New York Habitat Blog

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.

Paris Vacation Rental 1 Bedroom Buttes Chaumont (PA-1364)

Visitors to Paris have a tough task ahead of them. With so many sites, monuments and museums to visit itineraries can change at the glimpse of a long line or whiff of the scents emanating a savory crepe stand. Travelers have to stay on their feet and often accept the fact that they probably won’t to see and do everything they have been dreaming about since the idea of visiting the City of Light first germinated in their minds. Visiting the city during the summer months makes the juggling act of visits and lunches even a bit more difficult, as much of what attracts visitors to the city (museums, monuments and restaurants) are contained indoors while the city sidewalks and gardens buzz with the life of a city in full bloom. Most of the time travelers will have to make a decision; spend a few hours in the stagnant, yet magical air of a world-class museum or laze the day away on the banks of La Seine with a bottle of blanc and a picnic lunch; A difficult choice, indeed.

The city of Paris recognizes the enviable jam many summer visitors find themselves in and does something each year

Paris Accomodation 1 Bedroom near Sacre Coeur (PA-3867)

to make the choice a bit easier. From July 15th to August 16th the Parc de la Villette will offer a way to discover one of Paris’ finest parks, be entertained in a social setting and participate in a truly Parisian experience. The park’s cinéma en plein air (open-air cinema) festival celebrates the French love for cinema and al fresco dining. Families, couples and bands of friends gather on the parks pelouse to watch films projected on a giant outdoor screen. This year’s theme is “of the discovery of new worlds” and features films from across the globe exploring themes of authentic and metaphorical voyages. The festival will include the American film, Into the Wild, the Franco-Morrocan tale Le Grande Voyage, and the film Buud Yam from Burkina-Fasso, among many others.

-This one-bedroom rental accommodation in Belleville, Cite des Sciences-Buttes Chaumont (PA-1364) features a bright, open layout and a kitchen and bathroom seemingly pulled from a recent home-design magazine.

-This one-bedroom accommodation is Batignolles, Montmartre-Sacre Coeur (PA-3867) is a quirky and fun option for any couple or solo traveler looking for convenience and location.

Paris Vacation Rental 3 Bedroom Tour Eiffel (PA-3368)

Paris, and France for that matter, are often defined by the symbol of the Eiffel Tower. It represents the beauty of French architecture, the resistance of a city once occupied during the second World War, and a glimpse towards a future of French innovation. The Eiffel tower seems to invite foreign visitors to come and experience the city of Paris, to climb aboard its skeletal frame and to view the beauty of its bridges, buildings and parks from a bird’s eye view. Indeed the Tour is ubiquitous in this city of low-rise buildings and Haussmannian uniformity. From anywhere in the city the tower acts to orientate lost Parisians and beckon first-time visitors. The tower is celebrated everyday by the thousands of visitors that climb its stairs and ride its elevators, but this year, on the 120th anniversary of its completion, the city of Paris will pay homage to the man for whom the tower is named, Gustave Eiffel.

This summer, Paris’ Hôtel de Ville will retrace the career of the inventor and architect of France’s national emblem. The exhibition will make en effort to honour Eiffel’s work on the iconic tower, but also to examine the man himself and the other projects he dedicated his life to. In doing so visitors will be able to look at this remarkable man’s contributions to his engineering as a whole, aerodynamics, and academia. Of course, the exhibition will also have a stock of documents, photographs and other artefacts on hand exploring Eiffel’s role in creating his crowning achievement. The exhibit will run until August 29th and is free and open to the public. New York Habitat’s accommodations owe a debt of gratitude to Eiffel as many of them enjoy views of his sparkling masterpiece.

-This studio apartment in Trocadero, Auteul-Tour Eiffel (PA-3749) is in Monsieur Eiffel’s neighborhood and boasts exposed wood beams and a mezzanine sleeping level.

-This three-bedroom vacation rental in Champ de Mars –Tour Eiffel (PA-3368) has beautiful views of the tower and features a wonderful little balcony.

What other architectural symbols of France can you think of? Are there any other cities that are defined by one architectural masterpiece as much as Paris is by the Eiffel Tower? Please Comment Below.