New York Habitat Blog

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!

Stade de France Pict

In its inaugural year France’s national stadium, the Stade de France, witnessed inarguably its greatest triumph; a 3-0 World Cup final victory over Brazil in the summer of 1998. The grand precedent set in that first year of use has been continued as the massive, 80,000-seat stadium has routinely hosted world-class sporting events and performances. Over the last decade or so the Stade de France has been the site for dozens of international soccer matches, a Rugby World Cup and concerts by The Rolling Stones, Madonna and Paul McCartney among others. This year is no different, as the impressive stadium situated on the outskirts of metropolitan Paris plays host to a wide variety of events and performances worthy of the spectacular structure.

Visitors wishing to get an intimate view of a modern European football stadium can participate in daily tours at the famous stadium. Tours take guests into the locker room, up in the VIP stand and even on to the green grass of the pitch. Those looking to get a feel for the stadium when it’s packed with passionate French soccer fans are in luck this fall as the stadium play host to two matches of the French national soccer team, by far the most beloved sports team in the country. L’equipe de France will square off with Romania on September 5th and Austria on the 14th of October. Guests looking for a bit of culture with their stadium experience should book a ticket for the performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony on September 26th. The show will include 200 artists on scene, including a staggering 90 musicians.

Weather your in town to watch the soccer match, see a show or just catch a glimpse of the historic stadium, New York Habitat has your accommodations covered. Below are just a few apartments available this fall worth looking into:   

Paris Accomodation 1 Bedroom Apartment in Auteuil (PA-2574)

-This charming 2-bedroom vacation rental apartment in Belleville, Cite des Sciences-Buttes Chaumont (PA-3429) is full of Old-World charm and modern comforts. 

-This 2-bedroom rental accommodation in Marais-Les Halles (PA-877) features hardwood floors and exposed wood beams, in addition to an ideal central Paris location.

-This 1-bedroom rental apartment in Auteuil-Tour Eiffel (PA-2574) offers expansive rooftop views and is bathed in direct sunlight.

Giverny

Paris is home to Monet’s Impressionist masterpieces but if you want to see them come to life you must travel to Giverny. The tiny village, just a 45-minute train ride from Paris, is home to Monet’s astonishingly beautiful estate and gardens. Visitors can tour the pink house where the artist lived as well as the vast 5-acre garden where he drew inspiration. Strolling through the grounds makes you feel as though you’re in one of his paintings.

Having first discovered Giverny while gazing out a train window, Monet made his home there from 1883 until his death in 1926. He was a skilled gardener and poured endless energy into creating the landscape he wished to paint.

His sprawling garden is divided into two parts, the Clos Normand — a pastel paradise of irises, hollyhocks and climbing roses — and the Japanese water garden, dotted with weeping willows, water lilies and the Japanese bridge famously captured in his Nymphaes series. The Monet estate is open daily from April through October, 9:30 am – 6:00 pm.

Paris Vacation Rentals 2 Bedroom Apartment in Le Louvre (PA-3716)

Next to Monet’s house is the Musée des Impressionisms Giverny. From May to mid-August this year, the museum is hosting a special exhibit of 20 paintings created by Monet of his gardens at Giverny. This must-see exhibit allows visitors to view the water lily paintings in the setting in which they were painted.

Getting to Giverny from Paris is easy. Begin your journey from the Saint-Lazare train station and take the Paris/Rouen/Le Havre line to Vernon, a small town just three miles away from Giverny. After arriving in Vernon, you can take a taxi, rent a bicycle or even walk to the Claude Monet estate.

New York Habitat has hundreds of gorgeous apartments all over Paris that are perfect for the art-loving traveler. You can contemplate Monet’s masterpieces in the Musée D’Orsay and the Musée de l’Orangerie, then take a daytrip to Giverny to see the gardens that inspired them. Check out these great apartment finds:

- This huge 2-Bedroom Vacation Rental in Opera - Le Louvre (PA-3716) that features exposed wooden beams, bold modern furnishings and a piano. Enjoy the open kitchen and bar.

- This lovely 1-Bedroom Vacation Rental in Opera - Le Louvre (PA-3919), located on the sixth floor of an 18th-century building with an elevator. The living room has eastern exposure with a window overlooking the quaint street below.

Have you ever been to Giverny? Share your experience with us!

Paris Vacation Rental 2 Bedroom in Montmartre (PA-2332)

Paris can be a pretty wild place: Fearless motorcyclists buzz between traffic on the periphérique, hordes of commuters rush to catch the next train in the metro and tourists aggressively vie for seats at the best restaurants in town. Nonetheless, Paris is not exactly the animal kingdom with the most common wildlife being the urban pigeon. Visitors to Paris with a yearning for the African Savannah are in luck, however, as the city lies a short drive from one of Europe’s finest African Wildlife Reserve. New York Habitat can’t get you accommodations inside the wild park, but can easily find a flat in the civilized city of Paris.

The Thoiry Wildlife Reserve is more than just any old zoo. The African wildlife reserve features 130 different species and 1000 animals, in addition to a botanical garden and a centuries old Chateau. Nonetheless, Thoiry’s main attraction is the African animals. Visitors meander through the reserve in their own vehicle.

Paris Apartment 2 Bedroom Accomodation Champs Elysee (PA-2586)

The drive is eight kilometres long and allows guests to view herds of Elephants and prides of lions roaming on a 240 acre territory. Many animals have been known to approach vehicles curiously, giving an up-close and personal experience not available in traditional zoos. The park also features Thoiry Chateau where costumed guides give energetic tours. In addition, Thoiry is also home to a botanical garden displaying a large maze, rose garden, and perfume garden among others.

-This 2-bedroom vacation rental apartment in Montmartre-Sacre Coeur (PA-2332) Can comfortably accommodate 6 guests. The flat features a combination of Parisian elegance, artistic sensibilities and familial practicality.
-This studio apartment in Saint Michel (PA-1175) is a great option for a vacationing couple. The flat is filled with smart design touches and unique cachet.
-This 2-bedroom vacation rental in Parc Monceau, Champs Elysees (PA-2586) features a melange of the charms of old-world Europe with the convenience of modernity. The exposed stone walls and direct sunlight are particularly attractive.

What’s the wildest thing you’ve ever seen or experienced in the French capital? Let us know below.

The Eiffel Tower is the most famous landmark in Paris, attracting millions of tourists each year. But if you’ve filed the Eiffel Tower under the “been there done that” category, think again. The Champ de Mars, the sprawling lawn that spans from the southeast side of the Eiffel Tower to the Ecole Militaire, is the perfect place to enjoy a baguette, some fromage and a bottle of wine. Especially this year, as the Eiffel Tower celebrates its 120th anniversary.

Champs de Mar - Eiffel Tower

The Champ de Mars (Field of Mars) was named for the Roman god of war and was originally used as a military training ground. The lawn was also a key site during the French Revolution. Today, the large public greenspace is home not to feuding soldiers but to students, young couples and families, socializing against the breathtaking backdrop of the Eiffel Tower. The ideal time to throw down a blanket is at dusk, as groups gather in anticipation of the hourly light show. When the tower starts twinkling against the darkened sky, the crowd is set abuzz.

The well-manicured lawn of the Champ de Mars is crisscrossed with walking paths and dotted with flowerbeds. At the far end of the park, in front of the Ecole Militaire, you’ll find the Monument to Peace, which has the word ‘Peace’ written in 32 languages on 32 columns and a kiosk that allows visitors to leave their own message of peace. The park also has many attractions for children, including a playground, marionette theater, carousel and even pony rides.

New York Habitat has an excellent selection of apartments near the Champ de Mars and the Eiffel Tower, including:
This warm and inviting 1-Bedroom Vacation Rental in Invalides - Auteuil - Tour Eiffel (PA-2949) , located on the fifth floor (6th for the US) of a newly constructed elevator building. The living room area opens onto a balcony and offers a view of the famous Les Invalides.

Paris Apartment 1 Bedroom Vacation Rental Invalides (PA 2949)

This gorgeous 2-Bedroom Vacation Rental in Invalides - Auteuil - Tour Eiffel (PA-2914) situated on the fourth floor (fifth for US) of a 20th century walk-up building. The master bedroom looks onto the street and has a picturesque view of the Eiffel Tower.
 
Stay near the Champ de Mars and you’ll be able to have a picnic in the park whenever you like. And for those in Paris for Bastille Day, July 14th, you’ll have great seats for the main fireworks display, fired off from the Champ de Mars or across the river at the Trocadero Gardens.

 Have you ever been to the Champ de Mars? Please share you comments with us!

As we make our way into summer, you’ll want to spend more and more time outdoors on your next Parisian vacation.  We here at New York Habitat are going to be highlighting some of the great outdoor parks and gardens in Paris so that you’ll already have some places in mind before you go.  These spots are all great for strolling, picnicking, or just sitting and people-watching, a favorite pastime of Parisians! 

This week, we’ll be looking at the largest park in Paris: le Jardin du Luxembourg! 

Luxembourg Gardens

This park is actually located on the Left Bank of Paris, near le Quartier Latin, and there are so many things to do.  The garden itself is home to French Senate, located in the Palais du Luxembourg, at the north end of the park.  Le Jardin du Luxembourg is a favorite place of Parisians to sit back, relax, and people watch.  You can also stroll through the many walkways and take in the many statues that can be found in the park, including the original model for the Statue of Liberty.  Along the fence that surrounds the park, there is often a photography exhibit.  There is also plenty to do for children, like launching a sailboat in the large, central fountain, watching a puppet show, and getting a pony ride.  Le Jardin du Luxembourg is a must-visit spot in Paris, if only for the quintessential Parisian atmosphere it offers.

New York Habitat has many vacation rental apartments near le Jardin du Luxembourg.  The two listed here are but a small sample.

Paris Vacation Rental 2 Bedroom in Saint Michel (PA-3703)

This 1 Bedroom Vacation Rental in Quartier Latin (PA-2534) is just steps away from le Jardin du Luxembourg.  This penthouse apartment is bright and sunny, thanks to its many windows and décor.  The building is classically French, and some touches of this style remain in the apartment, despite some modernizations in the kitchen and bath.  The highlight is the balcony and its amazing views of Paris!

If you need some more space, this 2 Bedroom Vacation Rental in Port Royal (PA-3703) is also available.  The elegant style of this apartment will make you feel like French royalty, with its many large windows, French doors, and other decorative touches.  Past clients have described this apartment as “very attractive, spacious and well maintained”.

Le Jardin du Luxembourg is a perfect way to spend a beautiful summer day in Paris.  Its central location makes it easily accessible from wherever you are and it’s the perfect spot to just relax and soak up some Parisian atmosphere.  A nearby New York Habitat vacation apartment rental could make a visit to le Jardin du Luxembourg a daily occurrence!

To learn about the other parks on our list, see: 

#2 Le Jardin des Tuileries
 #3 Le Champ de Mars
 #4 Le Bois de Boulogne 
 #5 Le Bois de Vincennes

What did you think of our list?  Are there any parks you would have liked to see?  Please share your ideas with us in the comments section.