New York Habitat Blog

The river Seine is the defining characteristic of Paris. Sure the Eiffel Tower, Haussmannian boulevards and grand arches play a big role in the city’s persona, but nothing compares to the ubiqitous force of the mythic Seine. One of the most renowned rivers in the world, the Seine knifes directly through the middle of Paris, separating the old-world class of the Left Bank from the (diminishing) grit of the Right.

The Seine’s distinct amber hue is the essential color of central Paris’ pallette. Much like New York’s famed East River swimming in the Parisian Seine is an at-your-own-risk activity. Thanks to the 35 Paris bridges crossing the river swimming across the Seine is entirely unnecessary. There are few joys in Paris similar to the beauty and serenity (even amidst rush-hour traffic) of crossing the majestic river on a Paris bridge. On banks left and right New York Habitat has hundreds of rental apartments easily accessible by modern footbridge and Napoleonic pont alike.

Paris is geographically a small city and most of New York Habitat’s rental accommodations are close to the river Seine and her bridges. Those looking for the quintessential Parisian flat of modern living and classic French touch need not look further than this 3-bedroom apartment rental in St. Germain des Pres (PA-2646).

Paris Accommodation: 1 Bedroom Rental in Halles, Opera - Le Louvre (PA-1934)

From here visitors are steps from the pedestrian bridge Pont Des Arts and the Louvre across the river. For a Latin Quarter apartment guests should take a look at this studio apartment rental in Quartier Latin, St. Michel - St. Germain des Pres - Notre Dame (PA-925). This cozy little apartment is a short walk to both the Pont St-Michel and the Petit Pont connecting the Left Bank with the La Cite island, home of the Notre Dame cathedral.

Over on the Left Bank is a spacious, airy 1-Bedroom vacation rental in Halles, Opera-Le Louvre (PA-1934). This apartment is a short walk to the famous Pont Neuf bridge, connecting the Right Bank to the La Cite island as well as the Left Bank.

Paris is all about the river Seine, if it wasn’t for the river this land-locked city would probably never exist. That said, the river crossings are as diverse as Parisians themselves and their architectural beauty and stunning views often manage to outshine the bronze river below.

What is your favorite Seine-crossing bridge? Or what other famous urban rivers rival the Seine?

Enjoy modern city living in the industrial East London. The London borough of Tower Hamlets is nestled near the primary business district in London. Forget those expensive, high-end stores and swanky, reservation-only restaurants on Oxford Street. Canary Wharf is packed with affordable shopping and dining inside a four-floor shopping center. All of the excitement of lively London is easily accessible from the nearby Jubilee line and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). This two-bedroom apartment rental in Tower Hamlets (LN-511) boasts a prime location.

London Accommodation: Two bedroom rental in Tower Hamelts (Ln-511)

One of the most famous historical landmarks in London is just a tube ride away. Visit the Tower of London, which is located off of the DLR at Tower Gateway or the Circle and District Lines at Tower Hill. On the North bank of the River Thames, the Tower of London was a fortress originally built by William the Conqueror in 1078, during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. It has been used for many different purposes over the centuries, but it is now home to the British Crown Jewels. So much history is nestled minutes away from this two-bedroom London apartment rental in Tower Hamlets.

Clad in earthy, neutral tones and warm, wooden colors, this New apartment rental on Limeharbour in Tower Hamlets is clean, contemporary and completely furnished. It’s also situated in a brand-new development. The large window in the living room comes with custom window treatments and offers fantastic city views. Enjoy the luxury of cable television on the included flat screen while relaxing on the cozy couch.  Notice the sparkling can lights on the ceilings shining over the gleaming hardwood floors. Make yourself right at home in this cozy, modern space.
 

The master bedroom grants access to an airy balcony through a door with floor-to-ceiling windows. No matter where you are located in this two-bedroom apartment rental in Tower Hamlets, you can always count on having a magnificent view of the docks. The master bedroom also includes a private, ensuite bathroom with a sand-alone shower, a washbasin and a water closet. With an open living room and kitchen, two bedrooms and two baths, there is plenty of room to stretch your legs.

London Accommodation: two bedroom rental in Notting Hill (ln-45)

If you are looking for a more regal, old-fashioned living space, check out this two-bedroom apartment rental (LN-45) in Notting Hill. Welcome to quaint, country-like living in the lovely Royal Borough of Kensington - Chelsea. A decadent chandelier brightens the living room in this apartment rental. Take a stroll to nearby Cambridge Gardens, which is lined with bars, restaurants and shops. On a Saturday, find a hidden treasure amongst the second-hand clothes and antiques at the nearby, world-renowned Portobello Road market.
 

What is your favorite part about Canary Wharf? What was your greatest find at the Portobello Road market in Notting Hill? Leave us a comment on this blog below.

Bercy, Paris, France

Far too often, Visitors to Paris hunker down in the Latin Quarter, the Marais, Montmartre or another heavily-trafficked Seine-side neighborhood. While we have nothing against the winding rues and bustling boulevards of Central Paris, there are nooks of the City of Light that deserve more attention. One such corner of the city, tucked away in the 12th arrondissement is Bercy. Close to the rest of Paris but with a decidedly different feel, New York Habitat has dozens of accommodations in and around the oft-overlooked Paris neighborhood.

The heart of the neighborhood and all of its attractions are tucked along the Seine river, in between the Pont de Bercy and Pont National bridges. On the right bank of the river is the National Library of France named appropriately after the president who commissioned its creation, Francois Mitterrand. A jewel of modern French architecture, the library is much more than a place to conduct research or catch up on your French, the structure is a bonafide tourist attraction. The library is composed of four L-shaped, 25-story buildings designed to resemble open books. In between the four towers is a serene sunken garden filled with academics, young students and architecture buffs.

Across the river on the right bank is the Paris Bercy Sports Center and the manicured gardens of Bercy Park. The Bercy Sports Center holds sporting events and is a popular venue for concerts year round. Bercy Park, one of Paris’ youngest green spaces, is far less crowded than the Luxembourg or Tuileries gardens but just as worthy of an afternoon stroll. At the southern end of the park is Bercy Village, a conglomeration of shops and restaurants along a cobblestoned pedestrian street designed to resemble a bucolic French village. Connecting the park and library of each bank is the newly opened Simone de Beauvoir pedestrian bridge. Sleek, modern and sensual, the bridge’s design has received rave reviews despite a supposed worrisome tremor when packed with pedestrians.

Paris Accommodation: 2 Bedroom Rental in Bastille, Marais - Les Halles (PA-2488)

As in any Paris quarter, New York Habitat has accommodations big and small in and close to Bercy. Situated between the Bastille and Bercy quarters is this funky duplex studio accommodation in Bastille, Pere Lachaise - Nation (PA-3040), a romantic choice for vacationing couples. Also available in the 12th arrondissement is this sleek and roomy 2-bedroom apartment rental in Bastille, Marais - Les Halles(PA-2488), offering some excellent rooftop views. Steps from the Viaduc des Arts .

Though a visit to Bercy won’t result in picture perfect photo opportunities or typical Parisian cityscapes, the quarter is a small slice of Paris filled with a unique spirit of urban renewal.

Related areas and neighborhoods in Paris to discover:

• Paris’ Bastille: Rent an apartment!
• A Paris Museum’s Shadow: Cite des Sciences 

It’s been said that New York City is for the young and the young at heart. Greenwich Village truly epitomizes youth in the City. Located in the southern quarter of Manhattan, Greenwich Village is full of vibrant atmosphere and creative attitudes. The neighborhood is bounded by Broadway on the east, the Hudson River on the west, Houston Street on the south, and 14th Street on the north.  As true testaments to New York City’s youthful soul, this Greenwich Village studio apartment (NY-12563) and its sister Greenwich Village alcove studio  (NY-12564) are the perfect New York accommodations for anyone seeking an exciting adventure in the city that never sleeps.

As the Bohemian capital of the world, Greenwich Village has an electrifying spirit. The home to every rebel and beatnik of the 1960s, the Village stays true to its history and remains home to the eclectic and unique. Vintage stores and cafes line the streets, perfect for a relaxing afternoon of shopping or relaxing with a book. For the nocturnal set, clubs and bars in the Village provide the stage for the city’s best undiscovered talent. In addition, New York University and Washington Square Park are quiet enclaves tucked away in the city and provide a delightful escape from the bustling city.

One bedroom apartment in New York (NY-12563)

Greenwich Village Hidden Gems:

Located on Bleeker Street, between Thompson and Sullivan Streets, this studio apartment (NY-12563) and this alcove studio accommodation (NY-12564) in Greenwich Village are comfortable and cozy retreats. Both are situated on the third floor of a walk-up building. The apartments are fully-furnished and perfect for a short stay or an extended visit. Each contains a queen-sized bed with additional double-sized futons – more than enough room for up to four guests.

The living areas both come with plush futons and flat screen televisions. Each studio features open kitchens that are inviting and provide space for preparing and eating meals. With all the necessary cookware, utensils and silverware, the apartments provide all the comforting amenities of home.

And venturing out into the city couldn’t be easier when staying in either of these convenient apartments. A subway station with access to the A, B, C, D, E, F and V trains is a short distance away at West 4th Street and Sixth Avenue. Cross-town busses continuously run throughout the day and night and are quick alternatives to getting around the city. And, of course, a taxi will travel to any desired destination at any time of day.

What makes these studio apartments Hidden Gems:

In addition to being located in the hottest area of New York City on one of the most famous streets in the world, these Greenwich Village apartments have so much to offer for their comfort and flair. Recently renovated, all appliances and amenities are updated and modern. Hardwood floors run throughout the apartments which gleam and glisten from the streaming natural light from two large windows over looking the lively streets below. Brightly decorated with modern accents, the studio apartments are bursting with personality and perfect for entertaining an evening with friends.

Stayed in Greenwich Village before? Have recommendations for great restaurants or trendy boutiques in the area? We’d like to hear about it! Please leave suggestions in the comments section below!

The ubiquitous beauty of Paris is found on street corners and cathedral steps, on café terraces and in museum halls, on river docks and in bottles of Bordeaux. Nowhere else, though, does Paris astound like it does from above. The mingling of Haussmannian precision with medieval pragmatism can only be truly appreciated from a certain height. New York Habitat has had a presence in the French capital long enough to know that while the city looks great from street level, it transcends beauty when seen perched atop a world-class monument.

Paris Views from the street

The créme de la créme of Paris monuments is, of course, the Eiffel Tower. It is without question the symbol of Paris, and France for that matter. The views from all three pedestrian levels of the tower are stunning. From atop the tower the city seems small and, despite the hustle and bustle below, serene. As a visitor to Paris it is ones obligation to not only marvel at the structure from below, but to take in the views from the tower’s top floor. Despite its architectural celebrity, the Eiffel Tower is not the only skycraping building in town with breathtaking views.

The 56-story Montparnasse Tower features a wonderful rooftop terrace with rooftop views. The panoramic rooftop is an option for visitors looking to avoid the crowds and terribly long lines at the Eiffel tower. The Montparnasse Tower does provide something the Eiffel Tower could never offer–a view of the Eiffel Tower.

The Arc de Triomphe offers unique views on Paris’ most famous street, the Champs Elysees. Visitors to the grand arch can pay a fee of 9 Euros to step atop the arch and marvel at one of the worlds most daunting round-a-bouts and the 12 streets that fan out from the Place de l’Etoile.

The Notre Dame Cathedral, known mostly for gargoyles, hunchbacks and stained-glass also opens their rooftop to visitors. The point of view from atop the church is unique in central, Seine-side Paris.

One of the best views in all of Paris, and the cheapest, is from atop the hills of Montmartre, just in front of the Sacre Coeur Basilica. Free to anyone willing to shlep up the countless steps, Montmartre provides a natural perspective on the French capital.

Paris City Views

Up in Montmartre, a short walk from the Sacre Coeur, is this cozy 1-bedroom rental in Pigalle, Montmartre - Sacre Coeur (PA-3630). Tucked in between the very different views of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe is this classic Parisian 2-bedroom rental in Trocadero, Auteuil-Tour Eiffel (PA-2729). And a short walking distance from Notre Dame Cathedral and the modernity of Montparnasse Tower is this studio in Quartier Latin, St Michel - St Germain - Notre Dame (PA-925).

The views from all of these Paris monuments are great. That said, often the most satisfying view for New York Habitat clients staying in Paris is from their bedroom window.

Do you have a favorite place in Paris to view the city? Is it from atop a monument, through a restaurant window or from the seat of your plane as you approach CDG airport? Comment Below.

South of France Accommodation: 2 Bedroom Rental in La Salle les Alpes, Southern Alps (PR-10)

Thinking about hitting the slopes in the French Alps? Or maybe simply relaxing in a traditional chalet set against a backdrop of pristine snowy peaks is more your speed. Either way, New York Habitat’s two-bedroom vacation chalet in La Salle, Les Alpes Southern France (PR-10) can provide just the place to take in the stunning mountain scenery. In Serre Chevalier, a ski resort, New York Habitat offers a comfortable chalet that accommodates up to six people.

This two-floor accommodation has a living room on the first floor, furnished with a dining table with matching chairs and room for sleeping thanks to a double sofa bed and two pullout beds. Traditionally paneled in wood, the room features a traditional mountain cabin-style with a cozy ambience. Two large windows give a view of the surrounding snowy scenery.  There are also two bedrooms, one with bunk beds- perfect for children.  The apartment features an open kitchen that is ready for guests to cook.

The highlight of this two-bedroom chalet is its location in Serre Chevalier, in the highest-altitude areas in the French Alps. Aside from its 250 km of ski (and snowboard) runs for all levels, it boasts 300 days of sunshine annually. Serre Chevalier is near the Italian border and can be reached easily via a train from Grenoble (67 miles) or Turin, Italy to the nearby town of Briançon, then a ski bus into town.  Or, a direct train from Paris can put you in Briançon in only 4.3 hours.

New York Habitat offers another excellent options for skiing in the region, in Gap, another beautiful town and the capital of the Southern Alps. Gap is a center for nature lovers, and is known for its beautiful weather in both summer and winter.  In Gap, you’ll find snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, parachuting and plenty of activities to enjoy the outdoors.  This studio apartment in Gap, Southern Alps (PR-306) is ideal for a couple, with all the essentials for a comfortable stay.   Gap is also easy to travel to via the train from Grenoble (a 1.5-hour ride), or Paris (a 7-hour ride).

South of France: French Alps

Skiing in the French Alps is certainly a memorable way to spend part of the winter, and New York Habitat offers excellent South of France Accommodations for your snow-filled vacation.

Photograph provided by francois-roux-photography.com

Montmartre is often spoken of as if it is a sprawling village stretching across the northern tip of Paris. Yes, it has an unmistakable village atmosphere, but sprawling it is not. The hill-top neighborhood is quaint in character and in size. Accommodations on the top of Montmartre’s butte are rare and are prime real estate in this city. Nowhere else in Paris are sweeping views as commonplace as here and no place else in Paris has Montmartre’s distinctive feel. With New York Habitat’s accommodations, visitors to Paris’ most famous hill can spend their days, nights, weeks and months enjoying the same views and side streets that have, and still do, inspire generations of artists.

Paris Accommodation: Studio Accommodation in Montmarte Sacre Coeur (PA-3596)

This studio accommodation in Montmartre-Sacre Coeur (PA-3596) is on the very top of Montmartre’s famous butte. Its neighbors include a Salvador Dali museum, an open-air art market, the bleached-white spires of the Sacre Couer Basilica and the charming (as charming as burial grounds get) St. Vincent’s cemetery.

Like the neighborhood it calls home, this studio apartment is full of quirks and surprises. First off, the flat is about as roomy as Paris studios get. The apartment is equipped with an eat-in kitchen, large bathtub, entrance foyer, washing machine and plenty of natural light. The living/bedroom has the right mix of color and a few interesting design pieces, including the white bookshelf and rug. The kitchen and bathroom have modern appliances and detailed tile work.

The colors throughout the flat make for a bright, warm space. While rue Cortot is tucked away from most of Montmartre’s traffic, claustrophobics should be forewarned, the quarter’s streets are small and packed with camera-toting tourists.

Why is this studio apartment in Montmartre a Hidden Gem?

Paris Accommodation: Studio in Montmartre Sacre Coeur (PA-3596)

This studio sits atop Paris in one of her most historic and unique settings. Need we say more? Probably not, but we will anyway. This accommodation’s eat-in kitchen, stylish decor and romantic location are perfect for globe-trotting couples. Not only does this apartment literally sit atop the city, but the sweeping Paris views from the kitchen and living room remind you of it each time you gaze out the windows.