I Prefer Paris

Private Lunch At Fauchon Hotel

About a month ago, I received an email from the publicist for the Fauchon Hotel on place Madeleine, that the hotel was removing the beds from the rooms on one floor and converting them into private dining rooms. She also mentioned that the hotel manager was using one of the rooms to host private, one on one lunches, with journalists and wanted to know to if I was interested. I immediately said yes, as I was thrilled to actually go out for lunch, which I haven’t done since last summer. 

I arrived at the hotel at 12pm, and met Maud Welter, the director of sales and marketing, who welcomed me to the hotel. We sat in the chicly designed lobby, decorated with sleek velvet club chairs, carpeting with sharp angles, and a streamlined fireplace built into a wall, all in the signature Fauchon colors of fuchsia, black, and white.  Maud shared with me about the hotel and the new ways they were catering to their clientele. One of the first things is the new approach for checking in. Instead of having to wait online and check in at the desk, the hotel now greets their guest upon arrival, and checks them in while sitting down in the attractive lobby. Then they offer the client a welcome drink, either a glass of Champagne, or a non-alcoholic cocktail of their iced tea of the day. I decided to have iced tea, because if I started to have Champagne on an empty stomach before lunch, I would have been done in. The refreshing iced tea came in a stem glass, garnished with a purple flower, a cool touch, along with two macarons. A few minutes later Maud returned and escorted me to the restaurant, which was now converted into a retail shop, offering Fauchon packaged foods, including chocolates, tins of biscuits and cookies, nuts, crackers, teas, and an impressive collection of wines, spirits, and Champagnes. 

We took the elevator to the top floor, where the dining suites were located. The rooms now had dining tables set up on configurations for two, four, and six people. The décor was similar to the lobby with the same colors, and in addition, couches, and Eileen Gray style side tables. 

We sat for lunch at a table for four, because Maud was joining us with the hotel manager and another journalist who was invited at the last minute. Although I have a dining table at home that I like very much, it was nice to see a table set with a crisp white tablecloth, cloth napkins, china plates, and wine goblets, plus I especially liked the amber colored water glasses. 

The hotel manager, Jerome Montanteme was warm and welcoming, and the other journalist was a French woman who now lived in London. She is a travel and design writer but was also involved in the artworld when she lived in New York for a stint and within five minutes of meeting, we already discovered we had a mutual friend from Manhattan.

We sat for lunch and the table in front of the window had a birds-eye view of the Madeleine church with the symmetry of the great columns surrounding it. 

An appetizing platter of smoked salmon with blinis, was set on the table, and I indulged in the heavenly, slithery texture and smoky taste (Vincent doesn’t like smoked salmon, so we almost never have it at home). 

Next was a house made ravioli with lobster and spring peas, served in a pool of light broth. In between courses, the conversation freely flowed about many different subjects with all of us getting on like a house on fire, almost like old friends, even though we had just met. I was repeatedly offered Champagne and wine, but I don’t usually drink at lunch, because it makes me sleepy later on. However, when my main course of hearty pork poitrine garnished with delicate yellow carrots was served, I knew that it needed a hearty glass of red wine to accompany it. Jerome was so kind, he said let me pick a special wine for you, a Morgon from the region near Lyon, where he grew up. The wine was fantastic and a perfect match for my dish. Jerome went on to passionately share about where he grew up and how great the wines were, and kindly offered to personally escort me to the region for a few days and introduce me to the wine makers he knew. 

Last but not least was the piece de resistance, the iconic bisou-bisou ( kiss, kiss) dessert of a pair of red lips. Inside the famous lips, is a delicious combination of  crunchy almonds, and red fruit with espelette pepper, vanilla and mint cream, which was light and scrumptious. 

We were having so much fun, that we didn’t realize the time was flying by, as I looked at my watch and realized it was 3:30 already, and I had to leave. I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch and the company, and best of all, I didn’t have to wash the dishes after we were done. 

Here are the details for the private dining rooms. In order to comply with the government issued Covid restrictions, Fauchon Hotel charges 100€ for the room, and considers it a hotel stay, which is legal. Under the current Covid laws, the hotel can’t serve food in its public space, but can deliver food to the hotel guests in their rooms. When you make your lunch reservation, the 100€ room fee is added to your check and you can have up to six people at one table. The program has been very successful and has been sold out for weeks at a time. You can call this number to make a reservation + 33 (0) 187 86 2800. By the way, if you make a reservation, you have to include me as one of your guests. 

CLICK HERE to read my blog post about my visit to the Fauchon Hotel restaurant in 2019. 

4 Boulevard Malesherbes, 75008

Tel. + 33 (0) 187 86 2800 

https://www.hotel-fauchon-paris.fr/

I want to thank everyone for watching my live Marais Tour last week and also for your generous tips to my PayPal account. I'm sorry I couldn't thank all of you individually, but know I really appreciate it. CLICK HERE to watch the video and CLICK HERE if you would like to leave a tip in my PayPal account (you don’t have to have a PayPal account), which I would greatly appreciate. Enjoy! 

My Home for You

I was sent a press release last week about a new guest house- a cross between an Air Bnb and a hotel- named My Home for You. I decided to check it out, as I am frequently asked by clients and blog readers, where to stay in Paris.

My Home for You is located in a 1840s pre-Haussmann building near the Grand Boulevards, across from the Rex Cinema and a busy thoroughfare near the Paris passages, Drouot auction house, Palais Royal and Galeries Lafayette. Jean-Etienne, a gentle-mannered man who owns My Home for You, welcomed me. He showed me into the main salon, an airy room decorated room with a cream-colored sofa and club chairs, built-in floor to ceiling bookshelves, a dining table and a classic mirror with a gold frame. My eye immediately went to the two lovely portraits, framed in ovals of gold painted wood. Jean-Etienne told me they were family heirlooms, oil portraits of his great-grandparents from 1860. Other heirlooms and antiques scattered throughout the apartment include a signed Mies van de Rohe chaise, Vernet engravings, and Baccarat bottles from the 1920s, which his grandfather created.

Initially built as a full floor apartment, its last tenant was a law firm before Jean-Etienne took it over in 2015, totally renovating it. 
 

There are four suites all uniquely designed, named after nearby attractions- Guimet, Palais Royal, Trocadero and Grand Boulevards. They are more than ample in size compared to most Paris hotel rooms- ranging from the smallest at 205 square feet to the largest at 310 square feet- and about half the price, ranging from 165€to 295€ per room, depending on the season. The rate decreases if you rent for more than one night. The largest suite, The Guimet, is named after the Asian art museum of Paris and decorated with red accents and antiques from Viet Nam and Cambodia. All suites include free Wifi, flat screen televisions, curtains with blackout liners and modern Italian style bathrooms. 

A breakfast of tea or coffee, organic yogurts, homemade jams and cakes, croissants, selection of cured meats and traditional French countryside cheese, as well as seasonal fruits is served from 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM, on Limoges china, and Christofle and Flamant flatware. 

Since Jean-Etienne lives in separate quarters in the apartment, he’s almost always on premise to assist his guests. He worked in Paris tourism in various jobs for twenty years and knows Paris like the back of his hand. He helps clients in planning itineraries and activities for no extra charge and will even work with clients before they arrive.

The entire apartment can also be made private which is a great idea if you are coming with friends or family and Jean-Etienne can provide a private chef to cook dinner.

My Home for You
https://www.my-home-for-you.paris/en/

*Please note, photos are courtesy of Jean-Charles Valienne

Grand Boulevards Suite

Guimet Suite

Palais Royal Suite

Trocadero Suite

Christmas & New Years in Paris-My Apartment for Rent December 24 to January 3(dates flexible)

How would you like to spend a magical Christmas and festive New Years in Paris?

I am renting my apartment out from December 24 to January 3,  (dates are flexible) a total of 10 nights for $2500.

Centrally located in the heart of the Marais near the St. Paul metro station, it's a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loft style apartment with 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps one or two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include A/C, 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 an elevator.

Photos upon request. Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested.

 

La Mirande Hotel Avignon

Staying at the La Mirande Hotel was the best part of our trip to Avignon.

La Mirande is a rare combination only a handful of hotels have: an impressive historic building, beautifully appointed rooms and furnishings, impeccable service, and a sublime restaurant, which adds up to feeling like you are in paradise.

Located on a practically deserted narrow street across from the Palais des Papes, the outside of La Mirande looks like a typical, hotel particulier made of limestone. The name is subtly etched into the limestone in capital letters with gold-framed vitrines containing brochures and food menus.

We arrived about noon and luckily our room was just about ready. In the meanwhile, I was introduced to Mr. Stein, whose family owns the hotel. Mr. Stein, tall with a curly mane of gray hair, had a refined air about him and was kind enough to personally take me on tour of the hotel. I felt as though he was not just showing me around the hotel, he was sharing the pride and joy of his family establishment. Each public room had a personal or historic story to it and by the end, I was a nearly a scholar of La Mirande.

The site of the hotel dates back to 1309 when The Popes of Avignon chose the site to build their annex to the Papal Palace. Mr. Stein told me that the middle dining room of the hotel was once a fortress where the popes would take refuge when the palace was attacked and it would contain enough food and water for two days. (I joked with him that it was an ancient version of a panic room). Partly destroyed in 1410, it was reconstructed in in the late 1600s as a hotel particulier, L’Hotel Vervin. In 1796 it was sold to Jean-Baptiste Bénézet-Pamard and renamed Hotel Pamard. It remained in the Pamard family for over two centuries and sold to the Stein family in 1987. The Stein family took over three years to transform the former home into a five-star hotel, one of the most celebrated luxury hotels in Provence.

We were escorted to our lovely room decorated in typical Provence style with delicate floral design wallpaper, soft white cotton bed covers with natural linen bed skirts, gold-framed portraits and landscapes, sisal on the floor, a handsome wood writing desk and a marble bathroom with old-fashioned faucets.

The next day we dined on the outdoor terrace for lunch. The garden of the hotel adds a whole other dimension to the experience of the hotel with its lush greenery, blooming fruit trees, sage green wicker chairs, and white canvas umbrellas, possibly a modern day Garden of Eden ensconced in the impossibly high scaled walls of the Papal Palace.

It was another warm sunny day and we felt so fortunate to be able to have lunch in such a spectacular setting in perfect weather conditions.

Three amuse-bouches were served and the presentation and the taste of round thin pastry with a pinwheel of olive tapenade was a major WOW! The presentation theme of the amuse-bouches were natural rocks and stones.

Mushrooms are not my favorite food but the starter of cepe mushrooms in brioche served with foie gras won me over with its smoky and sweet flavor. My friend had pumpkin soup with lemon grass, decorated again in a pinwheel-like design with shards of crispy, transparent savory wafers.

For my plat, I decided to go out of my food comfort zone and chose the pigeon smoked with wood from Chateauneuf-du-Pape oak barrels served with rhubarb stew. I was expecting to keep on picking out tiny bones out of my mouth but the unusual manor in which it was served, I didn’t come in touch with one bone. The dish had such a multitude of tastes and textures- smoky, fruity, tangy and gamey.

The sommelier recommended a Cote du Rhone, Les Cassagnes de La Nerthe, 2014. He couldn’t have picked a better accompaniment to my entre and plat.

The dessert finale was beyond over the top. Basically, we were served three desserts each: appetizer, main dish and for dessert, dessert.

I think the some of the most beautiful artworks I saw in Avignon were on dessert plates. A caramelized fig, with the veneer and texture a jelly apple was served with a pink floating pink shard of meringue on top and my friend’s wild blackberries with a sorbet of fromage blanc, was a sensuous pink delight topped with a white edible rose petal. Needless to say, the taste was sublime.

Although I had the a la carte menu, which cost approximately 110€ without wine, my friend chose the menu of the day consisting of three courses for the ridiculous bargain price of 39€, a real steal.

Twenty-nine-year-old Chef Florent Pietravalle, who formally trained at Pierre Gagnaire in Paris, has the maturity, confidence, and talent for culinary artistry way beyond his young age.

My friend and I would like to graciously thank La Mirande for the complimentary room and lunch, an experience we will treasure for a long time.

La Mirande
4 Place de L’Amirande 84000 Avignon
http://www.la-mirande.fr/en/

Bargain of the century lunch menu

WOW!

Christmas & New Years in Paris-My Apartment for Rent December 24 to January 3(dates flexible)

How would you like to spend a magical Christmas and festive New Years in Paris?

I am renting my apartment out from December 24 to January 3,  (dates are flexible) a total of 10 nights for $2500.

Centrally located in the heart of the Marais near the St. Paul metro station, it's a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loft style apartment with 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps one or two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include A/C, 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 an elevator.

Photos upon request. Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested.

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. 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 

  Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour

 

 

Grand Hotel du Palais Royal

Vincent and I took a mini staycation last Saturday night and we were guests of the Grand Hotel du Palais Royal.

Situated on a quiet side street next to my favorite garden in Paris, Palais Royal, the hotel is a gem. The check in staff at the front desk was welcoming and friendly and I had to fill out a minimal amount of paper work. The tastefully decorated lobby has a long corridor lined with an Oriental tapestry and a wooden table piled with magazines and art books. Off the corridor there are two cozy inlets with velvet loveseats and a club chair, a relaxing spot to read or have tea.

 We were escorted to our room on the fourth floor and the first thing my eye was drawn to was the lovely southern exposure view from the floor to ceiling windows with a shallow ledge with just enough room for me to stand on. The glorious details of gold painted swirls of wrought iron, fine carvings on the limestone façade, gray and striped awnings and four-tiered windows with tie back drapes of Palais Royal were in plain view. On my right was a Mansard roof with a series of terracotta chimneys.

The room was appointed in soothing neutral tones, taupe on the faux suede bedspread and the curved wall behind us, brown carpet with beige horizontal stripes and drapes of natural linen with a pattern of cheerful green leaves.

A nice touch was a white ceramic tray with two delicious macarons and two flavored Madeleines and a bottle of red wine from Burgundy.

There was a mini-bar and an electric teapot and tea bags but surprisingly I didn’t see any coffee. I asked at the desk if there was coffee and they said there were instant coffee packets next to the tea, which I failed to find. The manager said would you like me to send up a Nespresso machine and I said, “That would be great!” An extra thumbs up for that excellent service gesture.

I took a long, hot shower, lathering myself with Pomelo Paradis soap and wrapped myself in extra plush, soft white towel. Getting under the covers to go to sleep, the sheets of white on white stripes were crisp with a high thread count. A number of years ago we bought an expensive memory foam mattress from Italy, and I’ve never had such a comfortable mattress, so when I’m not home and stay elsewhere I always compare mattresses. After I great night’s sleep, it was right up there with my home mattress.

The next morning a soft light peaked from our window with a muted view of the Palais Royal.

We headed to the breakfast in the cheery dining room lined with Bertoia stainless steel chairs with white cushions. (One of my favorite chairs of all time).

The extensive buffet breakfast had me filling my plate twice over with flaky croissants, country bread, goat and Comté cheese, smoked salmon, fresh squeezed carrot juice and finally softly scrambled egg with gooey cheese.

We reluctantly headed back home mid-morning after our relaxed stay at Grand Hotel du Palais Royal, wishing we could stay another day.

Grand Hotel du Palais Royal
4 Rue de Valois, 75001
http://www.grandhoteldupalaisroyal.com/

 Christmas & New Years in Paris-My Apartment for Rent December 24 to January 3(dates flexible)

How would you like to spend a magical Christmas and festive New Years in Paris?

I am renting my apartment out from December 24 to January 3,  (dates are flexible) a total of 10 nights for $2500.

Centrally located in the heart of the Marais near the St. Paul metro station, it's a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loft style apartment with 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps one or two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include A/C, 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 an elevator.

Photos upon request. Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested.

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. 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 

  Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour

 

 

Trip to Florence: Four Seasons Hotel Florence

The Four Seasons Hotel Florence is the most spectacular hotel I’ve ever stayed in.

I had the privilege of staying in the hotel for a complimentary night. I’ve been inside of many Four Season Hotels including the George V in Paris but none of them were as special as the one in Florence.

Situated on a quiet street about 15 minutes from the central tourist area, I entered the hotel and was overwhelmed by the beauty of the lobby area with a three story atrium containing ancient friezes from the 1400s contrasted by a striking present day Christmas tree made of metal trimmed with long delicate hanging crystals.

I was escorted to my room and told it was on the Noble floor where all the top suites are. At the end of a long corridor with heavily waxed dark parquet floors, my room appeared and my jaw dropped open. The room had 30 foot ceilings, which had a ceiling fresco-Blindness of the Human Mind being Enlightened by Truth, painted by Baldasare Franceschini in the 17th century (I got a little dizzy craning my neck trying to take in the details), gilded moldings and painted silk Chinoiserie wall panels. Once the hotel escort left me in the room, I jumped up and down for joy and pinched myself, basking in my good fortune. I eyed and touched every last object in the room including the black lacquered desk with gold details and a forest green brocade covered chair, Chinoiserie vases, gold painted framed mirrors, a high bed with a green velvet and gilded headboard (the sheets were the softest I ever slept on, probably a million thread count or more), a side table decorated with a mini-Christmas tree, and a cushy dark green velvet chair with an ottoman, perfect for book reading.

The bathroom, which was almost the size of my apartment, was another over the top luxury story, with deep green marble counters, Carrara marble tub and white towels thicker than a copy of War and Peace.

The hotel set out an appetizing fruit plate, Evian water, and a bottle of Champagne on ice on a handsome marble topped commode.

Ceiling Fresco

Noble Floor where my room was

I didn’t want to leave the room but there was one last restaurant I wanted to try, so I ate as quickly as possible as not to miss any room time. I reluctantly checked out the next day at the last minute possible, savoring the last moments in my Florentine fantasy.

After I checked out the public relations coordinator gave me a tour of the hotel. She showed me all the public rooms on the main floor including the bar, reception areas, a petit sitting room, formerly the private chapel, restaurants and boutiques, all stunningly decorated.

The Della Gherardesca garden from 1870, one the largest in Florence, is eleven glorious acres. It’s based on an English style garden begun by Count Guido Alberto Gherardesca, later taken over by Giuseppe Poggi but the origins date back to the 15th century. The exquisite garden is dotted with modern day sculptures, majestic trees, an ancient stone archway, an English garden folly and a sweet children’s playground. Such serenity in the middle of Florence. If it were a bit warmer I would have dove in the alluring swimming pool. Another building in the back, a former monastery, contains 36 additional rooms.

The stand alone spa building featured 10 treatment rooms, gym, steam bath and sauna and the specialty treatment is a Chianti wine massage. During the spring summer there’s al fresco dining in the garden.

After the tour the public relations coordinator gave me a coffee table book with the history of the hotel along with photos and illustrations. I poured through the book, learning the fascinating story of the former palazzo. The original site of the property was developed by the Chancellor Bartolomeo in 1473, later owned by Alessandro Medici in the 1500s, and in the 1600 and 1700s it was the home of the Gherardesca family, named the Palazzo Scala-Della Gherardesca.

Four Seasons Florence
Borgo Pinti, 99, 50121
http://www.fourseasons.com/florence/

Lobby

Former private chapel

 

Eye Prefer Paris Photos

I am happy to announce a new series of Eye Prefer Paris photos for sale just in time for the holidays. Give the gift of Paris to for your Francophile friends, relatives, colleagues and co-workers.

• I’ve listed 20 new photos on my Etsy page for easy shopping.
• Photo prints come in two sizes, 8”X10”, $35 each plus shipping and 11”X14”, $50 each, plus shipping.
• They are printed on Fuji crystal Archive metallic paper with rich satin gloss finish and are unsigned and unframed.
• Shipping is $6 per photo in continental U.S. and shipping time is 3-5 days via USPS.
• I can also ship them UPS or Fedex for an extra charge.
• If you are ordering photos as a gift, I can write a personal note card if you send me your text.

Click here to see full selection of images.  
https://www.etsy.com/shop/EyePreferParis?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Below are some sample images.

 Eye Prefer Paris Postcards

I am thrilled to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Postcards, a 3, 6 or 12-month subscription service where the subscriber receives three physical postcards of my iconic Paris photos every month. Each month will have a specific theme, from architectural street scenes to romantic outdoor cafes to beautiful gardens to unique shots of iconic monuments. Each mailing will include two postcards in color and one in black & white or sepia, beautifully packaged in a special French Blue postcard holder with a custom designed seal.

Each 6” X 4.25” traditional size postcard is printed on thick matte coated card stock, similar to traditional vintage postcard stock that enhances the vibrancy of every image.

Only $30 for a 3-month subscription plus shipping or

Only $60 for a 6 month subscription (plus shipping)or

$110 for a 12-month subscription (plus shipping)

Click here to order a 12-month subscription from my Etsy store

Click here to order a 6-month subscription from my Etsy store

Click here to order a 3-month subscription from my Etsy store

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. 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 

  Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour

Trip to Florence: Hotel Brunelleschi and AdAstra Hotel

One of the big highlights of my trip to Florence was the three unique and memorable hotels I stayed had the privilege to stay in.

Hotel Brunelleschi

Luckily I took a taxi from the train station to the Hotel Brunelleschi, otherwise I would have never found it on my own. It’s hidden in a tiny, dark piazza smack in the center of the city, close enough to the main attractions, but segregated from the crowds.

The outside has a formidable round tower, the oldest standing building in Florence dating back to the 6th or 7th century (the exact date is unknown). In the 12th century it became a prison for women and known as the Pagliazza, from paglia, the Italian word for straw, because of the straw beds the inmates used. I was a given a tour of the hotel and shown the dank remnants and darkened chambers of the prison. The hotel is named after a local resident, Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446) who was the first modern engineer and city planner and the founding father of the Renaissance.

On my tour of the hotel I was also shown some of the suites and rooms. One suite had a four-poster bed made of white silk panels and sweeping views of the skyline and the Duomo. My airy room had a sunken bedroom with three steps leading down to it from the vestibule with dark parquet floors, high ceilings and a lovely, sheer silk flounce above the headboard.

A treat that evening was a complimentary dinner at the exclusive Santa Elisabetta restaurant with only seven tables reserved for the guests of the seven top suites of the hotel. The semi-round dining room was intimate and romantic, almost fully candle lit with the exception of a crystal chandelier hanging in the center of the room. Chef Giuseppe Bonadonna prepares a menu specializing in Florentine cuisine and the pasta Carbonara with fresh pasta, smoked pork meat cheese and aged Pecorino was one of the freshest versions I’ve ever eaten. Tiramisu came an elegant martini glass topped with a thick, gooey layer of chocolate. I couldn’t decide on a red wine so the waiter wisely proposed a glass of La Braccesca 2013 Montepulciano, which was full bodied and satisfying. Stuffed from my excellent dinner, I practically rolled back to my room and crashed on my cushy bed.

Breakfast was served in an elegant, formal dining room where I downed a few double espressos to energize me for the day. There was also a great selection of Italian cheeses and smoked meats on the buffet.

Even though I didn’t have time to workout, I was impressed with the size of the gym and the state of the art equipment, not the norm for a boutique hotel of this size.

The staff was so professional and helpful. The hotel is divided into three connected buildings and I got lost several times trying to find my room, but the genial staff came to my rescue and happily escorted me.

Piazza Sant'Elisabetta, 3, 50122 Florence
https://www.brunelleschihotelflorence.com/

Great views!

AdAstra Hotel.

I mentioned Betty Soldi’s home boutique &CO (AND COMPANY) last week on my post about Florence and how she also is part owner of two hotels she co-designed. Betty was kind enough to invite to stay at AdAstra Hotel.

The hotel is about a seven-minute walk from Betty’s boutique in the Oltrano area, much like the Marais or Soho, south of the main tourist area of Florence. The taxi pulled up to a large, ancient building on a residential street with very few storefronts and the only way you could tell there was a hotel in the building was by the small plaque on the front. The design of the building was much like a 17th century hotel particulier in Paris, with mammoth wooden doors in front that open to a courtyard. After the hotel buzzed me in, I entered the courtyard and gasped at the huge, stunning formal garden in front of me, totally hidden from the outside. I later found out Florence is similar to Paris in that much of the city is hidden behind doors.

Giada at the front desk was warm and accommodating. She showed me the main salon, a combination of reading room (with stacks of design magazines and vintage design books), café, breakfast room and lounge. Self-serve coffee and tea plus snacks and cakes are available all day and you are allowed to use the refrigerator. The big surprise was the wrap around outdoor terrace overlooking the magnificent garden and even though it was cold outside, I spent sometime taking it in its quiet beauty.

I felt right at home in my spacious loft-like room with Italian mid-century décor, since that period is totally my aesthetic and my apartment is similarly decorated. The old-fashioned bathtub with feet in the room was a quirky addition but there was a large separate bathroom with two sinks and shower, plus Bigelow beauty products from my old neighborhood in New York upped the cool quotient. There were a number of Betty’s signature touches including he calligraphy around a mirror next to my bed and a cotton tote bag souvenir that came with my welcome kit.

AdAstra means “to the stars” owing its name to a former Neo Gothic tower and observatory from the 1800s built by The Marquis Torrigiani. The home is still owned and inhabited by descendants of the Torrigiani family, a noble family dating back to the 1400s.

The hotel has 9 rooms, each with a unique design. There’s also a sister hotel in the same area, Soprarno Suites.

I liked the whimsical, informal vibe of the hotel, much like a cool home away from home in Italy.

Via del Campuccio 53, 50125
http://adastraflorence.com/

Please note, I wrote the incorrect address for &CO (AND COMPANY)  last week, it's via maggio 51r.

My room

Terrace

Garden

Eye Prefer Paris Photos

I am happy to announce a new series of Eye Prefer Paris photos for sale just in time for the holidays. Give the gift of Paris to for your Francophile friends, relatives, colleagues and co-workers.

• I’ve listed 20 new photos on my Etsy page for easy shopping.
• Photo prints come in two sizes, 8”X10”, $35 each plus shipping and 11”X14”, $50 each, plus shipping.
• They are printed on Fuji crystal Archive metallic paper with rich satin gloss finish and are unsigned and unframed.
• Shipping is $6 per photo in continental U.S. and shipping time is 3-5 days via USPS.
• I can also ship them UPS or Fedex for an extra charge.
• If you are ordering photos as a gift, I can write a personal note card if you send me your text.

Click here to see full selection of images.  
https://www.etsy.com/shop/EyePreferParis?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Below are some sample images.

 Eye Prefer Paris Postcards

I am thrilled to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Postcards, a 3, 6 or 12-month subscription service where the subscriber receives three physical postcards of my iconic Paris photos every month. Each month will have a specific theme, from architectural street scenes to romantic outdoor cafes to beautiful gardens to unique shots of iconic monuments. Each mailing will include two postcards in color and one in black & white or sepia, beautifully packaged in a special French Blue postcard holder with a custom designed seal.

Each 6” X 4.25” traditional size postcard is printed on thick matte coated card stock, similar to traditional vintage postcard stock that enhances the vibrancy of every image.

Only $30 for a 3-month subscription plus shipping or

Only $60 for a 6 month subscription (plus shipping)or

$110 for a 12-month subscription (plus shipping)

Click here to order a 12-month subscription from my Etsy store

Click here to order a 6-month subscription from my Etsy store

Click here to order a 3-month subscription from my Etsy store

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. 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 

  Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour

Paris Hotel Staycation: Pavillon de la Reine

Stories this week are all about the exceptional hotels I stayed in recently.

I’ve always loved the Pavillon de la Reine Hotel ever since I discovered it when I moved to Paris in 2005. As the only hotel on the Place des Vosges would already make it seem special, it has so much more going for it. Surprisingly, the central Marais doesn’t have many luxury hotels of this caliber, making it superior to the other two four star hotels in the area. I’ve recommended the hotel to many clients over the years, I know the concierge and the general manager, have tried the spa, shown it to clients as part of my Marais tour and have had drinks and breakfast but I’ve never stayed there.

Since I’m so familiar with the  Pavillon de la Reine , I asked the sales and marketing manager if I can experience the hotel first hand by staying for a night.

It was a Saturday night in early December when I checked in the hotel in the late afternoon. The discreet glass door on the north side of the Place des Vosges leads you to the inner courtyard garden which was festively decorated for the holidays with twinkle lights, wreaths and side by side archways made of branches. The courtyard, filled with sleek outdoor furniture, contemporary metal sculptures and ivy and geraniums festooning the façade of the building, is one of my favorite parts of the hotel and in summer it’s heaven to sit back and relax on one of the comfy chaises and have a cold, crisp glass of rosé.  

The lobby has two main salons, one more like a library and the other with a fireplace and an honesty bar. The décor is rich with velvet earth tone colored chairs, couches and ottomans but not stuffy and you feel as though you are in someone’s posh living room rather than a hotel.

My room on the main floor faced an inner garden, which made the setting very quiet. It was tastefully decorated in shades of beige and white with a leather tufted headboard and a half-bottle of Champagne chilling in an ice bucket was a nice touch. My bathroom at home is very compact, so the spacious bathroom with two basins and thick towels was a welcome relief.

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to fully enjoy the breakfast buffet, as I had an early flight to Italy the next morning but I enjoyed the strong double espresso and flaky croissants.

The name of the hotel, meaning the Queen’s pavilion, derives from the building in front which once housed Queen of Austria in the 1600s when the Place des Vosges was constructed under the reign of King Henri IV.

Pavillon de la Reine also features a Carita spa on the lower level with two treatment rooms, a Jacuzzi, steam bath and gym.  

I learned the hotel will add a full service restaurant this spring open to the public.

28 Place des Vosges, 75003
http://www.pavillon-de-la-reine.com/en/

Eye Prefer Paris Photos

I am happy to announce a new series of Eye Prefer Paris photos for sale just in time for the holidays. Give the gift of Paris to for your Francophile friends, relatives, colleagues and co-workers.

• I’ve listed 20 new photos on my Etsy page for easy shopping.
• Photo prints come in two sizes, 8”X10”, $35 each plus shipping and 11”X14”, $50 each, plus shipping.
• They are printed on Fuji crystal Archive metallic paper with rich satin gloss finish and are unsigned and unframed.
• Shipping is $6 per photo in continental U.S. and shipping time is 3-5 days via USPS.
• I can also ship them UPS or Fedex for an extra charge.
• If you are ordering photos as a gift, I can write a personal note card if you send me your text.

Click here to see full selection of images.  
https://www.etsy.com/shop/EyePreferParis?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Below are some sample images.

 Eye Prefer Paris Postcards

I am thrilled to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Postcards, a 3, 6 or 12-month subscription service where the subscriber receives three physical postcards of my iconic Paris photos every month. Each month will have a specific theme, from architectural street scenes to romantic outdoor cafes to beautiful gardens to unique shots of iconic monuments. Each mailing will include two postcards in color and one in black & white or sepia, beautifully packaged in a special French Blue postcard holder with a custom designed seal.

Each 6” X 4.25” traditional size postcard is printed on thick matte coated card stock, similar to traditional vintage postcard stock that enhances the vibrancy of every image.

Only $30 for a 3-month subscription plus shipping or

Only $60 for a 6 month subscription (plus shipping)or

$110 for a 12-month subscription (plus shipping)

Click here to order a 12-month subscription from my Etsy store

Click here to order a 6-month subscription from my Etsy store

Click here to order a 3-month subscription from my Etsy store

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. 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 

  Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour

Christmas in Paris 2016: Ice Lounge at George V Hotel

When I received news of the new Ice Lounge at the Four Seasons George V Hotel last month, I was eager to go and checkout this exotic sounding venue.

American Jeff Leatham, the Artistic Director of the hotel, who also designs the opulent weekly floral decorations, has created a winter wonderland of evergreen trees and dramatic blue-mirrored penguins in the garden courtyard. The actual lounge is sculpted completely out of ice and the temperature stands at -15C/5F. BRRRR! My friend and I had no idea how cold it was inside the lounge and I was instantly frozen even wearing a down coat and a heavy sweater and my friend fared worse, as she was wearing a light coat and sleeveless dress, looking tres chic for our rendezvous. We loved the space with its blue lighting, carved ice bar and ice sofas with fur throws on them and felt as though we were in a cool cocktail lounge in Antarctica instead of in the middle of Paris. After shivering in our boots for about two minutes, we couldn’t stand up to the cold anymore and opted for a more civilized locale, a seating area in the courtyard. A cup of hot chocolate took the chill out of me and my friend enjoyed a refreshing cocktail made with ginger beer.

We later found out there’s a small hut, which provides FUSALP parkas to insulate us in the Ice Lounge.

The hotel chefs Christian Le Squer, David Bizet and Simone Zanoni have created a special cocktail and light food menu including fresh crepes.

After our arctic experience, we toured the lobby, taking in the fabulous Christmas decorations.

Ice Lounge at Four Seasons George V Hotel
Open daily till March 2017
31 Avenue George V, 75008
Metro: George V
http://www.fourseasons.com/paris/

Perfect Holiday Gift: Eye Prefer Paris Photos

I am happy to announce a new series of Eye Prefer Paris photos for sale just in time for the holidays. Give the gift of Paris to for your Francophile friends, relatives, colleagues and co-workers.

• I’ve listed 20 new photos on my Etsy page for easy shopping.
• Photo prints come in two sizes, 8”X10”, $35 each plus shipping and 11”X14”, $50 each, plus shipping.
• They are printed on Fuji crystal Archive metallic paper with rich satin gloss finish and are unsigned and unframed.
• Shipping is $6 per photo in continental U.S. and shipping time is 3-5 days via USPS.
• I can also ship them UPS or Fedex for an extra charge.
• If you are ordering photos as a gift, I can write a personal note card if you send me your text.

Click here to see full selection of images.  
https://www.etsy.com/shop/EyePreferParis?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Below are some sample images.

Tea at The Ritz

My blog post in September about my niece staying at The Ritz Paris prompted two invitations to the hotel for lunch and tea. Lucky me!

My friend Cheryl is a retired French teacher from St. Louis and comes to Paris at least once a year. This year she came twice and two weeks ago she invited me to tea, since she hadn’t been to The Ritz since the renovation was completed in June.

The newly designed Salon Proust is in honor of writer Marcel Proust, who was a frequent guest at the hotel and said  "At the Ritz, nobody pushes you”.

The décor certainly reflects Proust's lavish lifestyle with its library of books behind rich wood doors, plush lounges and club chairs, elegant sconces, a marble mantle with a roaring fire below and an oval portrait of handsome and moustached Proust watching over us.
We were seated on a mustard gold tufted velvet sofa and given a menu almost as thick as an encyclopedia. With over 17 pages, the menu had more than twenty varieties of tea including black, green, white, fermented and herbal from India, China and South Africa. There is also a selection of Grand Cru teas from China. As tempted as I was to try some tea, I desperately needed caffeine. Cheryl had a tough time choosing a tea flavor and ended up having what the waiter recommended.

The first dish to appear was a Madeleine in a bowl, which we both thought was a peculiar presentation until the waiter came back and poured fresh cream over it.

Next up was an over the top, beyond decadent multi tiered tray of pastries. Mind you, English tea, which serves savory tea sandwiches and scones with clotted cream and jam, is different than French tea which serves only sweets. Working our way slowly through the tiers, pacing ourselves so we wouldn’t crash and burn from all the sugar, we savored almost every morsel. A butter cookie with a chocolate topping resembled a Pepperidge Farm Milano but that’s where the comparison ended, as it sublimely surpassed our taste expectations. I declined eating the pretty pink meringue but used it as a prop for my photos but devoured the wafers with cream, the gingerbread man stuffed with marshmallow, delicate butter cookies and paper-thin almond tuiles. The chocolate infused bread, which I saved for last, was the most satisfying.

Our departing pastry was a pair of sugar glazed Madeleines,which probably pushed my blood sugar levels to new highs.

The cherry on the cake, saved for the end, was an adorable souvenir, a tiny tin filled with tea packaged in a blue box embossed with an illustration of The Ritz and their emblem.

When Cheryl asked for the check, they cleverly put it inside a book by Proust.

As we were leaving, we were introduced to the tall, good looking and thin (that’s just not fair!) pastry chef Francois Perret. We praised him for his decadent pastries but I later cursed him when I got home and stood on my scale.

After tea, I gave Cheryl a tour of the hotel, now that I know it like the back of my hand. We peered into the Hemingway Bar, which neither of us had ever been inside before and watched the glamorous crowd have cocktails.  

Salon Proust
Ritz Paris
15 Place Vendôme, 75001
Metro: Tuileries
Open 2:30PM to 6PM daily
http://www.ritzparis.com/en-GB/salon-proust

THIN pastry chef Francois Perret

 Eye Prefer Paris Postcards

I am thrilled to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Postcards, a 3, 6 or 12-month subscription service where the subscriber receives three physical postcards of my iconic Paris photos every month. Each month will have a specific theme, from architectural street scenes to romantic outdoor cafes to beautiful gardens to unique shots of iconic monuments. Each mailing will include two postcards in color and one in black & white or sepia, beautifully packaged in a special French Blue postcard holder with a custom designed seal.

Each 6” X 4.25” traditional size postcard is printed on thick matte coated card stock, similar to traditional vintage postcard stock that enhances the vibrancy of every image.

Only $30 for a 3-month subscription plus shipping or

Only $60 for a 6 month subscription (plus shipping)or

$110 for a 12-month subscription (plus shipping)

Click here to order a 12-month subscription from my Etsy store

Click here to order a 6-month subscription from my Etsy store

Click here to order a 3-month subscription from my Etsy store

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. 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 

  Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour

New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
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, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). 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: 195 euros per person (about $210)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.

Les Bains

In my hard partying disco days of the late 70s/early 80s in New York, I frequented the clubs Studio 54, Xenon and Area. When I came to Paris during those years I went to a club in an area I had never been before, the Marais. It was Les Bain Douches, a former bathhouse from the late 1800s which was transformed into a nightclub, bar and disco. I remember how fun it was and the coolest thing was they had a swimming pool in the basement. Les Bains Douches was the hotspot during that period with celebrities and models including Jack Nicholson, Naomi Campbell, Catherine Deneuve, Grace Jones, and David Bowie. Unfortunately the legendary club shuttered in 2010. A young, unknown designer Philippe Starck, who later shot up to worldwide fame, designed the interior.

In 2015 Les Bains Douches was revived and renamed Les Bains. The owners took the essence of the old club and updated it for a new generation. Now it’s a club, restaurant and hotel.

I was invited to last month on a tour and for lunch at the rechristened legend. One couldn’t figure what was beyond the commanding entrance of dark wood framed glass doors with iron gates but when looking down, a small, subtle mat had LES BAINS 1885 1978 2015 imprinted on it.

Once inside, the foyer and lobby led to a spacious bar and dining area, Le Salle a Manger, that felt like being in a exclusive club with a dark, low lit atmosphere, mahogany tables, burnt red resin columns and lacquered walls, handsome burgundy leather banquettes and mid-century style dining chairs. The black and white checked mosaic floor with flecks of metallic consists of over two million hand-laid tiny tiles and is a modern recreation of the original Philippe Starck dance floor.

The daytime menu at Le Salle a Manger has a small selection of light dishes. My dining companion had a healthy but delicious salad of beet puree, quinoa, kale, green apple and pomegranate and I had carrot soup followed by house made smoked salmon and cucumber platter. The menu also includes an all day breakfast of omelets, eggs Benedict, French toast and buttermilk pancakes plus fresh energy juices. The dinner menu, under the consultancy of two star chef Philippe Labbe´ and executed by chef Michael Riss, is much fuller with starters, main dishes and desserts plus large sharing plates.

We were shown a few of the 39 rooms designed by Tristan Auer, a promising talent recently who was named one of the ten best interior designers of tomorrow by Architectural Digest. The retro touches in the rooms include replica sofas of Andy Warhol’s Factory, rugs inspired by Serge Gainsbourg and Joy Division album covers. Five junior and two full sized suites are equipped with private hammams.

The downstairs club was smaller than I remember and I was happy to see it still had a pool. It is now also a music and small concert venue and one can rent it for private events.

Other features of Les Bains are the former water tank Le Reservoir, which has been transformed into a private dining space for 12 guests, Le Salon Chinois, an intimate boudoir for afternoon tea, Les Bains Guerbois, the pool and spa, a retail shop and Le Salon Secret, a five room apartment suite with a private elevator.

Opened in 1885, Les Bains Guerbois was a tony private bathhouse started by Francois Auguste Guerbois, a major figure in Parisian society. The bathhouse attracted the most celebrated writers, philosophers, artists and poets of its time including Emile Zola, Manet and Proust.

7 Rue du Bourg l'Abbé, 75003
https://www.lesbains-paris.com/

Eye Prefer Paris Postcards

I am thrilled to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Postcards, a 3, 6 or 12-month subscription service where the subscriber receives three physical postcards of my iconic Paris photos every month. Each month will have a specific theme, from architectural street scenes to romantic outdoor cafes to beautiful gardens to unique shots of iconic monuments. Each mailing will include two postcards in color and one in black & white or sepia, beautifully packaged in a special French Blue postcard holder with a custom designed seal.

Each 6” X 4.25” traditional size postcard is printed on thick matte coated card stock, similar to traditional vintage postcard stock that enhances the vibrancy of every image.

Only $30 for a 3-month subscription plus shipping or

Only $60 for a 6 month subscription (plus shipping)or

$110 for a 12-month subscription (plus shipping)

Click here to order a 12-month subscription from my Etsy store

Click here to order a 6-month subscription from my Etsy store

Click here to order a 3-month subscription from my Etsy store

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. 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 

  Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour

New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
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, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). 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: 195 euros per person (about $210)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.

Hanging at the Ritz

Having family staying at the Ritz is the next best thing to actually staying there.

My grown niece and her family stayed at the hotel last month for four days and I got to live the Ritz life vicariously through them. She had a suite for her and her husband plus an adjoining room for their children. I met them late morning after they arrived from New York. They were feeling sluggish due to jet lag so we hung out in the room for a few hours. We indulged in the sweets and fruit that came with the room. I snuggled up in the bed for a few minutes for fun to see what the sheets and bed felt like. We loved the room so much, we didn’t want to leave.

I went with my nephew to check out the spa, which I didn’t see on my last visit in June. (click here to read about my first visit) It’s the first Chanel spa in the world and exclusively features Chanel beauty and skin care products. The two story spa has seven treatment rooms. Looking down at the inviting mosaic lined pool, I wanted to dive right in. Afterwards I would have covered up in a white terry cloth robe embroidered with the Ritz emblem and ensconced my self on a chaise lounge with a copy of French Vogue.

The next few days were a whirlwind, as I planned to take them to special places they hadn’t been before. We went to the Musee des Decoratifs, Le Orangerie to see the Monet water lilies, the rooftop of the Peninsula Hotel for a late lunch, afternoon tea at Laduree, the Baccarat showroom and museum, the Palais Galliera fashion museum and dinner in the enchanting outdoor courtyard of Ralph’s restaurant at Ralph Lauren on Boulevard Saint Germain. Our final evening was special, we went to the Fondation Louis Vuitton to see the Daniel Buren installation and dinner out doors in the Parc d’Acclimation.

Chanel me from top to bottom

Esther Williams would be jealous

Vogue please!

My new living room

Sorry for the messy pillows

My great niece Avery at Le Orangerie

Eye Prefer Paris Postcards

I am thrilled to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Postcards, a 3, 6 or 12-month subscription service where the subscriber receives three physical postcards of my iconic Paris photos every month. Each month will have a specific theme, from architectural street scenes to romantic outdoor cafes to beautiful gardens to unique shots of iconic monuments. Each mailing will include two postcards in color and one in black & white or sepia, beautifully packaged in a special French Blue postcard holder with a custom designed seal.

Each 6” X 4.25” traditional size postcard is printed on thick matte coated card stock, similar to traditional vintage postcard stock that enhances the vibrancy of every image.

Only $30 for a 3-month subscription plus shipping or

Only $60 for a 6 month subscription (plus shipping)or

$110 for a 12-month subscription (plus shipping)

Click here to order a 12-month subscription from my Etsy store

Click here to order a 6-month subscription from my Etsy store

Click here to order a 3-month subscription from my Etsy store

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. 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 

  Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour

New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
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, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). 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: 195 euros per person (about $210)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.