New York Habitat Blog

Thanks to a wealth of world-class museums and galleries, Paris is one of the premier cities for cultural learning through the arts. To the credit of curators city-wide, the art offerings not only cross genres but go far beyond the work created by artists within l’Hexagone. Visitors to Paris have the opportunity to engage with artists and artwork from all corners of the globe. The collections found in this city go far beyond the European masterpieces (although these are not in short supply here). This fall, the musée du quai Branly will present an exhibition entiled 165 Years of Iranian Photography, continuing the Parisian tradtion of importing great art as a means to greater understanding and appreciation.

musée du quai Branly: Iranian Photography

Iran is a country that is often spoken about and debated in the West. But for all of the politcal discussion that surrounds the Middle-Eastern  nation little is mentioned about the county’s proud artistic tradition beyond a word or two on Persian rug making. This most recent exhibition sheds light on both the artistic and politcal evolution of modern Iran. The photography in this exhibition is unique in that it documents the turmoil and changes in the country while also standing alone on its artistic merits. Photography in Iran began during the reign of the Shah in the Qajar era with portraits of the traditional aristocracy, and today is asserting itself with the work of photojournalists. In the wake of the recent attention paid to the work, and repression of, these street photographers and journalists the exhibition provides an enlightening look at the history and work of artists within the Islamic Republic.

Fall is a great time to visit Paris, and not just for the hundreds of exhibitions going on throughout the city. New York Habitat still has plenty of accommodations available, here are a few to get your search started:

• This one-of-a-kind studio apartment in Marais-Les Halles (PA-1059) is situated on a cobbled, pedestrian street overlooking the church of St. Gervais and its gardens. The apartment itself is bathed in direct sunlight and is an ideal choice for couples. 
• This 2-bedroom vacation rental in Montmartre-Sacre Coeur (PA-2001) features a spacious balcony outfitted with a small table and rooftop views. The 800+ square foot apartment can comfortably accommodate 4 guests.
• This 3-bedroom accommodation in Bastille, Marais-Les Halles (PA-3530) is an absolute must-see. The apartment features pitched, wood-planked ceilings, hardwood floors, large eat-in kitchen, rooftop views and a unique mezzanine level.

So, you’re in Paris for vacation but have a hankering for the art and museums of Amsterdam. Normally, you would have to catch a costly flight or train ride to get a glimpse of an extensive Dutch collection. But this winter the Pinacothèque de Paris teams up with the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam to present a large collection of one of art history’s most interesting periods: the Dutch 17th Century. Visitors to Paris this winter will have the pleasure of bragging to their friends about all of the great masterpieces they saw in the Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay, the Centre Pompidou and the Rijksmuseum, without even stepping foot on Dutch soil.

Paris Accommodation: 2bedroom apartment in Saint Germain de pres PA-3758

The exhibition, entitled The Dutch Golden Age, will feature over 130 pieces of which about 60 will be paintings and about 30 drawings and water-colors. The exhibit focuses largely on the role and influence of the work of both Rembrandt and Vermeer, two names that hold iconic notoriety far beyond art-history circles. Certainly, these two men have become symbols of the Dutch Golden Age and their influential reach goes far beyond their contemporaries. Other artists included in the exhibit may be less-recognizable but nonetheless represent an era that went far beyond the work of two artists. The Dutch Golden Age exhibit is a rare offering of one country’s national treasures to the people and visitors of a neighboring city. Art lovers may be tired after hoofing it around the Louvre for a few days, but a visit to this temporary exhibit is worth it.

Winters in Paris are relatively mild, especially in comparison to the frigid months many Americans endure, making that December break a wonderful time to cross the Atlantic. New York Habitat does still have many apartments available for the winter season, below are a few select accommodations to help get your search off the ground:

• This 1-bedroom rental apartment in Ile Saint Louis, Marais-Les Halles (PA-3015) mixes modern stylings with old-world architecture.
• This 2-bedroom vacation rental in Republique, Marais-Les Halles (PA-3719) is located a short walk from the delightful Canal Saint Martin.
• This 2-bedroom rental accommodation in Saint Germain des Pres, St Michel-St Germain-Notre Dame (PA-3758) is as classic as they come. The apartment has that stately feel that one would expect from a flat in central Paris.

Few things are cozier than ducking into a fondue restaurant in Paris on a cold, blustery night. Although the hearty dish originated in Switzerland, it has become a culinary classic in France. Fondue restaurants abound in the nation’s capital, bringing together friends and families for the communal dining experience.

Fondue

Eating fondue can feel quite decadent but the rich dish’s origins are decidedly humble. Swiss villagers, without access to fresh food during the long winters in the mountains, discovered that melting old cheese, and then dipping hardened bread into it, made their stale ingredients far more edible. In fact, the word fondue is derived from the French verbs fondre (to melt) and fondu (melted).

The Swiss cooking method was adopted in the French Alps, particularly in the Savoy region, where fondue savoyarde was born. The French take on the dish contains three cheeses, Comté, Emmental and Beaufort, as well as local white wine.

For a delicious fondue savoyarde meal in Paris, and a spirited dining experience, there’s nothing like Le Refuge des Fondus in Montmartre. The tiny restaurant features only two items on the menu: Fondue Savoyarde and Fondue Bourguignonne, a meat fondue. Wine is served in baby bottles, waiters tell jokes, and guests are encouraged to write on the walls. The charming little fondue joint has been such a hit in Paris that an American version, La Cave des Fondus, recently opened in New York.

While Le Refuge des Fondus is one of a kind, it is certainly not the only place for exceptional fondue in Paris. Other noteworthy spots include Saveurs de Savoie on Rue Mouffetard, which serves classic French food, and Les Montagnards, a rustic chalet located on Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Paris Accommodation 1-bedroom apartment in Montmartre (PA-1395)

If you can’t wait to warm up with some cheese and wine this winter, consider one of these great New York Habitat apartments in Paris:

- A classic 1-Bedroom vacation rental in Montmartre - Sacre Coeur (PA-1395), located near Le Refuge des Fondus and the famous Rue Lepic. The apartment is on a quiet, strictly residential street.

- An elegant 1-Bedroom duplex vacation rental in Saint Germain des Pres - St Michel - Notre Dame (PA-2509), located near the Luxembourg Gardens. The well-decorated apartment overlooks a lovely courtyard garden.

Do you have a favorite fondue recipe or restaurant? Share your comments with us!

Paris has no shortage of notable museums. From the masterpieces of the Louvre to the sculptures of the Rodin museum to the Erotic Museum fittingly placed in the city’s Pigalle district, the French capital has something for every museum goer. This is the type of city where a visitor could easily spend an entire trip within the walls of a curated space and still only see a fraction of the city’s vast collection of art, historical artifacts and various curiosities. Most travelers however, are content to have museums complement their visit, not be the driving force behind it. And some visitors to Paris are happy to just see the Louvre because, well, it’s the Louvre. All very well, but for visitors looking for a good Parisian museum beyond the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay (and there are dozens) New York Habitat always suggests the Musée du Quai Branly, a magnificent modern museum on the banks of the river Seine. Open since 2006, the Quai Branly is devoted to the indigenous art and culture from Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, a real departure from the European-focused art found in most of the city.

Teotihuacan: City of Gods at the Museé du Quai Branly

The Quai Branly Museum has a wonderful permanent collection available year round but also features an eclectic offering of temporary exhibits that continue to draw visitors back for a second, third and forth visit. This fall and winter, the museum is hosting an exhibit entitled Teotihuacan: City of Gods focusing on artifacts and artwork from the mythic ancient Mexican culture and city of the same name. The museum will have some 450 items of Teotihuacan culture, many of which have been recently excavated. The exhibition offers a window onto the Mesoamerican world rarely seen in modern Western museums. Visitors to the museum are presented with the history of the city (100 BC-650 AD) and with extraordinary pieces that illuminate the political, social, economic, artistic and religious lives of a people lost to most history text books.

One day people might be rummaging through the remains of contemporary Paris and holding exhibitions in order to better understand life in the 21st century. Luckily for now the city is still here for us to enjoy (although it has gone through a lot in the last 100 years). New York Habitat has dozens of Paris apartments available this fall and winter in the heart of the living and breathing City of Light. Below are a few to get your search started:

• This one-bedroom apartment rental in Montmartre-Sacre Coeur (PA-684) is full of class and charm. The hardwood floors, built-in bookcases and ample light make this accommodation an ideal choice for couples or small families.
• This studio rental accommodation in Opera-Le Louvre (PA-3338) is as Old-World as they come. The building dates back to the 18th century, the studio is sandwiched between hardwood on the floors and exposed wood beams on the ceiling, and the apartment is outfitted with a tasteful mélange of antique and modern furnishings.
• This 2-bedroom rental apartment in Invalids, Auteul-Tour Eiffel (PA-1087) is a short stroll of the Quai Branly museum, Eiffel Tower and dozens of other Paris landmarks. The accommodation also has beautiful rooftop views.

Share your thoughts about the Teotihuacan exhibit at the Museé du Quai Branly below.

Paris is a photographer’s delight. For every cliché snapshot of the Eiffel Tower there is a stolen image of another corner of this photogenic city. And for every realist picture of a lover’s embrace on a Parisian quay there are moments and angles of abstraction found in the French Capital. It is truly difficult to catch this city on a bad day. It is always posing with a seductive grin, waiting to again be immortalized by both amateur and professional alike. No matter how many photos of Paris we see, the city continues to beckon us from afar. And anyone who has been lucky enough to gaze onto the beauty of the City of Light knows that a picture doesn’t lie.

Paris Photo

Not only does Paris photograph particularly well, but Parisians have a true love affair with the art of photography. The city produced the street photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, a father of modern photojournalism and a man who produced much of Paris’ iconic imagery. Paris also was the home of Robert Doisneau whose photograph Le Baiser de l’Hotel de Ville has been immortalized countless times on posters and magazine pages the world over. Perhaps a reason for the prominence of French photographers has been the way in which photography is treated. Parisians take photography seriously as a visual art and there are dozens of galleries around the city that cater solely to the work of camera and subject. The Paris Photo event, held every year since 1997 is a celebration of the city’s love of artistic photography. The 2009 event will highlight the Arab and Iranian photography scene yet will represent the work of 500 international photographers. The Paris Photo event will take place from November 19-22 in 2009 at the Carrousel du Louvre.       

New York Habitat still has plenty of picture-perfect apartments available during the Paris Photo event. A few accommodations are listed below to help get your search started:

-This funky 1-bedroom rental apartment in Marais-Les Halles (PA-336) has a wonderful right-bank location and cool, bohemian stylings.

-This 1-bedroom rental accommodation in Montmartre-Sacre Coeur (PA-684) features a modern, clean design with some classic French touches.

-This 2-bedroom apartment in Trocadero, Auteuil-Tour Eiffel (PA-1087) can accommodate up to five guests in the heart of Haussman ian Parisian architecture.

What is your favourite image of Paris? Why do you think that the French seem to value photography as an artistic medium more than North Americans? Please Comment Below.

One part cinema, one part concert venue, one part chic restaurant and lounge, the Cinéaqua aquarium in Paris offers more than beautiful marine life. Dubbed an aqua-entertainment complex, the Cinéaqua has something for everyone, from fish lovers to film buffs.

Located beneath the Trocadero Gardens as an underground extension of the Palais Chaillot, the Cinéaqua is home to more than 10,000 fish from around the world. The aquarium features more than 40 different tanks with sea creatures from eleven different ecological zones. The largest of the tanks — the largest tank in France, in fact — has more than 3 million liters of water and more than 25 sharks. Visitors can sit in the viewing area in front of the massive tank and watch the sharks glide by, complete with a soothing soundtrack.

For those looking for more traditional entertainment, there are screens throughout the aquarium running animated cartoons, movie trailers and shorts. The aquarium’s three cinemas show aquatic documentaries and full-length feature films daily. At night, the aquarium hosts musicians in the Aqualounge, where illuminated tanks serve as a backdrop for artists like Jennifer Lopez, Maroon 5 and Paulo Nutini. 

Paris Accommodation: 2-bedroom Trocadero (PA-1087)

There are also plenty of activities and exhibits for children. One highlight is the “petting basin,” where kids are welcome to roll-up their sleeves and touch carp, sturgeon and other colorful fish. After a full day of aquatic entertainment, you can indulge in some delicious sushi and Japanese cuisine at Ozu, the in-house restaurant.

Located in the 16th arrondissement, the Cinéaqua is a great place to take the kids or a date, especially on a chilly fall day. New York Habitat has dozens of apartments nearby in the exclusive neighborhood of Trocadero, making a visit to the aquarium even more convenient. Check out:

- This comfortable and well-furnished 2-Bedroom Vacation Rental in Trocadero, Auteuil - Tour Eiffel (PA-1087), situated between Place Chopin and Boulevard Franklin on a calm residential street. The apartment offers great views and spacious sleeping for up to three couples.

- This elegant 1-Bedroom Vacation Rental in Passy - Auteuil - Tour Eiffel (PA-3767), located near the Eiffel Tower, the splendid Champs de Mars and the Palais de Chaillot.

Have you ever been to the Cinéaqua in Paris? Please share your comments with us!

Fall is the perfect time to experience the gothic charm of Paris. The gray skies and cool temperatures bring out the city’s ghoulish side. If you want to get spooked, head underground to the Catacombs, a centuries’ old subterranean cemetery. This sprawling bone museum is far more frightening than even the most grotesque gargoyle of Notre Dame.

Catacombes of Paris

At the end of the 18th century, Paris was overcrowded and so were its cemeteries. In an attempt to solve the growing real estate and public health problem, city officials decided to utilize the abandoned network of limestone quarries underneath the city. In 1786, workers began painstakingly transferring the bones of the deceased into the underground tunnels. By 1860, some six million departed Parisians found their final resting place in the caverns of the Catacombs.

While they are an unlikely tourist attraction, the tombs began attracting curious visitors in the late 1700s. French royalty were some of the first to descend into the depths to see the winding maze of bones, stacked meticulously into macabre designs like hearts and crossbones.

Officially known as the l’Ossuaire Municipal, the Catacombs continue to fascinate tourists and locals alike.  Visitors must descend a spiral staircase twice as deep as the Metro to begin a 45-minute self-guided tour through the damp and dark quarters. At the entrance hangs a sign warning all those about to pass through, “Arrete! C’est ici L’Empire de la Mort” – “Stop! Here is the Empire of the Dead.”

The Catacombs are located in the fourteenth arrondissement of Montparnasse, accessible by the Denfert-Rochereau station. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Monday, though the last admission is at 4 p.m.  Price of admission is eight euros.

Paris Apartment 1-bedroom in Montparnasse (PA-3581)

Want to explore the mysterious and macabre side of Paris this fall?  New York Habitat has hundreds of vacation rentals conveniently located near the Catacombs and the famous neighborhood of Montparnasse, including:

- This charming 1-Bedroom Vacation Rental in Montparnasse – Porte de Versailles (PA-3581), with a large kitchen and cozy living room. Enjoy the bedroom’s southwestern-facing windows overlooking a courtyard.

- This classically furnished Studio Vacation Rental in Denfert-Rochereau – Montparnasse – Porte de Versailles (PA-3541). The open studio is located near the Denfert-Rochereau stop, offering convenient travel around Paris.

- This enormous 3-Bedroom Vacation Rental in Montparnasse – Port de Versailles (PA-1600), located between the Boulevard Raspail and Boulevard du Montparnasse. Situated in a private courtyard facing north, this loft house is open, spacious and quiet.

Have you ever been to the Catacombs in Paris? Share your experience with us!