New York Habitat Blog

There’s always plenty to do in the South of France in the fall.  Grapes are beginning to be harvested and the first drops of the year’s Beaujolais nouveau are being tasted, both events celebrated with festivals across the region.  But did you know there are also two bullfighting festivals in the South of France in September?  Held in the cities of Arles and Nimes, which are not far from each other, these festivals are sure to add a bit of the exciting and the extraordinary to your next vacation.

Arles, South of France: Ampitheater

The first such festival is the Feria du Riz, held in Arles, from September 12th to the 14th. Each day begins with a running of the bulls followed by the main events in the majestic Roman amphitheater.  Special parades, called abrivados and bandidos, are held to usher the bulls in and out of the arena.  Matadors do battle with the bulls one-on-one and on horseback.  Live musicians play traditional Spanish music throughout the festival as well.  The combination of Spanish traditions, taking place in Roman ruins, surrounded by the beauty of Southern France is indeed a one in a lifetime experience!

After the Feria du Riz, spend some time exploring other sites in the Provincial countryside before making your way to Nimes, a city that dates back to the Bronze Age, for the Feria des Vendanges.  Beginning on Thursday September 18th with a nighttime bullfight, or corrida, this festival will host two fights, one during the day and one at night, throughout the rest of the weekend. The events of Friday and Saturday night will feature one matador against six bulls, a spectacle that has to be seen live to be believed!

New York Habitat has some wonderful accommodations to offer near Arles and Nimes.  This 2 bedroom apartment in Arles (PR-815) offers everything one could want while staying in the South of France.  There are many charming decorative touches, such as wooden wainscoting around the living area, fireplaces in the living room and one bedroom, and tiled floors, combined with modern amenities in the kitchen and bath.  Best of all, this apartment is right in the center of town; walk to the Roman amphitheater to catch a fight or watch the running of the bulls from your bedroom window!

South of France Accommodation Beaucaire 4-bedroom rental (PR-107)

oh good so its moving fast

You can also stay in the town of Beaucaire, conveniently located between Arles and Nimes.  This 4 bedroom villa in Beaucaire (PR-107) will make you feel right at home.  The large property includes an outdoor terrace and in-ground pool.  The luxuriously-decorated home, featuring tiled floors and French doors throughout, is far better than any hotel room.  The large kitchen is perfect for preparing your own French meals at home with food bought from the local market.  The master bathroom feels like a spa with its marble and separate large tub and shower.  This property is the perfect place to relax after all the day’s action.

If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary for your next vacation to the South of France, these bullfighting festivals in Arles and Nimes might be just what you’re looking for. Mixing Spanish traditions with the sights, sounds, and foods of Southern France is sure to be a memorable experience….especially with a fabulous vacation rental from New York Habitat!

Have you ever been to a bullfight? Share your experiences with us in our comments section.

If you are into modern art, you probably heard the name Olafur Eliasson before. Born in Copenhagen, this famous Danish-Icelandic artist is known for his remarkable works of art: extremely modern and often inspired by natural elements, such as light, wind, and water.

New York Accommodation Studio Lower East Side (ny-11966)

One of the most popular projects of Olafur Eliasson was probably the ‘Weather Project’, installed in 2003 at ‘Tate Modern’ in London (Britain’s National Museum of International Modern Art): a project that attracted 2 million people in 2003 and 2004.

Now, five years later, in cooperation with the Public Art Fund, the artist presents his latest project in New York City: ‘New York City Waterfalls’. Four 90 to 120 feet waterfalls were placed on the East River and New York Harbor, moving around a total of more than two million gallons of water per hour.

Inspired by the way water flows through and around New York City, Olafur Eliasson’s intentions were to show the relationship between the urban scenery of NYC and the nature that surrounds it.

The project remains until October 13 and the waterfalls can be viewed from 7am to 10pm and are lit by LED lights in the evenings. They can be found on the following locations: (1) Under the Brooklyn Bridge, (2) between pier 4 and 5 in Brooklyn, (3) Manhattan’s pier 35 and (4) on Governor’s Island.

For those concerned about the environment it is good to mention that the electricity used to operate the waterfalls is 100% ‘Green’, meaning it is completely generated by renewable sources. Measures to protect aquatic life have been taken so that fish and other aquatic life are not pulled into the pumps and damaged as a result.

New York accommodation: Studio in the Lower East Side (NY-5017)

Other interesting facts about the ‘NYC Waterfalls Project’ can be found on New York Waterfalls website: info, pictures, info about the public art fund, an interview with the artist and an explanation on how to best visit the waterfalls.

So, if you would like to see one or more of the waterfalls during that time, why not stay in one of our nice accommodations in downtown Manhattan? You can for example stay in this beautiful studio, located in East Village - Lower East Side (NY-11966). This spacious, light apartment sleeps up to four people and is nicely located in this lively neighborhood.

Also, consider a studio in the East Village - Lower East Side (NY-5017) which is just a few blocks from the waterfalls.

Have you already visited the waterfalls or are you going to visit them in the near future? Do you want to rent an apartment in the area? What do you think about Olafur Eliasson? We would love to know what you think. Please leave a message below and share your comments.

Let’s face it, the French know how to throw a party with class. While modern carnivals often conjure images of bright neon lights, greasy friend dough and tacky water gun stands, in France they are decidedly more refined. After all, the ornate French carrousels are the envy of amusement festivals the world over. For years, the French have morphed amusement and art and the Tuileries Festival is a great example of just that. As always, New York Habitat has dozens of apartments in central Paris, steps from the annual garden festival.

Paris Accommodation 4-bedroom rental in Luxembourg (PA-2995)

Running until August 24th, the Tuileries Festival takes place on the banks of the Seine. The central location is ideal for both first-time and seasoned Paris tourists. Visitors can spend hours gawking at centuries-old artwork in the halls of the Louvre only to emerge among the festive atmosphere of a neighborhood carnival. All of the carnival staples will be there; the barbe-a-papa (cotton candy), bumper cars and costumed revelers that are not so foreign to vacationing Americans. The view from the top of the Ferris wheel is arguably the most romantic, and temporary, views in the city. The Tuileries festival is filled with real Parisians, the city residents often lost among the tour groups and gift shops of Paris’ central districts.

Listed below are a few Paris flats recommended by New York Habitat’s Paris team:

-This bright 1 bedroom rental apartment in Quartier Latin, St Michel – St Germain – Notre Dame (PA-1305) features beautiful hardwood floors and rooftop views of la capital.

-This bold 2-bedroom accommodation in Luxembourg, St Michel – St Germain – Notre Dame (PA-3793) is steps from the Luxembourg gardens and the river Seine.

-And this massive, loft-style 4-bedroom rental in Luxembourg, St Michel – St Germain – Notre Dame (PA-2995) is a vacationing families dream apartment.

Let us know of your favorite apartment locations in Paris or your favorite attractions at the Tuileries Festival in the comments section below.

As any self-respecting New Yorker knows, the South Street Seaport no longer reeks of fresh fish, nor is it filled with the shady mafia types of years past. The centuries-old seaport is now a major Downtown tourist destination, mixing old-world cobblestone streets with progressive restaurants and chic boutiques. This summer, though, even the savviest New Yorker will have a hard time recognizing the city’s old port.  The South Street Seaport will kiss goodbye the wise guys and fishmongers and welcome the indigenous people and ecology (an impressive recreation) of the Brazilian Amazon. As always, New York Habitat has visitors covered for the event, there’s dozens of accommodation choices steps from the old port.

South Street Seaport New York

The South Street Seaport exhibit, titled Amazonia Brazil, is the perfect place to families or inquisitive couples out on a stroll. The main exhibit features a 13,000 foot recreation of the Brazilian Amazon jungle, impressive in its scale and attention to detail. The recreation replicates the sounds of birds calling and the scents (no, that’s not today’s fresh catch coming into port) deep within the mythic rain forest jungle. The exhibit also introduces visitors to the human life within the jungle. Demonstrations are performed by indigenous peoples and shamans and local artisans are on hand to discuss their craft and sell handmade goods. A main focus of the event is to raise awareness for the Amazon’s problems and highlight several organizations working hard to solve said issues. Of course, global warming is a major topic of discussion as well, and rightfully so, the health of the “green ocean” affects the entire world.

New York Accommodation studio in the East Village (NY-11966)

New York Habitat has dozens of apartments available near the Seaport this summer, here’s a few worth looking into:

-This 1 bedroom rental accommodation in Bowery, East Village – Lower East Side (NY-12317) features exposed brick, hardwood floors and loads of direct sunlight.

-This 2 bedroom rental apartment in East Village – Lower East Side(NY-11250) boasts a hip, retro feel and a private outdoor deck.

-This studio in East Village – Lower East Side (NY-11966) is drenched in afternoon sunlight and the kitchen and bathroom are adorned with exposed brick walls.

What scares you the most; The massive mosquitos of the Amazon jungle, or the fearless taxi drivers of the urban jungle?

Patti Smith is a modern rock legend. However like many musicians, Smith’s creativity doesn’t begin and end with the strumming of a guitar–it travels to the tip of a poetic pen, lense of a inquisitive camera and table of a cluttered drafting board. Smith will always be known more for her music than anything else–she’s a member of the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame–nevertheless Paris’ Fondation Cartier has found enough merit in her diverse creative pursuits to dedicate an exhibit to her vast artistic conceptions. New York Habitat has dozens of accommodations in the same quarter as the modern-art gallery, with many still available for this spring/early summer.

Paris 3-bedroom accommodation Montparnasse (PA-1600)

Designed by–you guessed it–Jean Nouvel, the Fondation Cartier is one of those rare ultramodern buildings that melts seamlessly into the landscape of Haussmannian Paris. The Patti Smith exhibit, titled “Land 250″ for the name of one of Smith’s vintage Polaroid cameras, focuses as much on her personal pursuits–drawing, photography, poetry–as her professional life. Ms. Smith draws heavily on her own inspirations for the exhibit, presenting photos taken by Constantin Brancusi, reading poetry from Virginia Woolf, and displaying a rock from the river where Woolf committed suicide. Running until June 22nd, the Fondation Cartier is holding a “Nomadic Nights” series to run in conjunction with the Smith exhibit. Organized by Smith herself, the series allows visitors to peruse the exhibit while rocking out to a band or listening to an insightful discussion–all with the hope that the two aesthetic forms will productively illuminate each other. Act fast, tickets are being gobbled up and must be purchased in advance at the F.C. ticket booth or FNAC store. The Fondation Cartier is located at 261 boulevard Raspail. The closest metro stations are Raspail and Denfert Rochereau.

Paris accommodation 1-bedroom in Alesia (PA-2851)

Tickets for the Patti Smith Nomadic Nights series are going fast and so are New York Habitat accommodations. This 1-bedroom rental accommodation in Alesia, Montparnasse-Porte de Versailles (PA-2851) is a quick stroll from the Denfert Rochereau metro station, Fondation Cartier, and the entrance to the Catacombs, Paris’ subterranean graveyard. For a bit more space visitors should look into this bright 3-bedroom apartment rental in Montparnasse-Porte de Versailles (PA-1600). The apartment has a modern, bookish quality and soaks in natural light all afternoon.

What other Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famers can claim extensive artistic portfolios worthy of a Paris exhibit?

As we continue our look at summer festivals in the South of France, we’re going to focus on two notable Jazz festivals this week. The cities of Nice and Avignon each play host to their own excellent jazz music festivals. Luckily, they do not overlap but instead are held one right after the other. And with top-rate vacation rentals from New York Habitat, it couldn’t be easier to attend them both!

South of France vacation rental: Nice Apartment (pr-67)

Nice kicks off its festival on July 19th and runs through July 26th. Celebrating its sixtieth year, the Nice Jazz Festival offers outdoor concerts at three different venues each night. Each concert highlights two artists. This year, the festival will feature such notable, and international, artists as: Rufus Wainwright, Diana Krall, Leonard Cohen, Pink Martini, and Joan Baez, among others. What could be better than spending your days along the sunny Mediterranean beaches and your night listening to world class music?

New York Habitat also has some world class accommodations in Nice. This one bedroom apartment rental in Nice, France (PR-675) is located in the medieval neighborhood of Vieux Nice but has been thoroughly updated to include all the modern conveniences. This three bedroom apartment rental in Nice, France (PR-600) is located in town but within walking distance of both Vieux Nice and the Promenade des Anglais and the beach. Past renters have said that this apartment made them feel like a local in Nice. This one bedroom rental in Nice (PR-67) is right on the Promenade des Anglais and steps from the beach and the Mediterranean. It also features a beautiful garden for mealtime or naptime!

After the festival in Nice, leisurely make your way over to Avignon. Le Tremplin Jazz d’Avignon Festival will be held from July 29th to August 2nd of this year. Created in 1992, this festival features jazz combos and includes a juried competition. Though it is a smaller affair than the jazz festival in Nice, Avignon is still able to attract some big names, like award-winning French jazz pianist Baptiste Trotignon. And there is plenty to do, see, and eat in and around Avignon when you’re not enjoying some great music.

For your trip to Avignon, you may want to stay in this one bedroom rental in Avignon (PR-617). Located in the heart of the historic area of town, this sunny, open apartment features a modern kitchen and bath and some amazing views of the city from its rooftop terrace. Past renters have described it as “superb at every level”! If you need some more space, you should look into this two bedroom rental (PR-137). Recently renovated, this apartment still features exposed beams to give it that Old World charm. It is beautifully decorated and will make you feel right at home in Avignon!

South of France Apartment:Nice vacation rental (pr-600)

If your jazz aficionado, or just appreciate live music, then the jazz festivals in Nice and Avignon, in the South of France, are not to be missed. Not only will you see some A-list musicians perform, you’ll also be able to explore two wonderful French cities. A rental apartment from New York Habitat would just be icing on the cake of this vacation!

For more on Nice and Avignon, see our past articles: Top Towns to visit in the South of France: Nice, French Riviera: #4, Nice is getting nicer and a vacation rental from New York Habitat is the nicest!, and Top towns in the South of France: #2 Avignon, Provence.

Do these festivals peak your interest? Are there any jazz artists that you’re dying to see live? Please share your thoughts with us in our comments section below.

France has a long history of accepting immigrants from all corners of the earth. Today, the country is full of thriving immigrant communities playing a large role in public life, particularly in the urban areas. France’s immigrant history, however, has not always been something to be proud of. Like in the United States, France’s immigrant populations have historically been segregated, treated as second-class citizens and been subject to racism. To its credit, France has been eager to examen its own colonial past, as painful and embarrassing as it may be. Running through the summer at the Porte Dorée Immigrant Museum is an exhibit focusing on the 1931 colonial exhibition in Paris. Paris is a city steeped in history; cultural, political and architectural. New York Habitat has summer apartment rentals that will put visitors at the doorstep of Parisian history.

Paris 2-bedroom accommodation (PA-3097)

In 1931, France held the International Colonial Exposition in Paris’ Bois de Vincennes. The event was meant to highlight the power of France’s colonial empire as well as to glorify its civilizing mission. In reality, the exposition was more like voyeuristic ethnography, aiming to feed public curiosity, thus garnering public support for French colonies. The event featured large scale recreations of African villages and Cambodian temples. Native peoples were shipped in from French colonies around the globe and put on display in a zoo-like setting. The natives were dressed in traditional clothing and performed tasks and created aboriginal art work to the amazement of the viewing public. While it may seem shocking today, the exposition should be viewed in the context of its time–the American south was still fiercely segregated, large-scale Asian and African immigration had yet to arrive in Western Europe, and France was eager to promote its power following a devastating World War.

This summer’s exhibition at the Porte Dorée Immigration Museum sets out to explore the dichotomy of the 1931 colonial exposition–an event that played a role in France’s acceptance of millions of refugees and immigrants in the coming years. The exhibition, titled “1931. Foreigners during the time of the colonial exposition,” focuses on the 3 million immigrants already living in France at the time of the controversial expo, France was a country extremely accepting of immigrants yet putting its colonial subjects on display nonetheless. This summer’s exhibit offers a much more contemporary view of France than many of the capital’s other museums and offers an interesting perspective on some of the causes and effects of France’s complex history of immigration.

Paris accommodation 3-bedroom apartment (PA-3106)

The Porte Dorée Immigration Museum is rather easy to reach from anywhere in Paris. New York Habitat suggests that first time visitors stay in one of our Seine-side accommodations. Here are three of our neighborhood favorites worth taking a look at:

- 1-bedroom apartment rental in Luxembourg, St Michel-St Germain-Notre Dame (PA-2517).
- 2-bedroom rental accommodation in Luxembourg, St Michel-St Germain-Notre Dame (PA-3097).
- 3-bedroom duplex apartment rental in Luxembourg, St Michel-St Germain-Notre Dame
(PA-3106).