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.

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.

Paris Apartment 1 Bedroom Vacation Rental in Montmartre (PA-684)

Wine and champagne may flow freely in Paris but the city isn’t exactly known as a winery destination. Yet the City of Lights is actually home to several active vineyards, especially along the slopes of Montmartre. Every October, the 18th arrondissement plays hosts the Fete de Vendanges, or the Grape Harvest Festival. The joyous event brings the age-old tradition of the wine harvest to the city, attracting 350,000 Bacchus lovers annually.

This year, the five-day celebration will be held from October 7–11, taking over the bohemian neighborhood of Montmartre with exhibitions, free winery tours and tastings, a village market and a Grand Parade with fireworks. More than 120 artisanal stands will pop up around the Sacré-Coeur Basilica atop the Butte de Montmartre – the highest point in Paris – which means delectable food and local cuvées with an incredible view.

Several exhibits will open on September 22 in anticipation of the festival, including the Exposition of the Grand Parade of the Feast of the Harvest, a collection of black and white photographs of the charmingly odd parade by Anne Boudard. You an also catch exhibits on The History of the Cabarets of Montmartre and 50 Years of Song with Jacques Canetti, this year’s honoree. Check out the full calendar of events here. http://www.fetedesvendangesdemontmartre.com/.

View of Montmartre

A trip to the Fete de Vendanges is a perfect way to experience French culture at its finest. You can sample wine and explore the artistic neighborhood that was once home to Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec and Picasso. New York Habitat has tons of Montmartre apartments for you to choose from, including:

This light, airy 1-Bedroom Vacation Rental in Montmartre - Sacre Coeur (PA-684), located very close to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica. Enjoy French windows in both the bedroom and living room overlooking a lovely courtyard.

This affordable 1-Bedroom Vacation Rental in Montmartre - Sacre Coeur (PA-2106), located between the Butte de Montmartre on one side and the Parc des Buttes Chaumont on the other. Enjoy spectacular views of the basilica from your living room window.

Have you ever been to the Fete de Vendanges or one of the Parisian wineries? Share your comments with us!

Paris Vacation Rental 3 Bedroom Accomodation in Nation (PA-3776)

More than 150 DJ’s. 400,000 gyrating techno fans. One gloriously long day of dancing in the streets. On September 19, Paris will host the 11th annual Techno Parade – the second largest street event in the city, second only to Gay Pride. More than twenty floats carrying hundreds of musicians, DJs and performers will blast house, trance, techno and drum ‘n bass beats to adoring fans. If you love electronic music, you must experience this pulsating dance party at least once in your lifetime!

The parade kicks off around noon at Place Denfert-Rochererau and slowly makes its way through pedestrian-clogged streets to the Place de la Bastille. Confetti flies, partygoers don over-the-top costumes and dancers climb atop scaffolding, street signs and balconies. Although the parade route is only a few miles long, it usually lasts until around 8 p.m. And the party

Paris Apartment 2 Bedroom Vacation Rental in Pere Lachaise (PA-3589)

continues long after, with many clubs hosting after-parties.

First held in 1998, the annual Parisian Techno Parade is put on by Technopol, a French association that promotes electronic music and art. In recent years, the parade has broadened its focus to include environmental causes. The crowds continue to grow as well, from 100,000 fans the first year to nearly half a million last year.

Don’t want to miss a second of the parade action? Stay in one of New York Habitat’s conveniently located apartment rentals, including:

- This white, spacious 2-Bedroom Vacation Rental in Bastille - Pere Lachaise – Nation (PA-3589). The living room has a French door that opens onto a balcony with southern exposure, overlooking the street. You can also enjoy quiet courtyard views from one of the bedrooms.

- This 3-bedroom party loft in Bastille -Pere Lachaise – Nation (PA-3776). The living room has a tiled floor, a skylight and modern furnishings. Enjoy the super-luxe, glassed-in patio, equipped with wooden patio furniture.

Plan your trip today so you can join the throngs of techno fans in an all-day music and dance extravaganza!

Have you ever been to the Techno Parade in Paris? Share your comments with us!

Paris Accomodation 1 Bedroom in Le Marais (PA-2641)

Despite the warm weather and blooming foliage, some seasoned visitors to Paris often forgo a summer “sejour” in the French capital for a fall, spring or even winter visit. This group of travelers lament the hordes of tourists that pack into the city during the year’s hottest months, and they claim that Parisians flee the city for the countryside and beach and take the authenticity of the living city with them. New York Habitat has been around a Parisian block or two, and can confidently claim that this simply is not true. While the city is crowded with tourists during the summer it is by no means overcrowded and a simple stroll away from the major monuments will have you in the company of Parisians of every ilk. The month of August does see many Parisians on vacation, but the city doesn’t take a break and festivals and special events such as Paris Plage provide a wonderfully unique experience for locals and tourists alike. One such festival that is often overlooked by travelers but embraced by Parisians is the city’s Paris Quartier d’Ete festival celebrating creative expression from around the globe.

Paris Vacation Rental 1 Bedroom in Clichy (PA-2433)

The festival Paris Quartier d’Ete brings together the Cuban sounds of Kumar in free performances at places like the Luxembourg gardens with the projected work of Andy Warhol set to the soundtrack of a live band at the Saint Eustache cathedral. The festival does an amazing job of mixing a variety of contemporary performance genres with iconic Paris settings. For 20 years the festival Quartier d’Ete has been tempting Parisians to put off that beach vacation and stay in the city they call home. For guests staying in New York Habitat accommodations the choice to come to Paris is an easy one, and the Quartier d’Ete festival makes it that much more simple. The Quartier d’Ete festivals runs from July 15th to August 9 in various locations throughout the city.

New York Habitat makes finding a vacation rental as easy as deciding to come to Paris during the summer. Below are a few available apartments to get your search started:
-This 1-bedroom vacation rental in Marais-Les Halles (PA-2641) has the exposed wood beams and hardwood floors that give it a special old-world charm.
-This 2-bedroom apartment rental in Gare du Nord, Montmartre-Sacre Coeur (PA-3792) is housed in a unique loft-duplex space and features a contemporary style, rooftop views and is bathed in direct sunlight.
-This 1-bedroom rental accommodation in Clichy, Montmartre-Sacre Coeur (PA-2433) features hardwood floors, country-side accents and modern appliances.