New York Habitat Blog

We’ve already commented on the substantial Arab influence including the Grand Mosque in the Paris, but it is definitely worth revisiting. Surely religion is a big part of said influence, but those looking to dig a bit further can visit the Institute of the Arab World (l’Institute du Monde Arabe).

Photo of the Institut du Monde Arabe: Paris, France

Located on the Seine’s left bank, just next to the Jardin des Plants, the cultural center is housed in a beautiful building. The facade of the center, designed in part by renowned architect Jean Nouvel, is an integral part of central Paris’ architectural landscape. The center houses an excellent museum and is steps from all of the sights and sounds of the 5th arrondissement. Not surprisingly, New York Habitat apartments of all shapes and sizes are situated in the chic quarter.

The institute’s museum holds a permanent collection with artifacts and artwork spanning across the Arab world. All year long the institute features wonderful exhibits highlighting the role of the Arab World in human history. Currently showing at the museum is a captivating exhibit titled From Delacroix to Renoir, l’Algerie des Peintres. The exhibition examines the artwork of French painters during the 19th century. Over 100 paintings (some 15 by Renoir) are displayed in the context of their time–a period when France was developing deep colonial roots in Algeria, and Africa as a whole for that matter. The exhibition captures a balance between marvelous artwork and interesting history to create a genuinely captivating presentation.

Paris Accommodation: 1 bedroom rental in Saint Michel (PA-2752)

The 5th arrondissement is one of our favorite Paris quarters and New York Habitat has apartments within steps of the Institute of the Arab World. On the cobblestoned rue Anglais is this one-bedroom accommodation in Saint Michel (PA-2752). Another available accommodation is this unique one-bedroom vacation rental in Luxembourg, St Michel - St Germain - Notre Dame(PA-2894). This flat features a private garden, almost unheard of in the French capital. For some more space and heaps of old-world charm take a gander at this two-bedroom apartment rental in Luxembourg, St Michel - St Germain - Notre Dame(PA-956).

If you have been to l’Institute du Monde Arabe comment below on your visit.

New York Accommodation: 1 bedroom rental in Brooklyn Heights (NY-12661)

Founded following the September 11th attacks by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff, The Tribeca Film Festival in downtown Manhattan has quickly become one of the most prominent gatherings for budding and vetted film actors, directors and cultural icons in the United States. The New york City’s festival in Tribeca is grittier than its counterparts in Cannes and Park City, focusing more on the films than the ostentatious celebrity gift bags. Nevertheless, Mr. De Niro is a staple at festival events and many international movie stars can be seen taking in films or acting as judges on festival panels. New York Habitat has several accommodations available steps from the festivities but if you want a prime apartment its a good idea to book early.

More than just a place to catch a new film, the Tribeca Film Festival features a diverse lineup of events and activities. The festival holds a number of small music concerts, a family-oriented street fair and special presentations for aspiring film makers. That said, movies are still the festival’s biggest draw. This year Tribeca welcomes the directors, cast and crews from over 200 pre-selected international films. Tickets are available to the public so it is not just industry insiders that have the pleasure of participating in the Q&A sessions that follow many screening. For New Yorkers lucky enough to be in Tribeca during the festival the ambiance is electric, movie stars eat dinner in area restaurants and writers and directors can often be seen sharing ideas in Tribeca coffee shops. The 2008 festival goes from April 23rd to May 4th. The screenings now take place throughout Manhattan as the size of the event has continued to grow in size.

New York accommodation: 2 bedroom loft in Tribeca

Staying in Tribeca is all about big, loft-style accommodations, so why stay in a cramped hotel room? For example, this 2-bedroom rental apartment in Tribeca is quintessentially New York (NY-7388), its open, sun-drenched spaces make this a must see for festival goers. A little north of the film festival, in the mythic Greenwich Village neighborhood, is this 1-bedroom rental apartment in West Village, Greenwich Village - Soho (NY-10760). And just across the East River in Brooklyn is this 2-bedroom rental apartment in Brooklyn Heights (NY-12661), guests will feel as if they are the star in their own movie as they walk to the festival across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

Film buffs looking to attend this year’s festival should act fast, Hollywood types pour into downtown Manhattan during the Tribeca film festival and have a habit of gobbling up dozens of the neighborhood flats.   

Of all the quarters in Paris the one with the most English-literary history and tradition is Montparnasse. Five cafés, all situated on a corner of the Boulevard Montparnasse, retain the feel, charm and look of the Lost Generation of Paris. When Hemingway, Ezra Pound and F. Scott Fitzgerald first moved to Paris they took small flats on the rue Notre-Dame-des-Champs, a few blocks from the mythic cafes. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda were notorious drinkers and regulars in many Montparnasse cafés as were Gertrude Stein, James Joyce and Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises characters Jake and Robert Cohn. New York Habitat has Montparnasse accommodations that will make it easy to add your name to the list of famous café patrons.

Photo of the La Rotonde Pub: Montparnasse, Paris, France

We fittingly end our literary café crawl on the Boulevard Montparnasse, making stops at La Coupole, La Rotonde, Le Dome, Le Select and La Closerie des Lilas. Exiting at Metro Vavin our first cocktail break will be at La Rotonde, of which Hemingway said, “No matter what café in Montparnasse you ask a taxi driver to bring you to from the right bank of the river, they always take you to the Rotonde.” The café is a renovated old-world gem, serving excellent meals and reasonably priced glasses of wine and cocktails. Next stops are La Coupole, Le Select and Le Dome. All the cafés have similar menus and are filled with Parisians grabbing after-work drinks. The food is quite good but, of course, the biggest draw is a dining room filled with the ghosts of Josephine Baker, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Pappa Hemingway.

We’ve saved La Closerie des Lilas for last, it’s the perfect place to end our literary tour. The Lilas was Hemingway’s favorite Paris café, he worked here diligently during the 20s, perhaps penning parts of his great novels at one of the tables. And if you ever forget the company you’re in the copper plaques etched with the names of famous patrons grace the café walls.

Photo of a Paris Accommodation: Studio in Luxembourg, Montparnasse (PA-3663)

New York Habitat has plenty of apartments in Montparnasse, steps from the famous eateries. This studio accommodation in Luxembourg, Montparnasse - Porte de Versailles (PA-3663) is on the boulevard Montparnasse. This book-filled 3-bedroom furnished rental apartment in Montparnasse - Porte de Versailles (PA-1600) is just steps from are restaurants. Also, this 1-bedroom rental accommodation in Montparnasee - Porte de Versailles (PA-1706) lies directly in the shadow of the Montparnasse Tower.

A short walk from Montparnasse the Jardin du Luxembourg, a great place to take a walk, people watch and perhaps start a novel of your own.

Hemingway’s Paris memoir A Moveable Feast is an absolute must read before any bookworm’s trip to the French Capital.

Don’t forget to revist all of our Pub Literary Pub Crawl Posts before venturning off:

• The Right Bank’s Literary Pubs
• Literary Pubs in Saint Germain des Pres

In 1967, The Kinks released “Waterloo Sunset,” a pretty, personal pop song about a man wistfully watching two lovers meet outside Waterloo station every Friday evening. Time Out London magazine called it the city’s anthem. Music surveys argue that it’s the greatest song ever written about London. Some even speculate that the song’s “Terry and Julie” were based on the real-life romance of British screen icons Terence Stamp and Julie Christie—but when Ray Davies sings, “As long as I gaze on Waterloo sunset / I am in paradise,” this writer, for one, knows exactly what he means. Want to share in this paradise? Stay in one of New York Habitat’s rental accommodations on the South Bank, watch a sunset from Waterloo Bridge—and witness the Number Two Sight on our Musical Must-See List of London.

Waterloo London Sunset photo

The Thames is the lifeblood of London. There are activities all along the river, dotted with bridges that link the Docklands’ industrial past and the grandeur of Parliament to the Tate Modern and the millennial spectacle that is the London Eye. Waterloo is perfectly situated among it all. Stand on the bridge and watch couples strolling along the river, tourists taking pictures of the city’s ever-changing skyline, musicians busking on the South Bank and skateboarders showing off in impressive and impromptu performances—or see it all unfold from the balcony of a furnished apartment.

New York Habitat has a spacious 2-bedroom vacation rental in Southwark (LN-528) on Upper Grand off Blackfriars Road that features a balcony with breathtaking river views. You can take afternoon tea while overlooking the Thames as the lyrics of “Waterloo Sunset” play in your head: “Every day I look at the world from my window /
But chilly, chilly is the evening time / Waterloo sunset’s fine.” Then step outside and browse through the enormous selection at the South Bank book market as you make your way to Waterloo Bridge when the sun starts to go down.

For another gorgeous view, consider our 1-bedroom vacation rental in Southwark (LN-467), just off Morley Street near Waterloo Road. This furnished accommodation is on the first floor of a modern apartment complex and has a breakfast bar (Bloody Mary or Bellini, anyone?) and a balcony that opens onto communal gardens.

London Accommodation: Sunset in a 2 bedroom London Vacatin Rental (LN-525) Photo

You can also vacation in a lovely 2-bedroom furnished rental in Lambeth (LN-525) between Waterloo and Blackfriars Roads. It’s a two-level period terraced house right near the river—with interiors of exposed brick and laminated wood floors—that puts you within two minutes’ walk of Waterloo station, where “Terry and Julie” met every Friday. With any luck, you can also catch a Terence Stamp or Julie Christie restrospective at the neighboring National Film Theatre, one of the best cinemas in any city in the world.

Try as hard as you want—it’s impossible to exhaust all of the things there are to do near the banks by Waterloo Bridge. On the south side, there’s the Hayward Gallery, Royal Festival Hall, the Old and Young Vic Theatres, Gabriel’s Wharf and endless free outdoor shows in the summer. The walk to the architecturally arresting former factory that is now the Tate Modern takes you past sprawling pubs, riverside restaurants and the still slightly swaying Millennium Bridge, which offers unparalleled views of St. Paul’s—particularly as night falls.

From Waterloo Bridge, look across the Thames to Victoria’s Embankment or gaze downriver at the beautifully backlit Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. As the sun sets, you’ll swear you’re in paradise.

If you have missed any of the previous top Musical Sites in London Check these out:

Next week, New York Habitat will reveal its Number One Must-See Musical Sight in London. In the meantime, put on your old Kinks’ CD and comment below on your pick for the city’s most spectacular view.

Marseille, the third largest city in France, is often overlooked by tourists for no good reason. It may not have the glamour and romance of Paris, or the gastronomical reputation of Lyon, but Marseilles is a fabulous city in its own right. And with your own furnished vacation rental apartment from New York Habitat, you can discover this for yourself.

Marseille, Provence, France Fish Market photo

Founded in 600 B.C. by the Greeks, this oldest city in France has served as a major port for all those who have controlled it. Today, it still serves as a major commercial port for France, and a stop at ‘le vieux port’ to watch the fishermen in action is a must. On a clear day, you’ll also be able to see the island castle Chateau d’If, where Dumas’ Count of Monte Cristo was exiled. You can also visit the island if you wish. There are also many museums, displaying everything from Roman relics to works by Picasso. Sports fans will definitely want to take in a fooball or rugby game at the Stade Velodrome in Marsilles. The local team, ‘Olympique de Marseille’ is one of the biggest and most competitive teams in France. Even walking through the city itself is enjoyable, especially for film buffs, who may recognize backgrounds from “The French Connection” or “The Bourne Identity”.

Marseille also has a rich culinary tradition. The fish soup ‘bouillabaisse’ is a renowned dish of the region. Due to its Mediterranean location and climate, you’ll also find many dishes that you might associate more with Italy, such as aioli and olive tapenade. And with your dessert, enjoy a glass of ‘pastis’, the drink of choice in the South of France.

By renting your own furnished vacation rental, you’ll truly be able to get a taste of life in Marseille. This 4 bedroom Maison de Village rental in Marseilles(PR-809) is perfect for families. Built within a renovated windmill dating back to the 16th century, this place definitely beats staying in a hotel. The large lower room features spacious living spaces and a rustic kitchen. Climb the curved stairs into the rounded tower of the mill to get to the bedrooms. Located in the heart of ‘Le Panier’ or the historic old part of Marseille, this house offers spectacular views of the city and the sea from every window.

South of France Accommodation: 4 bedroom Maison de Village in Marseille (PR-809)

If you don’t need that much space, consider this 2 bedroom Duplex-Villa Rental in Marseille (PR-217). This sunny villa, located near the beach, has tile floors in the living areas and other Provincial touches that make this place a charming place to stay. Be sure to take advantage of the large well-equipped kitchen and space for outdoor dining as well. After a full day of sight-seeing, or relaxing by the Mediterranean, you’ll enjoy coming back this warm, cozy home.

Don’t rule out Marseille for your next vacation. You’ll find all the amenities of a large city, mixed with the joys of coastal living, without the crowds of tourists. And with a furnished vacation rental from New York Habitat, you’ll feel like a more than just a visitor.

Have you been to Marseille? Do you have a favorite café or restaurant in the city? We invite you to share your recommendations in our comments section below.

The Paris market continues to be one of the most dynamic in the world for both vacation rental and furnished apartment rentals. New York Habitat’s experience in Paris renting vacation rentals and furnished rentals has allowed us to compose one of the most detailed market reports in the industry. In the Paris Furnished Apartment Rental Market Report you will find details about the current market conditions as well future trends with regards to the industry.

We have created a website so you can access the various Paris furnished apartment market reports we have compiled. The 2007 Furnished Apartment market report details the current state of the Paris Market and look ahead to 2008 to make some predictions about what to expect.

Paris Furnished Apartment Market 2007

Major findings for the Furnished Rental service include:

• Supply of apartments has continued to increase due to recently enacted laws which offer incentives to apartment owners to rent out their apartments
• Pricing in the market is stabile because of greater supply and the pressure of the slowing world economy
• Neighborhood selection remains highly concentrated on the central Paris neighborhoods, though other neighborhood have been able to increase the number of rentals because of specific group looking for rentals and better values

In the Vacation Rental service we found:

• Prices were stabile, with France remaining a top international travel destination keeping demand for Paris rentals at a high level but the world’s economy slowing keeping owners from boosting price too much
• People considered studio apartments versus 1 bedroom offerings to keep cost down
• The central neighborhoods of Marais – Les Halles and St. Michel – St Germain – Notre Dame remain the most popular neighborhoods

Our market report has been designed with you in mind; owners, renters, real estate and travel professionals should find this Paris Furnished Rental Apartment Market Report to provide interesting and informative information about New York Habitat’s niche within the Paris Market.

As the company continues to expand and grow in the Paris market we expect that we will be able to build onto this market report to build an even more comprehensive Paris Furnished Apartment Market Report for the future.

We hope that you enjoy reading this report and New York Habitat’s entire team of real estate professionals from our Paris services looks forward to being your source for apartment rentals and information about the market.

To read the 1st half market report and the full year market report visit the Paris Furnished Apartment Market Report webpage.

Please comment below on the report or e-mail us at marketreport@nyhabitat.com if you have any questions, comments or remarks.

Paris’ Right Bank cafés deserve their place in literary history. Nevertheless, the history behind Harry’s, Café de la Paix and the Ritz pales in comparison to the formidable literary pedigree of their Left Bank counterparts. The cafes of the Left Bank were immortalized in Ernest Hemingway’s classis works The Sun Also Rises and A Moveable Feast. In the books, and in reality for that matter, the cafes of Montparnasse and St. Germain des Pres were packed with intellectuals drinking, socializing and writing. We at New York Habitat are a nostalgic bunch and we can’t resist the charms of the Left Bank watering holes.

Saint Germanin des Pres, Paris, France photo

Part two of our literary pub crawl through Paris begins in St. Germain des Prés on the boulevard St. Germain. Three cafés; Les Deux Magots, Café de Flore and the Brasserie Lipp all boast a history of intellectual patrons and belle-epoque charm. The Flore was a second home to Jean Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir and was visited, at varying times, by the likes of Pablo Picasso and Truman Capote. Les Deux Magots affectionately calls itself a “literary café,” thanks in part to its frequent visits from the ubiquitous Papa Hemingway. The Brasserie Lipp beckons to passerbies in this heavily trafficked neighborhood with its mouth-watering neon beer sign. It is said that on the day of Paris’ liberation in 1944 Hemingway was the first in the Lipp’s door for a drink (a claim common among Parisian café lore). All of these eateries are conscience of their history and have raised prices accordingly, while not outrageous do expect to pay a bit extra for the ambiance.

Paris Accommodation: 1 Bedroom Rental in Saint Germain Des Pres (PA-1348) pict

St. Germain des Pres is one of New York Habitat’s favorite Paris neighborhoods and is immensely popular among renters. Available this spring is this 1-bedroom apartment rental in St Germain des Pres (PA-1348). The apartment doesn’t have a full kitchen but who needs one in this neighborhood? This lovely 3-bedroom apartment rental in St Germain des Pres (PA-2646) is spacious, bright and just around the corner from the three cafés mentioned above. New York Habitat also has this awesome alcove studio vacation rental accommodation in St Germain des Pres (PA-2473). The studio sports exposed wood beams, a wall of sun-drenched windows and a long, picturesque balcony.

If you missed part one of New York Habitat’s Paris Pub Crawl check out: The Right Bank’s Literary Pubs.

The Paris Literary Pub tour continues on to Hemingway’s Montparnasse soon…