Louis L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon Hôtel du Pont Royal, 5 Rue Montalembert, 75007 Les Bouquinistes 53 Quai des Grands Augustins, 75006 Ma Cocotte 106 Rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen at the flea market Le Petit Pontoise 9 Rue de Pontoise, 75005 Le Coq Rico 98 Rue Lepic, 75018 Elmer 30 Rue Notre Dame de Nazareth, 75003 Blue Elephant 43 rue de la Roquette, 75011 Bon 25 rue de la Pompe, 75016 La Coupole 102 Blvd. de Montparnasse, 75014 Glou 101 rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 La Rotisserie 19 Quai de la Tournelle, 75005 Les Editeurs 4 Carrefour de l”odeon, 75006 Brasserie Lipp 151 Blvd. Saint Germain, 75006 Mariage Freres 30 rue du Bourg Tibourg, 75004
Vins des Pyrenees 25 Rue Beautreillis, 75004https://www.vinsdespyrenees.com/
Thanks everyone for your comments for the book giveaway last week.
August in Paris- My Marais Apartment for Rent August 16 to August 29
I am renting my Marais loft from August 16 to August 29 (Dates are flexible). Contrary to popular myth that Paris is closed in August, most shops, restaurants, and attractions are open in Paris, especially in the Marais. The weather is usually beautiful, temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit during the day, dropping into the mid 60s at night. In case in gets warmer, I have an air conditioner in the bedroom and a large fan in the living area.
Minimum rental period is 7 days/one week, price 1500€ for 7 days/one week, 2900€ for 14 days/2 weeks.
Conveniently located by the Saint Paul metro, in the heart of the Marais, the apartment is a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loftwith 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include washer/dryer, 16" flat screen TV, dishwasher, internet connection/Wifi and free long distance calls to the U.S. The apartment is located on the second floor with a large elevator
If you love salted butter caramels, please watch my newest A Bite of Parisvideo about Henri Le Roux, the man who actually invented the salted butter caramel.
I am thrilled to have two book giveaways this month for two new fantastic books.
The Little(r) Museums of Paris: An Illustrated Guide to the City's Hidden Gems by Emma Jacobs
This adorable, delightful book is a primer about the small, particular museums of Paris ripe for discovery. I’ve personally been to many of the museums listed but I was surprised to find a few I didn’t know about. The museums in The Little(r) Museums of Paris are cleverly divided into nine categories including Marvels and Museums, History, Architecture & Design, Around the World, Time Capsules, Artist & Ateliers, Stage & Page, Science and Medicine, and ON the Outskirts. A series of charming illustrations accompany each museum. Some of the more obscure museums include Phono Museum, Magic Museum, Museum of the History of Immigration, Madame Curie Museum, Musee des Arts Forain, and Museum of Counterfeiting.
Be the second person to leave a comment in my comments section on www.eyepreferparis.com below this post and win a copy of The Little(r) Museums of Paris by Emma Jacobs
You must live or have a mailing address in the continental U.S. to receive your book.
Click here to order The Little(r) Museums of Paris on Amazon.
Murder in Bel-Air by Cara Black
Let’s give a round of applause to New York Times best-selling author Cara Black for her 19th book, Murder in Bel-Air. The prodigious author rewards us again with a tale of murder and mayhem with her favorite private detective and heroine, Amiee LeDuc. Revealing the neighborhood secrets of the 12th arrondissment, this time it’s personal, as her mother goes missing, when she doesn’t show up to pick up her daughter at school. Click here to read my interview with Cara Black from 2017.
Be the fifth person to leave a comment in my comments section on www.eyepreferparis.com below this post and win a copy of Murder in Bel-Air.
You must live or have a mailing address in the continental U.S. to receive your book.
August in Paris- My Marais Apartment for Rent August 16 to August 29
I am renting my Marais loft from August 16 to August 29 (Dates are flexible). Contrary to popular myth that Paris is closed in August, most shops, restaurants, and attractions are open in Paris, especially in the Marais. The weather is usually beautiful, temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit during the day, dropping into the mid 60s at night. In case in gets warmer, I have an air conditioner in the bedroom and a large fan in the living area.
Minimum rental period is 7 days/one week, price 1500€ for 7 days/one week, 2900€ for 14 days/2 weeks.
Conveniently located by the Saint Paul metro, in the heart of the Marais, the apartment is a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loftwith 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include washer/dryer, 16" flat screen TV, dishwasher, internet connection/Wifi and free long distance calls to the U.S. The apartment is located on the second floor with a large elevator
If you love salted butter caramels, please watch my newest A Bite of Parisvideo about Henri Le Roux, the man who actually invented the salted butter caramel.
It’s June in Paris. And, as they say, “If you don’t like the Paris weather, wait five minutes.”
We’ve had rain delays at Roland Garros, gusty winds that blow our umbrellas outside in, and surprise downpours that drench our clothes to the core (or send us to huddle under the closest café awning in the hope that’s it’s just a quick passing cloud).
Is there a silver lining to this month of unpredictable weather? Mais oui. The amazing clouds that are floating above us.
Ever since I became a member of the Cloud Appreciation Society (literally and metaphorically), I stop on a bridge every time I cross the Seine to look up at the clouds (or in an open space in any country for that matter).
The sky is an endless canvas. The shapes, the light, the color—all inspire flights of imagination, just as they did when we were kids.
As the founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society says, “Cloudwatching legitimizes doing nothing.”
And that, combined with imaginative daydreaming, is good for the soul.
For more on cloud watching, take a look at Meredith’s story at OIC Moments.
Meredith Mullins is a fine art photographer, photography instructor, and writer forOIC Momentsand Bonjour Paris. Her work can be seen at www.meredithmullins.artspan.com or in her award-winning book, In A Paris Moment. She is available for private photography instruction/exploration in Paris and also teaches WICE photography classes. For more information, contact her at [email protected]
August in Paris- My Marais Apartment for Rent August 16 to August 29
I am renting my Marais loft from August 16 to August 29 (Dates are flexible). Contrary to popular myth that Paris is closed in August, most shops, restaurants, and attractions are open in Paris, especially in the Marais. The weather is usually beautiful, temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit during the day, dropping into the mid 60s at night. In case in gets warmer, I have an air conditioner in the bedroom and a large fan in the living area.
Minimum rental period is 7 days/one week, price 1500€ for 7 days/one week, 2900€ for 14 days/2 weeks.
Conveniently located by the Saint Paul metro, in the heart of the Marais, the apartment is a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loftwith 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include washer/dryer, 16" flat screen TV, dishwasher, internet connection/Wifi and free long distance calls to the U.S. The apartment is located on the second floor with a large elevator
If you love salted butter caramels, please watch my newest A Bite of Parisvideo about Henri Le Roux, the man who actually invented the salted butter caramel.
Last month when I visited Bordeaux I took an extra day to go to the Dune of Pilat, the tallest sand dune in Europe. Measuring 350 feet high by almost 2 miles wide, the dune is a sight to behold. I climbed up the stairs of the dune, out of breath by the time I reached the top but relieved I made it. Looking down on one side was the dizzying dune I realized I just scaled, with people looking like tiny specks of movement below. It was a crystal clear day and the far-reaching cascading sand touched the electric sky. A pine forest below looked like a sea of giant broccoli flowers stretching to the blue ocean.
A sweet breeze blew across my face and I inhaled deeply, fully clearing my lungs and sinuses for the next 45 minutes, taking in the formidable view and the astounding nature surrounding me.
The train from Bordeaux is an easy, scenic ride taking about 45 minutes. I had some time before the bus left for the dunes, so I walked around Arcachon. I discovered it was a charming seaside village, dotted with gingerbread and arts and craft style houses. Arriving at the beach just a few blocks from the train station, I was pleased to see there was a long, wide sand beach, as many of the beaches in France are rock or pebble beaches. I stuck my feet in the water and it wasn’t as cold as I thought it would be.
August in Paris- My Marais Apartment for Rent August 16 to August 29
I am renting my Marais loft from August 16 to August 29 (Dates are flexible). Contrary to popular myth that Paris is closed in August, most shops, restaurants, and attractions are open in Paris, especially in the Marais. The weather is usually beautiful, temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit during the day, dropping into the mid 60s at night. In case in gets warmer, I have an air conditioner in the bedroom and a large fan in the living area.
Minimum rental period is 7 days/one week, price 1500€ for 7 days/one week, 2900€ for 14 days/2 weeks.
Conveniently located by the Saint Paul metro, in the heart of the Marais, the apartment is a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loftwith 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include washer/dryer, 16" flat screen TV, dishwasher, internet connection/Wifi and free long distance calls to the U.S. The apartment is located on the second floor with a large elevator
If you love salted butter caramels, please watch my newest A Bite of Parisvideo about Henri Le Roux, the man who actually invented the salted butter caramel.
Keeping up with new and already established restaurants in Paris could easily be a full-time job. Unfortunately, that job has not yet been bestowed upon me but I try to stay current on the Paris dining scene.
New restaurants frequently appear on my radar and usually either of two things happen. Either I go within a week or two of learning about one or it goes off my radar and quickly backlogged into the someday, some other time list.
Les Fables de La Fontaine falls into the latter category. Last month a publicist sent a lunch invitation and I suddenly remembered wanting to go there for the longest time.
I thought is was just going to be lunch for just Vincent and me, but it turns out the publicist reserved a table for eight to experience a tasting menu from the chef. The group included mostly French food writers and critics, except for Margaret Kemp, who is a well-known, British food writer living in Paris. We had met briefly once before, but during our almost two-hour lunch, we got to know each other much better and bonded over our love of good food. A well-dressed, elderly gentleman arrived late and Margaret told us it was Nicholas de Rebaudy, one of the foremost food critics and food writers in France.
Located on a half-square on the chic rue Saint Dominique in the seventh arrondissement, Les Fables de La Fontaine, has a contemporary décor with a soft palette of neutral colors of taupe and gray. Tables were appointed with bamboo like placemats and fine white china and crystal stemware.
ChefDavid Bouttreau focuses his attention on seafood, daily delving into the top fish stalls of the Rungis wholesale market, searching for just the right mackerel, turbot, lobster, or sole.
Our table was treated to Le Grand Bleu tasting menu. Five delectable appetizers were served in artfully crafted earthenware, which deserved to be admired before digging in. The beet salad with horseradish mousse, smoked eel, and ginger, looked like a vivid red origami on the outside with its precision cut slices, with the tasty, salty eel inside. A yellowtail tartare with radish and quinoa was light and smooth but the Sichuan peppercorns gave it an extra zing.
Next up two waiters showed off two whole fish, a daurade and sea bass, on platters and then went back to the kitchen to filet them. I chose the sea bass served with roasted vegetables. Sometimes the simplest prepared foods are best, relying only on their freshness to bring out thier truest flavors. This was the case of the sea bass, served only with lemon, olive oil, and salt. Miraval rosé was the ideal wine to complement the meal.
Just knowing a soufflé is coming to the table is reason enough to swoon a little bit, and a rice pudding soufflé with salted butter caramel made me swoon full tilt.
The Grand Bleu Menu is 110€ per person with a minimum of two people. A three-course menu is 52€ and at lunch, you can enjoy a starter/plat or plat/dessert for only 28€.
August in Paris- My Marais Apartment for Rent August 16 to August 29
I am renting my Marais loft from August 16 to August 29 (Dates are flexible). Contrary to popular myth that Paris is closed in August, most shops, restaurants, and attractions are open in Paris, especially in the Marais. The weather is usually beautiful, temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit during the day, dropping into the mid 60s at night. In case in gets warmer, I have an air conditioner in the bedroom and a large fan in the living area.
Minimum rental period is 7 days/one week, price 1500€ for 7 days/one week, 2900€ for 14 days/2 weeks.
Conveniently located by the Saint Paul metro, in the heart of the Marais, the apartment is a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loftwith 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include washer/dryer, 16" flat screen TV, dishwasher, internet connection/Wifi and free long distance calls to the U.S. The apartment is located on the second floor with a large elevator
If you love salted butter caramels, please watch my newest A Bite of Parisvideo about Henri Le Roux, the man who actually invented the salted butter caramel.
One of the most rewarding things about my tours and writing Eye Prefer Paris is the interesting people from all walks of life I’ve met in the past 13 years. Some I’ve only met once but have impacted my life and others I have made friends with. Many of them have shared amazing stories about their personal lives.
This story happened in a precarious way. On February 21, my blog post featured Bernadette Martin as my Parisian of the Month and I received a message from Ann Wexler, a blog subscriber that was actually sent to me instead of being forwarded to a friend. The message said that she was going to sign up for Bernadette’s Stories event on March 16. I emailed her back saying she sent the message to me instead of her friend. We exchanged a few messages after that and Ann said she and her husband Tony were going to be in Paris in February and March. I invited her and Tony to see my photo exhibit at Le Pont Royal, and we would have a coffee after. In some of her previous emails, she told me Tony was born and raised in Granville France and Christian Dior was his secondcousin. Now I was totally psyched to meet Tony because I wanted hear about his upbringing and his relationship with Christian Dior. Over coffee he told me a touching story about how Christian was so kind and generous to him when he was young and how no one had ever shown such an interest in him in such a special way, that it influenced him for the rest of his life. After verbally hearing the stories, I asked Tony if he would write it story form for Eye Prefer Paris. He said yes, and here’s the result. Tony and Ann are both retired and live in Ithaca, New York. Tony was prominent and well renowned labor lawyer and his most high profile work was with Cesar Chavez in the late 1960s, where they fought for and implemented new labor laws for farmers.
Here is Tony’s story.
Dear Richard,
I’m so glad you had the opportunity to visit the Dior house in Granville. My mother actually slept in that house for a couple of months in 1914, a result of the outbreak of WW I. I have a later picture of her, Christian, and his sister Jacqueline, taken in the garden of Les Rhumbs around 1920. Long-haired Christian looks like a hippie before his time.
Christian is in the third row extreme right, tall, with long hair. My mother Elisabeth is second from left in the second row. Her brother Alexandre third from left next to my mother. Fourth, directly in front of Christian is his sister Jacqueline, my Tante Jacqueline.
What I would like people to remember about Christian Dior is his extreme gentleness and kindness no less than his genius. He was a shy little boy who nevertheless enjoyed life, his family, and his friends. He loved dressing his sister Jacqueline, my mother Elisabeth (his first cousin) and friends such as Paule Peant in elaborate costumes. He once came across a seamstress crying in his Avenue Montaigne headquarters; she had been sent out to buy lunch for the other seamstresses and lost the kitty. Christian opened his wallet, handed her the money, and said:
“Je veux qu’on soit heureux chez moi.” ( I want to be happy at home)It was a large part of his philosophy of life, in his business no less than in his private and personal life.
On my first encounter with him (I was 10 years old) I ran forward to meet my famous cousin. He greeted me warmly, took my hands in his, and asked me if I wanted to play in his garden (This was at his estate the Moulin du Coudret):
At that moment my mother rushed up: “Mais non, Christian” she cried. “Il sera tres content de rester assis avec nous.” (But no, Christian "she cried. "He will be very happy to sit with us)
“Ne sois pas ridicule ( Don’t be ridiculous , Elisabeth ” Christian replied in his sing-song voice. “Cet enfant ne veut pas rester assis plante la a ecouter des vielles personnes parler.”(“This child does not want to sit and listen to the old people talking.”)
He turned to me“ A tu apporte un maillot de bain?” (did you bring a bathing suit?) I hadn’t. Christian turned to his butler: “Marcel, auriez vous un maillot de bain qui irait a monsieur?” Marcel, would you have a bathing suit for Tony? )
Marcel looked down somewhat dubiously on “monsieur” from his considerably greater height, and then went off to get the bathing suit. It was about five sizes too big, but I tied it around my waist & went swimming in the 16th century millrace of Christian’s home, adapted into a lovely swimming pool. It was for me a moment of pure happiness which I have never forgotten.
Stories written about Christian make it clear this was no exception or extraordinary act. He treated his god-children and the children of his friends with great attention and affection, and is remembered by them with love and affection. In later years I have walked the paths of the Dior garden in Granville thinking about the shy little boy who walked those same paths thinking thoughts that would later make him word-famous.
Hand signed book to Tony from Christian Dior.
August in Paris- My Marais Apartment for Rent August 16 to August 29
I am renting my Marais loft from August 16 to August 29 (Dates are flexible). Contrary to popular myth that Paris is closed in August, most shops, restaurants, and attractions are open in Paris, especially in the Marais. The weather is usually beautiful, temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit during the day, dropping into the mid 60s at night. In case in gets warmer, I have an air conditioner in the bedroom and a large fan in the living area.
Minimum rental period is 7 days/one week, price 1500€ for 7 days/one week, 2900€ for 14 days/2 weeks.
Conveniently located by the Saint Paul metro, in the heart of the Marais, the apartment is a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loftwith 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include washer/dryer, 16" flat screen TV, dishwasher, internet connection/Wifi and free long distance calls to the U.S. The apartment is located on the second floor with a large elevator
If you love salted butter caramels, please watch my newest A Bite of Parisvideo about Henri Le Roux, the man who actually invented the salted butter caramel.
Jardins, Jardin is the annual garden show held in the Tuileries, devoted to the latest innovations and technologies in gardening. The 16th edition just this last weekend, featured 30 garden installations, 17 exterior design prototypes, and 8 design, landscape, and architecture schools. One hundred vendors displayed flowers, plants, outdoor furniture, planters, books, and many other garden related products.
The highlight of Jardins, Jardin was a special installation, Dans le Serres de Chanel/From the Greenhouses of Chanel. In southwest France, the house of Chanel grows white camellias on an exclusive 12-acre farm, for use in its skincare products. On a 200 square meter plot in the Tuileries, Chanel has created a miniature version of their camellia greenhouses from the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains.
Upon entering the exhibition, a genial guide, shared in concise detail about the growing, care, and polyfractioning process by which the camellias are turned from flowers into a tailor-made active ingredient in their cosmetics. The guide also shared about how the camellia became the iconic emblem of Chanel, when Coco Chanel used a white camellia early in her career to adorn the clothes of her first collections in the 1920s, and how it also became her lucky charm. A journalist once asked Coco Chanel “What is the first thing you eat in the morning and the last thing you, eat at night and she replied “ A camellia in the morning and an orchid at night”. A video showed the gentle handling of the camellias from the garden to the factory and there were rows of camellia plants displaying their perfect, symmetrical white flowers. At the end, there was a greenhouse with glass beakers and test tubes, showing how the process by which the camellia flowers are extracted in to precious oils. The guide pumped a tiny dot of two of the extracts on my hand, which had the wonderful perfume of the camellias. At the very end I received of Hydra Beauty Micro serum.
After the my Chanel sensory experience, I visited the rest of the Jardins, Jardin exhibit, checking out the latest garden innovations along with stalls overflowing with the most beautiful late spring blooms.
August in Paris- My Marais Apartment for Rent August 16 to August 29
I am renting my Marais loft from August 16 to August 29 (Dates are flexible). Contrary to popular myth that Paris is closed in August, most shops, restaurants, and attractions are open in Paris, especially in the Marais. The weather is usually beautiful, temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit during the day, dropping into the mid 60s at night. In case in gets warmer, I have an air conditioner in the bedroom and a large fan in the living area.
Minimum rental period is 7 days/one week, price 1500€ for 7 days/one week, 2900€ for 14 days/2 weeks.
Conveniently located by the Saint Paul metro, in the heart of the Marais, the apartment is a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loftwith 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include washer/dryer, 16" flat screen TV, dishwasher, internet connection/Wifi and free long distance calls to the U.S. The apartment is located on the second floor with a large elevator
If you love salted butter caramels, please watch my newest A Bite of Parisvideo about Henri Le Roux, the man who actually invented the salted butter caramel.
One of the most comprehensive books about the history of Paris, I’ve chosen Seven Ages of Paris by Alistair Horne for the month of June. Seven Ages of Paris covers in great detail the seven most important periods and events in Parisian history. Commencing with the rise of King Philippe Auguste in the 1200s, it follows through with the reigns of Henry IV and Louis XIV (who abandoned Paris for Versailles); Napoleon’s rise and fall; Baron Haussmann’s rebuilding of Paris (at the cost of much of the medieval city); the Belle Epoque and the Great War that brought it to an end; the Nazi Occupation, the Liberation, and the postwar period dominated by de Gaulle.
Please note I am now featuring the Eye Prefer Paris Book of the Month every other month instead of monthly.
August in Paris- My Marais Apartment for Rent August 16 to August 29
I am renting my Marais loft from August 16 to August 29 (Dates are flexible). Contrary to popular myth that Paris is closed in August, most shops, restaurants, and attractions are open in Paris, especially in the Marais. The weather is usually beautiful, temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit during the day, dropping into the mid 60s at night. In case in gets warmer, I have an air conditioner in the bedroom and a large fan in the living area.
Minimum rental period is 7 days/one week, price 1500€ for 7 days/one week, 2900€ for 14 days/2 weeks.
Conveniently located by the Saint Paul metro, in the heart of the Marais, the apartment is a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loftwith 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include washer/dryer, 16" flat screen TV, dishwasher, internet connection/Wifi and free long distance calls to the U.S. The apartment is located on the second floor with a large elevator
If you love salted butter caramels, please watch my newest A Bite of Parisvideo about Henri Le Roux, the man who actually invented the salted butter caramel.
I wrote about my fun experience on board the Tango luxury barge in Bordeaux last week and mentioned I would write more about the excursions I took during my stay on the boat.
After the satisfying lunch on the outdoor terrace of the boat on the first day, we took a car trip to Saint-Emilion. We drove approximately 30 minutes before we started to see acres of verdant green hills saturated with grapevines and vineyards. Passing scores of wine chateaus with important looking entrance gates, we came upon Chateau Coutet. We were greeted by Adrien Coutet, who is a fifth generation descendant of the winemaking family that dates back to 1855. The charming and good-looking heir apparent gave us an extensive tour of the vineyard and wine making facilities and explained that they only grew organic grapes from the beginning, never using the modern day practice of using pesticides. The main chateau actually dated back from the 1700s and it still had a small, private chapel in tact. A cellar filled with dusty wine bottles had vintages as far back as the 1950s and Adrian shared about the best and not so great years. At the end of the visit we went to the tasting rooms and sipped on a variety of the wines. Prices are reasonable, starting at 20€ per bottle and cases and individual bottles are sold at the vineyard. The most unique bottle was actually a 100ml test tube, which can be brought on your carry on luggage.
After the visit to Chateau Coutet, we drove to the village of Saint-Emilion. The stunning, late day sunlight cast a golden hue and dramatic shadows on the ancient limestone buildings. I climbed the hills of Saint-Emilion discovering charming squares, building façades draped in vines and flowers, open plazas with cafes, medieval churches, and appealing wine bars and restaurants I wanted to return to.
The next day we took a trip to the factory where the French aperitif Lillet is produced. Looking more like a straightforward factory with a smattering of industrial, brick buildings rather than the romantic style of the chateau vineyards the day before, nonetheless the visit was fascinating. The impressive tour was led by two, lovely girls in their early 20s, who seemed to have years of experience and historical knowledge for their young age. We learned about how the two Lillet brothers started a wine and spirits company in the 1872. In 1887 they created Kina Lillet, made with quinine, the juice from macerated orange peels, and white wine. In the 20th century, new varieties were invented including Lillet Dry,Lillet Rouge (made with red wine), and Lillet Rosé, introduced in 2011 for the burgeoning rosé wine demand. A display of innovative, illustrated posters from 1896 to 2014 was a fun history lesson about how Lillet had evolved. At the end of the tour we were invited to taste the various flavors, and I shared a funny story about the time when I ordered Lillet at a café, and the waiter served me a glass of milk, because he thought I said le lait, which I probably did.
August in Paris- My Marais Apartment for Rent August 16 to August 29
I am renting my Marais loft from August 16 to August 29 (Dates are flexible). Contrary to popular myth that Paris is closed in August, most shops, restaurants, and attractions are open in Paris, especially in the Marais. The weather is usually beautiful, temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit during the day, dropping into the mid 60s at night. In case in gets warmer, I have an air conditioner in the bedroom and a large fan in the living area.
Minimum rental period is 7 days/one week, price 1500€ for 7 days/one week, 2900€ for 14 days/2 weeks.
Conveniently located by the Saint Paul metro, in the heart of the Marais, the apartment is a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loftwith 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include washer/dryer, 16" flat screen TV, dishwasher, internet connection/Wifi and free long distance calls to the U.S. The apartment is located on the second floor with a large elevator
If you love salted butter caramels, please watch my newest A Bite of Parisvideo about Henri Le Roux, the man who actually invented the salted butter caramel.