New York Habitat Blog - Home

November 19th, 2007

Paris Accommodation: 2 Bedroom Rental in Bastille, Pere Lachaise - Nation (PA-3589) Paris Accommodation: 2 Bedroom Rental in Bastille, Pere Lachaise - Nation (PA-3589)

Paris’ Bastille area is synonymous with revolution. Today, the quarter is still known for rapid change, but now the cultural remaking of the area is omnipresent. The world-class opera house stands in the footprints of the old Bastille prison and dozens of avant-garde galleries have sprouted throughout the right bank. While modern galleries and eclectic restaurants are fairly new to the quarter, New York Habitat and its accommodations have been in the neighborhood for years.

This 2-bedroom apartment in the Bastille, Pere Lachaise-Nation district (PA-3589) of Paris is on the sixth floor of an elevator building. And, as far as views go, being on the sixth floor in Paris is like being on the fortieth in New York. Sprawling windows in each room offer iconic views of Paris rooftops. A balcony large enough for a small dining set perpetually entices visitors to enjoy the view with a cup of coffee in the morning, book in the afternoon, and bottle of wine at night. This apartment, though, is more than just a good view.

Paris Accommodation: 2 Bedroom Rental in Bastille, Pere Lachaise - Nation (PA-3589) Paris Accommodation: 2 Bedroom Rental in Bastille, Pere Lachaise - Nation (PA-3589)

The interior is simple, bright and big (some 860 square feet). The living room’s white walls, wood floors and homey decor let the floor-to-ceiling windows do most of the talking, loads of sunlight during the day and a glittering of street luminosity at night. The apartment has two nice bathrooms and a modern kitchen. Located in Paris’ 12th arrondissement, this apartment is a stone’s throw from 5 metro and 2 RER lines at the Bastille and Gare de Lyon stations.

Why is this 2-bedroom accommodation in Bastille, Pere Lachaise-Nation a Hidden Gem?

Plenty of space and two bathrooms make this space feel more like a home than just a hotel-style vacation rental. That said, the main draw to this apartment is undoubtedly the view. Both bedrooms, the kitchen and the living room all sport oversized windows that look onto your adopted Paris neighborhood. The long terrace, a rarity in Paris apartments, is just icing on the cake.


October 22nd, 2007

Paris garden in Bastille Paris garden in Bastille

Two hundred and fifty years ago, the thought of spending a Paris vacation in Bastille was not very enticing. Today, thanks to a bloody revolution, the prison which stood as centerpiece of the neighborhood is gone. In its place is a towering spire, enormous roundabout (the Place de la Bastille), and the shimmering facade of the Opera Bastille. Thanks to several renovation projects, the grit of the neighborhood has been scrubbed clean. And thanks to New York Habitat’s apartment offerings, native Parisians aren’t the only ones lucky enough to enjoy it.

For those who don’t know the origins of the Bastille neighborhood, the quarter takes its namesake from the hulking medieval prison that once defined the area. On July 14th, 1789 the prison was stormed by angry anti-monarchists, a revolution was sparked, a few heads were chopped off (thanks, Mr. Guillotine) and voila, the birth of French democracy.

Nowadays the Bastille quarter of Paris is no secret. Located at the crossroads of the 4th, 11th and 12th arrondissements, cafes, boutiques and galleries have popped up all along Bastille’s grand avenues and petite cul de sacs. In addition to a world-class opera house, Bastille boasts a leading contemporary art gallery in La Maison Rouge.

Paris Accommodation: 1 Bedroom Rental in Bastille, Marais - Les Halles (PA-3374) Paris Accommodation: 1 Bedroom Rental in Bastille, Marais - Les Halles (PA-3374)

The area directly surrounding the Place de la Bastille is an amalgamated swath of traffic: vehicular, human and bicycle. Exiting the Bastille metro station at night can be a bit wild, music funnels into the street from lively bars and club owners court passing customers in both French and English. Walk five minutes away from the Place and the quarter becomes quieter, tidier and more residential. New York Habitat has plenty of Paris vacation accommodations down Bastille’s grand boulevards and charming side streets.

Paris Accommodation: 3 Bedroom Rental in Bastille, Marais - Les Halles (PA-3530) Paris Accommodation: 3 Bedroom Rental in Bastille, Marais - Les Halles (PA-3530)

New York Habitat has an accommodation for everyone in this quarter. For the solo traveler there is this wood-planked 1 bedroom rental in Marais-Les Halles (PA 3310), just off the bustling Place de la Bastille. Traveling families might find a home in this airy 3-bedroom duplex rental in Bastille (PA 3530). And for couples in search of the charms and romances of the river Seine there is a 1-bedroom boat house apartment in Bastille (PA 3374).

Related areas and neighborhoods in Paris :

Bercy, Paris

Why does staying in Bastille attract you? The history, nightlife, location or something else?


September 28th, 2007

2 Bedroom apartment in Paris Pere Lachaise - PA-3392 2 Bedroom apartment in Paris Pere Lachaise - PA-3392

Located in the quiet, leafy 11th arrondissement, this Hidden Gem 2-bedroom apartment boasts some very famous neighbors. Just around the corner from this flat reside the likes of Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf and Doors’ front-man Jim Morrison in the Pere Lachaise cemetery. Sure these stars are no longer living, but this residential neighborhood in Paris is very much alive. The district is home to countless cafes and restaurants as well this superbly designed and decorated 2-bedroom duplex accommodation(PA-3392).

Just around the corner from the St. Maur metro station, in a classic Parisian setting, this 2-bedroom duplex accommodation showcases a modern, minimalist design. Recently renovated by an interior designer, guests are sure to love the apartment’s decor. A professional constructed the apartment’s aesthetic and it shows in each and every room of the two-floor flat. The designer’s choice of light colors brightens the apartment significantly, making for a soft, sunny apartment on the greyest of days. Hardwood floors and modern appliances are two more highlights of the apartment. Overall, renters will be delighted with the amount of light in this apartment, a rarity for Parisian accommodations, and the consistent, modern design on both floors of the duplex apartment.

2 Bedroom apartment in Paris Pere Lachaise - PA-3392 2 Bedroom apartment in Paris Pere Lachaise - PA-3392

The Pere Lachaise-Nation district of Paris is bordered by the river Seine to the south, the trendy Marais district to the east, the park Buttes Chaumont to the north and the massive Bois de Vincennes to the west. The strategic location is safely off of the beaten path while still a stone’s throw from central Paris. Besides being the location of Pere Lachaise, the world’s most famous cemetery, this district offers cafes and scenic walks in an authentic Parisian environment. Au Trou Normand comes to mind when thinking of authentic, French eateries in the neighborhood. There are several great accommodation choices in the district including a funky Studio-Duplex (PA-3040).

Why is this two-bedroom duplex a Hidden Gem?

This Paris apartment’s proximity to the mammoth Pere Lachaise and several metro lines, paired with an excellent, minimalist design make this two-bedroom duplex apartment a Hidden Gem.

Can you name some other famous residents of the Pere Lachaise cemetery? Comment below.


August 10th, 2007

The 11th Arrondissement is to Paris as Williamsburg, Brooklyn is to New York. In short, the 11th Arrondissement is the spot that hip Parisians are flocking to. New York Habitat can help you avoid the tourist traps of Paris and explore the lively and artistic neighborhoods of the area. Our first stop is to take a look at this Three-Bedroom Duplex off of the Place de la Nation (PA-2472).

Colorful, Three-Bedroom Rental in Paris:

3 Bedroom Rental in Pere Lachaise Nation (PA-2472) living roomFrom the framed artwork throughout the space to the lobster and crab detail in the kitchen, this duplex home offers many conversation pieces. The lively array of colors on the walls, floor and furniture mix and match to create the eye-catching décor of this three-bedroom home.

The bedrooms, split amongst two floors, can sleep five people comfortably, while the large windows of the living room face east onto a small garden walkway.

Great for friends looking to explore Paris, this residential neighborhood contains several markets and shops of convenience.

The nearest metro stations are Nation (lines 1, 2, & 6) and the RER A.

11th Arrondissement, Paris:

3 Bedroom Rental in Pere Lachaise Nation (PA-2472) stairsMost historically well known for being the birthplace of the French Revolution, the 11th Arrondissement has contemporarily become the hipster escape from all things tourist in Paris. Boasting the Place de la Bastille, Place de la Nation, and the Place de la République, the area is a fascinating combination of newly built, trendy designs and 19th century Haussmann influence.

The Place de la Nation (the neighborhood of our aforementioned three-bedroom rental) is a more family oriented region. Nearby, however, the area surrounding Rue Oberkampf boasts an exciting collection of shops, galleries, restaurants, and clubs. Oberkampf, the Place de la Bastille, as well as the famous Paris attractions outside of the 11th Arrondissement can all be reached via the many metro lines that converge within this location.

3 Bedroom Rental in Pere Lachaise Nation (PA-2472) entranceWhy is this three-bedroom duplex a Hidden Gem?

Two floors of invigorating décor combined with the numerous delectable distractions of the area make this apartment a Hidden Gem. Easy access to four train lines only adds to its appeal. The 11th Arrondissement’s increasing popularity makes it a great area to live-in and visit during your stay in Paris.

For more information on the wonders of Paris, read Paris in Song - “Paris – Picture Perfect”.

Where are the best places to dine in the 11th Arrondissement? What other Paris neighborhoods can you suggest? Comment below.