New York Habitat Blog

As any Parisian will tell you, the start of summer is not marked by the solstice or a spell of hot weather, rather the season is kicked off on the courts of Roland Garros. The French Open is truly a national event, especially when a upstart Frenchman upsets a favorite or a native campion is crowned. Roland Garros Stadium has one of the most recognizable clay tennis courts in the world, holding an annual tournament rivaled only by the Australian and Wimbledon championships (sorry, US Open). Tickets are hard to come by, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be found outside the stadium or from a seller on the internet for a fair price. Billets or not, the energy of the tournament encapsulates Paris at a time when good weather already has Parisians sporting uncharacteristic smiles.

Paris Accommodation 1-bedroom apartment (pa-1882)

This year, the 80th anniversary of Roland Garros Stadium, the tournament begins on May 20th and runs until the championship game on the 8th of June (won this year by Rafael Nadal). The French Open, or just Roland Garros as the French call it, is a who’s who of international celebrities, never mind the world-class tennis players. With a new crop of French talent on both the men’s and women’s side, an upset of either of last year’s champions, Rafael Nadal and Justine Henin, would be a major event. Should a Frenchman or woman advance deep into the tournament expect a show of Parisian solidarity reserved for World Cup victories or national rail strikes. Those unwilling to shell out 50 euros for a seat at the Open can visit the stadium all year long. For €7,50 visitors can take a behind the scenes guided tour of the legendary Roland Garros in English or French. Tours take guests into the athlete’s locker room, media center and among the ghosts of past champions on the mythic clay court. Roland Garros is located in the the Bois de Boulogne, a massive, forest-like park bordering western Paris, a place well worth a spring or summer day trip.

New York Habitat has been accommodating French Open guests for years. This renovated studio accommodation in La Muette, Auteuil-Tour Eiffel (PA-3701) is within short walking distance of the Eiffel Tower, Bois de Boulogne and Roland Garros. This 2-bedroom rental accommodation in Champs de Mars-Tour Eiffel (PA-2431) has a decorators touch and is steps from the Seine and a few blocks from Roland Garros. A bit further from the action is this 1-bedroom rental apartment in Grenelle, Auteuil-Tour Eiffel (PA-1882), a deceptively spacious top-floor accommodation.

The best way to enjoy tennis in Paris? Buy a couple of cheap rackets, a sleeve of balls and head out to one of Paris’ myriad public courts.

Every July, the sports world focuses its eyes on France to witness the longest, toughest, most renowned bicycle race in the world, the Tour de France. This year, the race begins on July 5th in Brittany and will end, as always, down the Champs-Elysees in Paris on July 27th, while the cyclists face the mountains and plains of France (and with a quick stopover in Italy) in between. You can see the race for yourself as it travels through the South of France and ends in Paris with accommodations from New York Habitat.

Tour de France

The race enters the South of France on Friday July 18th, as the cyclists travel from Narbonne to Nimes. Arrive a few days early and enjoy some time in this 4 bedroom rental in Beaucaire, Avignon Region (PR-107), just minutes away from the center of Nimes. This beautifully-decorated large house offers sunny, open living spaces and recently renovated kitchen and bathrooms. The outdoor space, featuring a garden, patio, and pool provide a relaxing vacation spot before the excitement of the race invades the South. The town of Beaucaire itself, located on the Rhone river, is a picturesque small Provincial town but still near the larger cities, like Nimes.

The cyclists will only be in Nimes for a day; they leave and head for Digne-Les-Bains on Saturday. Stay in this studio in Digne Les Bains, Upper Provence (PR-568) for a few days and catch more of the race. After Digne, the cyclists will head to Italy but will return to the area by way of Embrun, located near Digne on Wednesday July 23rd, before heading north towards Paris. But don’t despair, Digne offers plenty to do in the meantime. Home to a thermal spa resort and a national park, this town offers something for everyone while also conveniently near some of the larger towns and cities of Provence.

Paris Accommodation 1-bedroom Apartment (PA-3448)

After watching the Tour de France loop through the south, hop on the TGV and head to Paris to wait for the grand finish down the Champs Elysees. Spend a few days shopping and eating as you wait for the cyclists. Stay in this fabulous 1 bedroom rental in Champs Elysees (PA-3448), located on Rue Balzac, just off the Champs Elysees. This lovely modern apartment features hardwood floors throughout, updated kitchen and bathroom, and a balcony. Take advantage of the washing machine, internet connection and parking space that come with the apartment! And on the morning of July 27th, all you have to do is walk a few feet for a front-row view of the exciting finish of the race.

If you’ve always wanted to see the Tour de France in person, now is your chance. New York Habitat offers great accommodations to catch many portions of the race or just to go sight-seeing around the region. Either way, it’s sure to be a great trip.

Do you follow competitive cycling? Have you even been to see the Tour de France yourself? Do you have any ideas on who will win the race this year? Please share with us in the comments section.

Paris Apartment: rental studio in Pere Lachaise (pa-2323)

Paris is a jazz-lovers city, perhaps more so than any other. Turn on the radio and you’ll be sure to hear a quartet or two, smooth saxophonists play for change in the Metro and the cover price for the city’s jazz clubs says a thing or two about the value of jazz music here. Starting in early June and running until late July, the Paris Jazz Festival is a celebration of France’s love of jazz music. Each weekend Parisians gather in the Parc Floral de Paris for a series of performances by famous jazzmen. A New York Habitat accommodation is the best place to stay during the festival–as you know–hotel prices are high come summer and rooms are not easy to come by.

The Parc Floral is one of our favorite Paris concert venues. Contained within the enormous Bois de Vincennes, the Parc Floral de Paris is a vast aggregation of manicured plant life set around a tranquil, manmade lake. Best of all, visitors can literally lay amongst the flowers on small grass pathways that maze through the Versailles-worthy gardens and homemade picnics are encouraged. Even during the jazz festival, concert goers are encouraged to bring along food, wine and a blanket to lounge on. Concerts take place only on weekends during the festival and an all day entry price is a mere €5. Crowds are generally family-oriented and low key, don’t expect to see any mosh pits break out. This year’s lineup has yet to be released but past performers have included American guitar great Buddy Guy. While rock music is surely king in France, there are many jazz-inspired young Parisian bands that play at the festival as well.

Paris apartment 3-bedroom apartment in Pere Lachaise (PA-2472)

Visitors in town for the Jazz festival should consider staying in eastern Paris to cut down on travel time to the Parc Floral de Paris. This 3-bedroom rental apartment in Pere Lachaise-Nation (PA-2472) offers a huge, open layout. Housed in a two-story duplex, the apartment looks out onto an alley garden and can accommodate up to 5 people comfortably. This 1-bedroom rental apartment in Bastille, Pere Lachaise-Nation (PA-3084) features exposed wood beams running along the ceiling and is tucked in between central Paris and the Bois be Vincennes. For a studio guests should look into this studio in Pere Lachaise-Nation (PA-2323), an apartment housed in the building of a former convent.

Which Paris jazz clubs have you visited? What can you tell us about them?

Coming up in London on June 11 is the Queen’s “official” birthday, not to be confused with her actual birthday on April 21. While there aren’t too many 82-year-olds looking to celebrate two birthdays in one year, Elizabeth is a good sport about it—and why shouldn’t she be? Each occasion merits Royal Gun Salutes—smoky, booming affairs, involving cannon blasts and artillery troops in full-on uniforms. Who says Her Royal Majesty doesn’t know how to party! There are two salutes that take place simultaneously in Hyde Park and at The Tower of London at noon—and New York Habitat has vacation rentals that put you within earshot of each celebration but keep you out of the line of fire!

London Accommodation 2-bedroom apartment in City - Islington (LN-449)

Our recommendation is to attend the June celebration when the weather’s warm and the event includes an elaborate Trooping the Colour. We also suggest catching the spectacle at the Tower of London, one of the city’s most historic and recognizable sights, with a sordid and storied past. On any day, the London landmark, built in 1066 and infamous ever since as a prison and place of execution, would be worth a visit, even if you just stand on the front lawn and listen to the first part of the Yeoman’s tour for free—but on the Queen’s birthday, cannon balls are shot from its grounds across the Thames River.

With flags hoisted high in honor of Her Royal Majesty, the Tower is a fantastic backdrop for this centuries-old tradition that has been taking place since Anne Boleyn’s coronation. You can get an amazing vantage point from midway across the theatrical setting of Tower Bridge. Besides, the Honourable Artillery Company at the Tower shoots off a 62-gun salute, as opposed to the mere 41 guns going off at Hyde Park—so you’ll be getting more bang for your buck, so to speak.  

London Accommodation: studio loft in City - Islington (LN-446)

Getting more bang for your buck is what New York Habitat is all about—just check out the fantastic vacation rentals we have within a few minutes walk of Tower Bridge and the Queen’s birthday festivities:

• A sleek studio apartment in City – Islington (LN-446) with wooden floors, exposed brick and both a double bed and sofa. It was recently renovated but retains much of the structure’s original charm.
• A stylish 1-bedroom vacation rental in City – Islington (LN-447) featuring modern furniture and a private balcony. Our client testimonial proclaims: “The flat in London was great and I enjoyed my stay. I would rent it again because it was central to where I had appointments.”   
• A spacious 2-bedroom rental accommodation in City – Islington (LN-449) with contemporary décor and conveniences. The plush couches and accent pieces are appropriate to the occasion, considering that purple is the color of monarchs.  

All of these rentals, located on Tanner St. just off Tower Bridge Road, are set within a residential development built around the old Sarson’s Brewery. The buildings, which are now entirely converted into apartment units, have managed to maintain many of the original brewery features. So while other visitors who come to London are proud to have visited a pub or two, you can actually say that you stayed in a former beer factory!

If your living surroundings should inspire you, there are plenty of places nearby to put back a pint: The Bridge House pub next to Tower Bridge, any of the cafés or restaurants in Butler’s Wharf near the Design Museum, or even the bar way up in the Tower Hill Novotel, which gives you a grand view of both the Bridge and the Tower.

As you’re busy toasting your good fortune at having found the perfect New York Habitat  accomodation, don’t forget to raise a glass for the birthday girl. To Lizzy, long may she live!

Who are your favorite London icons, past or present? Tell us about them in the comments sections below.

As discussed in an earlier post, the life and death of Marie Antoinette is something that captures the imagination. The story of the frivolous queen being sent to death by her own subjects has been played out time and time again in literature, film and theater. Visitors that still have a yearning for more Marie after a visit to the Grand Palais’ Marie Antoinette exhibition  need not worry, Paris is the city where the history of Marie Antoinette’s rise and fall took place, and her lasting impression is everywhere. New York Habitat has dozens of rental accommodations near the gardens where Marie spent her youth, the prison she stayed while awaiting execution and the square where the guillotine finally struck down royalty.

Paris Accommodaiton 3-bedroom houseboat on the Seine River

Don’t feel too bad for the headless queen yet; visitors must first visit the grounds of Versailles to understand the causes for the public outrage and the queen’s eventual execution. Versailles can be a daunting place to visit, the grounds of the main Chateau are massive, attempting to visit the interiors and gardens of Versailles in one day is quite a feat. Instead of wearing yourself out with a marathon visit, guests should spend a full day focusing on Marie Antoinette’s life at Versailles. Save the long lines at the main castle for another day and continue on to the Petit Trianon, a neoclassical chateau on the Versailles grounds was the private domain of Ms. Antoinette. Marie sought refuge from the demands of royalty here, forbidding anyone to visit without her personal invitation. The cube-shaped chateau is rather small in comparison to the other castles in Versailles, however when viewed in the context of the late 18th century–a time of great hardship for France’s commoners–the scale and opulence of the building is quite staggering.

Paris accommodation 1-bedroom apartment Saint Germain des Pres (PA-3445)

Also on the grounds of Versailles is the “Little Hamlet of the Queen,” a man-made pastoral village built to resemble an idealized Normandy. Here the queen and her subjects would pretend to be commoners, performing chores and tending to live animals. The hamlet proves the gross naiveté and grand imagination of the young Marie Antoinette. Leaving Versailles and heading back into Paris guests can’t miss a visit to the gothic La Conciergerie, the Seine-side prison where the queen awaited her execution. Recently restored, La Conciergerie is located on the Ile de la Cite and is one of the most recognizable structures in central Paris. During the French Revolution the prison was packed with enemies of the new French state, including queen Marie. Today, the prison features a tourist section where visitors can visit the restored cell of Ms. Antoinette. A final stop for history buffs is the Place de la Concorde the site of Marie Antoinette’s execution.

This 3-bedroom rental accommodation in Paris suburbs (PA-1299) is tucked in between Paris and the town of Versailles. To say the accommodation is original would be an understatement; these 3-bedrooms are aboard a houseboat parked on the iconic river Seine. This open 1-bedroom apartment rental in Saint Germain Des Pres is  (PA-3445) is a short stroll from La Conciergerie. While this 1-bedroom rental apartment in Luxembourg, St Michel - St Germain - Notre Dame (PA-3385) is full of old-world charm.

Let us know your tales from your Paris excursions to famous Marie Antoinette sites below.

For the 35th year in a row the FIAC International Art Fair will take over two of Paris’ most grand exhibit spaces, the Grand Palais and the Cour Caree Du Louvre. From October 23rd to October 26th 2008, exhibit doors will usher in some of the world’s most renowned artists as well as impressive emerging exhibitors. New York habitat has got your accommodation needs covered, no matter what your artistic taste.

Like New York Habitat apartments, The FIAC International Art Fair draws both art enthusiasts and debutantes with a wide array of styles, origins and artistic personalities. Paris is one of the world’s great art cities and during the FIAC art fair Paris is truly at the epicenter of the contemporary art world. The Grand Palais was built for the 1900 World’s Fair and is as avant-garde and architecturally impressive as it was over 100 years ago. During the festival the juxtaposition of contemporary art with the architecture of the late 19th century reveals the contrasts and similarities of art separated by over one-hundred years. Similarly, the Cour Caree Du Louvre plays with the themes of art and time during the FIAC festival. Built in the 16th century, the opulence of the exhibit space contributes to the curiosity of FIAC’s many modern-minimalist pieces.

Paris Accommodation: 2 Bedroom Rental in Trocadero, Auteuil - Tour Eiffel (PA-2039)

Both exhibit spaces are in the heart of central Paris, a short walk, bike or metro ride from several available New York Habitat accommodations. Just across the river from the Eiffel Tower is this open 2-bedroom rental apartment in Trocadero, Auteuil - Tour Eiffel (PA-2039). For another old-world contrast to go with FIAC’s contemporary works try staying in this classic studio accommodation in Ile Saint Louis, Marais - Les Halles (PA-2746).

For more information on the FIAC International Art Fair visit www.fiacparis.com

What artists are you looking forward to seeing at this years FIAC Art Fair? Please comment below:

For most Americans Marie Antoinette is curiously the most interesting figure from the French revolution. From all accounts she was a beautiful yet naive character, an Austrian in French royalty who played a rather small, if only symbolic, role in the before, during and after of the revolution. Compared to that of a revolutionary like Maximilien Robespierre her life was rather boring (aptly portrayed in Sofia Coppola’s hate-it or love-it biopic). The seminal moment in her life was when her head was chopped off–and still we simply cannot get enough of Marie Antoinette. This spring at Paris’ Grand Palais, an exhibit explores Marie Antoinette and the multiple interpretations of her historical figure. Like everywhere in Paris New York Habitat has apartments big and small steps from the national gallery.

Paris Accommodation: 2 bedroom vacation rental in Parc Monceau, Champs Elysees (PA-2586)

The Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais is truly one of Paris’ grandest exposition centers. The expo displays over 300 paintings, sculptures and art objects uncovering the life of Marie Antoinette from her youth in Austria, young adulthood at Versailles to her last days in the Conciergerie, a Seine-side prison still standing today. Perhaps her special draw is in the ambiguity of her story, she’s been portrayed as a naive victim, keen seductress and gluttonous despot sometimes all in the same story. Or it could just be that a beautiful French queen having her head chopped off by an angry mob makes for a good story. For some the pieces on display will clarify Marie Antoinette as a person and historical figure–for others the art at the Grand Palais will simply add to the dauphine myth.

Paris Accommodation: Studio vacation Rental on Champs Elysees (PA-3551)

This 2-bedroom rental accommodation in Parc Monceau, Champs Elysees (PA-2586) is in one of the city’s chic neighborhoods and is a short walk from the Grand Palais. Also, this classic 1-bedroom rental apartment in Porte Maillot, Champs Elysees (PA-2920) is adjacent to the massive Bois de Boulogne. While This small and funky studio vacation rental apartment (PA-3551) is on the Avenue Champs Elysees, need we say more?

Let her eat cake or off with her head? Was Marie Antoinette an unfortunate victim of Versailles or a worthy test subject for the guillotine? How do you view Marie? Comment Below.

Another exhibit to see in Paris:

Ben Franklin: the First American in Paris