Official poster for the Carnaval de ParisUnlike New York, Paris is not always known for it’s nightlife. The metro closes early, especially when compared to New York’s all-night subway, and Parisian bars and clubs close early in New York standards. Nonetheless, Paris is a party city that happens to get much of its celebrations going while the afternoon sun is still shining. Paris is one of the world’s premier city’s for street festivals and parades, known for both huge parades taking place on the grand avenue of the Champs Elysees and impromptu celebrations winding through the streets of one of the city’s neighborhoods. Parisians know how to throw a party, and they’ve been doing so for centuries. One of the oldest and craziest street festivals is the Carnaval de Paris, dating back to the middle ages. This year’s Carnaval takes place on the 14th of February, and luckily New York Habitat still has many nice Paris apartments available for the event.

This year’s Carnaval de Paris follows the event’s Renaissance begun in 1997 after some 40 years without the street festival because of organizational problems. The Carnaval is truly one of the city’s wildest and most inclusive events. The event brings together local residents, street artists, visual artists and musicians. The parade of Parisians includes large satirical puppets, impromptu musical collaborations, Brazillian percussion groups and the work of myriad street and performance artists. This year’s theme is “Unlikely Couples”. The carnival procession will start from Place Gambetta in the 20th arrondissement at 2.30pm and reach Belleville at 4pm and Place de la République at 5.15pm before winding up on the square in front of the Hôtel de Ville at 7pm

New York Habitat hasn’t been around for quite as long as the Carnaval de Paris but we have been around long enough to gather a diverse array of apartments for guests staying in the capital city. Below are a few of our favorite Paris accommodations available during the special event:

– This 1 Bedroom Rental in Île Saint-Louis, Le Marais – Notre Dame – Hôtel de Ville (PA-3684)is located on the first floor of a walk-up building equipped with a coded security system, a washing machine, and an enviable central location on the Île Saint-Louis.

-This 2-bedroom rental apartment in Marais-Les Halles (PA-1460) features hardwood floors and is bathed in direct sunlight.

Share your favorite happenings at the Carnaval de Paris.