New York Habitat Blog

Anyone who knows anything about the Paris art scene knows that Belleville is where artists go to set up shop and home. High rents have landed creative types throughout the gritty Belleville quarter, the area is home to more artists per square meter than any other in the capital. Located just around the corner from the manicured Parc des Buttes Chaumont, and in the heart of Belleville’s art epicenter, is a spacious, bright 1 Bedroom Triplex Townhouse (PA-2067).

Paris Accommodation: 1 Bedroom Rental in Parc Des Buttes Chaumont (PA-2067)

While the neighborhood might be filled with struggling artists, renters of this townhouse apartment won’t have to live like one. The apartment is tucked onto a quiet, green pedestrian street and boasts a generous combination of air and light. The accommodation’s open feeling is thanks in part to a gigantic, floor-to-ceiling(that’s two floors!) windows that looks over a private garden.

While the apartment is filled with modernity, it also is complimented with classic design touches, most notably the hardwood floors, beamed ceilings and wood furnishings. Best of all, this accommodation offers the perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of Paris, your own private garden terrace. The accommodation resides in the multi-cultural 19th arrondissement and is a short walk to the Jourdain, Pyrenees metro stop.

Why is this 1 bedroom Triplex Townhouse a Hidden Gem? 

• Paris Accommodatio: 1 Bedroom Rental in Parc Des Buttes Chaumont (PA-2067)

  First off, it’s a triplex townhouse. This amount of space and light is a veritable rarity in the crowded dwellings of Paris.

• Secondly, the accommodation’s location in the heart of Belleville is an art lovers dream. Sure there is plenty to see at the Louvre and Musee d’Orsay along the Seine, but to experience the thriving contemporary scene there is no better place in Paris then Belleville.
• And finally, this apartment has some great touches: a two story window, private garden terrace, built in bookshelves and a location on a pedestrian street are just a few.

The Festival d’Automne is as familiar to Paris in the fall as colorful foliage and cooling temperatures. Created in 1972 by Georges Pompidou’s cultural minister, the festival is celebrated for its avant-garde exhibitors and its representation of non-western cultures. New York Habitat has several accommodations that are perfect for sharing time between your Paris apartment and myriad Paris venues.

Paris Sunset on Seine

The Autumn Festival is not limited to one event or even singular series of events. The festival is stretched over four months, performed in a variety of venues and divided into six broad categories: visual arts, theater, dance, cinema, music and other (lectures, readings, and the like). A full program is available at Festival d’Automne website.

With performances taking place all over the city of lights visitors have a bevy of choices when selecting where to stay in Paris. We suggest, of course, staying in the center of the city for the festival. Some of our favorite choices include:

• Paris Accommodation: 1 Bedroom Rental in Saint Germain Des Pres (PA-3445)

  A 1 Bedroom Apartment Rental in Saint Germain Des Pres (PA-3445)

• A cool one-bedroom in Montorgueil (PA-2237)
• For more space check out this one-bedroom duplex accommodation in the Marais (PA-2585)

What performances are you looking forward to at this year’s Autumn Festival? Comment below.

If you are renting an apartment in Paris this fall or winter for the Festival d’Automne check out these other events as well:

• Bicycle through Paris, Marseille or Aix en Provence
• Rent an apartment in Paris for fashion week

The South of France attracts visitors for many reasons: the beaches, the Mediterranean, and the bucolic countryside, just to name a few. But artists in particular have long been drawn to a small village in the South of France, Saint Paul de Vence. The town that seduced Matisse, Miro and Renoir with its colors and light remains one of the most famous artist enclaves in the country. It is also the perfect place to delight the art enthusiast in you.

Though it is an extremely popular place, the fall is a wonderful time to visit, since many of the tourists have gone. New York Habitat has several vacation accommodations scattered around the area. One favorite just outside this art-filled village is a two-Bedroom accommodation in Saint Paul, French Riviera (PR644).

Soth of France Accommodation: 2 Bedroom Rental in Saint Paul, French Riviera (PR-644)

Located close to the town, this private vacation villa can accommodate five people. The first floor has a living room with a fireplace, and sliding doors that look out onto the garden and let in tons of sunlight. In the eat-in kitchen, you’ll find amenities like an electric and gas stove, a dining table, and colorful painted tiles. There is another dining table on the terrace, which is surrounded by leafy trees and an outdoor barbecue that’s ready to use. On the second floor are two bedrooms, one with a private terrace that looks over the garden.

The gardens and location make this villa feel like a hideaway, but it’s actually very close to Saint Paul de Vence. Perched on a hilltop, the fortified city of Saint Paul de Vence was built in the 13th century and retains its medieval character today. In town, you’ll enjoy perusing through the many art galleries, studios and craft workshops there. There are incredible views of the Mediterranean, the Alps and the hills, all from different ends of the town.

Saint Paul de Vence, South of France

The legendary restaurant, Colombe d’Or, is a restaurant where artists like Picasso paid their tabs with paintings, and French film luminaries used to gather. Also not to be missed is the Fondation Maeght, one of the most notable small museums of modern art in the world, with works by Chagall, Calder and Dubuffet.

Between mountains and sea, the medieval village of St Paul de Vence is a fabulous spot to take in the historical art and culture of the South of France. It’s also very close to the less crowded and just as interesting town of Vence, another artists’ favorite.

New York Habitat has a variety of superb choices for accommodations throughout the area. Be sure to check out these other South of France vacation villas includind:

• Two-Bedroom Rental in Vence, French Riviera (PR335)
• One-Bedroom Rental in Vence (PR333)

Also, while traveling in the French Riviera take a look at these towns:

• Top Towns in the South of France: Cannes, French Riviera
• Top Towns in the South of France: Nice, French Riviera

Saint Paul de Vence photograph provided by wikipedia.com

Bermondsey Street in Southwark is one of the trendiest spots in the whole of London. Lined with bars and art galleries, the chic and stylish Londoners flock to this area at any given time. And close to the lovely Tower Bridge, what’s not to love about this two-bedroom apartment rental in southeast London?

Two-bedroom Apartment in London:

London Accommodation: 2 Bedroom Rental in Bermondsey, Southwark

Sleek and luxurious living is what’s in store for anyone who rents this pristine abode. This two-bedroom apartment in Bermondsey (LN-257) showcases an open, modern kitchen and two spacious, double bedrooms. The living room is completely furnished and comes with a 42-inch plasma television. Notice how the deep, red window treatments beautifully complement the polished, black furniture and the gleaming, white cabinetry under the television. An ottoman doubles as a place to relax and a table for performing work or eating a meal.

And who says you can’t get anything for free? You sure can in this London apartment! Some of the best perks of renting this two-bedroom in Bermondsey include the use of a free laptop with a WLAN card, free local phone calls from a LAN line, complimentary beverages and a free bottle of wine with your booking. With easy access to the West End via the nearby underground, the possibilities for fun and excitement are endless.

London Accommodation: 2 bedroom rental in Bermondsey, Southwark

Sleek and luxurious living is what’s in store for anyone who rents this pristine abode. This two-bedroom apartment in Bermondsey (LN-257) showcases an open, modern kitchen and two spacious, double bedrooms. The living room is completely furnished and comes with a 42-inch plasma television. Notice how the deep, red window treatments beautifully complement the polished, black furniture and the gleaming, white cabinetry under the television. An ottoman doubles as a place to relax and a table for performing work or eating a meal.And who says you can’t get anything for free? You sure can in this London apartment! Some of the best perks of renting this two-bedroom in Bermondsey include the use of a free laptop with a WLAN card, free local phone calls from a LAN line, complimentary beverages and a free bottle of wine with your booking. With easy access to the West End via the nearby underground, the possibilities for fun and excitement are endless.

Other apartments in the West End of London:
If you enjoy the hustle and bustle of the West End, you will certainly love the three-bedroom apartment rental in Kensington - Chelsea (LN-354). Both the Bermondsey two-bedroom and the Chelsea three-bedroom are situated in South London near the River Thames. And by renting either of these two elegant apartments, shopping, dining and entertainment are never far away, and the sounds of the city are right outside your front door!

Why is the two-bedroom apartment in Bermondsey, London a hidden gem?

Tower Bridge

Living in Central London is like living in Times Square. Big, beautiful and busy, Central London is an adult playground, full of shops, restaurants, pubs and everything else imaginable! The fashionable and immaculate living conditions also make this two-bedroom apartment rental in Bermondsey a hidden gem. For up-to-date information on South London happenings such as sport, the job market and travel tips, visit icSouthLondon.

If you would like some travel tips from us here at New York Habitat, check out our blog titled Globetrotters: Apartment Tips for International Travel.

Feel free to comment on the fabulousness of South London below.

Nightfall on October 6 kicks off the hugely popular Nuit Blanche festival in Paris. For the sixth year in a row, the City of Light will keep the lights on all night long. The French festival has become so popular that many European cities, and Toronto, have followed suit. Luckily, New York Habitat has plenty of apartments to welcome you home no matter what time it may be.

Paris Apartment: 3 Bedroom Rental in Jardin Des Plantes, Grande Bibliotheque - Cite Universitaire

Starting at 7 p.m. and lasting until 7 a.m., the “Sleepless Night” festival is an insomniac’s dream. Introduced by Paris’ intrepid mayor, Bertrand Delanoe, the city will open many of its cultural institutions way past most Parisians’ bed times.

A cocktail of sights and sounds will keep weary eyes open as hundreds of live performances are set to take place. Visitors will have the pleasure of pondering Mona Lisa’s smile at 3 a.m. and walking through the Hotel de Ville long after business hours. Not only will museums and government buildings stay open but libraries, movie theaters, clubs, restaurants and art galleries will burn the midnight oil.

This year’s Nuit Blanche festival will run across the city center, from the Batignolles-Saint Lazare quarter all the way to Les Olympiades, along Metro line 14. At the eastern end of the festival is a cozy two-bedroom apartment near Champs Elysees (PA-1591). In the center of the state-sponsored insomnia, on the Ile Saint Louis, is a wood-beamed one-bedroom accommodation in Ile Saint Louis, Marais - Les Halles (PA-2745). And to the west is a refined three-bedroom apartment near Grande Bibliotheque - Cite Universitaire (PA-3072) near the enormous library Francois Mitterrand.

Paris Accommodation: 2 bedroom rental in Champs Elysees

No need to bring a watch, visitors can let the sparkle of the Eiffel Tower and the rising sun mark the passing hours as they spend time at the Nuit Blanche festival.

What do you plan to do for the Nuit Blanche? Visit a museum? Walk through a Parisian park? Have a late-night meal? Or miss out on it all and go to bed early? Please comment below.

This year, the New York Film Festival will mark its 45th birthday. The festivities begin September 28 and continue through October 14. The event will celebrate numerous great films and brilliant filmmakers. Any movie buff in attendance will be treated to first-class entertainment and the chance to experience the beauty of New York City in the midst of the changing seasons. If you plan on attending, renting a furnished accommodation in New York City is one of your best options.

New York Accommodation Options:

The New York Film Festival will be held at the Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center in the center of Manhattan. Staying in the popular neighborhoods near or around Midtown Manhattan is certain to enhance the movie-going experience. New York Habitat has plenty of vacation accommodations available, but options will soon be limited as the festival draws to an end. Favorable apartments to stay in throughout the film festival include:

• New York Accommodation: 2 Bedroom Rental in Midtown East

  A one-bedroom apartment in Midtown West (NY-12046), at 48th and Broadway, is only a ten-minute walk from film festival screenings and ticket office.

• A two-bedroom accommodation in Midtown East (NY-6718), at 57th and Third Avenue, is fully furnished and able to accommodate up to five guests.
• Or a studio in Midtown West, Chelsea, (NY-6530), on 46th Street between 8th and 9th avenues, is a spacious and comfortable apartment within proximity to the 1, E and C trains.

With 28 feature films and 12 short films being showcased at this year’s festival, there will be plenty of opportunities to interact with world-renowned movie directors and actors. And as the seasons start to change, autumn in Manhattan is like walking straight into a scene from a movie. For more information about the movie list and tickets, visit the New York Film Festival’s official web site.

Other neighborhoods to find accommodations:

While the New York Film Festival is located in the heart of Manhattan, there are plenty of other neighborhoods to consider to enhance your trip to the city.

• Rentals in the Brooklyn Housing Boom
• Apartment rentals in Morningside Heights

Ever been to the New York Film Festival? Please leave personal experiences with any details about things to do or places to see that enhanced the festival!